Cid P.

Sometimes you drive by a place all the time hoping someone, anyone really, would just add and review it on Yelp so you know what to expect. Such was the case with this here neighborhood "hole in the wall" restaurant. I waited and waited and nothing. I was somewhat apprehensive about coming here for several reasons. The main reason, when you Google this restaurant, one thing that comes-up are the inspections recently done by the city. There is nothing online about this restaurant. I was on my own baby. That is, nothing online until now, thanks to Yelp. Driving by periodically, one thing I noticed was their sign outside. It displays two flags. One, I know is obviously Cuba. The other, I had no idea from where that was. I had to post a picture of it on Facebook to see who knew. My Facebook being the "Noah's Arc" of Human Beings, I just knew, somebody would know and, "somebody" did. THANK YOU KIND SIR! Much appreciated. The other flag is from El Salvador. You will notice on the picture that this sign also states they serve Pupusas. The National Dish of El Salvador. Sure, I know that now because I Googled it but me being the wanna-be Foodie that I am, I had no clue. I assumed it was some kind of octopus or "something." Because I thought if I ordered "Pupusas" I was going to be served Ursula on a plate, I opted for breakfast. When you sit at their counter, there is a clearly visible large menu on their wall. First thing I noticed, AHA! Huevos Rancheros. This breakfast favorite is not common in the myriad of Cuban Restaurants here in Hialeah. This is not a dish from Cuba. I have seen it on the menu of other Cuban Restaurants but, in my opinion, you order the dish of the country that restaurant represents. You will quickly notice when here that "Cuban Food," although the Cuban Flag is on their logo, is not their strength. I want to reiterate that this statement is based solely on my opinion since other than a Café con Leche, I haven't tried any Cuban Food from here. My breakfast was filling and delicious. As you will notice on the picture I posted, it was very well made and authentic. Probably THE BEST Huevos Rancheros I have ever had outside of where Mexicans are known to live. Things to note and, blah, blah, blahs: * The pictures I posted are from July 2014. I have been here several times since. I never added them on Yelp because I was hoping someone else would. Had this business been in the more trendy "new" neighborhoods to our east people would be fighting to add them on Yelp. Today, March 5, 2015, I decided to finally add the restaurant. The food has been consistent. I always order Huevos Rancheros and, now that I know what it is, today a Cheese Pupusa. * Get this, today was my third time asking...their tortillas aren't frozen like other places. Pretty impressive for an "hole in the wall" in Hialeah, eh? You can tell just by putting the first bite in your mouth. * The Pupusas here are served hot and fresh to order with large jars placed next to them filled with all the ethnic "whatevers" to go on them, e.g., peppers, more peppers, another type of pepper. Honestly? I didn't even know those were for the Pupusas until she took them and asked, "¿Te las comistes así sin nada?" I thought she was just cleaning and left the jars there. They bring you something to grab them out with. No, you don't use your hands. * Language here is español. I would be in utter shock if you're spoken to in English here. * Menu here is in español. Sorry? * Me personally? I wouldn't come here specifically for Cuban Food. I'm sure it's great but, to me, I would have something typical of Central America when here. That's just me, though. * Don't expect amazing customer service here. You are attended to, you are served, your questions will be gleefully answered, if you engage in conversation you will be acknowledged, you pay and then you leave where you may or may not get a "gracias." You're not being given an attitude, though. Trust me, I know purposeful attitude. * Part of this restaurant appears to be a market. * Part of this restaurant appears to be a bar. * Part of this restaurant houses maquinitas. I know, lots going on for such a small place. * I'm having a hard time finding-out their business hours. Today, I just forgot to ask. * Parking - It can be challenging but, not too bad for Hialeah standards where all you need is some breathing space to build a shopping center. I have never had any problems finding a spot here. * Relax folks, they passed the inspections. They were given warnings and as far as I'm concerned it was nothing major. * Pupusas = Arepas. Same thing different name different country different toppings. We already know what an Arepa is down here. We went through that in the 80s already. * This isn't the only Salvadorian Restaurant in Hialeah. #KeepItLocal