Archive for Little Havana
La Casa De Las Fritas Cubanas is in Little Havana or is it?
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When I drove by and saw the name La Casa de las Fritas Cubanas (translated means House of the Cuban Frita) I thought it might be the same owners as the New Jersey Frita shop that existed a few years back. I’m not sure if that’s the case cause I never asked.
I walked up to window which had a few bar stools for seating and ordered their Frita. La Casa de las Fritas Cubanas is housed in the same building as a gas station/car wash. A mish mash of chairs makes up the seating area on the inside. This place is typical for Little Havana with the kind of “kitchen” set up you might find at the front of any Hispanic supermarket.
You know what’s really good? Tamale at Taqueria El Mexicano in Little Havana
Posted by: | CommentsYou know what’s really good? The tamale at Taqueria El Mexicano in Little Havana. I love tamales but seem to have trouble finding exceptional ones. I waltzed into Taqueria El Mexicano looking to enjoy a Cochinita Pibil Taco and left a giant fan of their tamale. It had a moist Pork filling and deliciously light and not overbearing red sauce. The tamale is served in a corn husk and it’s up to you to unwrap this beauty and enjoy.
2 Please!
Get your Husk on:
Taqueria El Mexicano
521 SW 8th St Miami, FL 33130
305-858-1160
El Carnal 2 in Little Havana, Florida
Posted by: | CommentsI get asked about authentic Mexican Tacos quite a bit and it’s kinda crazy to think but Little Havana has quite a few spots you should probably eat at. El Carnal 2 is one of those spots you need to hit up. Is there an El Carnal 1? Yes but it’s taco trailer that only comes out for special events and parties. The place is not very big and neither is the menu but they make up for it with the tacos.
El Carnal II
Trio of Al Pastor Tacos
Tacos & Sauces
I ordered a trio of tacos al pastor. If you’re not familiar with Tacos Al Pastor, think a vertical rotisserie where the meat (in this case Pork) is sliced off in slivers. The tacos are served plain on corn tortillas and you add the pico de gallo and sauces. There are 3 sauces to choose from: a guacamole based, a chipotle based and the last one with some heat. I topped all 3 dudes with some pico and then a sauce each. I didn’t find any of them to be bad but I preferred the one with heat. The taco meat was on point which helped.
Taquitos
Taquito Innards
I also had an order of chicken taquitos/flautas. The chicken flauta wasn’t bad but not good enough to crave. The crema and queso blanco on them was superb, some of the best I’ve ever had. The rice was a little more on the dry side than I would normally expect from an authentic Mexican joint but the right flavors were there. I’ll be back and the next time I’ll be ready to al pastor it up again.
El Carnal 2
1128 SW 8th St, Little Havana, FL
786-287-8950
La Camaronera in Little Havana (Miami), Florida
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I recently read about La Camaronera on food for thought‘s Best Cuban Sandwiches in Miami post. He mentioned that the best fried fish sandwich in town was at La Camaronera. As luck would have it, a certain food truck happened to park near here a few weeks back. I decided to walk in and take a gander at what was going on. The place was packed and there were no seats, only counter space.
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| Standing Room only |
I decided right then that I would return with my father in tow to check this place out aka stuff my face. After some investigating (not too much) I found La Camaronera’s appearance on both Guy Fieri’s Diner’s Drive-Ins and Dives and on Michelle Bernstein’s Check, Please!.
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| Bollitos de Carita |
We had the Bollitos de Carita (Black-eyed Pea Fritters) to start with. I really couldn’t explain much to you about them other than the fact that they’re very addictive and have have a distinct flavor all their own. The fritters are ground beans after all. While I ordered the Camarones Fritos (Breaded Shrimp) , my father ordered the Pan con Minuta (Fried Snapper Sandwich).
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| Camarones Fritos |
The Breaded Shrimp were very crispy and delicious. The shrimp are tossed in a ketchup based sauce, breaded and then fried. I had never heard of a ketchup based breading technique but it works. The Pan con Minuta (Minuta means that they butterfly cut the fish) still has its tail attached but it adds to the authenticity of the sandwich. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that some people eat the tail (actually I know they do).
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| Pan con Minuta |
The sandwich is topped with fresh onions, ketchup and their homemade tartar sauce on a fresh Cuban bread roll. Great combination and great flavors that can only be topped if you use their homemade Hot Sauce.
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| Salsa Picante – Hot Sauce |
I liked the shrimp so much I figured I should order it in sandwich form, La Camaronera Sandwich. It also has the fresh onions, ketchup and homemade tartar sauce on a Cuban bread roll.
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| La Camaronera Sandwich |
While the breaded shrimp alone was great, the sandwich took it to another level. You’d think I was done but I wasn’t. It was Key Lime pie time.
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| Key Lime Pie |
The pie was creamy and tart (it caught me off guard in a good way). I loved it because it was great way to end the meal. A few other pieces of info you should know are that they only take Cash and it also functions as a Seafood Market.
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| Fresh Fish case |
As a matter of fact, you can pick a fish out of the refrigerated case and have them fry it for you right there. If you’re from out of town and want to take in a unique Miami experience with great food then this is the place for you. If you’re from Miami and have never been here, then it’s about time you did.
La Camaronera Restaurant and Seafood Market
La Camaronera Facebook Page
1952 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL
305-642-3322
Pollo Campero – Little Havana, Florida
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The first time I drove by Pollo Campero I couldn’t believe the ridiculously long line to get into the place. Nothing changed the next few times I drove by and I decided to look up online where the popularity for PC came from. Turns out it’s a fried chicken chain from Guatemala. So one day I’m driving by and there’s no one there, I couldn’t believe it. I figured it was sign that it was time to check this place out. I walk in and there’s one guy in front of me who’s apparently learning how the ordering process goes. If I could have, I would have deep fried his noggin. Once Mr. timeliness is done, I survey the menu and decide to order a variety of things.
I get a box of their pressure cooked chicken, chicken strips, black beans w/rice,
french fries, yuca fries, breaded chicken sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich and flan. Next thing I know, I look behind me and there is a massive line, I guess nothing’s changed. I just happen to have arrived at the right time. They have an area for sauces as well as fresh cilantro and I wanted to get a pic of it but guess who’s in my way? Mr. slow as molasses. This guy is packing up containers of sauces like it’s going out of style, much like his tacky clothes.
I arrive at my parent’s house and they think I’ve gone mad with all the stuff I brought. The black beans/rice, french fries and flan were ok. 
The yuca fries were good. The chicken strips were pretty good also but those chicken sandwiches were not.
The grilled chicken sandwich tasted like a cardboard box, I’m not kidding.
Once I tried the chicken I see what the fuss is all about. This chicken is delicious, real delicious.
It’s moist and crispy on the outside. All hail Pollo Campero. If I were a chicken, I’d want to be in a Pollo Campero pressure cooker and if I was a hammer, I’d want to crush the skull of the guy who was in line in front of me. Ok, so that might have been too harsh, kneecaps maybe?
Pollo Campero
2800 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL
305-643-4260
Mi Rinconcito Mexicano – Little Havana, Florida
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I was hesitant to go to Mi Rinconcito Mexicano when my wife Marcela first told me about it. From her description, I envisioned it being like the bars you find in a Robert Rodriguez western. After actually stepping foot into this place I can tell you it’s more like a Mexican Morro Castle. Since I got over my original objections, I’ve been here more times than I can count.
Tortilla Chips w/Salsa
As soon as you arrive, you’ll be served some Tortillas Chips with Salsa (hopefully because sometimes the waitresses forget you’re there). These are not those cheap things you get at places like Chili’s. These chips are thick, freshly made and most importantly served with a spicy homemade Salsa. Non spicy Salsa is also available.
Queso Fundido w/Chorizo
Warm Tortillas
My go to appetizers are the Nachitos and the Queso Fundido. The Nachitos are the same previously mentioned Tortilla Chips with Refried Beans, Chorizo and Queso Fundido. The Queso Fundido (melted Cheese topped with Chorizo & Ground Beef) is served with warm tortillas. To say the Queso Fundido tastes phenomenal is an understatement.
Chilaquiles w/Scrambled Eggs
Marcela is a big fan of their Chilaquiles. What exactly is a Chilaquile? Well, I’ll give a shot at explaining what they are. They’re tortilla chips which have been cooked with either Salsa Verde or Roja (green means go, red means run) which leaves them moist. They are topped with Crema (Mexican Sour Cream), served with a side of Refried Beans and a side of Eggs (Marcela prefers them scrambled). You can also add Beef or Chicken to the equation if you so desire.
First timers might find it easier to order one of their combination platters so they can try everything. I prefer Combination #2 which has two Gorditas, two Tacos, two Sopes and a Quesadilla Chilanga (Beef, Pork and Cheese Quesadilla). And sometimes I order Combination #3 (three Tostadas, three Tacos, Three Enchiladas and three Sopes.) but that’s mostly because I love their Enchiladas. OR……maybe if you’re not as hungry, you can go for Combo #1.
Combination 1
Another reason Mi Rinconcito Mexicano is special is because you can find La Migaja Bakery at the back of it. La Migaja sells authentic Mexican Baked Goods and Desserts. The Pie de Elote (Corn Pie) is probably your best best here. It goes perfect with a cup of coffee. And on Mexican Holidays like the Day of the Dead you can find Pan de Muerto for sale.
Oh yeah, and since I referenced Robert Rodriguez earlier and before anyone asks, Cochinita Pibil is only available once a week as a special, make sure you inquire with your server.
By the way, if you like this place, check out Jacalito also.
Mi Rinconcito Mexicano
1961 SW 8th St Miami, Fl 33135
305-644-4015
El Rey De Las Fritas – Little Havana, Florida
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El Rey de las Fritas is one of those restaurants tourists descend upon when they visit Miami. It’s located in Little Havana (possibly the loudest place in Miami) and on Calle Ocho (aka 8th St.) There is no doubt you’re in Little Havana once you walk in and check out the decor. I’ve lived in Miami most of my life but it had been a while since I had been to El Rey.
I headed to the El Rey de las Fritas’ home location which moved from it’s original spot a few years ago after a fire. If you’re into people watching then this is the place for you. There were plenty of characters in this place to suit your needs. I ordered a couple of Fritas (one with cheese and one without) and some fries.
The fries were a standard affair, pretty much what I find at all the Frita establishments. One can only assume everyone took the lead from them and instead of regular fries you can also choose to get the tiny shredded potatoes aka Papas Julianas. The Fritas were very good. I preferred the one with Cheese though when normally I prefer the one without.
El Rey De Las Fritas
1821 SW 8th St, Little Havana, FL
305-858-4223
Morro Castle – Little Havana, Florida
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If you’re not into the open air type of thing, then this is not the place for you. Morro Castle, located in Little Havana is one of those places you probably drive by and say to yourself, I’m going to stop there one day to get something to eat but never do. It’s not too far from where I live, so I decided to drop in (this Morro Castle has no relation to the one in Hialeah).
There were a couple of people being very loud when I walked in. This was just confirmation to me that I was in Little Havana. I go to the counter to order, and the two servers were moving so slow I thought that maybe what they needed was some Cuban Coffee. After having spent some time there, now I think what they needed was air conditioning.
I’m also ordering for my sister and father. I order a few Fritas, a Grilled Cheeseburger, some Churros, a couple order of Papitas Fritas (fries) and a couple of Flans. There’s one thing the Grilled Cheeseburger isn’t, and that’s grilled. It tasted OK and had that processed rubbery American Cheese that your intestines will not be able to get rid of for a few weeks (I’m sickly in love with this type of Cheese for reasons I can’t explain).
As per my sis, the Churros were probably better than La Palma, and I thought so too. The Flan was OK, it was creamy but it had a hint of coconut flavor, and that’s not my thing.
The Papita Fritas aka french fries were delicious if you like the flavor of cooking oil. I’ve had them before and they were just fine. I guess someone couldn’t wait to drop them in the oil. Now, the Frita was good. Raw onions, Ketchup and their homemade tiny Potatoes (julienne cut), some real good stuff. This Frita probably has the most pronounced Chorizo flavor of all the Fritas I’ve ever had. A few points were lost for not using a Cuban Roll though.
Morro Castle Little Havana's Frita
So if you’re ever in Little Havana, stop by and try their Fritas and make sure you have on some ear plugs.
Morro Castle:
2500 NW 7th St, Miami, Fl
305-642-4747
