From Cuban cigar boxes hanging on the walls to photos of Ricky Ricardo banging away on the conga drums to the Cuban version of a pulled pork sandwich known as a pan con lechon, visitors to Havana Cuban Cafe & Pizzeria are in for a cultural treat.

On Monday, city officials, friends and family joined Reuben Hernandez, Havana Cuban Cafe & Pizzeria owner, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for his new 100 percent authentic Cuban cuisine restaurant. Hernandez said when Havana opened on March 3, it was a dream come true. Inspired by his great-grandfather, who once owned a restaurant in Cuba until he was shut down by Fidel Castro’s government; Hernandez was able to open the restaurant in downtown Jamestown with help from this mother, Rita, who runs the kitchen; and support from his fiance, Marie. Hernandez was born in Miami and moved to Jamestown 10 years ago. He said when he graduated from Jamestown High School, he wanted to stay in the community.

”I didn’t want to leave here,” he said.

That is when he went to work with the support of his friends, family and Jamestown city officials to open the restaurant located at 212 N. Main St. Havana menu items include completas, which are composed plates of meat, beans, plantains or yucca, and white rice; pan con lechon; Cuban sandwiches; Cuban-style pizza; and for dessert Cuban flan and tres leche cake. Hernandez said, so far, it is an easy guess which entree seems to be everyone’s favorite.

”The Cuban, that is No. 1,” he said.

With support from the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and city’s Department of Development, Hernandez was able to receive financial assistance to open Havana. Greg Lindquist, JRC executive director, said with the addition of Havana, downtown Jamestown now has 25 restaurants.

”Downtown Jamestown is rapidly becoming the alternative to restaurant row in Lakewood,” he said.

Sam Teresi, Jamestown mayor, said without entrepreneurs like Hernandez, who have a dream to share their ethnicity with their community, Jamestown area residents would be missing out on the cultural experience.

”This is the place to come if you want to dine,” he said.

Alfonso Pagan, Ward 3 councilman, said he recently was in Cuba. He said the food at Havana is just as authentic as you can find on the island nation. He added that Cuban people have a powerful entrepreneurial spirit that is wonderful to experience when they are allowed to follow their dreams, which they weren’t allowed to do for many years under Castro’s reign.

”This is what they can do when they are set free,” he said.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To order take-out, call 720-4296. For more information, visit havanacubancafellc.com or follow Havana Cuban Cafe & Pizzeria on Facebook.