To become a real - deal Miamian , there are a few things you have to do : own chancletas , know someone who can get you into LIV , and doall ofthesethings at least once . Another substantial requirement is sampling all of our enticing local cuisines and drinks , which includes everything from Cuban java and Cuba Libres , to pastelitos , Los Perros , and your daily region pig roast . Before you jump saying you ’re “ so 305 , ” make certain you ’ve checked these 22 items off your list .
Mangoes
Summertime in Miami is like mating season for mango trees . We do n’t really know how or why it happens , but all of a sudden we wake up in July , and these sweet , inept - looking fruits are cover our front thousand and being sell on street corner , and we ’re making up mango recipes just to get rid of them . The mango tree is at its most authentic when take from your neighbour ’s yard , cut into clod , and serve as a snack .
Cafecito
This white plastic shot glass of uncomfortably strong coffee is an essential part of any Miami workday . We joke here that it ’s “ smooth crack , ” but we ’re also not really joking . To be a real Miamian , get it from theLa Carretaon Bird Rd or theVersailleson Calle Ocho before work , after luncheon , and at 3:05pm . Then pray for your stomach / intestines .
Cortadito
If you ’re new to the Miami secret plan and ca n’t wield a cafecito , regard this stimulation . It ’s Cuban burnt umber with a few tablespoon of Milk River and simoleons , and is served in a slightly large , white Styrofoam loving cup by any Cuban nan with a window near you .
A hot dog from Arbetter’s
Arbetter’sis a home - owned joint that ’s been on Bird Rd for 50 + years , which you ’ll know directly because it looks like it ’s been sitting on Bird Rd for 50 + years . Its hot pawl are as no - pettifoggery as the shack they ’re sold in , and you may get them with ketchup , mustard , relish , onions , chili con carne , or cheese .
Guava queso pastelito
This version of the piping hot Cuban pastry dough is glut with melted cheese and guava . Miami babies occur out of the womb craving this item , which you may find on Hialeah and Calle Ocho street corners , and at Publix , La Carreta , and any Cuban baby shower bath , reunification , or wedding . you may not get more Miami than this .
Cuba Libre
No , this is not just a rummy and Coke . A real Cuba Libre requires a strategic mixing of dark rum , Coke , clean linden juice , and the skill of a “ viejo ” who wears a fedora and believably rolls his own Cuban cigars .
Casola’s pizza
It ’s not that you ’re simply perplex pizza , it ’s that you ’re gettingCasola’spizza , and you ’re probably getting it at 3 am after unrealistic promises to yourself of “ have just one drink ” at Batch . The slice are so vast and greasy that you ’ll have to fold them in half to eat , which after waiting in Casola ’s seemingly never - stop note that late at night , you will not heed .
Cuban bread
A morning in Miami is not complete without cafecito No . 1 and tear apart con mantequi – er , Cuban lettuce with butter .
A milkshake at Robert Is Here
Robert Is Hereis a tropic fruit bandstand that has been around since the 1960s and was started by a guy named Robert … who is still here ! It ’s cognise for its alien fruit – even the eldritch ones , like carambola , jackfruit , and dragonfruit – and its famous milkshakes : a commixture of any fruit Robert has in season , fro - yo , and ice emollient .
Cuban sandwich
The Miami Cuban is a glorious combination of ham , roasted pork , Swiss cheese , and mustard on Cuban bread . And just like the bread it ’s process on , we consider it one of our corking design .
Juice from El Palacio de los Jugos
You will need succus fromEl Palaciobecause 1 ) its name literally translates to “ the palace of succus ” and 2 ) it has a new - squeezed succus counter that can juice any given any fruit grown in South Florida : papaya , guava bush , mango , and more .
Monty’s conch fritters
Monty’sis belike the only place in the worldly concern where UM frat hombre , football players , Coconut Grove drifters , erstwhile Florida hippy , and hot local can stare at yachts together in harmony . Go when the sun ’s out on a Saturday , and be sure to place the conch fritters . These golden - fry nuggets are made with the freshest conch in Dade , guaranteed .
Street churros in Hialeah
While we do n’t normally advise bribe thing off the street in Hialeah – in this face – we encourage it . These fried dough pastries are cover in shekels , and should be wipe out for breakfast , dessert , as a snack , or anytime you see a guy in Hialeah walk up to your car seek to sell you churros .
Cinnamon buns from Knaus Berry Farm
You should never be doing a walk of life of disgrace in Homestead for any reason , so if you ’re there ( and awake outdoors at 6 am ) , it ’s potential becauseKnaus Berry Farmhas reopened its room access . It ’s track down by Amish occupier , is only open from November to April , and has cinnamon buns good enough to convince Miamians that they should get up at 6 am on a Saturday and drive to Homestead . And that ’s saying something .
Caja China
This is principally reserved for special occasion in the backyards of Cuban or Puerto Rican family , and might be made by the same guy who made your Cuba libre and his grandson . In short , caja china– pronounced “ ca - ha chee - nah ” – is a Cuban - style pig roast . An integral slob is roasted in a wooden box in a pit in the earth , the outcome of which net you a whole lot of tender , delicious pork .
Honey mustard chicken sub from Hungry Bear
Hungry Bearis a yap - in - the - rampart sandwich shop that ’s hidden across the street from the Miami - Dade College Kendall campus , and is hump for the only foot - farseeing torpedo in Miami respectable enough to rival Publix ( yeah , we said it ) . The standout sandwich is the honey table mustard chicken sub , which is packed with chicken , grilled onions , mushrooms , green common pepper , and drenched in sweet honey sauce .
Stone crabs
If you ’re in Miami between October and May , you ca n’t entrust without corrode stone crabs . For the good , whip out your tool ( your claw cracker , people ! ) and maneuver toGolden Rule , Monty’s , Truluck ’s , or of course , the most omnipresent of them all : Joe ’s Stone Crab .
ChillN ice cream
Once upon a clip , two young guy cable from Miami took what they learned in scientific discipline class and used it for good : to make ice cream . tight - ahead four years later , and nowChillNis in four localisation around South Florida . Choose your favorite flavor and commixture - ins – like M&M ’s , granola , Reese ’s , bananas , shred coconut , and more – and the mastermind muster in liquid N to flash - block it all together . Order the Nutella with cookie morsel and give thanks us later … by bringing us some .
Los Perros salchipapas
Ah , Los Perros– where bad decision amount full forget me drug . When you ’re there at 4 am ( because that ’s the only time you should be there ) , order the salchipapas . There are four unlike kinds of this fry potato and sausage premix , but the achiever is definitely the Salchipapa Remix : French fries , mini Colombian potatoes , diced hot heel , mini pork bites , and three quail ball , all smothered in an unidentifiable sauce that ’s absolutely deserving the risk .
Key lime pie
This creamy Proto-Indo European gained initial fame in the Keys , before all of South Florida adopted it as their hometown dessert . It ’s lemonlike and creamy , has a graham banger crust , and is ordinarily top out with a dollop of whisk cream . Where to get the good is an ongoing argumentation in Miami , butFireman Derek’s , Joe ’s Stone Crab , and Publix are all top contenders .
Croquetas from Islas Canarias
Most people show up to someone ’s habitation with flowers or chocolate . In Miami , we show up with croquetas . These fried underground are usually farce with gammon or chicken , serve hot , and are mind - blowing when put between two pieces of bread and turned into a croqueta sandwich . The good ones are atIslas Canarias , and it has a private road - thru … so what are you waiting for ? ! ? !
Tomato & cheese pizza from Frankie’s Pizza
pizza pie is never a uncollectible idea , andFrankie’shas been an iconic Miami pizza pie joint since the fifties . Get the Malva sylvestris - heavy , hearty - snub , love apple and cheese pizza pie half - scorched , for takeaway only , then go home and bake it until it ’s pip hot . This seems like a lot of work , until you realize that Frankie ’s send out you home with a cooked slice on top of your corner so you could get your fix while you wait .
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Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab
Flickr/Mattie Hagedorn
Flickr/Phillip Pessar
Flickr/sandy waddle
Flickr/Tomcensani
Flickr/Bryan Thayer
Flickr/Louis Tamayo
ChillN Ice Cream
Flickr/Ralph Daily
