January 27, 2008

Top 4 Cuban Restaurants in the US

Filed under: restaurants — admin @ 12:50 pm
  1. Casa Lario’s 7705 W Flagler St., Miami
    A Miami Cuban food institution, it was the touchstone from the late 80’s until the late 90’s when the quality dropped off due to changes in management and staff. I understand the original owners are back and I can attest that the food is back to its previous level of excellence. Their style of preparation and rationing of the side dishes, quality of ingredients, bread, etc is very close to what I grew up eating and thus, try to cook today. Do not confuse this location with the one on Ocean Drive (different owners).
  2. Las Culebrinas 4700 W Flagler St, Miami
    I think Ropa Vieja con Camarones or Carne de Puerco con Pure de Aguacate would have been met with a “¿Que QUE?” and a hard cockeye or two were it ever to appear at a family meal. That said, this food is Cuban at its core with some nice, perhaps evolutionary, touches. They still have all the staples, so don’t be afraid.
  3. Porto’s Bakery 3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, California
    The original Porto’s is the most consistently packed Cuban bakery I have ever been to (yes, Gilbert’s included). This, the 2nd Porto’s location, has both a bakery and a restaurant. Delicious Cuban, and Pan con Bistec sandwiches, great mariquitas and mojito. Also, a full on Cuban bakery with pastelitos, croquetas, papas rellenas, palitroque, empanadas and Quinceañera cakes with neon-pink-roses frosting. All this in a high ceiling, church-like building that seats close to 200 or so.
  4. My apartment, or yours or La casa de tu Vieja
    The truth is, I’ve had the BEST cuban food in the homes of my family, friends and acquaintances. I mean, how do you convey what your grandmother’s Bistec en Cazuela tasted like to a staff of cooks?
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2 Comments »

  1. Who started this blog? While very interesting in his/her selection of condiments, I would like to know how you look.
    The Westchester Pork Tosser’s arms are not sufficient. Its my understanding this is a proper name. Maybe a gang that cooks good.

    Comment by La Fire — February 8, 2008 @ 6:32 pm

  2. […] particular that caught my eye is the topic of this post, a dish I’ve had maybe two times at Lario’s (no coincidence it used to be partially owned by the Estefan’s).  This naming convention is […]

    Pingback by Chicken Vaca Frita | arrozyfrijoles.com — December 15, 2008 @ 11:38 am

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