for every oneI first saw Sergio’s “Get Your Hands Off My Croquetas” tagline at a Bus Bench in Kendall. I was holding up traffic trying to get a good picture of it and eventually gave up. Everytime I see it, it brings a smile to my face. And the best part of it is that it’s true too!
picture courtesy of @Dancerpenquin’s Instagram
There’s probably nothing worse than waiting through your entire work week to finally see the “big movie” and having to deal with knuckleheads who think they’re at a pool party. There’s a couple of ways to solve this. If you’re going to be checking out some indie fare then I’d suggest visiting O Cinema to get your culture fix. If big Hollywood releases are your thing then Cinebistro should be on your radar.
Yes, there is a premium price to be paid here but you must be 21 to watch a movie, and the seats are probably larger and more comfortable than what you’ve already got at your house. And this is where the bistro part of their name comes into play, they have a full restaurant menu. You could of course come in, watch and leave but you wouldn’t get the full experience.
You should probably check out the Cinebistro Menu online.
To dine at the theater you must arrive 30 minutes prior to the showing. It’s pretty unbelievable how quickly the food gets to you, right as the lights begin to dim. The food can be anything from serviceable to excellent and over the last few months there are some particulars that I hope you take away from this post.
Beers, Specialty Drinks, Coffee (Mmm..Cortadito), Wine and Soft Drinks are on the drink menu. If you do choose a Soft Drink, make sure you ask for a refill which they will bring with your food. If not, you’ll need to step out of the theater mid film for it.
The menu changes and I’ve seen some dishes come and go. The Chorizo Sandwich had all the right components to be great but it just didn’t deliver. It’s good to see they’re paying attention to what works and removed it.
Chorizo Sandwich
The House Ground Bistro Burger has a special blend of beef cuts (Shortrib, Brisket and Chuck). It served with Cheddar and a Special Sauce, aren’t all the good ones served that way? It’s way better then this theater has any business serving. Those of you who frequent the “Chains”, should come here instead. It’s 100 times better. You heard that Mom & Pop? lol
I prefer the Wagyu Sliders to the full sized Burger. That Spicy Red Onion Jam on the Sliders has it going on.
House Ground Bistro Burger
Wagyu Sliders
On the starters front I’ve tried a bunch of them. The Croquetas are your standard meat sticks fried perfectly. No complaints here but they’re not house made. I do like the Stone Ground Mustard served with them though.
Croquetas
The regular Fries are just run of the mill shoestrings but if you do need a potato fix then the Sweet Potato Fries are a better option. You can also ask them to give you a half Reg/half Sweet Fry order instead.
Sweet Potato Fries
If you’re not very hungry but looking to just snack on something I’d suggest probably the CinéBistro Steak House Chips (Fresh cut Potato Chips topped with Short Rib, Gorgonzola Cheese, Bacon, Caramelized Onion, and a Malt Vinegar Steak Sauce), Popcorn Chicken (also available in Shrimp Or Calamari which are mixed with real Popcorn) or just Popcorn which is served in a ceramic odd shaped bowl. Free refills on the good ole but you would need to make the dreaded trip out of your safe haven.
There are some desserts on the menu but I didn’t indulge. My wife and her friend did order the “Chocolate S’mores At The Movies” one time. The menu describes it as “chocolate lava cake, homemade marshmallow, popcorn sabayon, graham popcorn streusel“.
Smores
They seemed to have really enjoyed it. I was too busy trying to figure out what to do with all the plates & cups I had collected and how to prevent them from falling of off my little swivel tray.
Film + Food:
CinéBistro - Dolphin Mall
11471 NW 12th St Ste 615E, Miami 33172
305-455-7373
If you live in Hialeah, Westchester, Kendall or West Miami then you probably already know about Sarussi Subs. You might have also seen Sarussi on the Man v. Food LIVE episode. If you don’t well they’re known for their giant 16 inch take on the Cuban Sandwich called the Sarussi Original (also available in 9 inch form). Their homemade bread is filled with Smoked Ham, Roasted Pork, Mozzarella Cheese, Pickles and a Secret Sauce.
The Sarussi Cafe & Subs is a new smaller concept than what you find at the other locations around town. It also features things like a Philly Cheese Steaks and Wraps. I decided to drop in for some breakfast and started with the go to Cuban breakfast item, a Cafe con Leche. Cafe con Leche for you of the Starbucks generation is a Latte made with some love. Here they serve the Cafecito (Expresso) on the side so you can make the Cafe con Leche to your liking. All you’ve got to do after that is add sugar and you’re in heaven.
Pre-Cafe Con Leche
On Sunday morning I headed out to Hialeah in search of a new Frita to enjoy. I did not find one but ended up at Moviestop where I bought a bunch of Blu-Rays like The Evil Dead, Return of the Living Dead, High Fidelity, Swingers and Animal House. I was with my dad so I headed back to his home in Westchester where the thought of a new Frita danced in my head. It didn’t help that the discussion about Fritas continued here, here and tambien aqui.
It had been a while since I had eaten a Frita from Sergio’s and I also like their Croquetas so that was a done deal. Right next door to Sergio’s is Pizza Cubana who does you guessed it, Cuban style Pizza. I’ve noticed that Cuban Pizza Joints always seem to have Fritas on their menu so I figured I’d give it a shot and see if they did. Bingo! There is a Frita on their menu so I took one to go.
After paying & waiting for a little bit I’m given a white bag with a sandwich wrapped in it. I go right next door, pick up my Sergio’s order and head back to my family’s HQ.
I’m more interested in Pizza Cubana’s Frita so I take it out of the bag. The Frita comes in a simple fast food type paper wrapper with “I (heart) Pizza Cubana” all over it. I open it up to find a slovenly put together Frita. Somehow there’s even a couple of those canned potato sticks laying on top of the bread. Speaking of which, where are all the other potato sticks?
Wrapped Frita
Pizza Cubana’s Frita
I take a gander in the bag and they were all in there except for the 2 POWs who had made it onto the sandwich. I take one bite and my first thought is “Holy shit, this is horrible!” It’s bad and as I’m still thinking about it I realize there was no onion whatsoever. I have yet to accept what I just tried so I open up the bottom bun to find a couple of onion slivers trying their hardest to stay away from me. I brought the patty right up to my nose, took a good sniff and decided I wouldn’t even take a second bite if someone dared me. You’ll be happy to know my dad fed this Frita to the cats in his neighborhood. Please do not call PETA claiming animal cruelty.
Potato Sticks still in the Bag
Frita, heavy on the Onions?
After having a Sergio’s Croqueta as a palate cleanser it’s time for their Frita. I’ve had it in the past and I wasn’t a fan of it. This time though when I unwrap, I find that it now has homemade julienne potatoes as opposed to those canned potato sticks. There’s still no Cuban roll, but the soft squishy burger bun has been branded with the Sergio’s logo. You’d think if they’re going to brand the bread it would be some high quality stuff.
Sergio’s Frita w/Branded Bun
Yes, that was one bite!
The Frita itself was not bad and way better than what I remember. The crunch, onions and ketchup were right on the money. The patty itself could have used a bit more seasoning in the smoked paprika area but overall not too shabby. It won’t be making any Top 10 Fritas lists but it also won’t make the worst Fritas list. That of course is saved for their neighbor Pizza Cubana. If only El Rey de las Fritas across the street had been open, this all could have been averted.
2 Eat or Not 2 Eat:
Pizza Cubana
9350 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33165
305-220-9049
and/or
Sergio’s
Facebook: Sergio’s
Twitter: @SergiosCuban
9330 Southwest 40th Street Miami, FL 33165
305-552-9626
Most folks think of Polo Norte for 2 things, Ice Cream & Cuban Style Pizza. I’ve never had dessert much less ice cream any of the times I’ve eaten here. Fans of Cuban Style Pizza come here to fulfill their fantasies.
The Croquetas here are divine. They are a bit on the large side and have a certain something that reminds of my favorite Croqueta of my youth, Latin American on Coral Way & 97th Avenue in Westchester (the place is long gone). These are a must order item and a hidden gem amongst Croqueta aficionados.
Croquetas
Luis Galindo’s Latin American Bakery & Cafe is one of the greatest things to happen to me food wise in the last few years. I love Luis Galindo’s Latin American Restaurant which is right next door but sometimes it’s just filled to capacity and I’ll be forced to order food to go. Enter the Bakery & Cafe which is not open as late as the resto but has a menu all its own along with sandwiches, fresh baked pastries and desserts. It’s also right near where I live which doesn’t hurt.
I come here for a few particular things. I always order the Cafe con Leche (Espresso with Steamed Milk) with Tostadas (Buttered & Toasted Cuban Bread). It could be for a late-ish dinner at 9:30PM or an afternoon lunch type deal but it always hits the spot.
Fun Galindo’s Bread Fact: Did you know Luis Galindo’s Latin American Bakery & Cafe sells Whole Wheat Cuban Bread? True Story!
Cafe con Leche
Sometimes I write about a new restaurant, go through the motions and point out a couple things here and there I like. I’ve been to Blue Collar run by Chef Danny Serfer five times and have not left disappointed. I’ve had something different each time but honestly, truthfully and really you should have The Big Ragout (Pork, Veal Shoulder & Brisket mix in hollowed out bread with fresh Mozzarella). It’s unbelievable. Oh and also get the mashed potatoes they’re heavenly.
Check out what delicious looks like below:
Potato Pancakes
