Al Carbon – Coral Gables, Florida
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Another Colombian place? I had sworn off all “Colombian places” after the debacle that is Que Perros, plus I pissed some dude off enough with my review that he left a near un-readable comment, worth checking out alone. So after some convincing from a few people, one of which was Chad from Brickell Life, I decided to give it a go. I’ve driven past this place at least a half dozen times and not gone in because it was packed in the outside seating area. Marcela and I decide to go on a Monday night for dinner and it wasn’t too bad. It looks pretty cool inside with cowhide on the wall and a nice looking bar. 
We decide on Salchipapas and the Papa Asada(con salsa de queso) as our starters. Well for those of you who don’t know spanish or do and still have no clue what a Salchipapa is, it’s sausage slivers with french fries.
Papa Asada is baked potato, here it’s served with a cheese sauce. So, I had never tasted Salchipapas before, it was good but it seemed like it needed something else, possibly a sauce. The Papa Asada, was well, it was a baked potato, so if you like those, you’ll like this. 
The sauce we couldn’t quite place our fingers on. It didn’t have a strong flavor and after trying to figure out what it was for a few minutes, we gave up and Marcela asked the waitress. Turns out, she didn’t know. She goes to ask the kitchen, and we’re told it’s cream cheese with different spices, interesting. I didn’t see that one coming. Marcela and I decide to split 2 things, the Hawaiian Burger (swiss cheese, caramelized pineapple) and Caramelized Onions and Blue Cheese Hot Dog (it’s also got crushed potato chips and cole slaw). 
There are a few things I don’t like, alright more than a few things but pineapple and cole slaw are up there. The hot dog was good, I couldn’t even taste the slaw, maybe because it’s placed under the dog. I liked it but I would definitely go for a different flavor combination next time. Now the Hawaiian Burger I really loved. 
It was stuffed with pineapple and swiss and it tasted pretty amazing. I do not think this burger is one that will appeal to the masses though because of the seasoning the meat has. I forgot to mention, the roll the burger is on is really good, plus it has some branding on it. Nice touch. 
The good thing is they deliver, and since I’m not too far from there. I’ll think I’ll take them up on that offer.
Al Carbon
2280 Coral Way, Coral Gables, FL
305-856-3366
Thanks for the shout out Beast. Al Carbon is solid. But I agree with you that it won’t blow you away. Burgers are good, empanadas are excellent, cold beers always seem to quench my thirst; so I’m keeping on the go-to list for now.
I had a burger from Chili’s yesterday. Is it weird that I thought it was really good? I mean come on, freaking Chili’s…
The best thing to get at Al Carbon is La Picada, which is a sampler plate of all the Colombian meats.
I wasn’t too fond of the burger, but it does taste like what you would get in Colombia.
A while back I went there with the wife on a friend's recommendation. The only thing I remember was the lame burger. A burger, on a bun with a trace of something injected in the middle. No fries, no veggies, nothing.
Not impressed at all.
Only one thing to say about Al Carbon…. BUURP!
Ate here twice when I was working over at a law firm in the Gables. Was thoroughly unimpressed both times; the food was too expensive for what it was. Maybe they’ve gotten better about it, but back then it was just a disaster.