Service was excellent food was delicious! And you get a lot of food for a decent price. Place is clean and well taken care of the owner even passed by and asked if we were ok! the cortadito they offer is not the best because it tastes more like a cafe con leche... I like my coffee strong and it was also lacking foam but over all great place to eat!
(5)
Bill W.
Chicos is an old-school Cuban restaurant. Open 24 hours, this is s great place for breakfast. They have window, counter, and table service, and offer all the expected Cuban breakfast staples: croquetas, Cuban bread slathered with butter/margarine and smashed thin as a cracker, home fries or French fries, eggs, and a variety of breakfast meats. My favorite is the grilled chorizo/Spanish sausage. I've been coming here for breakfast for years, but have to admit, have never been here for lunch or dinner. They have an impressively extensive menu, so I'm sure there's something for everyone!! On the service front, they are always friendly, but it can be a little hit or miss. And, Spanish is definitely the first language here! If you want your bill quickly, let them know when they deliver your food, or it could be a wait. They always bring out the toast long before your meal, so if you like to dunk warm toast in your over-easy egg, ask them to bring the toast out with your food. And if you drink lots of water, sit near the diner counter, where water pitchers are set up for customers to refill from. Sometimes it can feel like your server left for the day... Particularly at the two key moments of waiting to give your order, and waiting for the bill. Just get the attention of another server- they'll get things moving again!
(4)
Melissa C.
If i could I would eat here every day! Ive been going to Chicos since i was a little girl. Its a not so little hidden gem in Hialeah. I don't think they get the credit they deserve. The staff has been the same since i can remember and never lost their touch. SO SO SO friendly, you feel like family when you're in there. and the food? just like mom's cooking! or abuelas! so so so good! I have taken countless friends here and no matter how professional we maybe and how many promotions we get, Chicos will always be our place! Don't expect anything fancy, just remarkable food at amazing prices.
(5)
Jorge N.
This place lacks passion. We visited Chico's for the first time about two weeks ago, my wife and I ate lunch. I had a lunch special which included roast pork, white rice, and platanos maduro. My wife ordered the bowl of fabada asturiana. We also ordered an appetizer, frituritas de malanga. The frituras were saturated with garlic and were not tasty. The pork was ok at best, it was done right but it wasn't outstanding. The white rice was cooked correctly along with the fried plantains, no complaints yet no rewards. The bowl of fabada lacked flavor. We semi-fixed it with salt, pepper and lime yet we were not satisfied. Also, the food didn't seem fresh. This service felt rushed and unfriendly. We won't be going back. We were not impressed.
(2)
Saly Ale O.
So disappointed with this visit, customer service sooo wrong, food was full of vinegar, I had to stop eating , this time Im really disappointed of Chico's
(1)
Mayako N.
We went here for the lunch on the weekend. It was packed and busy. We ordered picadillo, tamales, and caldo gallego. Some how the food took forever to come and we were munching on the Cuban bread. Caldo Gallego was a bit salty but it was full of flavor. Tamales was lurk warm which we sent it back to heat it up. It was OK. My husband devoured picadillo. So I think he liked it. It was plenty food and we were stuffed. We ended our meal with cafecito and cortadito. The coffee was good. The price is reasonable and we would go back if we are in the neighborhood.
(4)
Glenda F.
I hadn't been to chicos in about ten years, last night I went with the wife and kids.... what can I say the food was horrible.. I ordered the palomilla with morro and fries. The steak was cold with no flavor, the fries where soggy as hell and to top it off the morro was old and hard as hell. I ended up sending the rice back and changed it for white rice and beans... wasn't much better either.. when I left the wife and I looked at each other and said," it's sad to say but we should've gone to POLLO TROPICAL"... it's a shame this old hialeah classic has fallen from its glory.. ownership and management need to step up their service and quality. .
(1)
Madison J.
If you want some good ole Cuban style food and ambiance you will love this place I know this is going to sound boring but what I like here is the palomilla with black beans and rice with maduros it reminds me of when I was a kid and that's all I wanted to eat my mom still makes it better but hey this is the next best thing
(4)
Leslie S.
Best late night place you can go to in Hialeah, great cuban food and very cultural atmosphere. At 3am getting a media noche there is perfect
(4)
Lissette P.
Not impressed. I know - it's Hialeah. Don't expect A+ service but the food is always good. That was the case during my first visit here at Chico's. Came on a Friday afternoon for a quick lunch. I walked in and waited a few moments while someone finally passed and acknowledged me- told me to sit where I would like. I sat at the counter thinking I would get fast service. After sitting there for about 3-5 minutes I was at the point of getting up and leaving... Several ladies passing by back and forth and no one acknowledging you are even sitting there. I was the only one at the counter but they do have a service window (only one customer there). Finally one of the ladies came over and asked if I needed a menu- there was one there and I knew what I wanted. A media noche. She shouted out to the guy working the deli area "Una media nocheeeeee" hahaha. Excellent communication of course ! That's what I love about Hialeah. The food came out rather quickly - I'm sure the sandwich is just pre made. They coated the surface of the bread with some kind of oil (aceite) and toasted it on the planchita. The sweet neon yellow media noche bread was toasty and hot but the inside of the sandwich was just lukewarm. The sandwich had plenty of meat and cheese filling but didn't have any condiments in it - perhaps I was suppose to ask for them ?! Then to get the ladies attention for napkins took a while.... And then to pay...another while. I think for whoever works in the shopping center it's a great place for a quick colada for pastelito but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit here again. Meh, no thanks.
(2)
Jesse G.
The food was ok, i wont judge it too hard since it was only $6 lunch special. I had the Palomilla with rice and maduros (the meat came lukewarm and the rice was kinda dry).... The other thing was we waited for 40 minutes for our food and even saw some tables get their food before us even tho they came after us :/ but If you want Cuban food for cheap, by all means..
(3)
Jessica L.
They have no passion for the Cuban cuisine. As soon as we sat a rude lady with absolutely no patience was our waitress. Being that it was my first time here and I was looking at the reviews I decided to give it a chance but as soon as she asked what I wanted I was trying to read their menu and she kept rushing me to order. I order egg whites with the papas and both things taste the same, like nothing. I love Cuban breakfast and I have been going to the other called CARIBE. And I'm never changing it. Also did I mention the croqueta sucked and the tostada wasn't even toasted? Bad experience. If you are looking for that welcoming place with good food for a good price don't come here. There are other better for the same price like the one I mentioned before CARIBE LATIN FOOD. And I don't even work for them I think maybe I'm just spoiled at how awesome they are.
(1)
Didi L.
Terrible pork sandwich literately pork and bread no mayo or anything else it was supper dry had to wait a long time terrible service will never set foot in this restaurant again smh
(1)
William O.
Look, you've been to Chico's. I have, too. It's not really the type of place that you just happen upon. No, Chico's is in your blood like the brown in your eyes or the blonde in your hair. If you're Hialeah, you're Chico's. Plain and simple. Truly, I don't remember a time that Chico's wasn't there. It always was. And always will be. Alpha and Omega and all that. Revelation 22:13 in the Book of Agua, Fango, y Factoria. Chico's take on Cuban food may not be as tasty as that of its competitors, and the restaurant (despite a sort of makeover in the last decade or so) is still little more than a double-wide trailer in the mobile home park of life, but for ten bucks, you can get a monstrous Cuban sandwich with croquetas and a coldish Miller Lite. For another four bucks, you can have a glass (read: A GLASS) of wishky (read: WISHKEY. Seriously, check your receipt.) to balance out the salty and tangy mojo that comes with the mountain of mariquitas you're sharing with friends. I don't remember Chico's selling hard liquor. Then again, I don't remember a time when Chico's didn't sell hard liquor. Did I mention that it's open 24 hours, that you can stumble in at 3am for a sandwich and nurse your hangover a few hours later after a shower and a not-so-nap with eggs and cafe con leche? Alpha and Omega. Buttered bread and cafecito. Beginning and end.
(4)
Frank C.
Had breakfast here. Pretty standard Cuban place. Food pretty average. I just don't find this place remarkable in any way. Prices are good though....
(3)
Maxis C.
The place has been a landmark in Hialeah since 1980. The food it's very good authentic Cuban food just like abuela's used to make. The portions are satisfying and the prices are even better. Am always recommending Chico's.
(4)
Rick W.
Just visiting Miami for a couple of weeks and this is my third time eating here! Excellent food. Everything I've had so far has been delicious! I enjoy the Palomilla steak and fried onions. Surprisingly the French onion soup is also outstanding. Lots of melted real cheese on it. Caesar salad is fresh but be careful, they put a lot of dressing on it. I will get my dressing on the side in the future. Very glad I came upon this fine restaurant! The service is very cheerful, although not much English is spoken here!
Convenience and classic Cuban food are what come to mind at Chicos. They have been a staple in Hialeah for as long, or longer, than I have been alive (1980). It's a safe place to hang out after a late night and grab authentic Cuban meals. May I suggest not being in a rush if you dine in at certain hours, and if you are in a rush just visit LA ventana (takeout window) to get a quicker response time. Cuban sandwiches are also always good here on authentic Cuban bread and traditional carving station, it is a must see for the outside of miamians. Oh and try an espresso (Cuban coffee) or cortadito (half espresso half milk), they are always a nice treat after dinner or just to break up a hectic day. In summary, chicos provides a traditional, authentic, dining and people watching experience.
(4)
Vanessa F.
So we came to Chicos as a group as my cousin was in town from Chicago! From the very beginning the service sucked! Easy 15 mons passed before anyone came to our table to ask for drinks! We actually ordered drinks food and appetizers at once due to the delay upon arrival! The food of course arrived all together drinks, appetizers and food! Definitely not the worst Cuban food but definitely lacks flavor and Sabor! Disappointed wont be back!!! As I type this the server has not come back once since the food arrived to either check or at this point just give me my check! Dont come here!
(1)
Nicho H.
I love a good deal and I feel like you can stretch a dollar at Chicos. Its the quintessential Miami Cuban restaurant. The ability to show up at any hour and order a full breakfast is my favorite aspect, they're open 24 hours! I know Im soon to become a regular as I left full and happy.
(5)
Cris M.
Good food, bad service but for the price and place i settle! I usually order El Dandy for breakfast!
(3)
Amaris E.
Close to my house and it's open 24/7. Cafecito is excellent! I enjoy that it is authentic Cuban food for a reasonable price. I love croquettas, but one time they just made a fresh batch, and it was still a little cold inside and it turned me off. I went for almost a year not eating that again there, but tried one again the other day and it was fine. Hopefully they cook it right now because the croquetta game is very serious to us Cubans!
(4)
Navil G.
Didn't like it. Went there for breakfast and the omelet was awful. Plus the croquetas were burned on the outside but cold on the inside.
(1)
Rosa Haruko A.
Great place to enjoy some authentic Cuban cuisine! The chocolate shake was delicious and smooth. We had the chicken milanesa and pork asado with maduros and congri, also we tried fufu for the first time and it was exceptional. I highly recommend this place for a late night bite (they're open 24/7), the foods quick, reasonably priced and flavorful. Two entrees could easily feed three people, they have large portions and a variety of sides. The only thing I didn't like much was the decoration because I feel it's really outdated but none of this affects the food quality so it's still a great option if you're craving some yummy Latin comfort food.
(5)
Ariadna P.
They make the best pan con bistec! I love the food but hate the wait time. So if you are not in a rush, this is the place. The service is good, just make sure you know a thing or two in spanish since it is located in the heart of hialeah.
(4)
Cid P.
Update added 2014: Restaurant is slowly being remodeled inside. It's a shame. I liked it the way it was. This is as authentic as you can get without going to a restaurant in Cuba back in the 50s. Anything I have ordered here is quite delicious. At times, dishes from other nationalities willl be featured on their menu as well. Best thing about this restaurant, it's open 24 hrs. You will get a kick when they open right after a Hurricane has swept through town. Plenty of parking, especially in the overnight hours. During business hours, keep in mind they will be rather busy. The decor is dated, however, don't change what doesn't need to be changed. We love it, here in Hialeah, just the way it is. HIGHLY recommended for tourists and locals alike. You will think you've traveled back in time to Cuba. #KeepItLocal
(4)
Susanne H.
This is my boyfriend's favorite place to eat. Last weekend we drove the 1.5 hours each way just to grab lunch here. Looking at it, it doesn't seem like much from the outside, but once you get inside, you know you are about to eat some amazing food. The menu is in both spanish and english, which is helpful. The servers.....well they don't speak english so make sure you have a spanish speaking friend with you or have your google translate available. I have tried numerous different meals there, but I thoroughly enjoy the eggs and steak breakfast. The steak has a great flavor to it. The secret I will tell you is to try their milkshakes, they are so good! So full of chocolaty goodness!
(5)
Lauren M.
Some things you should know about Chico's if you have never been. Speak Spanish if you can. They are Cuban. Be prepared to wait. They are cuban. The prices are great, but don't over do it on the cortaditos. They are Cuban. I was out here last night around midnight, and the cortadito was awesome. :) I had the cubano, and while good, not the best in my book. I would prefer a little bit more spread: mayo/mustard. Also good to note is the 24/7 sign!
I am 33 years old and have been coming to this place since I have memory. The food is great and so is the service. I highly recommend the Rabo Encendido and the Vaca Frita. Their sandwiches are equally good.
(5)
George T.
One of our Hialeah favorite must stops. Along with Sarrusi sandwich. It is open 24 hours. Plenty of great Cuban selections for breakfast lunch or dinner any time. Service was good. Waitstaff needed reminders. To bring other drinks for table. We came on Saturday seemed pretty busy for late breakfast we all ended up getting lunches. Noise levels allowed our table of 5, good conversations. While I'm glad to see older people still working it was distracting to hear plates and cups hit the ground it happened 3 times during our meal. Next table got served way too many meals at one time unfortunately someone got pan con piso which went back, of course, since it was on the ground. Meanwhile I wonder if I got pan con chorizo y piso? I kid I kid. Food: 4 came fresh hot Ambiance: 3 crowds are a good sign but food service gets bogged down a little if too busy or backed up. Service: 2 Was a little slow and distracting to see another table next to us get served out of order. We were quickly seated and ordered way before the next table and we just sat watching the next table get meal. Grrr. It's more annoying especially when hangry. Our server Location: 3 Value: 5 Warning caution.. One person got sick to his stomach. Which is one too many. The only other variable was guarapo de cana I'm not sure if it was fresh pressed or from a can but he felt indigestion for 4 days. I hope it was clean and properly made, it may be the ice or even storage. Deserts that were good flan, arroz con leche and Chocolate cookie bars. They also have cigars and cigarillos really cheap.
(3)
DjhotLinh H.
Nothing fancy. Food was good. Had oxtail special. It's open 24/7. Prices is good. Portions are pretty big
(3)
Martin M.
This place has lots of great choices. You can't have a Latin restaurant without the tostada and cafe con leche!!! Truly good stuff! Great place to come and unwind at the end of a looooooong week:-).
(5)
Emma F.
Sorry to say but they have gone down on the quality of the food and Taste . The last three times I've order take out and the food is just not the same anymore . The server last time attended two other people in front of me without giving an explanation after I had mention i was take out . Also I don't think is very professional as an employee to be eating your food and attending people . Please get your break and go eat it calmly somewhere in the back . Their is no need for me to see you talking with food in your mouth . I do love the convince of his place since its 24 hours and the servers are nice for the most part .
(3)
Ariel M.
AMAZING. Hot, delicious, authentic, and extremely affordable! Good service even at odd hours of the night. There is a language barrier with most of the staff if you don't know Spanish, however some of the items on the menu are numbered which helps. My boyfriend and I were staying near the Miami airport and it was less than 10 minutes from our hotel. In the four days we spent in miami, we frequented Chico's twice! Both times our bill was under $20 including tip!
(5)
Monica N.
Was all excited to have a good cuban breakfast but it didn't work out that way. Bad Cuban sandwich, bad cafe con leche, bad breakfast, bad everything.
(1)
John B.
This place is a Miami landmark and all should try it. Compared to McDonald's, you can't beat it (open 24/7). The food quality to price is incredible and the interior reminds you and a quality diner experience. You go, Chico.
(5)
Ice M.
Been there late night had a really good dinner like the milk shakes I would go there again.
(3)
Ruben G.
Best breakfast in town. Lunch and dinner menu enormous and food is delicious and not expensive.
(5)
Jamie S.
Oyeee, cheap eats get love too. 5 star love! Chico's has been around all my life. I've been coming here since I was a little kid. Not only is it open 24 hours a day, you get massive amounts of food at a very inexpensive price. From breakfast to cafecito to dinner, there's food for all times of the day all day. Can't beat that!
(5)
Dave K.
Q: What to do with your 4.5 hours of layover after a redeye flight from SFO to Miami that arrived at 4:45am? A: Eat. I went out on a whim and found Chico's Restaurant via Android Yelp App with one filter option - "Open Now". Two search results came back: 1) "Booby Trap", a 2-star adult dance club; and 2) Chico's Restaurant. Hmmm... "Boobies or food? Boobies or food?" (Thinking out loud) I was out-of-my-mind starving, food must come first. If I have enough time, maybe boobies after? After a short cab ride, I arrived Chico's around 5am. Chico's is in the middle of Hialeah, aka the bario of Dade county. However, Chico's was anything but bario: I ordered the Cubano tacos and washed it down with a pan con lechon, a must-have Cuban pork sandwich. I earned the respect of our waitress, not because of my flawless Spanish pronunciation, but my eagerness to order a pork sandwich at 5am. Food was absolutely amazing and the flavor was as Cubano as they came. Needless to say, I ate so much that a 2-star adult dance club full of boobies couldn't shake my food coma, not at 5am. Hollered a cab and headed back to Miami International airport.
(4)
Sharon W.
4 stars on the food; 2 stars on the service / ambiance. Chico's is in a strip mall with typically atrocious Hialeah signage (side note - are there ANY zoning laws in Hialeah?!). Anyway, it's Hialeah, so after a few laps around the parking lot (which was also being used for parking for a used car lot), we located it. Inside is bright, very bright, and COLD. The waitress was not at all friendly, even though I speak Spanish. That said, the food was good. We consumed an arepa, a grapefruit juice (ordered it sin hielo and it came con hielo), a cafe con leche, cuban toast, a tortilla con papas and oxtail stew. The food arrived fairly quickly. 3 of us split the arepa, which was a little dry, but since this is an item I do not make at home, I am not complaining. The tortilla took up the entire plate and probably contained 6 huevos. It was cooked perfectly and loaded with tender potatoes. The Mr. heartily enjoyed his oxtail stew, which came with black beans and rice that were phenomenal! The bill was cheap, so cheap I don't even remember how much we paid. In the end, the food overcame the location and the lackluster service.
(3)
Isabel S.
I like Chico's because the food is really good and it's really cheap. Nothing fancy here --regular Cuban food served by waitresses who try to do their best. Good Cuban coffee, and good breakfast too. The only negative is that they don't sell pastries. Come on, guys, you gotta have pastelitos! It's a good place to have any meal if you're in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. There are plenty of excellent places all over South Florida if you're craving some Cuban food. All in all, if you're in the area, or if it's late (they're open 24 hours), I'd definitely recommend.
(4)
Melissa P.
I have been going to Chico's since I was a kid the food is really good and it's really cheap :) Nothing fancy here it's regular Cuban food. Breakfast is amazing... Steak with Eggs and Cafe con Leche can't go wrong..
(5)
Lauren C.
So for me, Chico's will forever be a main character in the story of how I almost died. Whenever someone mentions Chico's I have to tell the tale of my final visit to this restaurant in 2004. Prior to that day, I had eaten there a handful of times and always had a decent experience. I never imagined that on my last visit, my usual (mundane) order of grilled chicken breast and white rice would be a terrible mistake. Later that evening I experienced the worst food poisoning I had ever had in my life! I couldn't get comfortable in my bed so I moved to the couch. There I lay for hours while my family watched on and questioned whether or not they should take me to the hospital. Crying and feeling like someone put a knife in my chest, I lay under not one, but two comforters shivering as if I had just been pulled from icy hypothermic waters. Still, I chose to ride it out without the help of a doctor. Score one for me because after about 8 hours of suffering, it was completely gone and I avoided a hefty hospital bill. It just wasn't my time to go... I have never returned to Chico's and I think you can understand why. However, my family still visits occasionally and they love it. AND I also have an interesting story to tell the future grand kids. So for that I give them 3 stars.
(3)
Lara R.
Service here is AMAZING at any time you come. Staff is mostly older and I think this is the reason why the service is so good. The food is as good as abuela's and I wouldn't be surprised if there was an abuela in the kitchen. Prices are cheap!
(5)
Kathryn M.
Boy oh boy, when it comes to mouth-watering home-style cuban cuisine, Chico's is the place to go! From media noches and traditional cuban sanwhiches to ropa vieja and ox-tail stew, this place has you and your hungry stomach covered. The portion sizes are above par and I have never left hungry!
(5)
marcelo w.
Great Lechon with rice and black beans! Fast and friendly service. Excellent cortadito!
(4)
Jake M.
Hit this place up at 5am after a red eye flight from SFO, during our 4.5 hour layover at Miami international. A buddy found it on Yelp as one of two places that are open 24 hours within a reasonable distance to the airport & had great reviews, so we hopped in a cab & headed out. To say the least, pulling up to this place after our shady cab driver took us on an extremely out of the way route to earn himself about $5 more in fare &, therefore, a smaller tip, we were a little worried about the surroundings, as it seemed we were definitely not in our element. That feeling began to be confirmed based on the looks we received when we walked in w/our luggage in tow. However, once we sat down, we realized we had made a great choice. The service was VERY friendly & nice & the food was delicious. I ordered the Empanizado Chico's (breaded steak, I LOVE chicken fried steak, so figured I would give the cuban version a try) & was very happy with it. Unlike most breaded steaks, which are either pounded out to be very thin or simply a ground steak, this was a very well marinated skirt steak in a cornmeal breading. For $6.50, you get the steak, 2 eggs, hashbrowns or rice, toast & coffee, unreal deal. The Cafe Con Leche was one of the best I've ever had as well. Made authentically, pouring the freshly brewed espresso into the steaming cup of milk, very Cuban indeed. One of my buddies ordered the Pan Con Lechon (traditional Cuban pork sandwich) that was easily my 2nd favorite item we all tried (only $4.95). Really well marinated, tender pork on Cuban bread & that's it, none of the americanized "Cuban" sandwich elements of pickles, cheese etc. Just the pork & bread & it was fantastic. Also, as we waited out front for our cab back to the airport, we noticed that it was a great spot for locals to stop & get their morning coffee & catch up a bit, almost like an outdoors coffee shop, as they have a couple windows out front where people can just walk up & order coffee & Cuban pastries. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for authentic Cuban food. Highly Recommended.
(4)
Wilson T.
I love this place! Super friendly service with senoras that always call us amors! How sweet! The food is delicious (go with the pork!), the sangria is amazing and the portions are generous! Plenty of options to choose from, so come more than once! If this is authentic Cuban, then I definitely want to try some more!
(5)
Willy M.
Service was really good even that was really crowded!! Food was very yummy and a good size portion !! Would go again for sure !!!
(4)
Vanessa B.
Love this place great food at whatever hour service great the times I have gone are always after my late drunk times lol and I always come out with a full belly and smile by the way it's cheap and open 24 hours can't beat that daleeee ;)lol Cuban talkkk
(5)
Ethan H.
No other reviewers mentioned the mojito ... that glorious, beautiful, 2nd-only-to-my-own-homemade mojito! The rest of the food ranged from solid to fantastic, with the exception of the complimentary bread, which was overly-toasted, dry and uninteresting. Oh well. You get what you pay for. Also, the menu was a little strange. True, I see how selling advertising space on the menu must be a great way to keep down costs. (And Chico's costs are certainly kept down.) But let's face it, only in Miami would a menu offer such delicacies as Palomilla steak and ropa vieja on one page and free Botox and Pap smears on the other! This is clearly a case where not everything that can be sold should be.
(3)
Stevo H.
Quick bullet points for those who need them fast. * If you don't speak Spanish you will be at a disadvantage, but the menu is in English too. A "Google Translate" app helps a lot too. * If you are a coffee lover you will LOVE this place, every cup is made fresh, no percolators here to burn your coffee. * For 2 people for breakfast, plus 3 coffees for me, and tip, it was under $15 * They do have a walk up if you are feeling to scured to walk in ;-) Full Review Below My wife and I are from Iowa and we were looking for some authentic Miami Cuban/American flavor after having gotten off the plane and getting our rental car at 2am and this was the perfect place to do it. We are both vegetarians so we thought that it might be tough to find something but it all worked out great. I had the rice, eggs, Cuban bread, and fried plantains and it was one of the best breakfasts that I have ever had. And the coffee, oh my god, seriously, it was so frekin' fresh, I was in coffee bean addicts heaven. I had a Cafe Con Leche, a cafe Cubana, and some "jet fuel" and they all tasted amazing. If you are a coffee fan I highly recommend going here to get some amazing coffee as well as a great breakfast. And the cost was great, we spent less then $15, including tip, for a great breakfast. This will be one of the first places I go for breakfast and coffee the next time I'm in Miami.
(4)
Mariac H.
Although an older restaurant. This is one that has maintained quality. I didnt give them 5 stars due to their spotty service. I actually had to get up and retrieve my glass of sangria from the bar as the waiter didnt. The food was SUPERB. Best palomilla I've had in a long time and the plantains were really good. Despite slow service will return since food quality and prices cant be beat.
(4)
Denisse D.
Horrible. I don't understand why people like this place. Every time I've been, I've had a bad experience. The beans are terrible, you would think they can at least get black beans right?! It's sad that this is the only Cuban place around Hialeah that's open so late. I ordered a tostada and the bread was cold and soft and had so much butter I couldn't eat it, and I like a lot of butter on my toast!! Do not come here, you're better off waiting until something good opens in the morning.
(1)
George M.
Still nothing better Went to D. Rodriguez recently and while good, I'd rather hit up Chico's every day of the week and with the price difference, I can
(5)
Patty G.
Picked up a quick sandwich from here on the go. I had the pechuga de pollo a la plancha sandwich and it was awesome. Super delicious! Service was quick. Can't say much else as I didn't dine here but I most surely will find some time to in the near future.
(4)
Carla L.
Why does Chico's stand out? First of all its got it. It truly does, a Cuban place in Hialeah? OK no surprise there but its open 24 hours has solid food and is wonderfully priced! My daughter had 2 eggs, rice, maduros, tostadas. Hubby 2 eggs, bacon, tostada, batido de mamey, cafe con leche. I had the same thing without the batido but I had some potatoes to go with it. Check amount? $18 plus change. We rolled out of there we were so full. The food was good, the service good.. now we have that 'go to' place for our cheat day breakfast!
(4)
Gustavo A. L.
What's wrong with Hialeah ? Absolutely nothing !!!! Furthermore Chico's is in Hialeah and this is my new go to place for Saturday morning breakfast ! Let me take you through our thought process, we wake up in the moring and head to the kitchen to brew some coffee. While the java brews we start pondering about what to have for breakfast, open the fridge and stare at the eggs, go to the pantry and pull out the cereal....but I am not feeling it - This is the point when I thank my creator for my flashes of genius, Chico's comes to my head like a bright burning light bulb and I blurt it out without thinking ... Let's go to Chico's" I say, and the look of bewilderment on the rest of my family is priceless. So I head to the blackberry, pull up the reviews on my Yelp app and hand the phone to the politburo. I make my life by selling and I realized that this, was an idea I had to sell, so one of the most important rules of effective selling is "don't tell them, show them" - and by showing them the reviews was another stroke of genius. They are still a bit hesitant because the address is listed in Hialeah .... so I quickly go to my google apps and map the place- " No problem" I say... "I know how to get there".... So we get in the car and hit the road, and 15 minutes later, we are pulling into the parking lot and I already know this is going to be good. Breakfast of champions ... Wheaties ? Schmeaties ... Two Fried eggs over easy, with plenty of bacon, toasted cuban bread with plenty of butter and cafe con leche to keep me up for a week for just over 4 bucks !!!! I am happy !!!! The Politburo ate as well, and were equally pleased with their selections, and when the bill came for less than 20 bucks... I was happy...hell !!! I am still happy !!!
(4)
Kristen S.
Wow, i can't believe I never reviewed Chico's!!!! I have only been for dinners and late night gatherings, but I have probably been over a hundred times over the last 15 years. This place is awesome. Start with - the mariquitas. Fresh fried plantain chips with an awesome garlic mojo. Then have - The steaks are great and the meals are massive! The grilled chicken is even amazing - so flavorful and juicy!!! End with - the cafe con leche and flan for dessert, you won't be sorry. I have never had a bad dish, and the waitstaff is super friendly, even to my gringo self ;) Oh, and if you have a large group, there is a party room. They are always accomodating for groups! They would usually put us in there if we showed up with like 10-12 people.
(5)
Ben O.
There aren't a whole lot of Waffle Houses in Hialeah. I credit Chico's with that fact; they're open 24 hours a day serving grilled chicken, pancakes, omelets, and plenty more besides. No, they don't have a jukebox with a bunch of corny songs praising the grits. Hell, I don't think the menu has ever seen a grit. But you can definitely get your breakfast on with tostada francesa (French toast), tortilla (omelet), or El Dandy (fried eggs over white rice with platanos maduros (ripe plantains)). And if you're not from around here, you won't have heard of half the milkshake flavors. I recommend the trigo (wheat). I grew up not too far from here, just a bit south of Okeechobee Road, and going to Chico's for breakfast this morning gave me great pleasure. However, it's not as cheap as the menu prices might imply, because now I'm going to want to drive down from Atlanta more often.
(5)
Michelle W.
Yum-my! Went here for the GMYE & am so happy I did! This place reminds me of the coney islands back in Michigan...different kind of food, but same concept. Great food for cheap! I've been a little hesitant to go to Cuban restaurants because 1. I don't speak Spanish and 2. I don't eat meat. But thanks to my Spanish speaking Yelper friends all was good! It's Saturday morning & I'm about ready to gnaw my arm off I'm soooo hungry & we ordered some croquetas (meat so I didn't eat) and some guava turnovers to tide us over until everyone arrived. The guava was sweet & the perfect match for my cafe con leche. They bring you the steamed milk & you add your own coffee. Ordered an omelet with potato & cheese and it was just delicious. Had a lot of cheese and the potatoes were cooked well. I could only finish about half because of the guava and the yummy bread & butter they brought. Service was a little random, but the cheap food was worth it! Totally a fan of this place! You can get stuff a la cart or get one of the breakfasts for about 5 bucks!
(4)
Lisa A.
Best Cuban restaurant EVER! Any place that's open 24/7 automatically wins my heart, however if you throw in warm croquettes, a toasty cuban sandwich, special fried rice AND flan...I'm hooked.
(5)
Vanessa G.
Ok so if it's 4am and you get the munchies this is definitely the place to go. Awesome Cuban breakfast that's open 24 hours. Cheap and delicious can't beat it. I totally recommend! :)
(4)
Nicholas L.
To be fair, Chico's might deserve three stars, instead of just two, but my experience was limited to a sandwich and coffee at lunchtime. Service was interesting, as no one spoke English. We got by with some broken Spanish on our part, a tiny amount of English on their part, and a lot of pointing at the menu. The bill was really low, for two classic Cuban sandwiches and coffees, so affordability is a plus at this place. The sandwich was OK and the coffee was very good. Apparently, they're open 24 hours a day, so if you have a real need, late at night, you might give these folks a much higher rating.
(2)
Abdel J.
I enjoy eating at Chico's all the time because it is close to my law office. The best part about it is that it is open 24 hours. My favorites are the breakfasts because they bring a lot of food for like $6. I always ask for the "Super" breakfast, I think it is the top one on the menu and it brings the most food. Eggs, steak, toast, jelly, cafe con leche. It is very tasty. It is only available from like 6:00 or 7:00 am until noon or so. For dinner I enjoy the Artesan Steak. It's Huge! The steak fills your entire plate. And it is a large elongated plate. It's a breaded steak with ham and cheese accompanied by sweet plantains or tostones and moros or rice and beans. jimenezlawyer.com
(5)
Claudia J.
Great cuban restaurant open 24/7!!! Opened 29 years ago and it has never closed!! Once you enter the place, tables here, there, a counter on a side. They had a great variety of beers from ALL OVER the world !!! This place is visited by regulars, waiters and waitresses have been here for ages!! It's one of those places that you go in and see all the hussle buzzle going around, be careful behind you they might be delivering some coffee or tostadas to a table!!! Got here for the GMYE gathering with other fellow yelpers, glad I decided to go!! For starters, we got some croquetas that were yummi!!! cortadito was good as well. When you order breakfast, a tostada (cuban bread with lots of margarine) come with it!! If I only knew!!! I ordered two eggs, with some Chico's potatoes (thanks for the expertise of George M). I was stuffed, and not even finished my breakfast!!! Prices are great, super affordable and of course greasy!!!!
(4)
Sum O.
Last time I came here was 5 years ago, my friends like to come here cause its Spanish food 24/7. I am here right now and We had the worst service with terrible food. The beans had some weird flavor and my friend brought it to our waitress attention, I was hungry and I dug in but she still gave us attitude because I ate the beans, she went to the back to have a taste, she said they probably added something different but it's not bad beans because they taste good and that we have different taste buds. Note that all this was said in a attitude that makes you want to flip a table over. I really don't want to see how that kitchen looks neither. I warn you stay home call me and ill cook you a decent dinner that you will enjoy! My friend after coming here for many years is actually consider never to eat here again.
(1)
Michele P.
Came here after my hotel waiter and consierge (sp?) suggested it for authentic Cuban food. DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! Probably the best affordable place in Miami. Do NOT forget to come here. You will not regret it!
(5)
Frodough B.
Great food all the time. Tostada with a cafe con leche at 8 a.m.? Done. Tostada with a cafe con leche at 6 p.m.? Done. Pan con tortilla after leaving a funeral at 4 a.m.? Done. Chico's is awesome.
(5)
Sapphire B.
I love plantains, so I wanted to check this place out. I loved the food, but the atmosphere was a little bland, that's why the 4 instead of 5 stars.
(4)
Paula E.
Last Saturday, when I was at a MWCC workshop for a Bay of Pigs Anniversary documentary project, we played an ice breaker game with the kids involved and one of them said that his favorite thing about Miami was that you could live here your entire life and discover something new and different every day. I nodded and smirked. I recently started working in Hialeah, a place which til now seemed like far and foreign lands, but once I settled, I had to venture into the new food opportunities that this had presented. And Chicos was number one on my list....what can I say that hasn't already been said... Cheap (like really cheap) Delicious Open 24hrs Locals they brought my cafecito before my water... that's whats up, and I thought it was amazing that there's an old school shoe buffer/shiner chair right outside...these people know what life is about and they're sticking to it.
(5)
Omar G.
Oh, Chicos! There's nothing like your warm lights glowing on 12th Ave at 3am. The Bell and Mickey D can't compete when you see those lights. Sometimes it's the food. Sometimes it's the 24 hour action. When I find myself there, tho, it always hit the spot.
(4)
Janet D.
Once upon a time four Hialeah gals were having a spa day. (I know you're thinking I clicked on the wrong review) But the girls wanted nostalgic, yet delicious breakfast before their day of relaxation. Where else, but Chicos where the bill came to $22 for four full breakfasts. I went with my usual, D8: Cafe con leche, two croquettas, two eggs sunny side up with a cuban toast, for dipping in sunny side egg, of course. We left with full bellies and reminiscing of the good old days...days of late night cafe con leches, full on bistec de palomilla at 2 a.m. and getting a warm meal post a hurricane! Chicos te quiero!
(4)
Janay M.
Came here for some cheap yet filling eats. Awww boy did Chicos deliver. I ordered tostda, hot chocolate and 2 jamon croquettes. Nom nom nom and for being only $3.00 Hialeah doesn't disappoint.
(3)
Wilson L.
Can never go wrong with Cuban food at any time of the night, especially if it's good. Too many people would be put off when they walk in to the place since it looks like you should expect to have trash to eat but honestly, why waste your time at the late night chains, with a bunch of overly aggressive Hispanics, when you can get home style cooking anytime of the night. It's as if your Cuban grandmother cooked for you any time of the day even when you're on your way home in the middle of the night with a good buzz. (Not saying I was the one doing the driving with the buzz?) Once you get past the sight, and avoid the restroom, order a batido, enjoy your free bread, then order anything on the menu, kick back and chat away with some fine dining at an awesome price.
(4)
Alex I.
Could never get enough of chicos... its home...
(5)
Maria A.
Cuban food isn't scare in Miami. What is harder to find is good, cheap, round the clock, 24 hr Cuban food. Enter Chico's. This Cuban diner serves it up hot and fresh 365 days a year. On the weekends this joint is hopping with locals who have been coming here for decades. If you're lucky they'll share the insider tips like getting there early to indulge in Chico's french bread instead of the standard Cuban loafs and suggesting you go all in for some of Chico's potatoes. When I went there I couldn't resist sharing some of the communal plate of croquetas. I skipped the cafe con leche in favor of oj and went with an omelet. The meal was huge and satisfying. Had I grown up in this part of town Chico's would have been a regular end of night spot for conversations and coffee. Maybe it's just me but 24 hour diners hold a special place in my heart. They're seldom fancy or even beautiful but they're loyal and hardworking. They love the regulars and always have a hot pot of joe and something sweet ready to go, often they'll serve you a comforting plate of food for under $10, and do it without the pretense, pomp, and circumstance. They're the backdrop for late-night conversations ranging from midnight movie reviews to philosophical debates on life's meaning, drunken non-sense, hangover cures, and other cheerful and/or tearful moments all held over greasy, comforting, food and bad lighting. Just remember to ask a regular for some tips on ordering.
(4)
Carlos P.
Do you know where you can get a breakfast serving that takes up almost the entire space of your table for under $6? If you don't, then now you know...it's CHICO's. This institution of Cuban food, located in the heart of Hialeah has been around since I was a baby. The food here is excellent, at any time of the day or night, you can come in and have a delicious plate of rice and beans with steak or like I stated above, have a delicious breakfast at a crazy affordable price. Most of their breakfast plates come with eggs and you choose whether you want ham, bacon, sausage, croquetas or papa-rellena (stuffed potato). I always get the plate with the ham croquettes, which are delicious. On top of your main plate, you get a cafe con leche with a large chunk of Cuban toast, all buttered up. None of these plates are more than $6 and the portions are more than enough. The service is quick, friendly and most of all, the food has stood the test of time with this place. Hopefully, Chico's stays put for many more years to come!
(5)
Steph V.
Chico's is an awesome spot for breakfast and lunch. The batidos are amazing. The service is fast and the Cuban food is authentic.
(5)
Regina M.
Pan con bistec was okay.. not the best. Flan de coco with a colada the best.
(4)
Christian M.
I'm gonna give CHICOS a well deserved 5 STAR rating!!! I have been coming here since I was a kid and it has never disappointed....NOT ONCE!! no matter what day OR what time CHICOS will be open and ready to serve!!!
(5)
Linda N.
All I can say is that Chico's is awesome, whether your going to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a cuban tostada with a cafe con leche this is the place to go. Its super cheap, the food quality is great and the prices are extremely cheap. They serve large portions, and there open 24/7 which is great with late night cravings. I highly recommend it if your in the area.
(5)
Joseluis A.
chicos! it had been a while since the last time i went to chicos. it was always late at night. after a fun night. always with friends. but i went to chicos for breakfast today along with a few other yelpers. you get there and you sit yourself, someone will be with you shortly. we got, 6 croquetas, 2 guava & cheese pastelitos and a cuban toast. cafe con leche for everybody. the croquetas were awesome. i wanted to have two but since we were 6 and we ordered six, i thought, one for each, then george figured there was a vegetarian on the group and he ate that last croqueta. what a snake. then it was time for real breakfast. i got their 'super' special which consists of. bistec de palomilla (steak), two eggs, french fries and a cuban toast. the steak was seasoned well and did not stand a chance on my plate. i should have ordered scrambled eggs instead of sunny side-up because they were a bit undone but whatever. i was too busy being hungry to pay attention to that at the time. so we all ate well, shared some laughs even with the waitress who had been having a rough morning... if theres anything chicos needs to improve was that. their service, but really, a 24 hour restaurant that serves great food for $5 is automatically 4 stars in my book! pa que tu lo sepas... broder
(4)
Janelle F.
If it isn't their proud display of Skol vodka bottles I don't know what it is...But there's just something about Chico's. I had one blurry memory of dropping someone off in Hialeah after a night of partying and making a pitstop somewhere for some middle-of-the-night-post-debauchery-snacking. I didn't remember the name, or where it was, but I remembered it being damn good. Fast forward to this weekend, my S/O and I had to run an errand in Hialeah and low and behold, I found Chico's again. I missed you, old friend. The food is still greasy and good and the perfect cure for a Sunday hangover!
(4)
whitney g.
When in miami, I always try to go to places that I can't get in Atlanta. I had a buddy recommend this because it was late and I was STARVING, and boy did it deliver. You always have to feel good when you're in a latino community, and you go eat latino food, and you're the only white guy there. Granted there was a small language barrier, but they had pictures, and I sure as hell can point at the good stuff! The service was awesome, the waitstaff were all very nice and sweet, and didn't mind helping this ignorant white boy get the food he wanted. My gf got the breakfast, and I got a sandwich, and they were both amazing. I didn't manage to get the french bread that others were talking about, but whatever bread we DID get was awesome. I'm totally going to go back here when I'm in town next. Great food, fast and pleasant service, and a good taste of what Miami is all about.
(4)
Anaisabel G.
I grew up eatting here! The best authentic Cuban food in Hialeah, hands down! Plus it's opened 24/7 and extremely affordable. I love this place, and whenever I am craving Boliche con arroz y frijoles negro, this is the SPOT! P.S. Their flan is the BEST! :)
(4)
L L.
Open all the time service was great food very good (hard to be too distinguishing for 5am breakfast but I'm a regular whenever in Miami on the early flt)
(4)
Vanessa C.
BEST (& CHEAPEST) BREAKFAST EVER!! I drive from Aventura to Hialeah once a week just to enjoy their breakfast. The waitress doesn't even have to ask before she brings me my cafe con leche. It's authentic, ridiculously cheap, super fattening and delicious. The place is not much to look at, but the food is a total diamond in the rough. At $3.40 for two greasy eggs, a decent portion of some type of meat (croquettes, bacon, ham, sausage, etc.), a huge slice of cuban or french bread buttered - what else do you need? They have other breakfast specials, including rice and steaks and everything Cuban, but nothing is over $5. I have to admit that although I'm from Hialeah, there's not much reason to go there. Chico's is the exception - it's the jewel of Hialeah. Short of my mother's Cuban breakfasts, this place does the trick when I'm craving home.
(5)
Emme R.
Aaahh, Chico's. I don't know any real Hialeah resident who doesn't get excited when someone suggests Chico's...I have been going there my whole life and I still love it, So many memories there. The perfect place to enjoy your favorite meal just like mom makes it(if your mom is latin like most hialeah moms) . Well, my mom is the best cook, but at least Chico's comes close. Oh and you can enjoy ANYTHING on the menu at ANY - TIME - YOU - CRAVE - IT! Yeah, they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And its cheap too! The batidos are the best, and so are the sandwiches. The cons, well sadly there are a few. Remember, it IS Hialeah. Firstly, all the waiters are spanish and for some reason they seem to have gotten of the raft - like yesterday. Sometimes they act like they have their head in the clouds and look at you as if they have no idea what you're talking about. Even when you talk to them in spanish... Second, there are some shady characters in the midnight hours. Especially obscenely overweight "santeras" smoking the BIGGEST tabaccos next to the entrance. Then they have the audacity to blow that disgusting smoke in your directions. Luckily for me, I have cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and lungs on my side. Lastly, I assume because of their crazy hours, they seem to have food thats been sitting around for a while. I've gotten my bad batch of sour papa rellenas, but hey i excuse them because 9 times out of 10, I leave the place a happy girl... :-)
(5)
Rene S.
One of the Best restaurant in Hialeah and the best food
(5)
Nandi E.
I've heard such great things about this place. It's the perfect after the club spot. Service was great. The menu is extensive. I ordered the Cuban Pork Sandwich....it was tasty but I was a bit turned off by the amount of fat in my sandwich. Otherwise it's good. Will definitely try it again.
(3)
Phil L.
The only place open late in Hialeah that has half decent food. You will find all type of characters there. from the police to high school prom queens... oh and the occasional Asian ;) Food is authentic and the price is not to bad at all. I stick with the things I know they cant really mess up so breaded steak, rice and beans for me. My other friends have been braver than I have and they have yet to peel over. A great little spot to people watch, eat and enjoy. This is a WARNING: Dont go here if you cannot speak Spanish. You will not have a good time.
(3)
ISA V.
This is by far one of the best eateries in Hialeah. Everything I have tasted there is good, especially their Baca Frita, with white rice , black beans and a side of Platano Maduros. Exceptional Cuban food. Also their prices are really low. I go there with my entire family ( 5) and we spend no more than 45.00 including tip.
(5)
John L.
If you are looking for enormous portions, a good breakfast and low prices try Chico's restaurant. The place is always busy day or night and it's a little bit noisy as most of the cuban/latin restaurants but if you are latino or familiar with the miami/hialeah area you'll understand what I mean. Breakfasts are great...and you can have a real cuban breakfast at 2 or 3 am because this place is 24 hours.eggs any style,cuban bread,coffee, butter,jellybacon,frita for under 5 bucks, Cuban sandwiches, Medianoche sandwich,Frita(cuban fried burger), chicken sandwich,steak,Milanesa (deep fried breaded steak covered with melted parmesan and tomato sauce, desserts, coffee, natural juices,3 stars because it's too noisy,and the place is not nice,restrooms are really ugly
(3)
Joan V.
I have lived in Hialeah my entire life. Coming from a Cuban family, and growing up eating real authentic Cuban food, i have to say this place is far from the best Cuban restaurant in Hialeah. I have gone on 3 different occasions, and every time i have been disappointed. Their beans are bland, and taste like canned beans, last night i had Bistec ensabollado, that was room temperature and had the texture of something that was cooked at 4:00pm and reheated in a microwave at 4:00am.My friend ordered eggs with "grilled" ham, which also looked like it was nuked in the microwave, all wrinkly and gross. The service has always been hit or miss, but that is expected. There are far better places to choose from, the only thing Chico's has going for it is their hours. But all my late night experiences have been bad. The waitresses don't want to be there, and the cooks obviously are not actually cooking. Next time I'm going to Denny's because sadly, at this point that's a better option for late night/early morning food.
(1)
Jesse l.
Good quality. Nice sized portions. Open late. In fact, 24 hours and good service, even in the middle of the night. Affordable too.
(5)
Yadi L.
Honestly, I'm a little pessimistic when it comes to a lot of places in Hialeah. Don't get me wrong, I'm cuban, but loud, crowded places where everyone stares at you. Let me tell you though, I was pleasantly surprised the first time I went. And the second. And the third, and everytime after that. Chico's became my weekend destination to take a break from the weekly cooking. There's usually a bit of people but not uncomfortably crowded. And why wouldn't there be people? The food is DELICIOUS, extremely CHEAP and they don't take an hour to bring you a small plate. Their portions are generous, actually, a bit too generous. Their palomilla steak is folded over in a large plate and it still covers side to side of the plate. 2 whole dinners with extra sides and drinks that left us extremely stuffed usually came up to like $30! I like good restaurants and good food, but I'll take Chico's over many high class restaurants any day!
(4)
John C.
My family and I decided not to do Thanksgiving this year and go to a restaurant instead. Even though we had some bad experiences at Chico's before, we still decided to give them one more chance and go have Thanksgiving lunch/dinner there. To our surprise when we arrived, the place was empty. Only three tables were taken. The place looked like a desert and the parking lot was empty with few cars. We sat and were served the usual bread. We looked at the very small Thanksgiving specials they had and decided to go with the Turkey Fricassee, the normal Turkey Dinner with Stuffing (American Style), and not a Thanksgiving item Seafood served on Yellow Rice. Well, to say the least, it was all DISGUSTING and DESPICABLE... As it has happened previously with my food, the food was served cold. The Seafood on Yellow Rice tasted like cardboard and the Thanksgiving items tasted bland. There is no excuse for that as the place was empty and those items are not hard to prepare. That is it... I've had it... They ruined my Thanksgiving and I will never go back to Chico's again! Overall, I do not know what has happened to Chico's... Their portions of food have gotten way smaller, food tastes bland, and it is being served cold. The place looks disgusting as it is all falling apart (especially the Bathrooms) and the people that go there (Chonga's and Chongo's) is embarrassing to all Cubans and humans everywhere, to say the least. They have no decency or respect for a place of dining. I do not care how long this restaurant has been there... They should consider closing their doors... Disgusting food + Overpriced Items + Bad Environment + Bad Service = Chico's. This equation has an error and needs to be ABORTED!
(1)
angel t.
If you are looking for a cuban restaurant that is open 24 hours a day seven days a week this is your place for reasonably priced cuban food. They are open when everyone else is closed before/during/after hurricanes. I called a few places when Storm Fay was here and everyone was closing early to set-up/prepare for the storm, not this place....The staff is hurricane proof and so is the restuarant.....Hope this heps in case you are in the area looking for good food when the weather is not cooperating....Angel
(3)
W. Ryan J.
Very nice cuban restaurant. I go there for lunch every once in a while for "sandwich de pechuga de pollo" (english: Grilled Chicken Sandwich). Service is ok and food is good. You should definitely try Chico's at least once if you are in Hialeah.
(3)
Bill W.
Chicos is an old-school Cuban restaurant. Open 24 hours, this is s great place for breakfast. They have window, counter, and table service, and offer all the expected Cuban breakfast staples: croquetas, Cuban bread slathered with butter/margarine and smashed thin as a cracker, home fries or French fries, eggs, and a variety of breakfast meats. My favorite is the grilled chorizo/Spanish sausage. I've been coming here for breakfast for years, but have to admit, have never been here for lunch or dinner. They have an impressively extensive menu, so I'm sure there's something for everyone!! On the service front, they are always friendly, but it can be a little hit or miss. And, Spanish is definitely the first language here! If you want your bill quickly, let them know when they deliver your food, or it could be a wait. They always bring out the toast long before your meal, so if you like to dunk warm toast in your over-easy egg, ask them to bring the toast out with your food. And if you drink lots of water, sit near the diner counter, where water pitchers are set up for customers to refill from. Sometimes it can feel like your server left for the day... Particularly at the two key moments of waiting to give your order, and waiting for the bill. Just get the attention of another server- they'll get things moving again!
(4)
Melissa C.
If i could I would eat here every day! Ive been going to Chicos since i was a little girl. Its a not so little hidden gem in Hialeah. I don't think they get the credit they deserve. The staff has been the same since i can remember and never lost their touch. SO SO SO friendly, you feel like family when you're in there. and the food? just like mom's cooking! or abuelas! so so so good! I have taken countless friends here and no matter how professional we maybe and how many promotions we get, Chicos will always be our place! Don't expect anything fancy, just remarkable food at amazing prices.
(5)
Jorge N.
This place lacks passion. We visited Chico's for the first time about two weeks ago, my wife and I ate lunch. I had a lunch special which included roast pork, white rice, and platanos maduro. My wife ordered the bowl of fabada asturiana. We also ordered an appetizer, frituritas de malanga. The frituras were saturated with garlic and were not tasty. The pork was ok at best, it was done right but it wasn't outstanding. The white rice was cooked correctly along with the fried plantains, no complaints yet no rewards. The bowl of fabada lacked flavor. We semi-fixed it with salt, pepper and lime yet we were not satisfied. Also, the food didn't seem fresh. This service felt rushed and unfriendly. We won't be going back. We were not impressed.
(2)
Saly Ale O.
So disappointed with this visit, customer service sooo wrong, food was full of vinegar, I had to stop eating , this time Im really disappointed of Chico's
(1)
Mayako N.
We went here for the lunch on the weekend. It was packed and busy. We ordered picadillo, tamales, and caldo gallego. Some how the food took forever to come and we were munching on the Cuban bread. Caldo Gallego was a bit salty but it was full of flavor. Tamales was lurk warm which we sent it back to heat it up. It was OK. My husband devoured picadillo. So I think he liked it. It was plenty food and we were stuffed. We ended our meal with cafecito and cortadito. The coffee was good. The price is reasonable and we would go back if we are in the neighborhood.
(4)
Nathalie P.
Service was excellent food was delicious! And you get a lot of food for a decent price. Place is clean and well taken care of the owner even passed by and asked if we were ok! the cortadito they offer is not the best because it tastes more like a cafe con leche... I like my coffee strong and it was also lacking foam but over all great place to eat!
(5)
Glenda F.
I hadn't been to chicos in about ten years, last night I went with the wife and kids.... what can I say the food was horrible.. I ordered the palomilla with morro and fries. The steak was cold with no flavor, the fries where soggy as hell and to top it off the morro was old and hard as hell. I ended up sending the rice back and changed it for white rice and beans... wasn't much better either.. when I left the wife and I looked at each other and said," it's sad to say but we should've gone to POLLO TROPICAL"... it's a shame this old hialeah classic has fallen from its glory.. ownership and management need to step up their service and quality. .
(1)
Madison J.
If you want some good ole Cuban style food and ambiance you will love this place I know this is going to sound boring but what I like here is the palomilla with black beans and rice with maduros it reminds me of when I was a kid and that's all I wanted to eat my mom still makes it better but hey this is the next best thing
(4)
Leslie S.
Best late night place you can go to in Hialeah, great cuban food and very cultural atmosphere. At 3am getting a media noche there is perfect
(4)
Lissette P.
Not impressed. I know - it's Hialeah. Don't expect A+ service but the food is always good. That was the case during my first visit here at Chico's. Came on a Friday afternoon for a quick lunch. I walked in and waited a few moments while someone finally passed and acknowledged me- told me to sit where I would like. I sat at the counter thinking I would get fast service. After sitting there for about 3-5 minutes I was at the point of getting up and leaving... Several ladies passing by back and forth and no one acknowledging you are even sitting there. I was the only one at the counter but they do have a service window (only one customer there). Finally one of the ladies came over and asked if I needed a menu- there was one there and I knew what I wanted. A media noche. She shouted out to the guy working the deli area "Una media nocheeeeee" hahaha. Excellent communication of course ! That's what I love about Hialeah. The food came out rather quickly - I'm sure the sandwich is just pre made. They coated the surface of the bread with some kind of oil (aceite) and toasted it on the planchita. The sweet neon yellow media noche bread was toasty and hot but the inside of the sandwich was just lukewarm. The sandwich had plenty of meat and cheese filling but didn't have any condiments in it - perhaps I was suppose to ask for them ?! Then to get the ladies attention for napkins took a while.... And then to pay...another while. I think for whoever works in the shopping center it's a great place for a quick colada for pastelito but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit here again. Meh, no thanks.
(2)
Jesse G.
The food was ok, i wont judge it too hard since it was only $6 lunch special. I had the Palomilla with rice and maduros (the meat came lukewarm and the rice was kinda dry).... The other thing was we waited for 40 minutes for our food and even saw some tables get their food before us even tho they came after us :/ but If you want Cuban food for cheap, by all means..
(3)
Jessica L.
They have no passion for the Cuban cuisine. As soon as we sat a rude lady with absolutely no patience was our waitress. Being that it was my first time here and I was looking at the reviews I decided to give it a chance but as soon as she asked what I wanted I was trying to read their menu and she kept rushing me to order. I order egg whites with the papas and both things taste the same, like nothing. I love Cuban breakfast and I have been going to the other called CARIBE. And I'm never changing it. Also did I mention the croqueta sucked and the tostada wasn't even toasted? Bad experience. If you are looking for that welcoming place with good food for a good price don't come here. There are other better for the same price like the one I mentioned before CARIBE LATIN FOOD. And I don't even work for them I think maybe I'm just spoiled at how awesome they are.
(1)
John B.
This place is a Miami landmark and all should try it. Compared to McDonald's, you can't beat it (open 24/7). The food quality to price is incredible and the interior reminds you and a quality diner experience. You go, Chico.
(5)
Ice M.
Been there late night had a really good dinner like the milk shakes I would go there again.
(3)
Ruben G.
Best breakfast in town. Lunch and dinner menu enormous and food is delicious and not expensive.
(5)
William O.
Look, you've been to Chico's. I have, too. It's not really the type of place that you just happen upon. No, Chico's is in your blood like the brown in your eyes or the blonde in your hair. If you're Hialeah, you're Chico's. Plain and simple. Truly, I don't remember a time that Chico's wasn't there. It always was. And always will be. Alpha and Omega and all that. Revelation 22:13 in the Book of Agua, Fango, y Factoria. Chico's take on Cuban food may not be as tasty as that of its competitors, and the restaurant (despite a sort of makeover in the last decade or so) is still little more than a double-wide trailer in the mobile home park of life, but for ten bucks, you can get a monstrous Cuban sandwich with croquetas and a coldish Miller Lite. For another four bucks, you can have a glass (read: A GLASS) of wishky (read: WISHKEY. Seriously, check your receipt.) to balance out the salty and tangy mojo that comes with the mountain of mariquitas you're sharing with friends. I don't remember Chico's selling hard liquor. Then again, I don't remember a time when Chico's didn't sell hard liquor. Did I mention that it's open 24 hours, that you can stumble in at 3am for a sandwich and nurse your hangover a few hours later after a shower and a not-so-nap with eggs and cafe con leche? Alpha and Omega. Buttered bread and cafecito. Beginning and end.
(4)
Didi L.
Terrible pork sandwich literately pork and bread no mayo or anything else it was supper dry had to wait a long time terrible service will never set foot in this restaurant again smh
(1)
Frank C.
Had breakfast here. Pretty standard Cuban place. Food pretty average. I just don't find this place remarkable in any way. Prices are good though....
(3)
Maxis C.
The place has been a landmark in Hialeah since 1980. The food it's very good authentic Cuban food just like abuela's used to make. The portions are satisfying and the prices are even better. Am always recommending Chico's.
(4)
Rick W.
Just visiting Miami for a couple of weeks and this is my third time eating here! Excellent food. Everything I've had so far has been delicious! I enjoy the Palomilla steak and fried onions. Surprisingly the French onion soup is also outstanding. Lots of melted real cheese on it. Caesar salad is fresh but be careful, they put a lot of dressing on it. I will get my dressing on the side in the future. Very glad I came upon this fine restaurant! The service is very cheerful, although not much English is spoken here!
Convenience and classic Cuban food are what come to mind at Chicos. They have been a staple in Hialeah for as long, or longer, than I have been alive (1980). It's a safe place to hang out after a late night and grab authentic Cuban meals. May I suggest not being in a rush if you dine in at certain hours, and if you are in a rush just visit LA ventana (takeout window) to get a quicker response time. Cuban sandwiches are also always good here on authentic Cuban bread and traditional carving station, it is a must see for the outside of miamians. Oh and try an espresso (Cuban coffee) or cortadito (half espresso half milk), they are always a nice treat after dinner or just to break up a hectic day. In summary, chicos provides a traditional, authentic, dining and people watching experience.
(4)
Vanessa F.
So we came to Chicos as a group as my cousin was in town from Chicago! From the very beginning the service sucked! Easy 15 mons passed before anyone came to our table to ask for drinks! We actually ordered drinks food and appetizers at once due to the delay upon arrival! The food of course arrived all together drinks, appetizers and food! Definitely not the worst Cuban food but definitely lacks flavor and Sabor! Disappointed wont be back!!! As I type this the server has not come back once since the food arrived to either check or at this point just give me my check! Dont come here!
(1)
Nicho H.
I love a good deal and I feel like you can stretch a dollar at Chicos. Its the quintessential Miami Cuban restaurant. The ability to show up at any hour and order a full breakfast is my favorite aspect, they're open 24 hours! I know Im soon to become a regular as I left full and happy.
(5)
Cris M.
Good food, bad service but for the price and place i settle! I usually order El Dandy for breakfast!
(3)
Amaris E.
Close to my house and it's open 24/7. Cafecito is excellent! I enjoy that it is authentic Cuban food for a reasonable price. I love croquettas, but one time they just made a fresh batch, and it was still a little cold inside and it turned me off. I went for almost a year not eating that again there, but tried one again the other day and it was fine. Hopefully they cook it right now because the croquetta game is very serious to us Cubans!
(4)
Navil G.
Didn't like it. Went there for breakfast and the omelet was awful. Plus the croquetas were burned on the outside but cold on the inside.
(1)
Rosa Haruko A.
Great place to enjoy some authentic Cuban cuisine! The chocolate shake was delicious and smooth. We had the chicken milanesa and pork asado with maduros and congri, also we tried fufu for the first time and it was exceptional. I highly recommend this place for a late night bite (they're open 24/7), the foods quick, reasonably priced and flavorful. Two entrees could easily feed three people, they have large portions and a variety of sides. The only thing I didn't like much was the decoration because I feel it's really outdated but none of this affects the food quality so it's still a great option if you're craving some yummy Latin comfort food.
(5)
Cid P.
Update added 2014: Restaurant is slowly being remodeled inside. It's a shame. I liked it the way it was. This is as authentic as you can get without going to a restaurant in Cuba back in the 50s. Anything I have ordered here is quite delicious. At times, dishes from other nationalities willl be featured on their menu as well. Best thing about this restaurant, it's open 24 hrs. You will get a kick when they open right after a Hurricane has swept through town. Plenty of parking, especially in the overnight hours. During business hours, keep in mind they will be rather busy. The decor is dated, however, don't change what doesn't need to be changed. We love it, here in Hialeah, just the way it is. HIGHLY recommended for tourists and locals alike. You will think you've traveled back in time to Cuba. #KeepItLocal
(4)
Ariadna P.
They make the best pan con bistec! I love the food but hate the wait time. So if you are not in a rush, this is the place. The service is good, just make sure you know a thing or two in spanish since it is located in the heart of hialeah.
(4)
Susanne H.
This is my boyfriend's favorite place to eat. Last weekend we drove the 1.5 hours each way just to grab lunch here. Looking at it, it doesn't seem like much from the outside, but once you get inside, you know you are about to eat some amazing food. The menu is in both spanish and english, which is helpful. The servers.....well they don't speak english so make sure you have a spanish speaking friend with you or have your google translate available. I have tried numerous different meals there, but I thoroughly enjoy the eggs and steak breakfast. The steak has a great flavor to it. The secret I will tell you is to try their milkshakes, they are so good! So full of chocolaty goodness!
(5)
Lauren M.
Some things you should know about Chico's if you have never been. Speak Spanish if you can. They are Cuban. Be prepared to wait. They are cuban. The prices are great, but don't over do it on the cortaditos. They are Cuban. I was out here last night around midnight, and the cortadito was awesome. :) I had the cubano, and while good, not the best in my book. I would prefer a little bit more spread: mayo/mustard. Also good to note is the 24/7 sign!
I am 33 years old and have been coming to this place since I have memory. The food is great and so is the service. I highly recommend the Rabo Encendido and the Vaca Frita. Their sandwiches are equally good.
(5)
George T.
One of our Hialeah favorite must stops. Along with Sarrusi sandwich. It is open 24 hours. Plenty of great Cuban selections for breakfast lunch or dinner any time. Service was good. Waitstaff needed reminders. To bring other drinks for table. We came on Saturday seemed pretty busy for late breakfast we all ended up getting lunches. Noise levels allowed our table of 5, good conversations. While I'm glad to see older people still working it was distracting to hear plates and cups hit the ground it happened 3 times during our meal. Next table got served way too many meals at one time unfortunately someone got pan con piso which went back, of course, since it was on the ground. Meanwhile I wonder if I got pan con chorizo y piso? I kid I kid. Food: 4 came fresh hot Ambiance: 3 crowds are a good sign but food service gets bogged down a little if too busy or backed up. Service: 2 Was a little slow and distracting to see another table next to us get served out of order. We were quickly seated and ordered way before the next table and we just sat watching the next table get meal. Grrr. It's more annoying especially when hangry. Our server Location: 3 Value: 5 Warning caution.. One person got sick to his stomach. Which is one too many. The only other variable was guarapo de cana I'm not sure if it was fresh pressed or from a can but he felt indigestion for 4 days. I hope it was clean and properly made, it may be the ice or even storage. Deserts that were good flan, arroz con leche and Chocolate cookie bars. They also have cigars and cigarillos really cheap.
(3)
DjhotLinh H.
Nothing fancy. Food was good. Had oxtail special. It's open 24/7. Prices is good. Portions are pretty big
(3)
Martin M.
This place has lots of great choices. You can't have a Latin restaurant without the tostada and cafe con leche!!! Truly good stuff! Great place to come and unwind at the end of a looooooong week:-).
(5)
Emma F.
Sorry to say but they have gone down on the quality of the food and Taste . The last three times I've order take out and the food is just not the same anymore . The server last time attended two other people in front of me without giving an explanation after I had mention i was take out . Also I don't think is very professional as an employee to be eating your food and attending people . Please get your break and go eat it calmly somewhere in the back . Their is no need for me to see you talking with food in your mouth . I do love the convince of his place since its 24 hours and the servers are nice for the most part .
(3)
Ariel M.
AMAZING. Hot, delicious, authentic, and extremely affordable! Good service even at odd hours of the night. There is a language barrier with most of the staff if you don't know Spanish, however some of the items on the menu are numbered which helps. My boyfriend and I were staying near the Miami airport and it was less than 10 minutes from our hotel. In the four days we spent in miami, we frequented Chico's twice! Both times our bill was under $20 including tip!
(5)
Monica N.
Was all excited to have a good cuban breakfast but it didn't work out that way. Bad Cuban sandwich, bad cafe con leche, bad breakfast, bad everything.
(1)
Jamie S.
Oyeee, cheap eats get love too. 5 star love! Chico's has been around all my life. I've been coming here since I was a little kid. Not only is it open 24 hours a day, you get massive amounts of food at a very inexpensive price. From breakfast to cafecito to dinner, there's food for all times of the day all day. Can't beat that!
(5)
Dave K.
Q: What to do with your 4.5 hours of layover after a redeye flight from SFO to Miami that arrived at 4:45am? A: Eat. I went out on a whim and found Chico's Restaurant via Android Yelp App with one filter option - "Open Now". Two search results came back: 1) "Booby Trap", a 2-star adult dance club; and 2) Chico's Restaurant. Hmmm... "Boobies or food? Boobies or food?" (Thinking out loud) I was out-of-my-mind starving, food must come first. If I have enough time, maybe boobies after? After a short cab ride, I arrived Chico's around 5am. Chico's is in the middle of Hialeah, aka the bario of Dade county. However, Chico's was anything but bario: I ordered the Cubano tacos and washed it down with a pan con lechon, a must-have Cuban pork sandwich. I earned the respect of our waitress, not because of my flawless Spanish pronunciation, but my eagerness to order a pork sandwich at 5am. Food was absolutely amazing and the flavor was as Cubano as they came. Needless to say, I ate so much that a 2-star adult dance club full of boobies couldn't shake my food coma, not at 5am. Hollered a cab and headed back to Miami International airport.
(4)
Sharon W.
4 stars on the food; 2 stars on the service / ambiance. Chico's is in a strip mall with typically atrocious Hialeah signage (side note - are there ANY zoning laws in Hialeah?!). Anyway, it's Hialeah, so after a few laps around the parking lot (which was also being used for parking for a used car lot), we located it. Inside is bright, very bright, and COLD. The waitress was not at all friendly, even though I speak Spanish. That said, the food was good. We consumed an arepa, a grapefruit juice (ordered it sin hielo and it came con hielo), a cafe con leche, cuban toast, a tortilla con papas and oxtail stew. The food arrived fairly quickly. 3 of us split the arepa, which was a little dry, but since this is an item I do not make at home, I am not complaining. The tortilla took up the entire plate and probably contained 6 huevos. It was cooked perfectly and loaded with tender potatoes. The Mr. heartily enjoyed his oxtail stew, which came with black beans and rice that were phenomenal! The bill was cheap, so cheap I don't even remember how much we paid. In the end, the food overcame the location and the lackluster service.
(3)
Isabel S.
I like Chico's because the food is really good and it's really cheap. Nothing fancy here --regular Cuban food served by waitresses who try to do their best. Good Cuban coffee, and good breakfast too. The only negative is that they don't sell pastries. Come on, guys, you gotta have pastelitos! It's a good place to have any meal if you're in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. There are plenty of excellent places all over South Florida if you're craving some Cuban food. All in all, if you're in the area, or if it's late (they're open 24 hours), I'd definitely recommend.
(4)
Melissa P.
I have been going to Chico's since I was a kid the food is really good and it's really cheap :) Nothing fancy here it's regular Cuban food. Breakfast is amazing... Steak with Eggs and Cafe con Leche can't go wrong..
(5)
Lauren C.
So for me, Chico's will forever be a main character in the story of how I almost died. Whenever someone mentions Chico's I have to tell the tale of my final visit to this restaurant in 2004. Prior to that day, I had eaten there a handful of times and always had a decent experience. I never imagined that on my last visit, my usual (mundane) order of grilled chicken breast and white rice would be a terrible mistake. Later that evening I experienced the worst food poisoning I had ever had in my life! I couldn't get comfortable in my bed so I moved to the couch. There I lay for hours while my family watched on and questioned whether or not they should take me to the hospital. Crying and feeling like someone put a knife in my chest, I lay under not one, but two comforters shivering as if I had just been pulled from icy hypothermic waters. Still, I chose to ride it out without the help of a doctor. Score one for me because after about 8 hours of suffering, it was completely gone and I avoided a hefty hospital bill. It just wasn't my time to go... I have never returned to Chico's and I think you can understand why. However, my family still visits occasionally and they love it. AND I also have an interesting story to tell the future grand kids. So for that I give them 3 stars.
(3)
Lara R.
Service here is AMAZING at any time you come. Staff is mostly older and I think this is the reason why the service is so good. The food is as good as abuela's and I wouldn't be surprised if there was an abuela in the kitchen. Prices are cheap!
(5)
Kathryn M.
Boy oh boy, when it comes to mouth-watering home-style cuban cuisine, Chico's is the place to go! From media noches and traditional cuban sanwhiches to ropa vieja and ox-tail stew, this place has you and your hungry stomach covered. The portion sizes are above par and I have never left hungry!
(5)
marcelo w.
Great Lechon with rice and black beans! Fast and friendly service. Excellent cortadito!
(4)
Patty G.
Picked up a quick sandwich from here on the go. I had the pechuga de pollo a la plancha sandwich and it was awesome. Super delicious! Service was quick. Can't say much else as I didn't dine here but I most surely will find some time to in the near future.
(4)
Carla L.
Why does Chico's stand out? First of all its got it. It truly does, a Cuban place in Hialeah? OK no surprise there but its open 24 hours has solid food and is wonderfully priced! My daughter had 2 eggs, rice, maduros, tostadas. Hubby 2 eggs, bacon, tostada, batido de mamey, cafe con leche. I had the same thing without the batido but I had some potatoes to go with it. Check amount? $18 plus change. We rolled out of there we were so full. The food was good, the service good.. now we have that 'go to' place for our cheat day breakfast!
(4)
Jake M.
Hit this place up at 5am after a red eye flight from SFO, during our 4.5 hour layover at Miami international. A buddy found it on Yelp as one of two places that are open 24 hours within a reasonable distance to the airport & had great reviews, so we hopped in a cab & headed out. To say the least, pulling up to this place after our shady cab driver took us on an extremely out of the way route to earn himself about $5 more in fare &, therefore, a smaller tip, we were a little worried about the surroundings, as it seemed we were definitely not in our element. That feeling began to be confirmed based on the looks we received when we walked in w/our luggage in tow. However, once we sat down, we realized we had made a great choice. The service was VERY friendly & nice & the food was delicious. I ordered the Empanizado Chico's (breaded steak, I LOVE chicken fried steak, so figured I would give the cuban version a try) & was very happy with it. Unlike most breaded steaks, which are either pounded out to be very thin or simply a ground steak, this was a very well marinated skirt steak in a cornmeal breading. For $6.50, you get the steak, 2 eggs, hashbrowns or rice, toast & coffee, unreal deal. The Cafe Con Leche was one of the best I've ever had as well. Made authentically, pouring the freshly brewed espresso into the steaming cup of milk, very Cuban indeed. One of my buddies ordered the Pan Con Lechon (traditional Cuban pork sandwich) that was easily my 2nd favorite item we all tried (only $4.95). Really well marinated, tender pork on Cuban bread & that's it, none of the americanized "Cuban" sandwich elements of pickles, cheese etc. Just the pork & bread & it was fantastic. Also, as we waited out front for our cab back to the airport, we noticed that it was a great spot for locals to stop & get their morning coffee & catch up a bit, almost like an outdoors coffee shop, as they have a couple windows out front where people can just walk up & order coffee & Cuban pastries. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for authentic Cuban food. Highly Recommended.
(4)
Wilson T.
I love this place! Super friendly service with senoras that always call us amors! How sweet! The food is delicious (go with the pork!), the sangria is amazing and the portions are generous! Plenty of options to choose from, so come more than once! If this is authentic Cuban, then I definitely want to try some more!
(5)
Willy M.
Service was really good even that was really crowded!! Food was very yummy and a good size portion !! Would go again for sure !!!
(4)
Vanessa B.
Love this place great food at whatever hour service great the times I have gone are always after my late drunk times lol and I always come out with a full belly and smile by the way it's cheap and open 24 hours can't beat that daleeee ;)lol Cuban talkkk
(5)
Ethan H.
No other reviewers mentioned the mojito ... that glorious, beautiful, 2nd-only-to-my-own-homemade mojito! The rest of the food ranged from solid to fantastic, with the exception of the complimentary bread, which was overly-toasted, dry and uninteresting. Oh well. You get what you pay for. Also, the menu was a little strange. True, I see how selling advertising space on the menu must be a great way to keep down costs. (And Chico's costs are certainly kept down.) But let's face it, only in Miami would a menu offer such delicacies as Palomilla steak and ropa vieja on one page and free Botox and Pap smears on the other! This is clearly a case where not everything that can be sold should be.
(3)
Stevo H.
Quick bullet points for those who need them fast. * If you don't speak Spanish you will be at a disadvantage, but the menu is in English too. A "Google Translate" app helps a lot too. * If you are a coffee lover you will LOVE this place, every cup is made fresh, no percolators here to burn your coffee. * For 2 people for breakfast, plus 3 coffees for me, and tip, it was under $15 * They do have a walk up if you are feeling to scured to walk in ;-) Full Review Below My wife and I are from Iowa and we were looking for some authentic Miami Cuban/American flavor after having gotten off the plane and getting our rental car at 2am and this was the perfect place to do it. We are both vegetarians so we thought that it might be tough to find something but it all worked out great. I had the rice, eggs, Cuban bread, and fried plantains and it was one of the best breakfasts that I have ever had. And the coffee, oh my god, seriously, it was so frekin' fresh, I was in coffee bean addicts heaven. I had a Cafe Con Leche, a cafe Cubana, and some "jet fuel" and they all tasted amazing. If you are a coffee fan I highly recommend going here to get some amazing coffee as well as a great breakfast. And the cost was great, we spent less then $15, including tip, for a great breakfast. This will be one of the first places I go for breakfast and coffee the next time I'm in Miami.
(4)
Mariac H.
Although an older restaurant. This is one that has maintained quality. I didnt give them 5 stars due to their spotty service. I actually had to get up and retrieve my glass of sangria from the bar as the waiter didnt. The food was SUPERB. Best palomilla I've had in a long time and the plantains were really good. Despite slow service will return since food quality and prices cant be beat.
(4)
Denisse D.
Horrible. I don't understand why people like this place. Every time I've been, I've had a bad experience. The beans are terrible, you would think they can at least get black beans right?! It's sad that this is the only Cuban place around Hialeah that's open so late. I ordered a tostada and the bread was cold and soft and had so much butter I couldn't eat it, and I like a lot of butter on my toast!! Do not come here, you're better off waiting until something good opens in the morning.
(1)
George M.
Still nothing better Went to D. Rodriguez recently and while good, I'd rather hit up Chico's every day of the week and with the price difference, I can
(5)
Gustavo A. L.
What's wrong with Hialeah ? Absolutely nothing !!!! Furthermore Chico's is in Hialeah and this is my new go to place for Saturday morning breakfast ! Let me take you through our thought process, we wake up in the moring and head to the kitchen to brew some coffee. While the java brews we start pondering about what to have for breakfast, open the fridge and stare at the eggs, go to the pantry and pull out the cereal....but I am not feeling it - This is the point when I thank my creator for my flashes of genius, Chico's comes to my head like a bright burning light bulb and I blurt it out without thinking ... Let's go to Chico's" I say, and the look of bewilderment on the rest of my family is priceless. So I head to the blackberry, pull up the reviews on my Yelp app and hand the phone to the politburo. I make my life by selling and I realized that this, was an idea I had to sell, so one of the most important rules of effective selling is "don't tell them, show them" - and by showing them the reviews was another stroke of genius. They are still a bit hesitant because the address is listed in Hialeah .... so I quickly go to my google apps and map the place- " No problem" I say... "I know how to get there".... So we get in the car and hit the road, and 15 minutes later, we are pulling into the parking lot and I already know this is going to be good. Breakfast of champions ... Wheaties ? Schmeaties ... Two Fried eggs over easy, with plenty of bacon, toasted cuban bread with plenty of butter and cafe con leche to keep me up for a week for just over 4 bucks !!!! I am happy !!!! The Politburo ate as well, and were equally pleased with their selections, and when the bill came for less than 20 bucks... I was happy...hell !!! I am still happy !!!
(4)
Kristen S.
Wow, i can't believe I never reviewed Chico's!!!! I have only been for dinners and late night gatherings, but I have probably been over a hundred times over the last 15 years. This place is awesome. Start with - the mariquitas. Fresh fried plantain chips with an awesome garlic mojo. Then have - The steaks are great and the meals are massive! The grilled chicken is even amazing - so flavorful and juicy!!! End with - the cafe con leche and flan for dessert, you won't be sorry. I have never had a bad dish, and the waitstaff is super friendly, even to my gringo self ;) Oh, and if you have a large group, there is a party room. They are always accomodating for groups! They would usually put us in there if we showed up with like 10-12 people.
(5)
Ben O.
There aren't a whole lot of Waffle Houses in Hialeah. I credit Chico's with that fact; they're open 24 hours a day serving grilled chicken, pancakes, omelets, and plenty more besides. No, they don't have a jukebox with a bunch of corny songs praising the grits. Hell, I don't think the menu has ever seen a grit. But you can definitely get your breakfast on with tostada francesa (French toast), tortilla (omelet), or El Dandy (fried eggs over white rice with platanos maduros (ripe plantains)). And if you're not from around here, you won't have heard of half the milkshake flavors. I recommend the trigo (wheat). I grew up not too far from here, just a bit south of Okeechobee Road, and going to Chico's for breakfast this morning gave me great pleasure. However, it's not as cheap as the menu prices might imply, because now I'm going to want to drive down from Atlanta more often.
(5)
Michelle W.
Yum-my! Went here for the GMYE & am so happy I did! This place reminds me of the coney islands back in Michigan...different kind of food, but same concept. Great food for cheap! I've been a little hesitant to go to Cuban restaurants because 1. I don't speak Spanish and 2. I don't eat meat. But thanks to my Spanish speaking Yelper friends all was good! It's Saturday morning & I'm about ready to gnaw my arm off I'm soooo hungry & we ordered some croquetas (meat so I didn't eat) and some guava turnovers to tide us over until everyone arrived. The guava was sweet & the perfect match for my cafe con leche. They bring you the steamed milk & you add your own coffee. Ordered an omelet with potato & cheese and it was just delicious. Had a lot of cheese and the potatoes were cooked well. I could only finish about half because of the guava and the yummy bread & butter they brought. Service was a little random, but the cheap food was worth it! Totally a fan of this place! You can get stuff a la cart or get one of the breakfasts for about 5 bucks!
(4)
Lisa A.
Best Cuban restaurant EVER! Any place that's open 24/7 automatically wins my heart, however if you throw in warm croquettes, a toasty cuban sandwich, special fried rice AND flan...I'm hooked.
(5)
Vanessa G.
Ok so if it's 4am and you get the munchies this is definitely the place to go. Awesome Cuban breakfast that's open 24 hours. Cheap and delicious can't beat it. I totally recommend! :)
(4)
Nicholas L.
To be fair, Chico's might deserve three stars, instead of just two, but my experience was limited to a sandwich and coffee at lunchtime. Service was interesting, as no one spoke English. We got by with some broken Spanish on our part, a tiny amount of English on their part, and a lot of pointing at the menu. The bill was really low, for two classic Cuban sandwiches and coffees, so affordability is a plus at this place. The sandwich was OK and the coffee was very good. Apparently, they're open 24 hours a day, so if you have a real need, late at night, you might give these folks a much higher rating.
(2)
Abdel J.
I enjoy eating at Chico's all the time because it is close to my law office. The best part about it is that it is open 24 hours. My favorites are the breakfasts because they bring a lot of food for like $6. I always ask for the "Super" breakfast, I think it is the top one on the menu and it brings the most food. Eggs, steak, toast, jelly, cafe con leche. It is very tasty. It is only available from like 6:00 or 7:00 am until noon or so. For dinner I enjoy the Artesan Steak. It's Huge! The steak fills your entire plate. And it is a large elongated plate. It's a breaded steak with ham and cheese accompanied by sweet plantains or tostones and moros or rice and beans. jimenezlawyer.com
(5)
Claudia J.
Great cuban restaurant open 24/7!!! Opened 29 years ago and it has never closed!! Once you enter the place, tables here, there, a counter on a side. They had a great variety of beers from ALL OVER the world !!! This place is visited by regulars, waiters and waitresses have been here for ages!! It's one of those places that you go in and see all the hussle buzzle going around, be careful behind you they might be delivering some coffee or tostadas to a table!!! Got here for the GMYE gathering with other fellow yelpers, glad I decided to go!! For starters, we got some croquetas that were yummi!!! cortadito was good as well. When you order breakfast, a tostada (cuban bread with lots of margarine) come with it!! If I only knew!!! I ordered two eggs, with some Chico's potatoes (thanks for the expertise of George M). I was stuffed, and not even finished my breakfast!!! Prices are great, super affordable and of course greasy!!!!
(4)
Sum O.
Last time I came here was 5 years ago, my friends like to come here cause its Spanish food 24/7. I am here right now and We had the worst service with terrible food. The beans had some weird flavor and my friend brought it to our waitress attention, I was hungry and I dug in but she still gave us attitude because I ate the beans, she went to the back to have a taste, she said they probably added something different but it's not bad beans because they taste good and that we have different taste buds. Note that all this was said in a attitude that makes you want to flip a table over. I really don't want to see how that kitchen looks neither. I warn you stay home call me and ill cook you a decent dinner that you will enjoy! My friend after coming here for many years is actually consider never to eat here again.
(1)
Michele P.
Came here after my hotel waiter and consierge (sp?) suggested it for authentic Cuban food. DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! Probably the best affordable place in Miami. Do NOT forget to come here. You will not regret it!
(5)
Frodough B.
Great food all the time. Tostada with a cafe con leche at 8 a.m.? Done. Tostada with a cafe con leche at 6 p.m.? Done. Pan con tortilla after leaving a funeral at 4 a.m.? Done. Chico's is awesome.
(5)
Sapphire B.
I love plantains, so I wanted to check this place out. I loved the food, but the atmosphere was a little bland, that's why the 4 instead of 5 stars.
(4)
Paula E.
Last Saturday, when I was at a MWCC workshop for a Bay of Pigs Anniversary documentary project, we played an ice breaker game with the kids involved and one of them said that his favorite thing about Miami was that you could live here your entire life and discover something new and different every day. I nodded and smirked. I recently started working in Hialeah, a place which til now seemed like far and foreign lands, but once I settled, I had to venture into the new food opportunities that this had presented. And Chicos was number one on my list....what can I say that hasn't already been said... Cheap (like really cheap) Delicious Open 24hrs Locals they brought my cafecito before my water... that's whats up, and I thought it was amazing that there's an old school shoe buffer/shiner chair right outside...these people know what life is about and they're sticking to it.
(5)
Omar G.
Oh, Chicos! There's nothing like your warm lights glowing on 12th Ave at 3am. The Bell and Mickey D can't compete when you see those lights. Sometimes it's the food. Sometimes it's the 24 hour action. When I find myself there, tho, it always hit the spot.
(4)
Janet D.
Once upon a time four Hialeah gals were having a spa day. (I know you're thinking I clicked on the wrong review) But the girls wanted nostalgic, yet delicious breakfast before their day of relaxation. Where else, but Chicos where the bill came to $22 for four full breakfasts. I went with my usual, D8: Cafe con leche, two croquettas, two eggs sunny side up with a cuban toast, for dipping in sunny side egg, of course. We left with full bellies and reminiscing of the good old days...days of late night cafe con leches, full on bistec de palomilla at 2 a.m. and getting a warm meal post a hurricane! Chicos te quiero!
(4)
Janay M.
Came here for some cheap yet filling eats. Awww boy did Chicos deliver. I ordered tostda, hot chocolate and 2 jamon croquettes. Nom nom nom and for being only $3.00 Hialeah doesn't disappoint.
(3)
Wilson L.
Can never go wrong with Cuban food at any time of the night, especially if it's good. Too many people would be put off when they walk in to the place since it looks like you should expect to have trash to eat but honestly, why waste your time at the late night chains, with a bunch of overly aggressive Hispanics, when you can get home style cooking anytime of the night. It's as if your Cuban grandmother cooked for you any time of the day even when you're on your way home in the middle of the night with a good buzz. (Not saying I was the one doing the driving with the buzz?) Once you get past the sight, and avoid the restroom, order a batido, enjoy your free bread, then order anything on the menu, kick back and chat away with some fine dining at an awesome price.
(4)
Alex I.
Could never get enough of chicos... its home...
(5)
Linda N.
All I can say is that Chico's is awesome, whether your going to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a cuban tostada with a cafe con leche this is the place to go. Its super cheap, the food quality is great and the prices are extremely cheap. They serve large portions, and there open 24/7 which is great with late night cravings. I highly recommend it if your in the area.
(5)
Anaisabel G.
I grew up eatting here! The best authentic Cuban food in Hialeah, hands down! Plus it's opened 24/7 and extremely affordable. I love this place, and whenever I am craving Boliche con arroz y frijoles negro, this is the SPOT! P.S. Their flan is the BEST! :)
(4)
L L.
Open all the time service was great food very good (hard to be too distinguishing for 5am breakfast but I'm a regular whenever in Miami on the early flt)
(4)
Maria A.
Cuban food isn't scare in Miami. What is harder to find is good, cheap, round the clock, 24 hr Cuban food. Enter Chico's. This Cuban diner serves it up hot and fresh 365 days a year. On the weekends this joint is hopping with locals who have been coming here for decades. If you're lucky they'll share the insider tips like getting there early to indulge in Chico's french bread instead of the standard Cuban loafs and suggesting you go all in for some of Chico's potatoes. When I went there I couldn't resist sharing some of the communal plate of croquetas. I skipped the cafe con leche in favor of oj and went with an omelet. The meal was huge and satisfying. Had I grown up in this part of town Chico's would have been a regular end of night spot for conversations and coffee. Maybe it's just me but 24 hour diners hold a special place in my heart. They're seldom fancy or even beautiful but they're loyal and hardworking. They love the regulars and always have a hot pot of joe and something sweet ready to go, often they'll serve you a comforting plate of food for under $10, and do it without the pretense, pomp, and circumstance. They're the backdrop for late-night conversations ranging from midnight movie reviews to philosophical debates on life's meaning, drunken non-sense, hangover cures, and other cheerful and/or tearful moments all held over greasy, comforting, food and bad lighting. Just remember to ask a regular for some tips on ordering.
(4)
Carlos P.
Do you know where you can get a breakfast serving that takes up almost the entire space of your table for under $6? If you don't, then now you know...it's CHICO's. This institution of Cuban food, located in the heart of Hialeah has been around since I was a baby. The food here is excellent, at any time of the day or night, you can come in and have a delicious plate of rice and beans with steak or like I stated above, have a delicious breakfast at a crazy affordable price. Most of their breakfast plates come with eggs and you choose whether you want ham, bacon, sausage, croquetas or papa-rellena (stuffed potato). I always get the plate with the ham croquettes, which are delicious. On top of your main plate, you get a cafe con leche with a large chunk of Cuban toast, all buttered up. None of these plates are more than $6 and the portions are more than enough. The service is quick, friendly and most of all, the food has stood the test of time with this place. Hopefully, Chico's stays put for many more years to come!
(5)
ISA V.
This is by far one of the best eateries in Hialeah. Everything I have tasted there is good, especially their Baca Frita, with white rice , black beans and a side of Platano Maduros. Exceptional Cuban food. Also their prices are really low. I go there with my entire family ( 5) and we spend no more than 45.00 including tip.
(5)
Joseluis A.
chicos! it had been a while since the last time i went to chicos. it was always late at night. after a fun night. always with friends. but i went to chicos for breakfast today along with a few other yelpers. you get there and you sit yourself, someone will be with you shortly. we got, 6 croquetas, 2 guava & cheese pastelitos and a cuban toast. cafe con leche for everybody. the croquetas were awesome. i wanted to have two but since we were 6 and we ordered six, i thought, one for each, then george figured there was a vegetarian on the group and he ate that last croqueta. what a snake. then it was time for real breakfast. i got their 'super' special which consists of. bistec de palomilla (steak), two eggs, french fries and a cuban toast. the steak was seasoned well and did not stand a chance on my plate. i should have ordered scrambled eggs instead of sunny side-up because they were a bit undone but whatever. i was too busy being hungry to pay attention to that at the time. so we all ate well, shared some laughs even with the waitress who had been having a rough morning... if theres anything chicos needs to improve was that. their service, but really, a 24 hour restaurant that serves great food for $5 is automatically 4 stars in my book! pa que tu lo sepas... broder
(4)
Janelle F.
If it isn't their proud display of Skol vodka bottles I don't know what it is...But there's just something about Chico's. I had one blurry memory of dropping someone off in Hialeah after a night of partying and making a pitstop somewhere for some middle-of-the-night-post-debauchery-snacking. I didn't remember the name, or where it was, but I remembered it being damn good. Fast forward to this weekend, my S/O and I had to run an errand in Hialeah and low and behold, I found Chico's again. I missed you, old friend. The food is still greasy and good and the perfect cure for a Sunday hangover!
(4)
whitney g.
When in miami, I always try to go to places that I can't get in Atlanta. I had a buddy recommend this because it was late and I was STARVING, and boy did it deliver. You always have to feel good when you're in a latino community, and you go eat latino food, and you're the only white guy there. Granted there was a small language barrier, but they had pictures, and I sure as hell can point at the good stuff! The service was awesome, the waitstaff were all very nice and sweet, and didn't mind helping this ignorant white boy get the food he wanted. My gf got the breakfast, and I got a sandwich, and they were both amazing. I didn't manage to get the french bread that others were talking about, but whatever bread we DID get was awesome. I'm totally going to go back here when I'm in town next. Great food, fast and pleasant service, and a good taste of what Miami is all about.
(4)
Steph V.
Chico's is an awesome spot for breakfast and lunch. The batidos are amazing. The service is fast and the Cuban food is authentic.
(5)
Regina M.
Pan con bistec was okay.. not the best. Flan de coco with a colada the best.
(4)
Christian M.
I'm gonna give CHICOS a well deserved 5 STAR rating!!! I have been coming here since I was a kid and it has never disappointed....NOT ONCE!! no matter what day OR what time CHICOS will be open and ready to serve!!!
(5)
Vanessa C.
BEST (& CHEAPEST) BREAKFAST EVER!! I drive from Aventura to Hialeah once a week just to enjoy their breakfast. The waitress doesn't even have to ask before she brings me my cafe con leche. It's authentic, ridiculously cheap, super fattening and delicious. The place is not much to look at, but the food is a total diamond in the rough. At $3.40 for two greasy eggs, a decent portion of some type of meat (croquettes, bacon, ham, sausage, etc.), a huge slice of cuban or french bread buttered - what else do you need? They have other breakfast specials, including rice and steaks and everything Cuban, but nothing is over $5. I have to admit that although I'm from Hialeah, there's not much reason to go there. Chico's is the exception - it's the jewel of Hialeah. Short of my mother's Cuban breakfasts, this place does the trick when I'm craving home.
(5)
Emme R.
Aaahh, Chico's. I don't know any real Hialeah resident who doesn't get excited when someone suggests Chico's...I have been going there my whole life and I still love it, So many memories there. The perfect place to enjoy your favorite meal just like mom makes it(if your mom is latin like most hialeah moms) . Well, my mom is the best cook, but at least Chico's comes close. Oh and you can enjoy ANYTHING on the menu at ANY - TIME - YOU - CRAVE - IT! Yeah, they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And its cheap too! The batidos are the best, and so are the sandwiches. The cons, well sadly there are a few. Remember, it IS Hialeah. Firstly, all the waiters are spanish and for some reason they seem to have gotten of the raft - like yesterday. Sometimes they act like they have their head in the clouds and look at you as if they have no idea what you're talking about. Even when you talk to them in spanish... Second, there are some shady characters in the midnight hours. Especially obscenely overweight "santeras" smoking the BIGGEST tabaccos next to the entrance. Then they have the audacity to blow that disgusting smoke in your directions. Luckily for me, I have cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and lungs on my side. Lastly, I assume because of their crazy hours, they seem to have food thats been sitting around for a while. I've gotten my bad batch of sour papa rellenas, but hey i excuse them because 9 times out of 10, I leave the place a happy girl... :-)
(5)
Rene S.
One of the Best restaurant in Hialeah and the best food
(5)
Nandi E.
I've heard such great things about this place. It's the perfect after the club spot. Service was great. The menu is extensive. I ordered the Cuban Pork Sandwich....it was tasty but I was a bit turned off by the amount of fat in my sandwich. Otherwise it's good. Will definitely try it again.
(3)
Phil L.
The only place open late in Hialeah that has half decent food. You will find all type of characters there. from the police to high school prom queens... oh and the occasional Asian ;) Food is authentic and the price is not to bad at all. I stick with the things I know they cant really mess up so breaded steak, rice and beans for me. My other friends have been braver than I have and they have yet to peel over. A great little spot to people watch, eat and enjoy. This is a WARNING: Dont go here if you cannot speak Spanish. You will not have a good time.
(3)
John L.
If you are looking for enormous portions, a good breakfast and low prices try Chico's restaurant. The place is always busy day or night and it's a little bit noisy as most of the cuban/latin restaurants but if you are latino or familiar with the miami/hialeah area you'll understand what I mean. Breakfasts are great...and you can have a real cuban breakfast at 2 or 3 am because this place is 24 hours.eggs any style,cuban bread,coffee, butter,jellybacon,frita for under 5 bucks, Cuban sandwiches, Medianoche sandwich,Frita(cuban fried burger), chicken sandwich,steak,Milanesa (deep fried breaded steak covered with melted parmesan and tomato sauce, desserts, coffee, natural juices,3 stars because it's too noisy,and the place is not nice,restrooms are really ugly
(3)
Joan V.
I have lived in Hialeah my entire life. Coming from a Cuban family, and growing up eating real authentic Cuban food, i have to say this place is far from the best Cuban restaurant in Hialeah. I have gone on 3 different occasions, and every time i have been disappointed. Their beans are bland, and taste like canned beans, last night i had Bistec ensabollado, that was room temperature and had the texture of something that was cooked at 4:00pm and reheated in a microwave at 4:00am.My friend ordered eggs with "grilled" ham, which also looked like it was nuked in the microwave, all wrinkly and gross. The service has always been hit or miss, but that is expected. There are far better places to choose from, the only thing Chico's has going for it is their hours. But all my late night experiences have been bad. The waitresses don't want to be there, and the cooks obviously are not actually cooking. Next time I'm going to Denny's because sadly, at this point that's a better option for late night/early morning food.
(1)
Jesse l.
Good quality. Nice sized portions. Open late. In fact, 24 hours and good service, even in the middle of the night. Affordable too.
(5)
Yadi L.
Honestly, I'm a little pessimistic when it comes to a lot of places in Hialeah. Don't get me wrong, I'm cuban, but loud, crowded places where everyone stares at you. Let me tell you though, I was pleasantly surprised the first time I went. And the second. And the third, and everytime after that. Chico's became my weekend destination to take a break from the weekly cooking. There's usually a bit of people but not uncomfortably crowded. And why wouldn't there be people? The food is DELICIOUS, extremely CHEAP and they don't take an hour to bring you a small plate. Their portions are generous, actually, a bit too generous. Their palomilla steak is folded over in a large plate and it still covers side to side of the plate. 2 whole dinners with extra sides and drinks that left us extremely stuffed usually came up to like $30! I like good restaurants and good food, but I'll take Chico's over many high class restaurants any day!
(4)
John C.
My family and I decided not to do Thanksgiving this year and go to a restaurant instead. Even though we had some bad experiences at Chico's before, we still decided to give them one more chance and go have Thanksgiving lunch/dinner there. To our surprise when we arrived, the place was empty. Only three tables were taken. The place looked like a desert and the parking lot was empty with few cars. We sat and were served the usual bread. We looked at the very small Thanksgiving specials they had and decided to go with the Turkey Fricassee, the normal Turkey Dinner with Stuffing (American Style), and not a Thanksgiving item Seafood served on Yellow Rice. Well, to say the least, it was all DISGUSTING and DESPICABLE... As it has happened previously with my food, the food was served cold. The Seafood on Yellow Rice tasted like cardboard and the Thanksgiving items tasted bland. There is no excuse for that as the place was empty and those items are not hard to prepare. That is it... I've had it... They ruined my Thanksgiving and I will never go back to Chico's again! Overall, I do not know what has happened to Chico's... Their portions of food have gotten way smaller, food tastes bland, and it is being served cold. The place looks disgusting as it is all falling apart (especially the Bathrooms) and the people that go there (Chonga's and Chongo's) is embarrassing to all Cubans and humans everywhere, to say the least. They have no decency or respect for a place of dining. I do not care how long this restaurant has been there... They should consider closing their doors... Disgusting food + Overpriced Items + Bad Environment + Bad Service = Chico's. This equation has an error and needs to be ABORTED!
(1)
angel t.
If you are looking for a cuban restaurant that is open 24 hours a day seven days a week this is your place for reasonably priced cuban food. They are open when everyone else is closed before/during/after hurricanes. I called a few places when Storm Fay was here and everyone was closing early to set-up/prepare for the storm, not this place....The staff is hurricane proof and so is the restuarant.....Hope this heps in case you are in the area looking for good food when the weather is not cooperating....Angel
(3)
W. Ryan J.
Very nice cuban restaurant. I go there for lunch every once in a while for "sandwich de pechuga de pollo" (english: Grilled Chicken Sandwich). Service is ok and food is good. You should definitely try Chico's at least once if you are in Hialeah.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Nathalie P.
Service was excellent food was delicious! And you get a lot of food for a decent price. Place is clean and well taken care of the owner even passed by and asked if we were ok! the cortadito they offer is not the best because it tastes more like a cafe con leche... I like my coffee strong and it was also lacking foam but over all great place to eat!
(5)Bill W.
Chicos is an old-school Cuban restaurant. Open 24 hours, this is s great place for breakfast. They have window, counter, and table service, and offer all the expected Cuban breakfast staples: croquetas, Cuban bread slathered with butter/margarine and smashed thin as a cracker, home fries or French fries, eggs, and a variety of breakfast meats. My favorite is the grilled chorizo/Spanish sausage. I've been coming here for breakfast for years, but have to admit, have never been here for lunch or dinner. They have an impressively extensive menu, so I'm sure there's something for everyone!! On the service front, they are always friendly, but it can be a little hit or miss. And, Spanish is definitely the first language here! If you want your bill quickly, let them know when they deliver your food, or it could be a wait. They always bring out the toast long before your meal, so if you like to dunk warm toast in your over-easy egg, ask them to bring the toast out with your food. And if you drink lots of water, sit near the diner counter, where water pitchers are set up for customers to refill from. Sometimes it can feel like your server left for the day... Particularly at the two key moments of waiting to give your order, and waiting for the bill. Just get the attention of another server- they'll get things moving again!
(4)Melissa C.
If i could I would eat here every day! Ive been going to Chicos since i was a little girl. Its a not so little hidden gem in Hialeah. I don't think they get the credit they deserve. The staff has been the same since i can remember and never lost their touch. SO SO SO friendly, you feel like family when you're in there. and the food? just like mom's cooking! or abuelas! so so so good! I have taken countless friends here and no matter how professional we maybe and how many promotions we get, Chicos will always be our place! Don't expect anything fancy, just remarkable food at amazing prices.
(5)Jorge N.
This place lacks passion. We visited Chico's for the first time about two weeks ago, my wife and I ate lunch. I had a lunch special which included roast pork, white rice, and platanos maduro. My wife ordered the bowl of fabada asturiana. We also ordered an appetizer, frituritas de malanga. The frituras were saturated with garlic and were not tasty. The pork was ok at best, it was done right but it wasn't outstanding. The white rice was cooked correctly along with the fried plantains, no complaints yet no rewards. The bowl of fabada lacked flavor. We semi-fixed it with salt, pepper and lime yet we were not satisfied. Also, the food didn't seem fresh. This service felt rushed and unfriendly. We won't be going back. We were not impressed.
(2)Saly Ale O.
So disappointed with this visit, customer service sooo wrong, food was full of vinegar, I had to stop eating , this time Im really disappointed of Chico's
(1)Mayako N.
We went here for the lunch on the weekend. It was packed and busy. We ordered picadillo, tamales, and caldo gallego. Some how the food took forever to come and we were munching on the Cuban bread. Caldo Gallego was a bit salty but it was full of flavor. Tamales was lurk warm which we sent it back to heat it up. It was OK. My husband devoured picadillo. So I think he liked it. It was plenty food and we were stuffed. We ended our meal with cafecito and cortadito. The coffee was good. The price is reasonable and we would go back if we are in the neighborhood.
(4)Glenda F.
I hadn't been to chicos in about ten years, last night I went with the wife and kids.... what can I say the food was horrible.. I ordered the palomilla with morro and fries. The steak was cold with no flavor, the fries where soggy as hell and to top it off the morro was old and hard as hell. I ended up sending the rice back and changed it for white rice and beans... wasn't much better either.. when I left the wife and I looked at each other and said," it's sad to say but we should've gone to POLLO TROPICAL"... it's a shame this old hialeah classic has fallen from its glory.. ownership and management need to step up their service and quality. .
(1)Madison J.
If you want some good ole Cuban style food and ambiance you will love this place I know this is going to sound boring but what I like here is the palomilla with black beans and rice with maduros it reminds me of when I was a kid and that's all I wanted to eat my mom still makes it better but hey this is the next best thing
(4)Leslie S.
Best late night place you can go to in Hialeah, great cuban food and very cultural atmosphere. At 3am getting a media noche there is perfect
(4)Lissette P.
Not impressed. I know - it's Hialeah. Don't expect A+ service but the food is always good. That was the case during my first visit here at Chico's. Came on a Friday afternoon for a quick lunch. I walked in and waited a few moments while someone finally passed and acknowledged me- told me to sit where I would like. I sat at the counter thinking I would get fast service. After sitting there for about 3-5 minutes I was at the point of getting up and leaving... Several ladies passing by back and forth and no one acknowledging you are even sitting there. I was the only one at the counter but they do have a service window (only one customer there). Finally one of the ladies came over and asked if I needed a menu- there was one there and I knew what I wanted. A media noche. She shouted out to the guy working the deli area "Una media nocheeeeee" hahaha. Excellent communication of course ! That's what I love about Hialeah. The food came out rather quickly - I'm sure the sandwich is just pre made. They coated the surface of the bread with some kind of oil (aceite) and toasted it on the planchita. The sweet neon yellow media noche bread was toasty and hot but the inside of the sandwich was just lukewarm. The sandwich had plenty of meat and cheese filling but didn't have any condiments in it - perhaps I was suppose to ask for them ?! Then to get the ladies attention for napkins took a while.... And then to pay...another while. I think for whoever works in the shopping center it's a great place for a quick colada for pastelito but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit here again. Meh, no thanks.
(2)Jesse G.
The food was ok, i wont judge it too hard since it was only $6 lunch special. I had the Palomilla with rice and maduros (the meat came lukewarm and the rice was kinda dry).... The other thing was we waited for 40 minutes for our food and even saw some tables get their food before us even tho they came after us :/ but If you want Cuban food for cheap, by all means..
(3)Jessica L.
They have no passion for the Cuban cuisine. As soon as we sat a rude lady with absolutely no patience was our waitress. Being that it was my first time here and I was looking at the reviews I decided to give it a chance but as soon as she asked what I wanted I was trying to read their menu and she kept rushing me to order. I order egg whites with the papas and both things taste the same, like nothing. I love Cuban breakfast and I have been going to the other called CARIBE. And I'm never changing it. Also did I mention the croqueta sucked and the tostada wasn't even toasted? Bad experience. If you are looking for that welcoming place with good food for a good price don't come here. There are other better for the same price like the one I mentioned before CARIBE LATIN FOOD. And I don't even work for them I think maybe I'm just spoiled at how awesome they are.
(1)Didi L.
Terrible pork sandwich literately pork and bread no mayo or anything else it was supper dry had to wait a long time terrible service will never set foot in this restaurant again smh
(1)William O.
Look, you've been to Chico's. I have, too. It's not really the type of place that you just happen upon. No, Chico's is in your blood like the brown in your eyes or the blonde in your hair. If you're Hialeah, you're Chico's. Plain and simple. Truly, I don't remember a time that Chico's wasn't there. It always was. And always will be. Alpha and Omega and all that. Revelation 22:13 in the Book of Agua, Fango, y Factoria. Chico's take on Cuban food may not be as tasty as that of its competitors, and the restaurant (despite a sort of makeover in the last decade or so) is still little more than a double-wide trailer in the mobile home park of life, but for ten bucks, you can get a monstrous Cuban sandwich with croquetas and a coldish Miller Lite. For another four bucks, you can have a glass (read: A GLASS) of wishky (read: WISHKEY. Seriously, check your receipt.) to balance out the salty and tangy mojo that comes with the mountain of mariquitas you're sharing with friends. I don't remember Chico's selling hard liquor. Then again, I don't remember a time when Chico's didn't sell hard liquor. Did I mention that it's open 24 hours, that you can stumble in at 3am for a sandwich and nurse your hangover a few hours later after a shower and a not-so-nap with eggs and cafe con leche? Alpha and Omega. Buttered bread and cafecito. Beginning and end.
(4)Frank C.
Had breakfast here. Pretty standard Cuban place. Food pretty average. I just don't find this place remarkable in any way. Prices are good though....
(3)Maxis C.
The place has been a landmark in Hialeah since 1980. The food it's very good authentic Cuban food just like abuela's used to make. The portions are satisfying and the prices are even better. Am always recommending Chico's.
(4)Rick W.
Just visiting Miami for a couple of weeks and this is my third time eating here! Excellent food. Everything I've had so far has been delicious! I enjoy the Palomilla steak and fried onions. Surprisingly the French onion soup is also outstanding. Lots of melted real cheese on it. Caesar salad is fresh but be careful, they put a lot of dressing on it. I will get my dressing on the side in the future. Very glad I came upon this fine restaurant! The service is very cheerful, although not much English is spoken here!
(4)Siadmy V.
Chico's is the best place to go for 1:00 am café con leche (with evaporated milk) and Cuban toast. The mojo for the mariquitas is delicious - probably the best I've ever had. The ham croquetas are not my favorite, I prefer them crunchier. And the AC temperature is very low, so make sure to keep a jacket in the car in case you're ever craving a midnight snack at Chico's!
(3)Javi S.
Convenience and classic Cuban food are what come to mind at Chicos. They have been a staple in Hialeah for as long, or longer, than I have been alive (1980). It's a safe place to hang out after a late night and grab authentic Cuban meals. May I suggest not being in a rush if you dine in at certain hours, and if you are in a rush just visit LA ventana (takeout window) to get a quicker response time. Cuban sandwiches are also always good here on authentic Cuban bread and traditional carving station, it is a must see for the outside of miamians. Oh and try an espresso (Cuban coffee) or cortadito (half espresso half milk), they are always a nice treat after dinner or just to break up a hectic day. In summary, chicos provides a traditional, authentic, dining and people watching experience.
(4)Vanessa F.
So we came to Chicos as a group as my cousin was in town from Chicago! From the very beginning the service sucked! Easy 15 mons passed before anyone came to our table to ask for drinks! We actually ordered drinks food and appetizers at once due to the delay upon arrival! The food of course arrived all together drinks, appetizers and food! Definitely not the worst Cuban food but definitely lacks flavor and Sabor! Disappointed wont be back!!! As I type this the server has not come back once since the food arrived to either check or at this point just give me my check! Dont come here!
(1)Nicho H.
I love a good deal and I feel like you can stretch a dollar at Chicos. Its the quintessential Miami Cuban restaurant. The ability to show up at any hour and order a full breakfast is my favorite aspect, they're open 24 hours! I know Im soon to become a regular as I left full and happy.
(5)Cris M.
Good food, bad service but for the price and place i settle! I usually order El Dandy for breakfast!
(3)Amaris E.
Close to my house and it's open 24/7. Cafecito is excellent! I enjoy that it is authentic Cuban food for a reasonable price. I love croquettas, but one time they just made a fresh batch, and it was still a little cold inside and it turned me off. I went for almost a year not eating that again there, but tried one again the other day and it was fine. Hopefully they cook it right now because the croquetta game is very serious to us Cubans!
(4)Navil G.
Didn't like it. Went there for breakfast and the omelet was awful. Plus the croquetas were burned on the outside but cold on the inside.
(1)Rosa Haruko A.
Great place to enjoy some authentic Cuban cuisine! The chocolate shake was delicious and smooth. We had the chicken milanesa and pork asado with maduros and congri, also we tried fufu for the first time and it was exceptional. I highly recommend this place for a late night bite (they're open 24/7), the foods quick, reasonably priced and flavorful. Two entrees could easily feed three people, they have large portions and a variety of sides. The only thing I didn't like much was the decoration because I feel it's really outdated but none of this affects the food quality so it's still a great option if you're craving some yummy Latin comfort food.
(5)Ariadna P.
They make the best pan con bistec! I love the food but hate the wait time. So if you are not in a rush, this is the place. The service is good, just make sure you know a thing or two in spanish since it is located in the heart of hialeah.
(4)Cid P.
Update added 2014: Restaurant is slowly being remodeled inside. It's a shame. I liked it the way it was. This is as authentic as you can get without going to a restaurant in Cuba back in the 50s. Anything I have ordered here is quite delicious. At times, dishes from other nationalities willl be featured on their menu as well. Best thing about this restaurant, it's open 24 hrs. You will get a kick when they open right after a Hurricane has swept through town. Plenty of parking, especially in the overnight hours. During business hours, keep in mind they will be rather busy. The decor is dated, however, don't change what doesn't need to be changed. We love it, here in Hialeah, just the way it is. HIGHLY recommended for tourists and locals alike. You will think you've traveled back in time to Cuba. #KeepItLocal
(4)Susanne H.
This is my boyfriend's favorite place to eat. Last weekend we drove the 1.5 hours each way just to grab lunch here. Looking at it, it doesn't seem like much from the outside, but once you get inside, you know you are about to eat some amazing food. The menu is in both spanish and english, which is helpful. The servers.....well they don't speak english so make sure you have a spanish speaking friend with you or have your google translate available. I have tried numerous different meals there, but I thoroughly enjoy the eggs and steak breakfast. The steak has a great flavor to it. The secret I will tell you is to try their milkshakes, they are so good! So full of chocolaty goodness!
(5)Lauren M.
Some things you should know about Chico's if you have never been. Speak Spanish if you can. They are Cuban. Be prepared to wait. They are cuban. The prices are great, but don't over do it on the cortaditos. They are Cuban. I was out here last night around midnight, and the cortadito was awesome. :) I had the cubano, and while good, not the best in my book. I would prefer a little bit more spread: mayo/mustard. Also good to note is the 24/7 sign!
(4)R Beatriz J.
My fiancée and I came here on a Sundays morning, the restaurant was pretty busy but not enough to excuse super poor service. Our waitress seemed like she had better things to do and had a know it all attitude. Tha
(1)Orlando C.
I am 33 years old and have been coming to this place since I have memory. The food is great and so is the service. I highly recommend the Rabo Encendido and the Vaca Frita. Their sandwiches are equally good.
(5)George T.
One of our Hialeah favorite must stops. Along with Sarrusi sandwich. It is open 24 hours. Plenty of great Cuban selections for breakfast lunch or dinner any time. Service was good. Waitstaff needed reminders. To bring other drinks for table. We came on Saturday seemed pretty busy for late breakfast we all ended up getting lunches. Noise levels allowed our table of 5, good conversations. While I'm glad to see older people still working it was distracting to hear plates and cups hit the ground it happened 3 times during our meal. Next table got served way too many meals at one time unfortunately someone got pan con piso which went back, of course, since it was on the ground. Meanwhile I wonder if I got pan con chorizo y piso? I kid I kid. Food: 4 came fresh hot Ambiance: 3 crowds are a good sign but food service gets bogged down a little if too busy or backed up. Service: 2 Was a little slow and distracting to see another table next to us get served out of order. We were quickly seated and ordered way before the next table and we just sat watching the next table get meal. Grrr. It's more annoying especially when hangry. Our server Location: 3 Value: 5 Warning caution.. One person got sick to his stomach. Which is one too many. The only other variable was guarapo de cana I'm not sure if it was fresh pressed or from a can but he felt indigestion for 4 days. I hope it was clean and properly made, it may be the ice or even storage. Deserts that were good flan, arroz con leche and Chocolate cookie bars. They also have cigars and cigarillos really cheap.
(3)DjhotLinh H.
Nothing fancy. Food was good. Had oxtail special. It's open 24/7. Prices is good. Portions are pretty big
(3)Martin M.
This place has lots of great choices. You can't have a Latin restaurant without the tostada and cafe con leche!!! Truly good stuff! Great place to come and unwind at the end of a looooooong week:-).
(5)Emma F.
Sorry to say but they have gone down on the quality of the food and Taste . The last three times I've order take out and the food is just not the same anymore . The server last time attended two other people in front of me without giving an explanation after I had mention i was take out . Also I don't think is very professional as an employee to be eating your food and attending people . Please get your break and go eat it calmly somewhere in the back . Their is no need for me to see you talking with food in your mouth . I do love the convince of his place since its 24 hours and the servers are nice for the most part .
(3)Ariel M.
AMAZING. Hot, delicious, authentic, and extremely affordable! Good service even at odd hours of the night. There is a language barrier with most of the staff if you don't know Spanish, however some of the items on the menu are numbered which helps. My boyfriend and I were staying near the Miami airport and it was less than 10 minutes from our hotel. In the four days we spent in miami, we frequented Chico's twice! Both times our bill was under $20 including tip!
(5)Monica N.
Was all excited to have a good cuban breakfast but it didn't work out that way. Bad Cuban sandwich, bad cafe con leche, bad breakfast, bad everything.
(1)John B.
This place is a Miami landmark and all should try it. Compared to McDonald's, you can't beat it (open 24/7). The food quality to price is incredible and the interior reminds you and a quality diner experience. You go, Chico.
(5)Ice M.
Been there late night had a really good dinner like the milk shakes I would go there again.
(3)Ruben G.
Best breakfast in town. Lunch and dinner menu enormous and food is delicious and not expensive.
(5)Jamie S.
Oyeee, cheap eats get love too. 5 star love! Chico's has been around all my life. I've been coming here since I was a little kid. Not only is it open 24 hours a day, you get massive amounts of food at a very inexpensive price. From breakfast to cafecito to dinner, there's food for all times of the day all day. Can't beat that!
(5)Dave K.
Q: What to do with your 4.5 hours of layover after a redeye flight from SFO to Miami that arrived at 4:45am? A: Eat. I went out on a whim and found Chico's Restaurant via Android Yelp App with one filter option - "Open Now". Two search results came back: 1) "Booby Trap", a 2-star adult dance club; and 2) Chico's Restaurant. Hmmm... "Boobies or food? Boobies or food?" (Thinking out loud) I was out-of-my-mind starving, food must come first. If I have enough time, maybe boobies after? After a short cab ride, I arrived Chico's around 5am. Chico's is in the middle of Hialeah, aka the bario of Dade county. However, Chico's was anything but bario: I ordered the Cubano tacos and washed it down with a pan con lechon, a must-have Cuban pork sandwich. I earned the respect of our waitress, not because of my flawless Spanish pronunciation, but my eagerness to order a pork sandwich at 5am. Food was absolutely amazing and the flavor was as Cubano as they came. Needless to say, I ate so much that a 2-star adult dance club full of boobies couldn't shake my food coma, not at 5am. Hollered a cab and headed back to Miami International airport.
(4)Sharon W.
4 stars on the food; 2 stars on the service / ambiance. Chico's is in a strip mall with typically atrocious Hialeah signage (side note - are there ANY zoning laws in Hialeah?!). Anyway, it's Hialeah, so after a few laps around the parking lot (which was also being used for parking for a used car lot), we located it. Inside is bright, very bright, and COLD. The waitress was not at all friendly, even though I speak Spanish. That said, the food was good. We consumed an arepa, a grapefruit juice (ordered it sin hielo and it came con hielo), a cafe con leche, cuban toast, a tortilla con papas and oxtail stew. The food arrived fairly quickly. 3 of us split the arepa, which was a little dry, but since this is an item I do not make at home, I am not complaining. The tortilla took up the entire plate and probably contained 6 huevos. It was cooked perfectly and loaded with tender potatoes. The Mr. heartily enjoyed his oxtail stew, which came with black beans and rice that were phenomenal! The bill was cheap, so cheap I don't even remember how much we paid. In the end, the food overcame the location and the lackluster service.
(3)Isabel S.
I like Chico's because the food is really good and it's really cheap. Nothing fancy here --regular Cuban food served by waitresses who try to do their best. Good Cuban coffee, and good breakfast too. The only negative is that they don't sell pastries. Come on, guys, you gotta have pastelitos! It's a good place to have any meal if you're in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. There are plenty of excellent places all over South Florida if you're craving some Cuban food. All in all, if you're in the area, or if it's late (they're open 24 hours), I'd definitely recommend.
(4)Melissa P.
I have been going to Chico's since I was a kid the food is really good and it's really cheap :) Nothing fancy here it's regular Cuban food. Breakfast is amazing... Steak with Eggs and Cafe con Leche can't go wrong..
(5)Lauren C.
So for me, Chico's will forever be a main character in the story of how I almost died. Whenever someone mentions Chico's I have to tell the tale of my final visit to this restaurant in 2004. Prior to that day, I had eaten there a handful of times and always had a decent experience. I never imagined that on my last visit, my usual (mundane) order of grilled chicken breast and white rice would be a terrible mistake. Later that evening I experienced the worst food poisoning I had ever had in my life! I couldn't get comfortable in my bed so I moved to the couch. There I lay for hours while my family watched on and questioned whether or not they should take me to the hospital. Crying and feeling like someone put a knife in my chest, I lay under not one, but two comforters shivering as if I had just been pulled from icy hypothermic waters. Still, I chose to ride it out without the help of a doctor. Score one for me because after about 8 hours of suffering, it was completely gone and I avoided a hefty hospital bill. It just wasn't my time to go... I have never returned to Chico's and I think you can understand why. However, my family still visits occasionally and they love it. AND I also have an interesting story to tell the future grand kids. So for that I give them 3 stars.
(3)Lara R.
Service here is AMAZING at any time you come. Staff is mostly older and I think this is the reason why the service is so good. The food is as good as abuela's and I wouldn't be surprised if there was an abuela in the kitchen. Prices are cheap!
(5)Kathryn M.
Boy oh boy, when it comes to mouth-watering home-style cuban cuisine, Chico's is the place to go! From media noches and traditional cuban sanwhiches to ropa vieja and ox-tail stew, this place has you and your hungry stomach covered. The portion sizes are above par and I have never left hungry!
(5)marcelo w.
Great Lechon with rice and black beans! Fast and friendly service. Excellent cortadito!
(4)Jake M.
Hit this place up at 5am after a red eye flight from SFO, during our 4.5 hour layover at Miami international. A buddy found it on Yelp as one of two places that are open 24 hours within a reasonable distance to the airport & had great reviews, so we hopped in a cab & headed out. To say the least, pulling up to this place after our shady cab driver took us on an extremely out of the way route to earn himself about $5 more in fare &, therefore, a smaller tip, we were a little worried about the surroundings, as it seemed we were definitely not in our element. That feeling began to be confirmed based on the looks we received when we walked in w/our luggage in tow. However, once we sat down, we realized we had made a great choice. The service was VERY friendly & nice & the food was delicious. I ordered the Empanizado Chico's (breaded steak, I LOVE chicken fried steak, so figured I would give the cuban version a try) & was very happy with it. Unlike most breaded steaks, which are either pounded out to be very thin or simply a ground steak, this was a very well marinated skirt steak in a cornmeal breading. For $6.50, you get the steak, 2 eggs, hashbrowns or rice, toast & coffee, unreal deal. The Cafe Con Leche was one of the best I've ever had as well. Made authentically, pouring the freshly brewed espresso into the steaming cup of milk, very Cuban indeed. One of my buddies ordered the Pan Con Lechon (traditional Cuban pork sandwich) that was easily my 2nd favorite item we all tried (only $4.95). Really well marinated, tender pork on Cuban bread & that's it, none of the americanized "Cuban" sandwich elements of pickles, cheese etc. Just the pork & bread & it was fantastic. Also, as we waited out front for our cab back to the airport, we noticed that it was a great spot for locals to stop & get their morning coffee & catch up a bit, almost like an outdoors coffee shop, as they have a couple windows out front where people can just walk up & order coffee & Cuban pastries. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for authentic Cuban food. Highly Recommended.
(4)Wilson T.
I love this place! Super friendly service with senoras that always call us amors! How sweet! The food is delicious (go with the pork!), the sangria is amazing and the portions are generous! Plenty of options to choose from, so come more than once! If this is authentic Cuban, then I definitely want to try some more!
(5)Willy M.
Service was really good even that was really crowded!! Food was very yummy and a good size portion !! Would go again for sure !!!
(4)Vanessa B.
Love this place great food at whatever hour service great the times I have gone are always after my late drunk times lol and I always come out with a full belly and smile by the way it's cheap and open 24 hours can't beat that daleeee ;)lol Cuban talkkk
(5)Ethan H.
No other reviewers mentioned the mojito ... that glorious, beautiful, 2nd-only-to-my-own-homemade mojito! The rest of the food ranged from solid to fantastic, with the exception of the complimentary bread, which was overly-toasted, dry and uninteresting. Oh well. You get what you pay for. Also, the menu was a little strange. True, I see how selling advertising space on the menu must be a great way to keep down costs. (And Chico's costs are certainly kept down.) But let's face it, only in Miami would a menu offer such delicacies as Palomilla steak and ropa vieja on one page and free Botox and Pap smears on the other! This is clearly a case where not everything that can be sold should be.
(3)Stevo H.
Quick bullet points for those who need them fast. * If you don't speak Spanish you will be at a disadvantage, but the menu is in English too. A "Google Translate" app helps a lot too. * If you are a coffee lover you will LOVE this place, every cup is made fresh, no percolators here to burn your coffee. * For 2 people for breakfast, plus 3 coffees for me, and tip, it was under $15 * They do have a walk up if you are feeling to scured to walk in ;-) Full Review Below My wife and I are from Iowa and we were looking for some authentic Miami Cuban/American flavor after having gotten off the plane and getting our rental car at 2am and this was the perfect place to do it. We are both vegetarians so we thought that it might be tough to find something but it all worked out great. I had the rice, eggs, Cuban bread, and fried plantains and it was one of the best breakfasts that I have ever had. And the coffee, oh my god, seriously, it was so frekin' fresh, I was in coffee bean addicts heaven. I had a Cafe Con Leche, a cafe Cubana, and some "jet fuel" and they all tasted amazing. If you are a coffee fan I highly recommend going here to get some amazing coffee as well as a great breakfast. And the cost was great, we spent less then $15, including tip, for a great breakfast. This will be one of the first places I go for breakfast and coffee the next time I'm in Miami.
(4)Mariac H.
Although an older restaurant. This is one that has maintained quality. I didnt give them 5 stars due to their spotty service. I actually had to get up and retrieve my glass of sangria from the bar as the waiter didnt. The food was SUPERB. Best palomilla I've had in a long time and the plantains were really good. Despite slow service will return since food quality and prices cant be beat.
(4)Denisse D.
Horrible. I don't understand why people like this place. Every time I've been, I've had a bad experience. The beans are terrible, you would think they can at least get black beans right?! It's sad that this is the only Cuban place around Hialeah that's open so late. I ordered a tostada and the bread was cold and soft and had so much butter I couldn't eat it, and I like a lot of butter on my toast!! Do not come here, you're better off waiting until something good opens in the morning.
(1)George M.
Still nothing better Went to D. Rodriguez recently and while good, I'd rather hit up Chico's every day of the week and with the price difference, I can
(5)Patty G.
Picked up a quick sandwich from here on the go. I had the pechuga de pollo a la plancha sandwich and it was awesome. Super delicious! Service was quick. Can't say much else as I didn't dine here but I most surely will find some time to in the near future.
(4)Carla L.
Why does Chico's stand out? First of all its got it. It truly does, a Cuban place in Hialeah? OK no surprise there but its open 24 hours has solid food and is wonderfully priced! My daughter had 2 eggs, rice, maduros, tostadas. Hubby 2 eggs, bacon, tostada, batido de mamey, cafe con leche. I had the same thing without the batido but I had some potatoes to go with it. Check amount? $18 plus change. We rolled out of there we were so full. The food was good, the service good.. now we have that 'go to' place for our cheat day breakfast!
(4)Gustavo A. L.
What's wrong with Hialeah ? Absolutely nothing !!!! Furthermore Chico's is in Hialeah and this is my new go to place for Saturday morning breakfast ! Let me take you through our thought process, we wake up in the moring and head to the kitchen to brew some coffee. While the java brews we start pondering about what to have for breakfast, open the fridge and stare at the eggs, go to the pantry and pull out the cereal....but I am not feeling it - This is the point when I thank my creator for my flashes of genius, Chico's comes to my head like a bright burning light bulb and I blurt it out without thinking ... Let's go to Chico's" I say, and the look of bewilderment on the rest of my family is priceless. So I head to the blackberry, pull up the reviews on my Yelp app and hand the phone to the politburo. I make my life by selling and I realized that this, was an idea I had to sell, so one of the most important rules of effective selling is "don't tell them, show them" - and by showing them the reviews was another stroke of genius. They are still a bit hesitant because the address is listed in Hialeah .... so I quickly go to my google apps and map the place- " No problem" I say... "I know how to get there".... So we get in the car and hit the road, and 15 minutes later, we are pulling into the parking lot and I already know this is going to be good. Breakfast of champions ... Wheaties ? Schmeaties ... Two Fried eggs over easy, with plenty of bacon, toasted cuban bread with plenty of butter and cafe con leche to keep me up for a week for just over 4 bucks !!!! I am happy !!!! The Politburo ate as well, and were equally pleased with their selections, and when the bill came for less than 20 bucks... I was happy...hell !!! I am still happy !!!
(4)Kristen S.
Wow, i can't believe I never reviewed Chico's!!!! I have only been for dinners and late night gatherings, but I have probably been over a hundred times over the last 15 years. This place is awesome. Start with - the mariquitas. Fresh fried plantain chips with an awesome garlic mojo. Then have - The steaks are great and the meals are massive! The grilled chicken is even amazing - so flavorful and juicy!!! End with - the cafe con leche and flan for dessert, you won't be sorry. I have never had a bad dish, and the waitstaff is super friendly, even to my gringo self ;) Oh, and if you have a large group, there is a party room. They are always accomodating for groups! They would usually put us in there if we showed up with like 10-12 people.
(5)Ben O.
There aren't a whole lot of Waffle Houses in Hialeah. I credit Chico's with that fact; they're open 24 hours a day serving grilled chicken, pancakes, omelets, and plenty more besides. No, they don't have a jukebox with a bunch of corny songs praising the grits. Hell, I don't think the menu has ever seen a grit. But you can definitely get your breakfast on with tostada francesa (French toast), tortilla (omelet), or El Dandy (fried eggs over white rice with platanos maduros (ripe plantains)). And if you're not from around here, you won't have heard of half the milkshake flavors. I recommend the trigo (wheat). I grew up not too far from here, just a bit south of Okeechobee Road, and going to Chico's for breakfast this morning gave me great pleasure. However, it's not as cheap as the menu prices might imply, because now I'm going to want to drive down from Atlanta more often.
(5)Michelle W.
Yum-my! Went here for the GMYE & am so happy I did! This place reminds me of the coney islands back in Michigan...different kind of food, but same concept. Great food for cheap! I've been a little hesitant to go to Cuban restaurants because 1. I don't speak Spanish and 2. I don't eat meat. But thanks to my Spanish speaking Yelper friends all was good! It's Saturday morning & I'm about ready to gnaw my arm off I'm soooo hungry & we ordered some croquetas (meat so I didn't eat) and some guava turnovers to tide us over until everyone arrived. The guava was sweet & the perfect match for my cafe con leche. They bring you the steamed milk & you add your own coffee. Ordered an omelet with potato & cheese and it was just delicious. Had a lot of cheese and the potatoes were cooked well. I could only finish about half because of the guava and the yummy bread & butter they brought. Service was a little random, but the cheap food was worth it! Totally a fan of this place! You can get stuff a la cart or get one of the breakfasts for about 5 bucks!
(4)Lisa A.
Best Cuban restaurant EVER! Any place that's open 24/7 automatically wins my heart, however if you throw in warm croquettes, a toasty cuban sandwich, special fried rice AND flan...I'm hooked.
(5)Vanessa G.
Ok so if it's 4am and you get the munchies this is definitely the place to go. Awesome Cuban breakfast that's open 24 hours. Cheap and delicious can't beat it. I totally recommend! :)
(4)Nicholas L.
To be fair, Chico's might deserve three stars, instead of just two, but my experience was limited to a sandwich and coffee at lunchtime. Service was interesting, as no one spoke English. We got by with some broken Spanish on our part, a tiny amount of English on their part, and a lot of pointing at the menu. The bill was really low, for two classic Cuban sandwiches and coffees, so affordability is a plus at this place. The sandwich was OK and the coffee was very good. Apparently, they're open 24 hours a day, so if you have a real need, late at night, you might give these folks a much higher rating.
(2)Abdel J.
I enjoy eating at Chico's all the time because it is close to my law office. The best part about it is that it is open 24 hours. My favorites are the breakfasts because they bring a lot of food for like $6. I always ask for the "Super" breakfast, I think it is the top one on the menu and it brings the most food. Eggs, steak, toast, jelly, cafe con leche. It is very tasty. It is only available from like 6:00 or 7:00 am until noon or so. For dinner I enjoy the Artesan Steak. It's Huge! The steak fills your entire plate. And it is a large elongated plate. It's a breaded steak with ham and cheese accompanied by sweet plantains or tostones and moros or rice and beans. jimenezlawyer.com
(5)Claudia J.
Great cuban restaurant open 24/7!!! Opened 29 years ago and it has never closed!! Once you enter the place, tables here, there, a counter on a side. They had a great variety of beers from ALL OVER the world !!! This place is visited by regulars, waiters and waitresses have been here for ages!! It's one of those places that you go in and see all the hussle buzzle going around, be careful behind you they might be delivering some coffee or tostadas to a table!!! Got here for the GMYE gathering with other fellow yelpers, glad I decided to go!! For starters, we got some croquetas that were yummi!!! cortadito was good as well. When you order breakfast, a tostada (cuban bread with lots of margarine) come with it!! If I only knew!!! I ordered two eggs, with some Chico's potatoes (thanks for the expertise of George M). I was stuffed, and not even finished my breakfast!!! Prices are great, super affordable and of course greasy!!!!
(4)Sum O.
Last time I came here was 5 years ago, my friends like to come here cause its Spanish food 24/7. I am here right now and We had the worst service with terrible food. The beans had some weird flavor and my friend brought it to our waitress attention, I was hungry and I dug in but she still gave us attitude because I ate the beans, she went to the back to have a taste, she said they probably added something different but it's not bad beans because they taste good and that we have different taste buds. Note that all this was said in a attitude that makes you want to flip a table over. I really don't want to see how that kitchen looks neither. I warn you stay home call me and ill cook you a decent dinner that you will enjoy! My friend after coming here for many years is actually consider never to eat here again.
(1)Michele P.
Came here after my hotel waiter and consierge (sp?) suggested it for authentic Cuban food. DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! Probably the best affordable place in Miami. Do NOT forget to come here. You will not regret it!
(5)Frodough B.
Great food all the time. Tostada with a cafe con leche at 8 a.m.? Done. Tostada with a cafe con leche at 6 p.m.? Done. Pan con tortilla after leaving a funeral at 4 a.m.? Done. Chico's is awesome.
(5)Sapphire B.
I love plantains, so I wanted to check this place out. I loved the food, but the atmosphere was a little bland, that's why the 4 instead of 5 stars.
(4)Paula E.
Last Saturday, when I was at a MWCC workshop for a Bay of Pigs Anniversary documentary project, we played an ice breaker game with the kids involved and one of them said that his favorite thing about Miami was that you could live here your entire life and discover something new and different every day. I nodded and smirked. I recently started working in Hialeah, a place which til now seemed like far and foreign lands, but once I settled, I had to venture into the new food opportunities that this had presented. And Chicos was number one on my list....what can I say that hasn't already been said... Cheap (like really cheap) Delicious Open 24hrs Locals they brought my cafecito before my water... that's whats up, and I thought it was amazing that there's an old school shoe buffer/shiner chair right outside...these people know what life is about and they're sticking to it.
(5)Omar G.
Oh, Chicos! There's nothing like your warm lights glowing on 12th Ave at 3am. The Bell and Mickey D can't compete when you see those lights. Sometimes it's the food. Sometimes it's the 24 hour action. When I find myself there, tho, it always hit the spot.
(4)Janet D.
Once upon a time four Hialeah gals were having a spa day. (I know you're thinking I clicked on the wrong review) But the girls wanted nostalgic, yet delicious breakfast before their day of relaxation. Where else, but Chicos where the bill came to $22 for four full breakfasts. I went with my usual, D8: Cafe con leche, two croquettas, two eggs sunny side up with a cuban toast, for dipping in sunny side egg, of course. We left with full bellies and reminiscing of the good old days...days of late night cafe con leches, full on bistec de palomilla at 2 a.m. and getting a warm meal post a hurricane! Chicos te quiero!
(4)Janay M.
Came here for some cheap yet filling eats. Awww boy did Chicos deliver. I ordered tostda, hot chocolate and 2 jamon croquettes. Nom nom nom and for being only $3.00 Hialeah doesn't disappoint.
(3)Wilson L.
Can never go wrong with Cuban food at any time of the night, especially if it's good. Too many people would be put off when they walk in to the place since it looks like you should expect to have trash to eat but honestly, why waste your time at the late night chains, with a bunch of overly aggressive Hispanics, when you can get home style cooking anytime of the night. It's as if your Cuban grandmother cooked for you any time of the day even when you're on your way home in the middle of the night with a good buzz. (Not saying I was the one doing the driving with the buzz?) Once you get past the sight, and avoid the restroom, order a batido, enjoy your free bread, then order anything on the menu, kick back and chat away with some fine dining at an awesome price.
(4)Alex I.
Could never get enough of chicos... its home...
(5)Maria A.
Cuban food isn't scare in Miami. What is harder to find is good, cheap, round the clock, 24 hr Cuban food. Enter Chico's. This Cuban diner serves it up hot and fresh 365 days a year. On the weekends this joint is hopping with locals who have been coming here for decades. If you're lucky they'll share the insider tips like getting there early to indulge in Chico's french bread instead of the standard Cuban loafs and suggesting you go all in for some of Chico's potatoes. When I went there I couldn't resist sharing some of the communal plate of croquetas. I skipped the cafe con leche in favor of oj and went with an omelet. The meal was huge and satisfying. Had I grown up in this part of town Chico's would have been a regular end of night spot for conversations and coffee. Maybe it's just me but 24 hour diners hold a special place in my heart. They're seldom fancy or even beautiful but they're loyal and hardworking. They love the regulars and always have a hot pot of joe and something sweet ready to go, often they'll serve you a comforting plate of food for under $10, and do it without the pretense, pomp, and circumstance. They're the backdrop for late-night conversations ranging from midnight movie reviews to philosophical debates on life's meaning, drunken non-sense, hangover cures, and other cheerful and/or tearful moments all held over greasy, comforting, food and bad lighting. Just remember to ask a regular for some tips on ordering.
(4)Carlos P.
Do you know where you can get a breakfast serving that takes up almost the entire space of your table for under $6? If you don't, then now you know...it's CHICO's. This institution of Cuban food, located in the heart of Hialeah has been around since I was a baby. The food here is excellent, at any time of the day or night, you can come in and have a delicious plate of rice and beans with steak or like I stated above, have a delicious breakfast at a crazy affordable price. Most of their breakfast plates come with eggs and you choose whether you want ham, bacon, sausage, croquetas or papa-rellena (stuffed potato). I always get the plate with the ham croquettes, which are delicious. On top of your main plate, you get a cafe con leche with a large chunk of Cuban toast, all buttered up. None of these plates are more than $6 and the portions are more than enough. The service is quick, friendly and most of all, the food has stood the test of time with this place. Hopefully, Chico's stays put for many more years to come!
(5)Steph V.
Chico's is an awesome spot for breakfast and lunch. The batidos are amazing. The service is fast and the Cuban food is authentic.
(5)Regina M.
Pan con bistec was okay.. not the best. Flan de coco with a colada the best.
(4)Christian M.
I'm gonna give CHICOS a well deserved 5 STAR rating!!! I have been coming here since I was a kid and it has never disappointed....NOT ONCE!! no matter what day OR what time CHICOS will be open and ready to serve!!!
(5)Linda N.
All I can say is that Chico's is awesome, whether your going to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a cuban tostada with a cafe con leche this is the place to go. Its super cheap, the food quality is great and the prices are extremely cheap. They serve large portions, and there open 24/7 which is great with late night cravings. I highly recommend it if your in the area.
(5)Joseluis A.
chicos! it had been a while since the last time i went to chicos. it was always late at night. after a fun night. always with friends. but i went to chicos for breakfast today along with a few other yelpers. you get there and you sit yourself, someone will be with you shortly. we got, 6 croquetas, 2 guava & cheese pastelitos and a cuban toast. cafe con leche for everybody. the croquetas were awesome. i wanted to have two but since we were 6 and we ordered six, i thought, one for each, then george figured there was a vegetarian on the group and he ate that last croqueta. what a snake. then it was time for real breakfast. i got their 'super' special which consists of. bistec de palomilla (steak), two eggs, french fries and a cuban toast. the steak was seasoned well and did not stand a chance on my plate. i should have ordered scrambled eggs instead of sunny side-up because they were a bit undone but whatever. i was too busy being hungry to pay attention to that at the time. so we all ate well, shared some laughs even with the waitress who had been having a rough morning... if theres anything chicos needs to improve was that. their service, but really, a 24 hour restaurant that serves great food for $5 is automatically 4 stars in my book! pa que tu lo sepas... broder
(4)Janelle F.
If it isn't their proud display of Skol vodka bottles I don't know what it is...But there's just something about Chico's. I had one blurry memory of dropping someone off in Hialeah after a night of partying and making a pitstop somewhere for some middle-of-the-night-post-debauchery-snacking. I didn't remember the name, or where it was, but I remembered it being damn good. Fast forward to this weekend, my S/O and I had to run an errand in Hialeah and low and behold, I found Chico's again. I missed you, old friend. The food is still greasy and good and the perfect cure for a Sunday hangover!
(4)whitney g.
When in miami, I always try to go to places that I can't get in Atlanta. I had a buddy recommend this because it was late and I was STARVING, and boy did it deliver. You always have to feel good when you're in a latino community, and you go eat latino food, and you're the only white guy there. Granted there was a small language barrier, but they had pictures, and I sure as hell can point at the good stuff! The service was awesome, the waitstaff were all very nice and sweet, and didn't mind helping this ignorant white boy get the food he wanted. My gf got the breakfast, and I got a sandwich, and they were both amazing. I didn't manage to get the french bread that others were talking about, but whatever bread we DID get was awesome. I'm totally going to go back here when I'm in town next. Great food, fast and pleasant service, and a good taste of what Miami is all about.
(4)Anaisabel G.
I grew up eatting here! The best authentic Cuban food in Hialeah, hands down! Plus it's opened 24/7 and extremely affordable. I love this place, and whenever I am craving Boliche con arroz y frijoles negro, this is the SPOT! P.S. Their flan is the BEST! :)
(4)L L.
Open all the time service was great food very good (hard to be too distinguishing for 5am breakfast but I'm a regular whenever in Miami on the early flt)
(4)Vanessa C.
BEST (& CHEAPEST) BREAKFAST EVER!! I drive from Aventura to Hialeah once a week just to enjoy their breakfast. The waitress doesn't even have to ask before she brings me my cafe con leche. It's authentic, ridiculously cheap, super fattening and delicious. The place is not much to look at, but the food is a total diamond in the rough. At $3.40 for two greasy eggs, a decent portion of some type of meat (croquettes, bacon, ham, sausage, etc.), a huge slice of cuban or french bread buttered - what else do you need? They have other breakfast specials, including rice and steaks and everything Cuban, but nothing is over $5. I have to admit that although I'm from Hialeah, there's not much reason to go there. Chico's is the exception - it's the jewel of Hialeah. Short of my mother's Cuban breakfasts, this place does the trick when I'm craving home.
(5)Emme R.
Aaahh, Chico's. I don't know any real Hialeah resident who doesn't get excited when someone suggests Chico's...I have been going there my whole life and I still love it, So many memories there. The perfect place to enjoy your favorite meal just like mom makes it(if your mom is latin like most hialeah moms) . Well, my mom is the best cook, but at least Chico's comes close. Oh and you can enjoy ANYTHING on the menu at ANY - TIME - YOU - CRAVE - IT! Yeah, they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And its cheap too! The batidos are the best, and so are the sandwiches. The cons, well sadly there are a few. Remember, it IS Hialeah. Firstly, all the waiters are spanish and for some reason they seem to have gotten of the raft - like yesterday. Sometimes they act like they have their head in the clouds and look at you as if they have no idea what you're talking about. Even when you talk to them in spanish... Second, there are some shady characters in the midnight hours. Especially obscenely overweight "santeras" smoking the BIGGEST tabaccos next to the entrance. Then they have the audacity to blow that disgusting smoke in your directions. Luckily for me, I have cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and lungs on my side. Lastly, I assume because of their crazy hours, they seem to have food thats been sitting around for a while. I've gotten my bad batch of sour papa rellenas, but hey i excuse them because 9 times out of 10, I leave the place a happy girl... :-)
(5)Rene S.
One of the Best restaurant in Hialeah and the best food
(5)Nandi E.
I've heard such great things about this place. It's the perfect after the club spot. Service was great. The menu is extensive. I ordered the Cuban Pork Sandwich....it was tasty but I was a bit turned off by the amount of fat in my sandwich. Otherwise it's good. Will definitely try it again.
(3)Phil L.
The only place open late in Hialeah that has half decent food. You will find all type of characters there. from the police to high school prom queens... oh and the occasional Asian ;) Food is authentic and the price is not to bad at all. I stick with the things I know they cant really mess up so breaded steak, rice and beans for me. My other friends have been braver than I have and they have yet to peel over. A great little spot to people watch, eat and enjoy. This is a WARNING: Dont go here if you cannot speak Spanish. You will not have a good time.
(3)ISA V.
This is by far one of the best eateries in Hialeah. Everything I have tasted there is good, especially their Baca Frita, with white rice , black beans and a side of Platano Maduros. Exceptional Cuban food. Also their prices are really low. I go there with my entire family ( 5) and we spend no more than 45.00 including tip.
(5)John L.
If you are looking for enormous portions, a good breakfast and low prices try Chico's restaurant. The place is always busy day or night and it's a little bit noisy as most of the cuban/latin restaurants but if you are latino or familiar with the miami/hialeah area you'll understand what I mean. Breakfasts are great...and you can have a real cuban breakfast at 2 or 3 am because this place is 24 hours.eggs any style,cuban bread,coffee, butter,jellybacon,frita for under 5 bucks, Cuban sandwiches, Medianoche sandwich,Frita(cuban fried burger), chicken sandwich,steak,Milanesa (deep fried breaded steak covered with melted parmesan and tomato sauce, desserts, coffee, natural juices,3 stars because it's too noisy,and the place is not nice,restrooms are really ugly
(3)Joan V.
I have lived in Hialeah my entire life. Coming from a Cuban family, and growing up eating real authentic Cuban food, i have to say this place is far from the best Cuban restaurant in Hialeah. I have gone on 3 different occasions, and every time i have been disappointed. Their beans are bland, and taste like canned beans, last night i had Bistec ensabollado, that was room temperature and had the texture of something that was cooked at 4:00pm and reheated in a microwave at 4:00am.My friend ordered eggs with "grilled" ham, which also looked like it was nuked in the microwave, all wrinkly and gross. The service has always been hit or miss, but that is expected. There are far better places to choose from, the only thing Chico's has going for it is their hours. But all my late night experiences have been bad. The waitresses don't want to be there, and the cooks obviously are not actually cooking. Next time I'm going to Denny's because sadly, at this point that's a better option for late night/early morning food.
(1)Jesse l.
Good quality. Nice sized portions. Open late. In fact, 24 hours and good service, even in the middle of the night. Affordable too.
(5)Yadi L.
Honestly, I'm a little pessimistic when it comes to a lot of places in Hialeah. Don't get me wrong, I'm cuban, but loud, crowded places where everyone stares at you. Let me tell you though, I was pleasantly surprised the first time I went. And the second. And the third, and everytime after that. Chico's became my weekend destination to take a break from the weekly cooking. There's usually a bit of people but not uncomfortably crowded. And why wouldn't there be people? The food is DELICIOUS, extremely CHEAP and they don't take an hour to bring you a small plate. Their portions are generous, actually, a bit too generous. Their palomilla steak is folded over in a large plate and it still covers side to side of the plate. 2 whole dinners with extra sides and drinks that left us extremely stuffed usually came up to like $30! I like good restaurants and good food, but I'll take Chico's over many high class restaurants any day!
(4)John C.
My family and I decided not to do Thanksgiving this year and go to a restaurant instead. Even though we had some bad experiences at Chico's before, we still decided to give them one more chance and go have Thanksgiving lunch/dinner there. To our surprise when we arrived, the place was empty. Only three tables were taken. The place looked like a desert and the parking lot was empty with few cars. We sat and were served the usual bread. We looked at the very small Thanksgiving specials they had and decided to go with the Turkey Fricassee, the normal Turkey Dinner with Stuffing (American Style), and not a Thanksgiving item Seafood served on Yellow Rice. Well, to say the least, it was all DISGUSTING and DESPICABLE... As it has happened previously with my food, the food was served cold. The Seafood on Yellow Rice tasted like cardboard and the Thanksgiving items tasted bland. There is no excuse for that as the place was empty and those items are not hard to prepare. That is it... I've had it... They ruined my Thanksgiving and I will never go back to Chico's again! Overall, I do not know what has happened to Chico's... Their portions of food have gotten way smaller, food tastes bland, and it is being served cold. The place looks disgusting as it is all falling apart (especially the Bathrooms) and the people that go there (Chonga's and Chongo's) is embarrassing to all Cubans and humans everywhere, to say the least. They have no decency or respect for a place of dining. I do not care how long this restaurant has been there... They should consider closing their doors... Disgusting food + Overpriced Items + Bad Environment + Bad Service = Chico's. This equation has an error and needs to be ABORTED!
(1)angel t.
If you are looking for a cuban restaurant that is open 24 hours a day seven days a week this is your place for reasonably priced cuban food. They are open when everyone else is closed before/during/after hurricanes. I called a few places when Storm Fay was here and everyone was closing early to set-up/prepare for the storm, not this place....The staff is hurricane proof and so is the restuarant.....Hope this heps in case you are in the area looking for good food when the weather is not cooperating....Angel
(3)W. Ryan J.
Very nice cuban restaurant. I go there for lunch every once in a while for "sandwich de pechuga de pollo" (english: Grilled Chicken Sandwich). Service is ok and food is good. You should definitely try Chico's at least once if you are in Hialeah.
(3)Bill W.
Chicos is an old-school Cuban restaurant. Open 24 hours, this is s great place for breakfast. They have window, counter, and table service, and offer all the expected Cuban breakfast staples: croquetas, Cuban bread slathered with butter/margarine and smashed thin as a cracker, home fries or French fries, eggs, and a variety of breakfast meats. My favorite is the grilled chorizo/Spanish sausage. I've been coming here for breakfast for years, but have to admit, have never been here for lunch or dinner. They have an impressively extensive menu, so I'm sure there's something for everyone!! On the service front, they are always friendly, but it can be a little hit or miss. And, Spanish is definitely the first language here! If you want your bill quickly, let them know when they deliver your food, or it could be a wait. They always bring out the toast long before your meal, so if you like to dunk warm toast in your over-easy egg, ask them to bring the toast out with your food. And if you drink lots of water, sit near the diner counter, where water pitchers are set up for customers to refill from. Sometimes it can feel like your server left for the day... Particularly at the two key moments of waiting to give your order, and waiting for the bill. Just get the attention of another server- they'll get things moving again!
(4)Melissa C.
If i could I would eat here every day! Ive been going to Chicos since i was a little girl. Its a not so little hidden gem in Hialeah. I don't think they get the credit they deserve. The staff has been the same since i can remember and never lost their touch. SO SO SO friendly, you feel like family when you're in there. and the food? just like mom's cooking! or abuelas! so so so good! I have taken countless friends here and no matter how professional we maybe and how many promotions we get, Chicos will always be our place! Don't expect anything fancy, just remarkable food at amazing prices.
(5)Jorge N.
This place lacks passion. We visited Chico's for the first time about two weeks ago, my wife and I ate lunch. I had a lunch special which included roast pork, white rice, and platanos maduro. My wife ordered the bowl of fabada asturiana. We also ordered an appetizer, frituritas de malanga. The frituras were saturated with garlic and were not tasty. The pork was ok at best, it was done right but it wasn't outstanding. The white rice was cooked correctly along with the fried plantains, no complaints yet no rewards. The bowl of fabada lacked flavor. We semi-fixed it with salt, pepper and lime yet we were not satisfied. Also, the food didn't seem fresh. This service felt rushed and unfriendly. We won't be going back. We were not impressed.
(2)Saly Ale O.
So disappointed with this visit, customer service sooo wrong, food was full of vinegar, I had to stop eating , this time Im really disappointed of Chico's
(1)Mayako N.
We went here for the lunch on the weekend. It was packed and busy. We ordered picadillo, tamales, and caldo gallego. Some how the food took forever to come and we were munching on the Cuban bread. Caldo Gallego was a bit salty but it was full of flavor. Tamales was lurk warm which we sent it back to heat it up. It was OK. My husband devoured picadillo. So I think he liked it. It was plenty food and we were stuffed. We ended our meal with cafecito and cortadito. The coffee was good. The price is reasonable and we would go back if we are in the neighborhood.
(4)Nathalie P.
Service was excellent food was delicious! And you get a lot of food for a decent price. Place is clean and well taken care of the owner even passed by and asked if we were ok! the cortadito they offer is not the best because it tastes more like a cafe con leche... I like my coffee strong and it was also lacking foam but over all great place to eat!
(5)Glenda F.
I hadn't been to chicos in about ten years, last night I went with the wife and kids.... what can I say the food was horrible.. I ordered the palomilla with morro and fries. The steak was cold with no flavor, the fries where soggy as hell and to top it off the morro was old and hard as hell. I ended up sending the rice back and changed it for white rice and beans... wasn't much better either.. when I left the wife and I looked at each other and said," it's sad to say but we should've gone to POLLO TROPICAL"... it's a shame this old hialeah classic has fallen from its glory.. ownership and management need to step up their service and quality. .
(1)Madison J.
If you want some good ole Cuban style food and ambiance you will love this place I know this is going to sound boring but what I like here is the palomilla with black beans and rice with maduros it reminds me of when I was a kid and that's all I wanted to eat my mom still makes it better but hey this is the next best thing
(4)Leslie S.
Best late night place you can go to in Hialeah, great cuban food and very cultural atmosphere. At 3am getting a media noche there is perfect
(4)Lissette P.
Not impressed. I know - it's Hialeah. Don't expect A+ service but the food is always good. That was the case during my first visit here at Chico's. Came on a Friday afternoon for a quick lunch. I walked in and waited a few moments while someone finally passed and acknowledged me- told me to sit where I would like. I sat at the counter thinking I would get fast service. After sitting there for about 3-5 minutes I was at the point of getting up and leaving... Several ladies passing by back and forth and no one acknowledging you are even sitting there. I was the only one at the counter but they do have a service window (only one customer there). Finally one of the ladies came over and asked if I needed a menu- there was one there and I knew what I wanted. A media noche. She shouted out to the guy working the deli area "Una media nocheeeeee" hahaha. Excellent communication of course ! That's what I love about Hialeah. The food came out rather quickly - I'm sure the sandwich is just pre made. They coated the surface of the bread with some kind of oil (aceite) and toasted it on the planchita. The sweet neon yellow media noche bread was toasty and hot but the inside of the sandwich was just lukewarm. The sandwich had plenty of meat and cheese filling but didn't have any condiments in it - perhaps I was suppose to ask for them ?! Then to get the ladies attention for napkins took a while.... And then to pay...another while. I think for whoever works in the shopping center it's a great place for a quick colada for pastelito but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit here again. Meh, no thanks.
(2)Jesse G.
The food was ok, i wont judge it too hard since it was only $6 lunch special. I had the Palomilla with rice and maduros (the meat came lukewarm and the rice was kinda dry).... The other thing was we waited for 40 minutes for our food and even saw some tables get their food before us even tho they came after us :/ but If you want Cuban food for cheap, by all means..
(3)Jessica L.
They have no passion for the Cuban cuisine. As soon as we sat a rude lady with absolutely no patience was our waitress. Being that it was my first time here and I was looking at the reviews I decided to give it a chance but as soon as she asked what I wanted I was trying to read their menu and she kept rushing me to order. I order egg whites with the papas and both things taste the same, like nothing. I love Cuban breakfast and I have been going to the other called CARIBE. And I'm never changing it. Also did I mention the croqueta sucked and the tostada wasn't even toasted? Bad experience. If you are looking for that welcoming place with good food for a good price don't come here. There are other better for the same price like the one I mentioned before CARIBE LATIN FOOD. And I don't even work for them I think maybe I'm just spoiled at how awesome they are.
(1)John B.
This place is a Miami landmark and all should try it. Compared to McDonald's, you can't beat it (open 24/7). The food quality to price is incredible and the interior reminds you and a quality diner experience. You go, Chico.
(5)Ice M.
Been there late night had a really good dinner like the milk shakes I would go there again.
(3)Ruben G.
Best breakfast in town. Lunch and dinner menu enormous and food is delicious and not expensive.
(5)William O.
Look, you've been to Chico's. I have, too. It's not really the type of place that you just happen upon. No, Chico's is in your blood like the brown in your eyes or the blonde in your hair. If you're Hialeah, you're Chico's. Plain and simple. Truly, I don't remember a time that Chico's wasn't there. It always was. And always will be. Alpha and Omega and all that. Revelation 22:13 in the Book of Agua, Fango, y Factoria. Chico's take on Cuban food may not be as tasty as that of its competitors, and the restaurant (despite a sort of makeover in the last decade or so) is still little more than a double-wide trailer in the mobile home park of life, but for ten bucks, you can get a monstrous Cuban sandwich with croquetas and a coldish Miller Lite. For another four bucks, you can have a glass (read: A GLASS) of wishky (read: WISHKEY. Seriously, check your receipt.) to balance out the salty and tangy mojo that comes with the mountain of mariquitas you're sharing with friends. I don't remember Chico's selling hard liquor. Then again, I don't remember a time when Chico's didn't sell hard liquor. Did I mention that it's open 24 hours, that you can stumble in at 3am for a sandwich and nurse your hangover a few hours later after a shower and a not-so-nap with eggs and cafe con leche? Alpha and Omega. Buttered bread and cafecito. Beginning and end.
(4)Didi L.
Terrible pork sandwich literately pork and bread no mayo or anything else it was supper dry had to wait a long time terrible service will never set foot in this restaurant again smh
(1)Frank C.
Had breakfast here. Pretty standard Cuban place. Food pretty average. I just don't find this place remarkable in any way. Prices are good though....
(3)Maxis C.
The place has been a landmark in Hialeah since 1980. The food it's very good authentic Cuban food just like abuela's used to make. The portions are satisfying and the prices are even better. Am always recommending Chico's.
(4)Rick W.
Just visiting Miami for a couple of weeks and this is my third time eating here! Excellent food. Everything I've had so far has been delicious! I enjoy the Palomilla steak and fried onions. Surprisingly the French onion soup is also outstanding. Lots of melted real cheese on it. Caesar salad is fresh but be careful, they put a lot of dressing on it. I will get my dressing on the side in the future. Very glad I came upon this fine restaurant! The service is very cheerful, although not much English is spoken here!
(4)Siadmy V.
Chico's is the best place to go for 1:00 am café con leche (with evaporated milk) and Cuban toast. The mojo for the mariquitas is delicious - probably the best I've ever had. The ham croquetas are not my favorite, I prefer them crunchier. And the AC temperature is very low, so make sure to keep a jacket in the car in case you're ever craving a midnight snack at Chico's!
(3)Javi S.
Convenience and classic Cuban food are what come to mind at Chicos. They have been a staple in Hialeah for as long, or longer, than I have been alive (1980). It's a safe place to hang out after a late night and grab authentic Cuban meals. May I suggest not being in a rush if you dine in at certain hours, and if you are in a rush just visit LA ventana (takeout window) to get a quicker response time. Cuban sandwiches are also always good here on authentic Cuban bread and traditional carving station, it is a must see for the outside of miamians. Oh and try an espresso (Cuban coffee) or cortadito (half espresso half milk), they are always a nice treat after dinner or just to break up a hectic day. In summary, chicos provides a traditional, authentic, dining and people watching experience.
(4)Vanessa F.
So we came to Chicos as a group as my cousin was in town from Chicago! From the very beginning the service sucked! Easy 15 mons passed before anyone came to our table to ask for drinks! We actually ordered drinks food and appetizers at once due to the delay upon arrival! The food of course arrived all together drinks, appetizers and food! Definitely not the worst Cuban food but definitely lacks flavor and Sabor! Disappointed wont be back!!! As I type this the server has not come back once since the food arrived to either check or at this point just give me my check! Dont come here!
(1)Nicho H.
I love a good deal and I feel like you can stretch a dollar at Chicos. Its the quintessential Miami Cuban restaurant. The ability to show up at any hour and order a full breakfast is my favorite aspect, they're open 24 hours! I know Im soon to become a regular as I left full and happy.
(5)Cris M.
Good food, bad service but for the price and place i settle! I usually order El Dandy for breakfast!
(3)Amaris E.
Close to my house and it's open 24/7. Cafecito is excellent! I enjoy that it is authentic Cuban food for a reasonable price. I love croquettas, but one time they just made a fresh batch, and it was still a little cold inside and it turned me off. I went for almost a year not eating that again there, but tried one again the other day and it was fine. Hopefully they cook it right now because the croquetta game is very serious to us Cubans!
(4)Navil G.
Didn't like it. Went there for breakfast and the omelet was awful. Plus the croquetas were burned on the outside but cold on the inside.
(1)Rosa Haruko A.
Great place to enjoy some authentic Cuban cuisine! The chocolate shake was delicious and smooth. We had the chicken milanesa and pork asado with maduros and congri, also we tried fufu for the first time and it was exceptional. I highly recommend this place for a late night bite (they're open 24/7), the foods quick, reasonably priced and flavorful. Two entrees could easily feed three people, they have large portions and a variety of sides. The only thing I didn't like much was the decoration because I feel it's really outdated but none of this affects the food quality so it's still a great option if you're craving some yummy Latin comfort food.
(5)Cid P.
Update added 2014: Restaurant is slowly being remodeled inside. It's a shame. I liked it the way it was. This is as authentic as you can get without going to a restaurant in Cuba back in the 50s. Anything I have ordered here is quite delicious. At times, dishes from other nationalities willl be featured on their menu as well. Best thing about this restaurant, it's open 24 hrs. You will get a kick when they open right after a Hurricane has swept through town. Plenty of parking, especially in the overnight hours. During business hours, keep in mind they will be rather busy. The decor is dated, however, don't change what doesn't need to be changed. We love it, here in Hialeah, just the way it is. HIGHLY recommended for tourists and locals alike. You will think you've traveled back in time to Cuba. #KeepItLocal
(4)Ariadna P.
They make the best pan con bistec! I love the food but hate the wait time. So if you are not in a rush, this is the place. The service is good, just make sure you know a thing or two in spanish since it is located in the heart of hialeah.
(4)Susanne H.
This is my boyfriend's favorite place to eat. Last weekend we drove the 1.5 hours each way just to grab lunch here. Looking at it, it doesn't seem like much from the outside, but once you get inside, you know you are about to eat some amazing food. The menu is in both spanish and english, which is helpful. The servers.....well they don't speak english so make sure you have a spanish speaking friend with you or have your google translate available. I have tried numerous different meals there, but I thoroughly enjoy the eggs and steak breakfast. The steak has a great flavor to it. The secret I will tell you is to try their milkshakes, they are so good! So full of chocolaty goodness!
(5)Lauren M.
Some things you should know about Chico's if you have never been. Speak Spanish if you can. They are Cuban. Be prepared to wait. They are cuban. The prices are great, but don't over do it on the cortaditos. They are Cuban. I was out here last night around midnight, and the cortadito was awesome. :) I had the cubano, and while good, not the best in my book. I would prefer a little bit more spread: mayo/mustard. Also good to note is the 24/7 sign!
(4)R Beatriz J.
My fiancée and I came here on a Sundays morning, the restaurant was pretty busy but not enough to excuse super poor service. Our waitress seemed like she had better things to do and had a know it all attitude. Tha
(1)Orlando C.
I am 33 years old and have been coming to this place since I have memory. The food is great and so is the service. I highly recommend the Rabo Encendido and the Vaca Frita. Their sandwiches are equally good.
(5)George T.
One of our Hialeah favorite must stops. Along with Sarrusi sandwich. It is open 24 hours. Plenty of great Cuban selections for breakfast lunch or dinner any time. Service was good. Waitstaff needed reminders. To bring other drinks for table. We came on Saturday seemed pretty busy for late breakfast we all ended up getting lunches. Noise levels allowed our table of 5, good conversations. While I'm glad to see older people still working it was distracting to hear plates and cups hit the ground it happened 3 times during our meal. Next table got served way too many meals at one time unfortunately someone got pan con piso which went back, of course, since it was on the ground. Meanwhile I wonder if I got pan con chorizo y piso? I kid I kid. Food: 4 came fresh hot Ambiance: 3 crowds are a good sign but food service gets bogged down a little if too busy or backed up. Service: 2 Was a little slow and distracting to see another table next to us get served out of order. We were quickly seated and ordered way before the next table and we just sat watching the next table get meal. Grrr. It's more annoying especially when hangry. Our server Location: 3 Value: 5 Warning caution.. One person got sick to his stomach. Which is one too many. The only other variable was guarapo de cana I'm not sure if it was fresh pressed or from a can but he felt indigestion for 4 days. I hope it was clean and properly made, it may be the ice or even storage. Deserts that were good flan, arroz con leche and Chocolate cookie bars. They also have cigars and cigarillos really cheap.
(3)DjhotLinh H.
Nothing fancy. Food was good. Had oxtail special. It's open 24/7. Prices is good. Portions are pretty big
(3)Martin M.
This place has lots of great choices. You can't have a Latin restaurant without the tostada and cafe con leche!!! Truly good stuff! Great place to come and unwind at the end of a looooooong week:-).
(5)Emma F.
Sorry to say but they have gone down on the quality of the food and Taste . The last three times I've order take out and the food is just not the same anymore . The server last time attended two other people in front of me without giving an explanation after I had mention i was take out . Also I don't think is very professional as an employee to be eating your food and attending people . Please get your break and go eat it calmly somewhere in the back . Their is no need for me to see you talking with food in your mouth . I do love the convince of his place since its 24 hours and the servers are nice for the most part .
(3)Ariel M.
AMAZING. Hot, delicious, authentic, and extremely affordable! Good service even at odd hours of the night. There is a language barrier with most of the staff if you don't know Spanish, however some of the items on the menu are numbered which helps. My boyfriend and I were staying near the Miami airport and it was less than 10 minutes from our hotel. In the four days we spent in miami, we frequented Chico's twice! Both times our bill was under $20 including tip!
(5)Monica N.
Was all excited to have a good cuban breakfast but it didn't work out that way. Bad Cuban sandwich, bad cafe con leche, bad breakfast, bad everything.
(1)Jamie S.
Oyeee, cheap eats get love too. 5 star love! Chico's has been around all my life. I've been coming here since I was a little kid. Not only is it open 24 hours a day, you get massive amounts of food at a very inexpensive price. From breakfast to cafecito to dinner, there's food for all times of the day all day. Can't beat that!
(5)Dave K.
Q: What to do with your 4.5 hours of layover after a redeye flight from SFO to Miami that arrived at 4:45am? A: Eat. I went out on a whim and found Chico's Restaurant via Android Yelp App with one filter option - "Open Now". Two search results came back: 1) "Booby Trap", a 2-star adult dance club; and 2) Chico's Restaurant. Hmmm... "Boobies or food? Boobies or food?" (Thinking out loud) I was out-of-my-mind starving, food must come first. If I have enough time, maybe boobies after? After a short cab ride, I arrived Chico's around 5am. Chico's is in the middle of Hialeah, aka the bario of Dade county. However, Chico's was anything but bario: I ordered the Cubano tacos and washed it down with a pan con lechon, a must-have Cuban pork sandwich. I earned the respect of our waitress, not because of my flawless Spanish pronunciation, but my eagerness to order a pork sandwich at 5am. Food was absolutely amazing and the flavor was as Cubano as they came. Needless to say, I ate so much that a 2-star adult dance club full of boobies couldn't shake my food coma, not at 5am. Hollered a cab and headed back to Miami International airport.
(4)Sharon W.
4 stars on the food; 2 stars on the service / ambiance. Chico's is in a strip mall with typically atrocious Hialeah signage (side note - are there ANY zoning laws in Hialeah?!). Anyway, it's Hialeah, so after a few laps around the parking lot (which was also being used for parking for a used car lot), we located it. Inside is bright, very bright, and COLD. The waitress was not at all friendly, even though I speak Spanish. That said, the food was good. We consumed an arepa, a grapefruit juice (ordered it sin hielo and it came con hielo), a cafe con leche, cuban toast, a tortilla con papas and oxtail stew. The food arrived fairly quickly. 3 of us split the arepa, which was a little dry, but since this is an item I do not make at home, I am not complaining. The tortilla took up the entire plate and probably contained 6 huevos. It was cooked perfectly and loaded with tender potatoes. The Mr. heartily enjoyed his oxtail stew, which came with black beans and rice that were phenomenal! The bill was cheap, so cheap I don't even remember how much we paid. In the end, the food overcame the location and the lackluster service.
(3)Isabel S.
I like Chico's because the food is really good and it's really cheap. Nothing fancy here --regular Cuban food served by waitresses who try to do their best. Good Cuban coffee, and good breakfast too. The only negative is that they don't sell pastries. Come on, guys, you gotta have pastelitos! It's a good place to have any meal if you're in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. There are plenty of excellent places all over South Florida if you're craving some Cuban food. All in all, if you're in the area, or if it's late (they're open 24 hours), I'd definitely recommend.
(4)Melissa P.
I have been going to Chico's since I was a kid the food is really good and it's really cheap :) Nothing fancy here it's regular Cuban food. Breakfast is amazing... Steak with Eggs and Cafe con Leche can't go wrong..
(5)Lauren C.
So for me, Chico's will forever be a main character in the story of how I almost died. Whenever someone mentions Chico's I have to tell the tale of my final visit to this restaurant in 2004. Prior to that day, I had eaten there a handful of times and always had a decent experience. I never imagined that on my last visit, my usual (mundane) order of grilled chicken breast and white rice would be a terrible mistake. Later that evening I experienced the worst food poisoning I had ever had in my life! I couldn't get comfortable in my bed so I moved to the couch. There I lay for hours while my family watched on and questioned whether or not they should take me to the hospital. Crying and feeling like someone put a knife in my chest, I lay under not one, but two comforters shivering as if I had just been pulled from icy hypothermic waters. Still, I chose to ride it out without the help of a doctor. Score one for me because after about 8 hours of suffering, it was completely gone and I avoided a hefty hospital bill. It just wasn't my time to go... I have never returned to Chico's and I think you can understand why. However, my family still visits occasionally and they love it. AND I also have an interesting story to tell the future grand kids. So for that I give them 3 stars.
(3)Lara R.
Service here is AMAZING at any time you come. Staff is mostly older and I think this is the reason why the service is so good. The food is as good as abuela's and I wouldn't be surprised if there was an abuela in the kitchen. Prices are cheap!
(5)Kathryn M.
Boy oh boy, when it comes to mouth-watering home-style cuban cuisine, Chico's is the place to go! From media noches and traditional cuban sanwhiches to ropa vieja and ox-tail stew, this place has you and your hungry stomach covered. The portion sizes are above par and I have never left hungry!
(5)marcelo w.
Great Lechon with rice and black beans! Fast and friendly service. Excellent cortadito!
(4)Patty G.
Picked up a quick sandwich from here on the go. I had the pechuga de pollo a la plancha sandwich and it was awesome. Super delicious! Service was quick. Can't say much else as I didn't dine here but I most surely will find some time to in the near future.
(4)Carla L.
Why does Chico's stand out? First of all its got it. It truly does, a Cuban place in Hialeah? OK no surprise there but its open 24 hours has solid food and is wonderfully priced! My daughter had 2 eggs, rice, maduros, tostadas. Hubby 2 eggs, bacon, tostada, batido de mamey, cafe con leche. I had the same thing without the batido but I had some potatoes to go with it. Check amount? $18 plus change. We rolled out of there we were so full. The food was good, the service good.. now we have that 'go to' place for our cheat day breakfast!
(4)Jake M.
Hit this place up at 5am after a red eye flight from SFO, during our 4.5 hour layover at Miami international. A buddy found it on Yelp as one of two places that are open 24 hours within a reasonable distance to the airport & had great reviews, so we hopped in a cab & headed out. To say the least, pulling up to this place after our shady cab driver took us on an extremely out of the way route to earn himself about $5 more in fare &, therefore, a smaller tip, we were a little worried about the surroundings, as it seemed we were definitely not in our element. That feeling began to be confirmed based on the looks we received when we walked in w/our luggage in tow. However, once we sat down, we realized we had made a great choice. The service was VERY friendly & nice & the food was delicious. I ordered the Empanizado Chico's (breaded steak, I LOVE chicken fried steak, so figured I would give the cuban version a try) & was very happy with it. Unlike most breaded steaks, which are either pounded out to be very thin or simply a ground steak, this was a very well marinated skirt steak in a cornmeal breading. For $6.50, you get the steak, 2 eggs, hashbrowns or rice, toast & coffee, unreal deal. The Cafe Con Leche was one of the best I've ever had as well. Made authentically, pouring the freshly brewed espresso into the steaming cup of milk, very Cuban indeed. One of my buddies ordered the Pan Con Lechon (traditional Cuban pork sandwich) that was easily my 2nd favorite item we all tried (only $4.95). Really well marinated, tender pork on Cuban bread & that's it, none of the americanized "Cuban" sandwich elements of pickles, cheese etc. Just the pork & bread & it was fantastic. Also, as we waited out front for our cab back to the airport, we noticed that it was a great spot for locals to stop & get their morning coffee & catch up a bit, almost like an outdoors coffee shop, as they have a couple windows out front where people can just walk up & order coffee & Cuban pastries. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for authentic Cuban food. Highly Recommended.
(4)Wilson T.
I love this place! Super friendly service with senoras that always call us amors! How sweet! The food is delicious (go with the pork!), the sangria is amazing and the portions are generous! Plenty of options to choose from, so come more than once! If this is authentic Cuban, then I definitely want to try some more!
(5)Willy M.
Service was really good even that was really crowded!! Food was very yummy and a good size portion !! Would go again for sure !!!
(4)Vanessa B.
Love this place great food at whatever hour service great the times I have gone are always after my late drunk times lol and I always come out with a full belly and smile by the way it's cheap and open 24 hours can't beat that daleeee ;)lol Cuban talkkk
(5)Ethan H.
No other reviewers mentioned the mojito ... that glorious, beautiful, 2nd-only-to-my-own-homemade mojito! The rest of the food ranged from solid to fantastic, with the exception of the complimentary bread, which was overly-toasted, dry and uninteresting. Oh well. You get what you pay for. Also, the menu was a little strange. True, I see how selling advertising space on the menu must be a great way to keep down costs. (And Chico's costs are certainly kept down.) But let's face it, only in Miami would a menu offer such delicacies as Palomilla steak and ropa vieja on one page and free Botox and Pap smears on the other! This is clearly a case where not everything that can be sold should be.
(3)Stevo H.
Quick bullet points for those who need them fast. * If you don't speak Spanish you will be at a disadvantage, but the menu is in English too. A "Google Translate" app helps a lot too. * If you are a coffee lover you will LOVE this place, every cup is made fresh, no percolators here to burn your coffee. * For 2 people for breakfast, plus 3 coffees for me, and tip, it was under $15 * They do have a walk up if you are feeling to scured to walk in ;-) Full Review Below My wife and I are from Iowa and we were looking for some authentic Miami Cuban/American flavor after having gotten off the plane and getting our rental car at 2am and this was the perfect place to do it. We are both vegetarians so we thought that it might be tough to find something but it all worked out great. I had the rice, eggs, Cuban bread, and fried plantains and it was one of the best breakfasts that I have ever had. And the coffee, oh my god, seriously, it was so frekin' fresh, I was in coffee bean addicts heaven. I had a Cafe Con Leche, a cafe Cubana, and some "jet fuel" and they all tasted amazing. If you are a coffee fan I highly recommend going here to get some amazing coffee as well as a great breakfast. And the cost was great, we spent less then $15, including tip, for a great breakfast. This will be one of the first places I go for breakfast and coffee the next time I'm in Miami.
(4)Mariac H.
Although an older restaurant. This is one that has maintained quality. I didnt give them 5 stars due to their spotty service. I actually had to get up and retrieve my glass of sangria from the bar as the waiter didnt. The food was SUPERB. Best palomilla I've had in a long time and the plantains were really good. Despite slow service will return since food quality and prices cant be beat.
(4)Denisse D.
Horrible. I don't understand why people like this place. Every time I've been, I've had a bad experience. The beans are terrible, you would think they can at least get black beans right?! It's sad that this is the only Cuban place around Hialeah that's open so late. I ordered a tostada and the bread was cold and soft and had so much butter I couldn't eat it, and I like a lot of butter on my toast!! Do not come here, you're better off waiting until something good opens in the morning.
(1)George M.
Still nothing better Went to D. Rodriguez recently and while good, I'd rather hit up Chico's every day of the week and with the price difference, I can
(5)Gustavo A. L.
What's wrong with Hialeah ? Absolutely nothing !!!! Furthermore Chico's is in Hialeah and this is my new go to place for Saturday morning breakfast ! Let me take you through our thought process, we wake up in the moring and head to the kitchen to brew some coffee. While the java brews we start pondering about what to have for breakfast, open the fridge and stare at the eggs, go to the pantry and pull out the cereal....but I am not feeling it - This is the point when I thank my creator for my flashes of genius, Chico's comes to my head like a bright burning light bulb and I blurt it out without thinking ... Let's go to Chico's" I say, and the look of bewilderment on the rest of my family is priceless. So I head to the blackberry, pull up the reviews on my Yelp app and hand the phone to the politburo. I make my life by selling and I realized that this, was an idea I had to sell, so one of the most important rules of effective selling is "don't tell them, show them" - and by showing them the reviews was another stroke of genius. They are still a bit hesitant because the address is listed in Hialeah .... so I quickly go to my google apps and map the place- " No problem" I say... "I know how to get there".... So we get in the car and hit the road, and 15 minutes later, we are pulling into the parking lot and I already know this is going to be good. Breakfast of champions ... Wheaties ? Schmeaties ... Two Fried eggs over easy, with plenty of bacon, toasted cuban bread with plenty of butter and cafe con leche to keep me up for a week for just over 4 bucks !!!! I am happy !!!! The Politburo ate as well, and were equally pleased with their selections, and when the bill came for less than 20 bucks... I was happy...hell !!! I am still happy !!!
(4)Kristen S.
Wow, i can't believe I never reviewed Chico's!!!! I have only been for dinners and late night gatherings, but I have probably been over a hundred times over the last 15 years. This place is awesome. Start with - the mariquitas. Fresh fried plantain chips with an awesome garlic mojo. Then have - The steaks are great and the meals are massive! The grilled chicken is even amazing - so flavorful and juicy!!! End with - the cafe con leche and flan for dessert, you won't be sorry. I have never had a bad dish, and the waitstaff is super friendly, even to my gringo self ;) Oh, and if you have a large group, there is a party room. They are always accomodating for groups! They would usually put us in there if we showed up with like 10-12 people.
(5)Ben O.
There aren't a whole lot of Waffle Houses in Hialeah. I credit Chico's with that fact; they're open 24 hours a day serving grilled chicken, pancakes, omelets, and plenty more besides. No, they don't have a jukebox with a bunch of corny songs praising the grits. Hell, I don't think the menu has ever seen a grit. But you can definitely get your breakfast on with tostada francesa (French toast), tortilla (omelet), or El Dandy (fried eggs over white rice with platanos maduros (ripe plantains)). And if you're not from around here, you won't have heard of half the milkshake flavors. I recommend the trigo (wheat). I grew up not too far from here, just a bit south of Okeechobee Road, and going to Chico's for breakfast this morning gave me great pleasure. However, it's not as cheap as the menu prices might imply, because now I'm going to want to drive down from Atlanta more often.
(5)Michelle W.
Yum-my! Went here for the GMYE & am so happy I did! This place reminds me of the coney islands back in Michigan...different kind of food, but same concept. Great food for cheap! I've been a little hesitant to go to Cuban restaurants because 1. I don't speak Spanish and 2. I don't eat meat. But thanks to my Spanish speaking Yelper friends all was good! It's Saturday morning & I'm about ready to gnaw my arm off I'm soooo hungry & we ordered some croquetas (meat so I didn't eat) and some guava turnovers to tide us over until everyone arrived. The guava was sweet & the perfect match for my cafe con leche. They bring you the steamed milk & you add your own coffee. Ordered an omelet with potato & cheese and it was just delicious. Had a lot of cheese and the potatoes were cooked well. I could only finish about half because of the guava and the yummy bread & butter they brought. Service was a little random, but the cheap food was worth it! Totally a fan of this place! You can get stuff a la cart or get one of the breakfasts for about 5 bucks!
(4)Lisa A.
Best Cuban restaurant EVER! Any place that's open 24/7 automatically wins my heart, however if you throw in warm croquettes, a toasty cuban sandwich, special fried rice AND flan...I'm hooked.
(5)Vanessa G.
Ok so if it's 4am and you get the munchies this is definitely the place to go. Awesome Cuban breakfast that's open 24 hours. Cheap and delicious can't beat it. I totally recommend! :)
(4)Nicholas L.
To be fair, Chico's might deserve three stars, instead of just two, but my experience was limited to a sandwich and coffee at lunchtime. Service was interesting, as no one spoke English. We got by with some broken Spanish on our part, a tiny amount of English on their part, and a lot of pointing at the menu. The bill was really low, for two classic Cuban sandwiches and coffees, so affordability is a plus at this place. The sandwich was OK and the coffee was very good. Apparently, they're open 24 hours a day, so if you have a real need, late at night, you might give these folks a much higher rating.
(2)Abdel J.
I enjoy eating at Chico's all the time because it is close to my law office. The best part about it is that it is open 24 hours. My favorites are the breakfasts because they bring a lot of food for like $6. I always ask for the "Super" breakfast, I think it is the top one on the menu and it brings the most food. Eggs, steak, toast, jelly, cafe con leche. It is very tasty. It is only available from like 6:00 or 7:00 am until noon or so. For dinner I enjoy the Artesan Steak. It's Huge! The steak fills your entire plate. And it is a large elongated plate. It's a breaded steak with ham and cheese accompanied by sweet plantains or tostones and moros or rice and beans. jimenezlawyer.com
(5)Claudia J.
Great cuban restaurant open 24/7!!! Opened 29 years ago and it has never closed!! Once you enter the place, tables here, there, a counter on a side. They had a great variety of beers from ALL OVER the world !!! This place is visited by regulars, waiters and waitresses have been here for ages!! It's one of those places that you go in and see all the hussle buzzle going around, be careful behind you they might be delivering some coffee or tostadas to a table!!! Got here for the GMYE gathering with other fellow yelpers, glad I decided to go!! For starters, we got some croquetas that were yummi!!! cortadito was good as well. When you order breakfast, a tostada (cuban bread with lots of margarine) come with it!! If I only knew!!! I ordered two eggs, with some Chico's potatoes (thanks for the expertise of George M). I was stuffed, and not even finished my breakfast!!! Prices are great, super affordable and of course greasy!!!!
(4)Sum O.
Last time I came here was 5 years ago, my friends like to come here cause its Spanish food 24/7. I am here right now and We had the worst service with terrible food. The beans had some weird flavor and my friend brought it to our waitress attention, I was hungry and I dug in but she still gave us attitude because I ate the beans, she went to the back to have a taste, she said they probably added something different but it's not bad beans because they taste good and that we have different taste buds. Note that all this was said in a attitude that makes you want to flip a table over. I really don't want to see how that kitchen looks neither. I warn you stay home call me and ill cook you a decent dinner that you will enjoy! My friend after coming here for many years is actually consider never to eat here again.
(1)Michele P.
Came here after my hotel waiter and consierge (sp?) suggested it for authentic Cuban food. DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! Probably the best affordable place in Miami. Do NOT forget to come here. You will not regret it!
(5)Frodough B.
Great food all the time. Tostada with a cafe con leche at 8 a.m.? Done. Tostada with a cafe con leche at 6 p.m.? Done. Pan con tortilla after leaving a funeral at 4 a.m.? Done. Chico's is awesome.
(5)Sapphire B.
I love plantains, so I wanted to check this place out. I loved the food, but the atmosphere was a little bland, that's why the 4 instead of 5 stars.
(4)Paula E.
Last Saturday, when I was at a MWCC workshop for a Bay of Pigs Anniversary documentary project, we played an ice breaker game with the kids involved and one of them said that his favorite thing about Miami was that you could live here your entire life and discover something new and different every day. I nodded and smirked. I recently started working in Hialeah, a place which til now seemed like far and foreign lands, but once I settled, I had to venture into the new food opportunities that this had presented. And Chicos was number one on my list....what can I say that hasn't already been said... Cheap (like really cheap) Delicious Open 24hrs Locals they brought my cafecito before my water... that's whats up, and I thought it was amazing that there's an old school shoe buffer/shiner chair right outside...these people know what life is about and they're sticking to it.
(5)Omar G.
Oh, Chicos! There's nothing like your warm lights glowing on 12th Ave at 3am. The Bell and Mickey D can't compete when you see those lights. Sometimes it's the food. Sometimes it's the 24 hour action. When I find myself there, tho, it always hit the spot.
(4)Janet D.
Once upon a time four Hialeah gals were having a spa day. (I know you're thinking I clicked on the wrong review) But the girls wanted nostalgic, yet delicious breakfast before their day of relaxation. Where else, but Chicos where the bill came to $22 for four full breakfasts. I went with my usual, D8: Cafe con leche, two croquettas, two eggs sunny side up with a cuban toast, for dipping in sunny side egg, of course. We left with full bellies and reminiscing of the good old days...days of late night cafe con leches, full on bistec de palomilla at 2 a.m. and getting a warm meal post a hurricane! Chicos te quiero!
(4)Janay M.
Came here for some cheap yet filling eats. Awww boy did Chicos deliver. I ordered tostda, hot chocolate and 2 jamon croquettes. Nom nom nom and for being only $3.00 Hialeah doesn't disappoint.
(3)Wilson L.
Can never go wrong with Cuban food at any time of the night, especially if it's good. Too many people would be put off when they walk in to the place since it looks like you should expect to have trash to eat but honestly, why waste your time at the late night chains, with a bunch of overly aggressive Hispanics, when you can get home style cooking anytime of the night. It's as if your Cuban grandmother cooked for you any time of the day even when you're on your way home in the middle of the night with a good buzz. (Not saying I was the one doing the driving with the buzz?) Once you get past the sight, and avoid the restroom, order a batido, enjoy your free bread, then order anything on the menu, kick back and chat away with some fine dining at an awesome price.
(4)Alex I.
Could never get enough of chicos... its home...
(5)Linda N.
All I can say is that Chico's is awesome, whether your going to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a cuban tostada with a cafe con leche this is the place to go. Its super cheap, the food quality is great and the prices are extremely cheap. They serve large portions, and there open 24/7 which is great with late night cravings. I highly recommend it if your in the area.
(5)Anaisabel G.
I grew up eatting here! The best authentic Cuban food in Hialeah, hands down! Plus it's opened 24/7 and extremely affordable. I love this place, and whenever I am craving Boliche con arroz y frijoles negro, this is the SPOT! P.S. Their flan is the BEST! :)
(4)L L.
Open all the time service was great food very good (hard to be too distinguishing for 5am breakfast but I'm a regular whenever in Miami on the early flt)
(4)Maria A.
Cuban food isn't scare in Miami. What is harder to find is good, cheap, round the clock, 24 hr Cuban food. Enter Chico's. This Cuban diner serves it up hot and fresh 365 days a year. On the weekends this joint is hopping with locals who have been coming here for decades. If you're lucky they'll share the insider tips like getting there early to indulge in Chico's french bread instead of the standard Cuban loafs and suggesting you go all in for some of Chico's potatoes. When I went there I couldn't resist sharing some of the communal plate of croquetas. I skipped the cafe con leche in favor of oj and went with an omelet. The meal was huge and satisfying. Had I grown up in this part of town Chico's would have been a regular end of night spot for conversations and coffee. Maybe it's just me but 24 hour diners hold a special place in my heart. They're seldom fancy or even beautiful but they're loyal and hardworking. They love the regulars and always have a hot pot of joe and something sweet ready to go, often they'll serve you a comforting plate of food for under $10, and do it without the pretense, pomp, and circumstance. They're the backdrop for late-night conversations ranging from midnight movie reviews to philosophical debates on life's meaning, drunken non-sense, hangover cures, and other cheerful and/or tearful moments all held over greasy, comforting, food and bad lighting. Just remember to ask a regular for some tips on ordering.
(4)Carlos P.
Do you know where you can get a breakfast serving that takes up almost the entire space of your table for under $6? If you don't, then now you know...it's CHICO's. This institution of Cuban food, located in the heart of Hialeah has been around since I was a baby. The food here is excellent, at any time of the day or night, you can come in and have a delicious plate of rice and beans with steak or like I stated above, have a delicious breakfast at a crazy affordable price. Most of their breakfast plates come with eggs and you choose whether you want ham, bacon, sausage, croquetas or papa-rellena (stuffed potato). I always get the plate with the ham croquettes, which are delicious. On top of your main plate, you get a cafe con leche with a large chunk of Cuban toast, all buttered up. None of these plates are more than $6 and the portions are more than enough. The service is quick, friendly and most of all, the food has stood the test of time with this place. Hopefully, Chico's stays put for many more years to come!
(5)ISA V.
This is by far one of the best eateries in Hialeah. Everything I have tasted there is good, especially their Baca Frita, with white rice , black beans and a side of Platano Maduros. Exceptional Cuban food. Also their prices are really low. I go there with my entire family ( 5) and we spend no more than 45.00 including tip.
(5)Joseluis A.
chicos! it had been a while since the last time i went to chicos. it was always late at night. after a fun night. always with friends. but i went to chicos for breakfast today along with a few other yelpers. you get there and you sit yourself, someone will be with you shortly. we got, 6 croquetas, 2 guava & cheese pastelitos and a cuban toast. cafe con leche for everybody. the croquetas were awesome. i wanted to have two but since we were 6 and we ordered six, i thought, one for each, then george figured there was a vegetarian on the group and he ate that last croqueta. what a snake. then it was time for real breakfast. i got their 'super' special which consists of. bistec de palomilla (steak), two eggs, french fries and a cuban toast. the steak was seasoned well and did not stand a chance on my plate. i should have ordered scrambled eggs instead of sunny side-up because they were a bit undone but whatever. i was too busy being hungry to pay attention to that at the time. so we all ate well, shared some laughs even with the waitress who had been having a rough morning... if theres anything chicos needs to improve was that. their service, but really, a 24 hour restaurant that serves great food for $5 is automatically 4 stars in my book! pa que tu lo sepas... broder
(4)Janelle F.
If it isn't their proud display of Skol vodka bottles I don't know what it is...But there's just something about Chico's. I had one blurry memory of dropping someone off in Hialeah after a night of partying and making a pitstop somewhere for some middle-of-the-night-post-debauchery-snacking. I didn't remember the name, or where it was, but I remembered it being damn good. Fast forward to this weekend, my S/O and I had to run an errand in Hialeah and low and behold, I found Chico's again. I missed you, old friend. The food is still greasy and good and the perfect cure for a Sunday hangover!
(4)whitney g.
When in miami, I always try to go to places that I can't get in Atlanta. I had a buddy recommend this because it was late and I was STARVING, and boy did it deliver. You always have to feel good when you're in a latino community, and you go eat latino food, and you're the only white guy there. Granted there was a small language barrier, but they had pictures, and I sure as hell can point at the good stuff! The service was awesome, the waitstaff were all very nice and sweet, and didn't mind helping this ignorant white boy get the food he wanted. My gf got the breakfast, and I got a sandwich, and they were both amazing. I didn't manage to get the french bread that others were talking about, but whatever bread we DID get was awesome. I'm totally going to go back here when I'm in town next. Great food, fast and pleasant service, and a good taste of what Miami is all about.
(4)Steph V.
Chico's is an awesome spot for breakfast and lunch. The batidos are amazing. The service is fast and the Cuban food is authentic.
(5)Regina M.
Pan con bistec was okay.. not the best. Flan de coco with a colada the best.
(4)Christian M.
I'm gonna give CHICOS a well deserved 5 STAR rating!!! I have been coming here since I was a kid and it has never disappointed....NOT ONCE!! no matter what day OR what time CHICOS will be open and ready to serve!!!
(5)Vanessa C.
BEST (& CHEAPEST) BREAKFAST EVER!! I drive from Aventura to Hialeah once a week just to enjoy their breakfast. The waitress doesn't even have to ask before she brings me my cafe con leche. It's authentic, ridiculously cheap, super fattening and delicious. The place is not much to look at, but the food is a total diamond in the rough. At $3.40 for two greasy eggs, a decent portion of some type of meat (croquettes, bacon, ham, sausage, etc.), a huge slice of cuban or french bread buttered - what else do you need? They have other breakfast specials, including rice and steaks and everything Cuban, but nothing is over $5. I have to admit that although I'm from Hialeah, there's not much reason to go there. Chico's is the exception - it's the jewel of Hialeah. Short of my mother's Cuban breakfasts, this place does the trick when I'm craving home.
(5)Emme R.
Aaahh, Chico's. I don't know any real Hialeah resident who doesn't get excited when someone suggests Chico's...I have been going there my whole life and I still love it, So many memories there. The perfect place to enjoy your favorite meal just like mom makes it(if your mom is latin like most hialeah moms) . Well, my mom is the best cook, but at least Chico's comes close. Oh and you can enjoy ANYTHING on the menu at ANY - TIME - YOU - CRAVE - IT! Yeah, they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And its cheap too! The batidos are the best, and so are the sandwiches. The cons, well sadly there are a few. Remember, it IS Hialeah. Firstly, all the waiters are spanish and for some reason they seem to have gotten of the raft - like yesterday. Sometimes they act like they have their head in the clouds and look at you as if they have no idea what you're talking about. Even when you talk to them in spanish... Second, there are some shady characters in the midnight hours. Especially obscenely overweight "santeras" smoking the BIGGEST tabaccos next to the entrance. Then they have the audacity to blow that disgusting smoke in your directions. Luckily for me, I have cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and lungs on my side. Lastly, I assume because of their crazy hours, they seem to have food thats been sitting around for a while. I've gotten my bad batch of sour papa rellenas, but hey i excuse them because 9 times out of 10, I leave the place a happy girl... :-)
(5)Rene S.
One of the Best restaurant in Hialeah and the best food
(5)Nandi E.
I've heard such great things about this place. It's the perfect after the club spot. Service was great. The menu is extensive. I ordered the Cuban Pork Sandwich....it was tasty but I was a bit turned off by the amount of fat in my sandwich. Otherwise it's good. Will definitely try it again.
(3)Phil L.
The only place open late in Hialeah that has half decent food. You will find all type of characters there. from the police to high school prom queens... oh and the occasional Asian ;) Food is authentic and the price is not to bad at all. I stick with the things I know they cant really mess up so breaded steak, rice and beans for me. My other friends have been braver than I have and they have yet to peel over. A great little spot to people watch, eat and enjoy. This is a WARNING: Dont go here if you cannot speak Spanish. You will not have a good time.
(3)John L.
If you are looking for enormous portions, a good breakfast and low prices try Chico's restaurant. The place is always busy day or night and it's a little bit noisy as most of the cuban/latin restaurants but if you are latino or familiar with the miami/hialeah area you'll understand what I mean. Breakfasts are great...and you can have a real cuban breakfast at 2 or 3 am because this place is 24 hours.eggs any style,cuban bread,coffee, butter,jellybacon,frita for under 5 bucks, Cuban sandwiches, Medianoche sandwich,Frita(cuban fried burger), chicken sandwich,steak,Milanesa (deep fried breaded steak covered with melted parmesan and tomato sauce, desserts, coffee, natural juices,3 stars because it's too noisy,and the place is not nice,restrooms are really ugly
(3)Joan V.
I have lived in Hialeah my entire life. Coming from a Cuban family, and growing up eating real authentic Cuban food, i have to say this place is far from the best Cuban restaurant in Hialeah. I have gone on 3 different occasions, and every time i have been disappointed. Their beans are bland, and taste like canned beans, last night i had Bistec ensabollado, that was room temperature and had the texture of something that was cooked at 4:00pm and reheated in a microwave at 4:00am.My friend ordered eggs with "grilled" ham, which also looked like it was nuked in the microwave, all wrinkly and gross. The service has always been hit or miss, but that is expected. There are far better places to choose from, the only thing Chico's has going for it is their hours. But all my late night experiences have been bad. The waitresses don't want to be there, and the cooks obviously are not actually cooking. Next time I'm going to Denny's because sadly, at this point that's a better option for late night/early morning food.
(1)Jesse l.
Good quality. Nice sized portions. Open late. In fact, 24 hours and good service, even in the middle of the night. Affordable too.
(5)Yadi L.
Honestly, I'm a little pessimistic when it comes to a lot of places in Hialeah. Don't get me wrong, I'm cuban, but loud, crowded places where everyone stares at you. Let me tell you though, I was pleasantly surprised the first time I went. And the second. And the third, and everytime after that. Chico's became my weekend destination to take a break from the weekly cooking. There's usually a bit of people but not uncomfortably crowded. And why wouldn't there be people? The food is DELICIOUS, extremely CHEAP and they don't take an hour to bring you a small plate. Their portions are generous, actually, a bit too generous. Their palomilla steak is folded over in a large plate and it still covers side to side of the plate. 2 whole dinners with extra sides and drinks that left us extremely stuffed usually came up to like $30! I like good restaurants and good food, but I'll take Chico's over many high class restaurants any day!
(4)John C.
My family and I decided not to do Thanksgiving this year and go to a restaurant instead. Even though we had some bad experiences at Chico's before, we still decided to give them one more chance and go have Thanksgiving lunch/dinner there. To our surprise when we arrived, the place was empty. Only three tables were taken. The place looked like a desert and the parking lot was empty with few cars. We sat and were served the usual bread. We looked at the very small Thanksgiving specials they had and decided to go with the Turkey Fricassee, the normal Turkey Dinner with Stuffing (American Style), and not a Thanksgiving item Seafood served on Yellow Rice. Well, to say the least, it was all DISGUSTING and DESPICABLE... As it has happened previously with my food, the food was served cold. The Seafood on Yellow Rice tasted like cardboard and the Thanksgiving items tasted bland. There is no excuse for that as the place was empty and those items are not hard to prepare. That is it... I've had it... They ruined my Thanksgiving and I will never go back to Chico's again! Overall, I do not know what has happened to Chico's... Their portions of food have gotten way smaller, food tastes bland, and it is being served cold. The place looks disgusting as it is all falling apart (especially the Bathrooms) and the people that go there (Chonga's and Chongo's) is embarrassing to all Cubans and humans everywhere, to say the least. They have no decency or respect for a place of dining. I do not care how long this restaurant has been there... They should consider closing their doors... Disgusting food + Overpriced Items + Bad Environment + Bad Service = Chico's. This equation has an error and needs to be ABORTED!
(1)angel t.
If you are looking for a cuban restaurant that is open 24 hours a day seven days a week this is your place for reasonably priced cuban food. They are open when everyone else is closed before/during/after hurricanes. I called a few places when Storm Fay was here and everyone was closing early to set-up/prepare for the storm, not this place....The staff is hurricane proof and so is the restuarant.....Hope this heps in case you are in the area looking for good food when the weather is not cooperating....Angel
(3)W. Ryan J.
Very nice cuban restaurant. I go there for lunch every once in a while for "sandwich de pechuga de pollo" (english: Grilled Chicken Sandwich). Service is ok and food is good. You should definitely try Chico's at least once if you are in Hialeah.
(3)