Flan Factory Opens Second Location at Armature Works

Flan Factory will open at Armature Works in Tampa. The Cuban restaurant arrives at Market Hall, 1910 N Ola Avenue. This family-owned spot won first place at the 2022 International Cuban Sandwich Festival.

This marks the second spot for the business. Joseph Palau launched the first restaurant at 1718 N Nebraska Avenue in Ybor City.

"As a first-generation Tampeño born and raised in West Tampa, it was always important to my abuela that we held on to our Cuban heritage and traditions," Palau said, according to That's So Tampa. "When she passed away in 2014, I wanted to honor her memory and share her legacy through Flan Factory."

Palau started the restaurant to honor his grandmother. Her recipes sparked the signature desserts that gave this place its name.

The menu features guava, pistachio, starfruit, matcha dark chocolate, and strawberry flan. Vegan options exist for plant-based diners. Cuban-inspired dishes fill out the rest of the menu.

The 1985 sandwich stacks deep-fried brioche bread with guava sauce, cream cheese, and oven-roasted turkey breast. The Timba appetizer? Flash-fried queso blanco paired with guava sauce.

The Cuban sandwich that won at the 2022 competition includes slow-roasted pork, Genoa salami, serrano ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mayo, and mustard on pressed Cuban bread. Since opening, the Ybor City spot has grown, adding a dining area to the original space.

Guests can order iced horchata at both spots. The business has grown from a hidden gem to one of Tampa's favorite local restaurants since launching in Ybor City.

The original restaurant stays open at 1718 N Nebraska Avenue while the Armature Works spot prepares to launch. No opening date has been announced for the new Market Hall location.