Whether it’s the lively salsa dancing, rhythmic bachata music or the beautiful language, the Hispanic culture is certainly one of the most alluring in the world. Though this vivacious culture is appealing for many reasons, one of my favorite reasons is the delicious, colorful, enticing food.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I felt it was my duty to embrace different Hispanic foods and try signature dishes from several countries. This past month has been filled with arepas, tostones, pinchos and much more. Though there are many places in South Florida to eat a great meal, here a few around campus to cure that foreign food craving.
Las Cholitas — Peruvian
1831 Pine Island Road Plantation
954-306-6041
Credit: PHOTO BY D. HUGHES
Credit: Arroz chaufa con mariscos/seafood fried rice
This Peruvian restaurant may blend in easily with the rest of the shops surrounding it, but it has no problem standing out when it comes to a colorful well-presented platter like the arroz chaufa con mariscos. This dish is where Peruvian cuisine and Chinese influence meet. I was served fried rice with fresh green onions, scrambled eggs and a variety of seafood including scallops and squid rings. This mouthwatering dish looked like a rainbow of seafood delight served on a platter just for me. Because this was such a large portion of food, it didn’t take long for me to ask for a box. I’d never been so excited to take home food in my life. The prices are a little steep, but the food and portion size is certainly worth it. However, they do have pretty reasonable lunch specials and coupons and they deliver. Las Cholitas will certainly be seeing a lot of me. Nos vemos pronto, Las Cholitas.
Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine — Cuban
2150 University Drive Pembroke Pines
954-538-0111
Eating at this Cuban restaurant was a calming, relaxing, savor-the-moment-between-you-and-your-marinated-chicken experience. I was feeling very chill this day so I decided to order a simple, yet satisfying dish, and the filete de pollo seemed just right for me. This flattened chicken breast came topped with sautéed onions, shaped white rice, steaming black beans, sweet plantains and sour lime for extra flavor. I cut my chicken into little pieces, mixed my beans into my rice, squeezed a little lime on top and went to work. This is just enough food to finish in one sitting without feeling guilty about it, and it’s totally worth every bite. Typically, chicken and white rice taste exactly how it sounds — like chicken and white rice. But the filete de pollo tasted like chicken cooked in Cuban love. Not one grain of rice remained on my plate when I was finished. I left Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine with a full belly and inquisitive mind, curious as to what I was going to try the next time I came.
Mi Casita Bakery — Colombian
8280 Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines
954-447-4753
Mi Casita Bakery made me break all the rules I had about eating pork and beef. I haven’t eaten anything besides chicken or fish in the last two years, for personal health reasons, but the moment I saw this signature Colombian dish in front of me, I couldn’t resist. Indulging myself in steak, pork rind, rice, beans, fried egg, plantains, avocado and tostones (smashed fried plantains) was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. I made sure I ate this meal at a glacial paste, slowly taking in the last time I’d probably eat beef or pork again. Besides the bandeja paisa, the arepa de chocolo was my other favorite item on the menu. Arepa de chocolo is a sweet corncake with cheese; it kind of tastes like a buttery fried pancake filled with sweet corn and crème cheese on top. Sounds odd, but believe me, one bite of this and you’ll be asking para mas.
Punta Canta — Dominican
9119 Taft Street Pembroke Pines
954-885-1225
Since I had already tried plenty of late night appetizers from various restaurants, I decided to switch it up and try a well-known Dominican breakfast, mangu: mashed plantains with eggs, cheese and salami. This hearty breakfast woke me up with its colorful display and distinct flavors. It tasted like I was embracing the Dominican Republic with each and every bite; the only thing that was missing was bachata music playing in the background. Punta Canta has a large selection of items on their menu, offering everything from cocido (cow feet soup) to langosta enchilada o al ajillo (scampi lobster creole style). Though I may not be brave enough to try the cow feet soup, I’m looking forward to enjoying my Dominican style breakfast again.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to experience different cultures by tasting their dishes. The dish at Las Cholitas was everything I imagined a Peruvian dish to be. Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine is the perfect place to bask in marinated chicken. Mi Casita Bakery’s Colombian dishes made me question my strict diet, while Punta Canta’s Dominican breakfast gave me a good reason to wake up early. Each restaurant delivered extremely flavorsome food in large portions at a reasonable price. Now that I’ve found where I find Hispanic flavor in South Florida, es tiempo para ir a comer.
