It's time for Dining Month, presented by Deer District and its spooky Halloween-themed alter ego, Fear District. Throughout the month of October, we'll be serving up fun and fascinating content about all things food. The signature dish, however, is our 2019 Best of Dining poll, who's winners we will dish out all month long. Get hungry, Milwaukee!

Cubanitas

Cubanitas, with locations in Downtown and Oak Creek, has delivered the flavors Cuba to Milwaukee with favorites like empanadas, plantains and mojitos since 2003. As the city's first and only entirely Cuban restaurant, Cubanitas relies on both simple flavors and fresh ingredients to create palate-pleasing dishes.

And in case its two locations are still too far a journey for you, the restaurant is slated to open a third location at The Corners of Brookfield in early 2020. So when you get a craving for some plantains or a mojito, you'll soon have plenty of locations to choose from. Plus every single one is much closer, cheaper and easier than flying to the Caribbean.

While Cubanitas first place win was scored with a relatively wide margin; the remainder of the race was definitely high stakes, with less than 10 votes separating the second-, third- and fourth-place winners: Sabor Tropical, Ethiopian Cottage and Alem Ethiopian Village.

Runners-up:
2. Sabor Tropical 
3. Ethiopian Cottage 
4. Alem Ethiopian Village 
5. Blue Star Cafe

OnMilwaukee editors' pick: Ethiopian Cottage

Lori Fredrich's pick: Blue Star Cafe