Handmade Cigars and Cuban Style Espresso at Old Fashion Cigar in Downtown St. Cloud

St. Cloud sits on the southern shore of East Lake Tohopekaliga, about 26 miles southeast of Orlando, in northern Osceola County. The buildings downtown are predominantly Spanish Revival.

In City Editor Yomari's storefront photo, the door glass reads "Old Fashion Cigar Handmade," and the street number 1308 is painted below the door. The window sign reads "Come relax & enjoy us." Yellow umbrellas and patio tables stand on the sidewalk in front.

City Editor Yomari wrote in her own words, "St. Cloud has a cozy and welcoming cigar place, where conversations and connections happen and enthusiasts can enjoy."

Atlas Obscura reports that Cuban American husband and wife team Gessler Hernandez and Yulema Perez have opened a business in St. Cloud, Florida that is inspired by their home island, a full service cigar lounge.

From Havana to 10th Street

Atlas Obscura says Hernandez and Perez have worked in hotels, catering companies, and restaurants in Cuba, Spain, Miami, and Orlando for more than 20 years.

In 2011, while living in Orlando, the two of them asked Hernandez's grandfather to teach them to roll cigars. Hernandez told Atlas Obscura that his grandfather had been a cigar roller in Cuba.

"Armed with family secrets, the duo began rolling cigars at events throughout the region," Atlas Obscura writes.

During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Atlas Obscura reports, Hernandez and Perez "opened their brick-and-mortar in a 750-square-foot space in an old Spanish-colonial style building in downtown St. Cloud."

On the about page of their own site, the owners write, "We are original from Habana, Cuba and we have been performing Cigar and Coffee services presentation for years."

Inside the lounge

The lounge's location page carries the heading "CIGAR LOUNGE SAINT CLOUD" and says, "Just come relax & enjoy us."

The atmosphere page is titled "MI HABANA VIEJA." It asks guests to "Take your time and visit the Old Fashion Cigar lounge in the Saint Cloud Downtown area."

Yomari's interior photo shows leather sofas and armchairs, cigar boxes on wall shelving and a wall TV.

The Downtown St. Cloud shopping directory lists Old Fashion Cigar at 1308 10th St and calls it an "amazing and Unique Old Fashion Cigar Lounge Located in St Cloud."

Atlas Obscura says the space has outdoor seating when weather allows. Yomari's patio photos show yellow umbrellas, tables and potted topiary on the sidewalk.

The cafe side

Atlas Obscura writes that the space doubles as a cafe, where the staff pulls shots of strong, Cuban style espresso.

"They’re particularly famous for their café con leche, inspired by Perez’s mother’s recipe, which swaps out sugar for sweetened condensed milk."

Atlas Obscura reports that the tapas menu includes pan con lechón, a sandwich made with roast pork shoulder, and tortillas with tuna and pico de gallo, which find their place alongside charcuterie boards.

One Atlas Obscura photo caption says, "The charcuterie board is anything but an afterthought." Another says, "Visitors will experience the Cuban influence in the menu picks."

The motto on the owners' about page reads, "Good Coffee is a pleasure & Good Cigars are a treasure."

How they pair a cigar

Atlas Obscura writes that when it comes to choosing a cigar, there is much to be made of the cigar wrapper, which is composed of carefully selected tobacco leaves.

"Some wrappers, like maduros, have a much heavier flavor. Others, like Connecticut wrappers, are milder."

Atlas Obscura writes that Hernandez and Perez "advise that people pair heavy cigars, food, and drinks with each other, and vice versa."

"When people stroll into the lounge after a meal, servers ask them what they’ve just eaten before recommending a cigar."

Some of the lounge's cigars are infused with flavors like coffee. Atlas Obscura writes that "Hernandez also created a cigar with a jalapeño slice near the head of the cigar."

The craft and the history

The history of Cuban cigars "starts with the Indian community," Perez told Atlas Obscura. The pre Columbian Taínos were the people indigenous to the island, and the word "tobacco" comes from their language.

Smoking cigars is "our culture," Hernandez said.

The owners' about page describes their show for events. "Our demonstration consists of a cigar roller and Barista presenter, where the art of cigar and Coffee are explained all questions that may arise are answered, because Coffee, Cigars & Friends make the perfect Blend."

The same page adds, "I can't say that I am in the tobacco and coffee business to become rich because I would definitely be lying. I enjoy teaching the guests about the art that has been passed down by generation in my family."

If you go

Old Fashion Cigar is at 1308 10th Street Saint Cloud FL 34769, according to the lounge's location page.

According to Atlas Obscura, the lounge hosts live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

The home page lists Speciality Cigar Service for Welcome Receptions & Weddings, Private Parties, Golf Tournaments and Restaurants Service (Cigar Roller).

Check hours before you go.

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