EL JEFE CAFE – Mexican
A sister branch of that same small Tampa cafe group, this second location serves Cuban breakfast and lunch, drawing on the same menu rather than a location-specific one, since the two Tampa addresses on file could not be matched to a single confirmed storefront for this row. The kitchen turns out cafe con leche and Cuban toast for the morning crowd, then shifts to slow-roasted pork, picadillo, and ropa vieja for lunch, backed by empanadas, deviled crabs, and shrimp-and-cheese grits. Cheesecake, flan, and horchata close out the meal. Hours run early morning through mid-afternoon, Monday through Saturday, kitchen closed Sundays.
5317 GUNN HWY UNIT 9, TAMPA, FL, 33624 813.515.5289 https://www.eljefelatincafe.com/0Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, low-fodmap, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at EL JEFE CAFE
Dairy-Free at EL JEFE CAFE
EL JEFE CAFE in Tampa has 7 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Deviled Crab, Cuban Toast and Breakfast Platter. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at EL JEFE CAFE
EL JEFE CAFE in Tampa has 7 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Deviled Crab, Breakfast Platter and Roast Pork. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at EL JEFE CAFE
EL JEFE CAFE in Tampa has 12 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Deviled Crab, Cuban Toast and Breakfast Platter. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at EL JEFE CAFE
EL JEFE CAFE in Tampa has 2 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including The Cuban and Shrimp & Cheese Grits. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at EL JEFE CAFE
EL JEFE CAFE in Tampa has 1 keto-tagged dish on its current menu, including Chorizo Egg & Cheese. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at EL JEFE CAFE
EL JEFE CAFE in Tampa has 2 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chorizo Egg & Cheese and Roast Pork. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at EL JEFE CAFE
EL JEFE CAFE in Tampa has 1 nut-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Spinach Salad. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at EL JEFE CAFE
EL JEFE CAFE in Tampa has 1 vegan-tagged dish on its current menu, including Cuban Toast. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at EL JEFE CAFE
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Build Your Own Bowl | 55 g | 60 g |
| Breakfast Platter | 89.4 g | 46.2 g |
| The Cuban | 3 g | 43.3 g |
| Authentic Street Tacos | 41.5 g | 40 g |
| Chefs Salad | 26.7 g | 36.1 g |
| Shrimp & Cheese Grits | 19.1 g | 32.2 g |
| Chorizo Egg & Cheese | 2 g | 32 g |
| Chicken & Waffle | 18.9 g | 28.7 g |
| The Reuben | 25.4 g | 28.1 g |
| Cafe con Leche | 22.5 g | 14.8 g |
| Arroz con Pollo | 13.6 g | 10.4 g |
| Roast Pork | 16.5 g | 9 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Menu
Breakfast
- Breakfast Platter - $10.99 Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, High-Fiber, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Avocado Cheese Toast - $8.5: Fresh avocado and cheese on toasted bread Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
- Biscuits and Gravy - $7.99 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Egg, Cheese, & Chorizo Sandwich - $9.25: Served on Media Noche sweet bread Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Omelette Platter - $11.5 Dietary tags: Halal Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Shrimp & Cheese Grits - $13.99 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Chicken & Waffle - $12.5 Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Torrejas - $8.99: Cuban style French toast Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Chorizo Egg & Cheese - $8.75 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: breakfast, brunch
Salads
- Chefs Salad - $11.99 Available at: dinner, lunch
- Spinach Salad - $10.5 Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Sandwiches
- The Reuben - $12.99 Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tampa Bay Cheesesteak - $13.5 Available at: dinner, lunch
- The Cuban - $11.99: Tampa Bay's finest Cuban sandwich Dietary tags: High-Protein Available at: dinner, lunch
- Medianoche / Midnight - $11.99: Classic Cuban sandwich on sweet bread Available at: dinner, lunch
- The Bivins Sandwich - $12.5 Dietary tags: Halal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Build Your Own Bowl - $13.99 Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, High-Fiber, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ropa Vieja - $15.99: Shredded beef in tomato-based sauce Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Slow-Carb, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Picadillo - $14.5: Ground beef hash with olives and raisins Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roast Pork - $14.99 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Authentic Street Tacos - $11.5 Dietary tags: Halal, Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Cholesterol, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Arroz con Pollo - $13.99: Chicken and rice Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
Appetizers & Sides
- Empanadas - $3.99: Homemade savory pastries Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Deviled Crab - $6.5: Tampa style deviled crab Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cuban Toast - $2.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: breakfast, brunch
Desserts
- Ybor City Flan - $5.99 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Classic Cheesecake - $6.5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Beverages
- Cafe con Leche - $4.25: Cuban coffee with milk
- Horchata - $4.5
- Hot Chocolate - $3.75
- Cappuccino - $4.75
Frequently Asked Questions about EL JEFE CAFE
- Is EL JEFE CAFE dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. EL JEFE CAFE has 7 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Deviled Crab, Cuban Toast and Breakfast Platter.
- What can I eat at EL JEFE CAFE on a dairy-free diet?
- Deviled Crab, Cuban Toast and Breakfast Platter carry the dairy-free tag, out of 7 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does EL JEFE CAFE have vegan options?
- Yes. 1 dish is tagged vegan on the current menu, including Cuban Toast.
- Is EL JEFE CAFE gluten-free?
- 7 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at EL JEFE CAFE?
- Build Your Own Bowl, at roughly 60g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near EL JEFE CAFE
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- TRES CARNES LLC — Mexican
- TACOS MI RANCHO 2 — Mexican
- AGAVE SOCIAL — Mexican
- PERDIGON EL SABOR — Mexican
- CONCESSIONS-TERRACE-322 LOLIS TACOS — Mexican
- Senor Tequila Mexican Restaurant — Mexican
- DULCE BITES — Mexican
- LA CASA CATRACHA — Mexican
- TAQUERIA EL PATO LOCO — Mexican
- CRAZY BURRITO — Mexican
- EL RINCONCITO DEL SABOR — Mexican
