Pinolandia
119 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL, 33128
Pinolandia Menu
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Address :
119 NW 12th Ave
Miami, FL, 33128 - Phone (305) 324-4656
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :Open 24 hours
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Vinny V.
One of my requirements for a city to be considered a truly 24HR metropolis is the availability of good beef around the clock. And I don't mean Dennys or Ihop's steak & eggs. I mean a true chunk of grilled beef that could be consumed on the go with your bare hands if necessary (don't ask). Pinolandia MORE than fulfils this requirement. In fact, this simple meaty fact shoots MIA near the top of my list of "cities where you could fly in at 3am and still eat hot food." Plus, you also got great cafe con leche available 24-7 in the vicinity of the airport! But yeah. Delicious, CHEAP beef available 24/7? Few things can beat that. #protein #carne #beef (MIAMI: I do find rather hilarious that finding a chunk of carne asada at 3am is much easier than finding a decent coffeehouse with Wifi where to work at in the middle of night)
(5)Elizabeth B.
Great food and its open 24 hours. Try the juices! What makes it even more special is it is a total dive. Clean, yes, but fancy, no. If you can find a seat (good luck even in the middle of the night), its just to enjoy the delicious food because there's really no need to linger after eating. The adjoining shop has a lot of great unusual treats. :) Check it out!
(5)Adam L.
The food was excellent and prices were just as good. However, they speak ZERO English here, and we needed the assistance of another customer to translate. In the end we just pointed and said sure to anything. We got a variety and everything was delicious.
(4)Ming W.
Where can you get a takeout box filled to the brim with juicy carne asada, rice, and plantains for $7? Well, Pinolandia of course: the place that looks ghetto, is located in the ghetto, but tastes awesome! I keep getting the carne asada over and over but I've heard that their other options are great as well (they look quite tasty) and I will have to try them in the near future.
(4)Mai M.
It's simple ppl,pinolandia is jus da best n da MIA!!! Don't go anywhere else!!! It is not da same!!!!
(5)Isaac T.
Best Fritanga in MIAMI!!!! I'm NIcaraguan and trust me this is as good as mom and grandma's cooking. The lines are insane but totally worth it.
(5)ceci r.
The carne asada is excellent! The gallo pinto is cooked well, it doesn't feel like a mass of rice and beans at all. Big portions, good value for the money. Fast service. The tacos are also worth trying. Avoid the Manuelitas though, they put cinnamon and honey on them. I found the taste quite odd.
(5)Family O.
It ggggrrreat food, though not your average fritanga, food u buy in the front others such as drinks or the Delicious Quesillos in the back. And parking is a nightmare and then some!!!
(4)Aldo G.
Pinolandia is definitely among one of the best Fritangas in Miami. I have actually been coming to this place before it was even a restuarant. For those who don't know the location was orginally just a small shop which sold many Nicaraguan fares such a tortillas, chicharon (pork rinds), queso (cheeses), crema (cream), and frescos (juices). If you have ever visited the restuarant you will notice the original location in the back, which still sells all the original fares it started off selling. It wasn't untill recently, no more than ten years ago, that they decided to close of the covered parking section of the shop and make it into a Fritanga. I have been coming to this place probably since it opened. It offers alot of the typical dishes you would expect of a fritange but the most notable of which is it's Carne Asada (grilled steak). This place has the flow of people that requires that there always be rows of marinated steaks sizzling on the grill behing the counter. This means that the Carne asada is always fresh. This porbably the best thing this place has to offer and I usually only come here for that. The gallo pinto is not as good as other places but still good. IT's a good restuarant but it does have some downfalls. First of all due to it's popularity it is always packed and there is always a long line. In addition, since it wasn't originaly designed as a resturant there is barely any seating with many seating for 10 inside and a few tables outside. The parking is a little troublesome with ojly parking available on the street. Despite these downfalls this is definitely one of the notable Fritanga's in Miami. I would definitely suggest this to anybody who is a newcomer to Fritanga and to even a seasoned verteran who would like to try some of the best Carne Asada in Miami. I would also suggest that you check out the little store in the back. It sells a pleathora of Nicaraguan pastries, desserts, and delicacies. I would especially suggest you buy yourself some tortillas. For those who don't know many of the Fritangas in Miami outsource their production of tortillas to this place. They have long rows of griddles and Nicaraguan women pumping out tortillas. Due to the fact that sell so many and the fact that they are made there, they have some of the best and freshest tortillas in Miami.
(4)Cynthia F.
You find the best Nicaraguan carne asada at this place! the carne asada is soft a condimentson it is to the point. Love their cacao drink as well. The prices are low and portions generous. Great place for takeout.
(4)Angela M.
Delicious! It's a hole in the wall, but my goodness they make some great food. I relocated back to Miami in hopes this place was still open and was so thankful it was.
(5)Romi C.
do you want to impress that food snob that's tried it all? how about a drunk date that is starving at real late night hours?.. okay spend a few bucks and don't mind the catcalls from dem Nicas and get a styrofoam to-go box of redemption. here's a helpful script: " aha.una carne asada..pongamelo hermoso, gallo pinto y maduros. deme la ensalada aparte porfavor. no se olvide el picante" 2 forks, 1 box and a very nice meal for less than $10 best and probably cheapest carne asada in Miami. They have a market on the side!!!
(5)Danny F.
This place is not at all near where I live, however I will seek out this indulgence. This incredible, mouth-watering, 24/7 indulgence. Yes, it stays open 24/7 and unfortunate for me I work nearby. Which means I will reluctantly join my coworkers in venturing into this 4-spot parking lot right after work. To be honest, I'm not even sure if they make anything else other than the Carne Asada, but is there really anything else to eat here? Being a Nicaraguense and venturing to the homeland many times, I can say very legitimately this is as close to Nicaragua as you can get. Is this the best Fritanga? No. You won't find all the variety you can get elsewhere, but this is undeniably the best Carne Asada in all of Miami. So really, the 5 stars is really only for the Carne Asada, but that's only the reason why you should be racing here to give it a try. Alongside their good Gallo Pinto and Maduro Frito, naturally.
(5)Doug W.
Okay, the carne asada tastes ok. But it's served medium well. About a 30 min wait, and definitely not worth the time. Maybe worth the money.
(1)R M.
Came here rather late at night, ordered takeout carne asada with plantains, rice & beans, fried cheese. Eating any of it was a struggle. Don't know why this place has such good reviews. Total disaster. Urgph.
(1)Kevin G.
Two stars because Nica food is so good, but why do people line up for this average food? They do a decent job of cooking up the Nica classics, but that's it. I will admit that they have the best tortillas I've ever had (even better than back at the homeland). If you guys want to eat at the best fritanga, drive five minutes to Caña Brava. Trust me.
(2)Ryan S.
Talk about getting bang for your buck! I don't think you could even buy all of the food in the grocery store and cook it yourself for cheaper than the food is here. I went with a friend, ordered one order of carne asada, and we both ate until we were full and we still had leftovers. And it was only $8, definitely the cheapest place I've been to in Miami to feed 2 people. I feel like this is the kind of place that when people come visit me in Miami, I want to take them here for a very Miami "experience". I know that it isn't even Cuban or the typical party scene or super up-scale restaurant on SoBe, but it still feels worlds away from what the rest of the country has. The food was delicious. The beef is so flavorful and the rice doesn't have too many frijoles (not a huge fan of them). Be ready to wait a little bit and expect a little bit of craziness. A drunk homeless guy walked in and was asking people questions in Spanish, got pissed and grabbed some food from the trashcan and threw it out the door. It just made it even a better experience for me. ha
(4)Gean T.
For just seven buck....you get carne asada right off the grill ....Ill be honest all i ever eat when i come here is the carne asada...The other food looks good , but the carne asada is really what gets the people in the doors....The gallo pinto(rice w/ beans) is good also.Get ready to wait if your here on the weekend,and dont let the lacation fool you. Great place to get real food at fast food prices..
(4)Mauri S.
I just want to make a long story short: it was the best meal i had in florida. it was around 2:00am, still packed and i have to say i was discouraged first of all by the appearance and second because i dont speak that language at all. i dont know what i had but it was steak, with rice, some beans and kind of a fried cheese. we had several plates and we paid around $8-$10. it was just AMAZING!
(5)Naz M.
This, this right here is not for the faint hearted, and I would strongly suggest that if you don't speak Spanish you take a guide and you learn whatever words you need to know to order what you want. Not that the particulars will matter because it is all delicious. I had just gotten off the plane and after the adventure that is MIA Int'l, I needed to find a place to eat that was fast, cheapies, and open late. Pinolandia was perfect, open 24/7, and I'll say this again, 24/7 and no different than the Dominican/Salvadoran luncheonettes of my beloved Bushwick in Brooklyn. In under 15 minutes we were there, managed to scrape together a decent parking space and walked into a space that instantly felt like home. Moro (rice with black beans, in this case), carne asada (roast meat - beef), platano maduro (ripe sweet plantain), and queso frito (fried cheese) with ensalada al lado had us wondering where the heck the people were from. We're not natives to the area, though both of us having Caribbean roots, at least helps us recognize good food. After reading other reviews, we realized that this lovely eatery iis, in fact, Nicaraguan, Nica, or Nicoya as some people may also say, and man oh man, we're in love. Hubs has already been here two weeks and says it's the best meal he's had in Miami yet. Just one meal costed us $9.75 and my hubs and I ate to our hearts' contents, and the little bodega in the back equipped us with enough water, passion fruit juice and snacks to get us through the extremely warm night. Looking forward to returning before I leave Miami. However, this was a most delicious welcome to the city.
(4)Kathy V.
What happens after you've worked a grueling 14 hr day and don't feel like driving to SouthBeach for late night eats? You stop here and get a Carne Asada plate with Gallo Pinto, Queso Frito, platanos, and enselada de repollo. My sis said, I only have $10 cash, let's find a bank. I said let's just go in. For $10 we both ate like queens. What was supposed to be carne asada seemed a two gigantic pieces of thick strip cut steak with all the fixings. We came by at 2:30am and the place was still packed. Cute outdoor seating in the Miami heat, but just make sure to be aware of your surroundings. Best Nicoya food I've ever had!
(4)Camille S.
Amazing carne asada. They should consider teaming up with the company next to it and sell juices to avoid the minimum credit card
(5)N J.
Interesting place here. Not the cleanest building, tables, floor, but I did appreciate all the ladies who were serving food had their hair pulled back with hair nets. The food here though will keep people coming back. It's defiantly authentic. They give you plenty of food for a reasonable price. I ordered the carne asada plate with rice/beans, fried cheese and a tortilla ($12). It was very good and filling. All the other food looks just as good too.
(4)Truce N.
Came here around 7pm on a Friday and the line was out the door for dinner. For $7 you get a huge platter filled with rice and beans, your choice of meat, cabbage salad, and fried cheese or plantains. Food was good and authentic. Make sure you come with someone who speaks Spanish and know what is what. Lol (or you can simply do the point and smile notion). You stand in what is almost like a lunch line and tell the ladies behind the counter what you want from a buffet set up. Interesting to say the least but the food was decent.
(4)Jorge D.
This is my go to Fritanga near downtown. The line is long and slow, but the food is tasty and resonably priced. The carne asada and queso frito are my favorite for cheat days. definetly worth a visit for some local flavor.
(4)Jay H.
Here on vacay, we wanted to eat authentic Latin American food and this is the place. We had the rice, carne asada and fried queso. It was plenty for two people and great tasting. I highly recommend this place for all. Speaking spanish will help immensely but is not necessary if you know how to point at food....
(5)Yanitza G.
If I'm hungry or needless to say STARVING at 1 in the morning I know for a fact McDonald's won't cut it for me so I could always count on this place. I'm obsessed with their steak since I am a huge carnivore. I would even recommend their drinks. I'm Cuban and would rather eat here no joke. Ask for the steak well done it never disappoints honestly.
(5)Nicole J.
After rolling into Miami late at night, we took a friend's recommendation and checked out Pinolandia. We were very thankful for their 24-hour opening window. Despite the late hours, there was still a long line to order. The food was absolutely amazing. We had the carne asada, queso frito, and gallo pinto. The portions were huge - despite being starving, my boyfriend and I split one container of food and still had leftovers to supplement our crappy continental breakfast the next morning. As a warning to non-Spanish speaking patrons, there is no menu to peruse once you arrive. I was able to order using my mediocre Spanish and a lot of pointing. The service was friendly and accommodating, however, and we left with exactly what we wanted. Definitely worth a visit - it was the best Nicaraguan food I've ever had, hands down. Being forewarned about and prepared to navigate the potential language barrier is key to having a good experience here.
(4)Charity Z.
The Carne Asada and Gallo Pinto are incredible. You get 2 strips of carne for $2.50. (2 strips is plenty per person) I fed 13 people for less than $100. It is a long drive in a not so great neighborhood with very limited parking but well worth it. Don't be deterred by the appearance of the place. Or the long lines, it moves quickly. If you are having a Getty and want to impress your guests order take out from here! You won't be disappointed.
(4)Yvelin R.
I had this place cater the meat for my first baby shower and had no complaints from any of the guests, more than 100 to be exact. Everybody enjoyed it...so much that they went for seconds and thirds! Good thing I ordered plenty of it. I've also tried their gallo pinto, salad, fried queso and tajadas. Lots of calories and not a food I personally go out of my way to eat but pretty good nonetheless.
(4)Jose B.
Delicious and trustworthy big meal open on a Sunday night at 4:30am must come here for Nicaraguan food get the carne asada meal with fried cheese please note that the fried cheese is extra as well as hot sauce the store was luckily open and you can get good treats in there you will not be disappointed this and yambos are equally good they both stay open for almost the whole night
(5)Jorge B.
The food was good but it is a Fritanga which means the food is already prepared. There is so much business that the food is fresh. They are famous for their Carne Asada (grilled meat) and rightfully so. It is moist and flavorful. The seating is almost all outside and relative to their busyness caused most people to take their food to go. I also was not impressed in the way they were refilling emptying food containers. Yet the food was very tasty and I will go back but at times were they are less busy.
(3)Pedro B.
Just wait it's all worth it . Carne asada , gallo pinto , queso frito, ensalada and cacao with proudly to say the best authentic nica tortillas other than Nicaragua ! Would show pics no need ! Where there's lines there's great food period where there's movement of food it'll always fresh ! Hands down the best nica spot in Miami .
(5)Jiten S.
Pinolandia has some o' the best authentic Nicaraguan food at the best price point in the Miami area. Open 24 hours, night and day, you can savor this original delicacy at all times: it's undoubtedly delicious!! Incredibly casual atmosphere here at Pinolandia, with families, couples, young and old. Not the best ambiance by any stretch, but the rockin' cuisine will surely draw you in. While there's often a long line (sometimes out the door), the rapid service ensures you'll receive your meal in no time. Food can easily be taken to go. Highlights: be sure to try the carne asada, gallo pinto, tajadas, queso frito. To drink, the cacao drink is superb.
(4)Jean Marcos H.
Great food! Decent portions, bit of slow service. Minimum credit card purchase is $7.00
(5)Margarita H.
My favorite fritanga! I love it! That carne asada so juicy n cooked well done. Everything is tasty!
(5)Norma G.
You go there for the food not the ambience! That's for sure! I've never been disappointed, but it's true you CAN'T eat this food every day, as good as it is you would end up rolling your way out of there! But oh my god... It's soooo good. As a 100% Nica this is the place I go to when I get homesick.
(5)Kristine R.
If you are a tourist and want authentic then do yourself a favor and come here. Ask for carne asada, Gallo pinto, queso frito and you'll be set. Love me some nica food!
(4)Vicki H.
Omg... This is so good. Don't be put off by the look, lack of parking, or location. This is one book you should definitely not judge by it's cover!
(5)Solange G.
This use to be my favorite place but their customer service and small pieces of meat has turned me off!! There are a bunch of other Nicaraguan fritanga restaurants in the area. Gloria has a big attitude! She didn't say thanks and just left my food on the counter, I had to ask another attendant for my food. They also increased their prices with no visble sign or warning.
(1)Pauline R.
I could eat this everyday! Every time my husband and I go back home to Miami we order pinolandia every single day for 2-3 weeks straight lol.
(5)Denia N.
Tried out this place while on vacation in Miami from NC on June 2014. I have to say, this has to be the best food ever!!! I friend took us there and I was VERY discouraged by the appearance of the place but wow I wish I could just go back. You must try the carne asada rice and bean and the fried cheese. Not sure of the names at the place because I was not the one who ordered. Love Nicaraguan food even though I'm Honduran.
(5)Franklin M.
We came here late at night to have dinner. We ordered the carne asada, gallo pinto, platano, and fried cheese. The food was very good and you can share a plate with someone since you get a lot of food. I also went to Yambo a week before and I like Yambo better.
(4)Mmm Y.
Love this place, literally "hole in the wall" fast moving, line is always looooong, but moves quickly, food is always ready, little to no space to seat, but that's ok, still like it. --- specially when looking for ready to eat, home cooked eating.
(5)Eddie D.
No frills is an understatement. Third world almost fully captures it. The food though is unbeatable, particularly for the price. $7.50 buys you two big pieces of 'carne asada' (grilled steak), a heap of gallo pinto (rice and red beans) and a fresh tortilla. For $1.50 more you get 'queso' (fried cheese). This is the specialty of the house. It's buffet style and there are plenty of other options. Highly recommend takeout. Don't forget the vinegary hot sauce, not spicy but very flavorful.
(4)Oscar R.
Best place to get a quick bite to eath here in Miami. CafeterÃa style serving and food is always ready for you to order and go or even eat in. For nine dollars you and someone else can eat a great meal. Only issue you'll run into is if there's no parking.
(5)Lauren A.
The best fritanga in Miami for sure!!! Yes its not in the best neighborhood and the parking sucks...but TRUST me, it is well worth it!! The price is good and the carne asada is delicious! Don't forget to get the queso frito :)
(5)Gigi G.
I am pleased with the food, it does have an authentic taste, the only thing that sucks is the line and the parking lot, also the seating, I think there's about 20 chairs but if you're into going in and out to eat at home you will not be disappointed. Esa carne asada y queso frito is an orgasm in your mouth jaja
(4)Keith P.
I felt like I was venturing off onto the New World as I stepped into Pinolandia. It may have been because I was leaving my safe space of Shenandoah to go to this place where I did not speak the language (Spanish) or had to walk a long way (10 minutes) because there was no parking lot, but boy, was I tired when I got there. But good thing they make you walk because the food here tends to be rich and heavy. Anyhow, if I had to describe Pinolandia in a few words, it would be: "hole in the wall fritanga" But it's holes in the walls like this that make me love Miami. I had to wait in a long line because this place is remarkable and has long lines for lunch and a steamy counter of goods waiting to be displayed guarded with a glass case. The glass tends to fog up, so I couldn't see everything that was there until I was a few inches away from it. I ordered gallo pinto, maduros, carne asada and a slice of fried cheese. The gallo pinto was crispy, and you could taste a tinge of oil. The maduros were juicy, and the carne asada was perfection. There was a good portion of it (three strips), and the fried cheese was good until it dried up and had a rubbery feel as you chewed it up after cooling. It was definitely worth the $8. I will definitely come here again, but not frequently because the food here tastes rich. They offer you a lot of food, but not as much as Yambo (which is maybe a good thing). I highly recommend you get a side of "crema" for your rice. It adds something special to it.
(5)Herman G.
Stopped here one night on the way home. I had seen it on yelp, and was curious, and plus...it was so late that my options were pretty limited. It's a bit sketchy of a neighborhood (especially at 2am), but the place was packed. It's a cafeteria line kind of place - but really everyone is there for the same thing...the carne asada, gallo pinto, queso frito, and platanos. Yeah, it's a heavy combo plate. It was good and did the job, but the ambiance and lack of seating and service made it drop a couple of points in my book. Otherwise, solid late night choice to absorb some alcohol!
(3)Gladys M.
Every time I go home to visit my family in Miami I go to this place. I have yet to find a better Nicaraguense restaurant than this place. Everything is usually cooked perfectly. There is ALWAYS a line, but it is worth the long wait!
(5)Ricky A.
Best carne asada in town! The gallo pinto is ok but definitely worth it just for the meat.
(5)Jorge D.
Best Nica carne asada in Miami. Not even close. Everything else is ok at best. Stick to the basics here : Steak, rice and beans, fried cheese, tortilla. Be prepared to wait in line if you go during meal times. seem like they're always open. Although careful, it's in the hood...
(4)Elba L.
Best food ever it's very good it's my favorite food it's great anyone should go it's amazing!
(5)Yasmin T.
If I wanted burned food I would have asked. My meat was burned and they were not friendly at all when I asked them to change it. Pinolandia is not what it used to be years ago and staff treats you like they were doing you a favor. I will never come back. This used to be the one spot I used to come twice a week with my whole family. They lost a loyal customer.
(1)Aida P.
This place has great, authentic Nicaraguan food. I mean it's really delicious!! Another plus is the fact that it's open 24 hours. I have gotten off of work at 7:30 AM and bought carne asada, gallo pinto, maduros, and queso frito. This place is not much on atmosphere, or ambiance but it makes up on food quality and low prices. Do not come here if you are trying to impress someone. This is not a date spot. They also have a small grocery store at the back if the restaurant that sells many different Nicaraguan specialties. I love this place. I love their food, low prices, convenience, and fast service. Even if there is a long line (which there usually is during lunch and dinner) it moves pretty quickly. I usually take the food to go. I definetly recommend this place. I'm here at least once a month. If Iived closer I might be there daily.
(5)Iviss A.
There's usually always a line... But the food is worth the wait. Service is average food is awesome
(5)Monique P.
Another guest was very nice by helping my friend and I order. The food is good, will definitely be getting the steak again.
(5)Margery H.
This place was the perfect little place for lunch with excellent Latin food options. The only challenge is you really need to know Spanish to order, as there is no menu and most of the employees didn't know English. Seating is a bit limited and there was a huge line when we went (around 3 pm) but the service was quick and the food quality made up for it.
(5)Ronnier R.
I love My Nicaraguan food and this place is as close as it gets to my mothers cooking!!! If your planing on eating authentic Nica food... This place is it!!!
(5)Leena S.
I went with my niece to get her some tajadas. . that's all she wanted. There was a lady there short dark skinned that serves the food. She was very rude when we asked for tajadas she asked with what and we told her again nothing just tajadas. And she asked again with what with a nasty attitude. she finally gave her tajadas and 1 thing of picante. So we asked for another and again she gave us attitude and told us that she can only give us one we would have to pay for another. . I told her that was fine.. She threw my change on the counter. So I went off on her and called the manager and told her about it. I will never go back. If I'm giving you money the least you do is be tolerable and not disgusting rude. She was being nasty to a 14 yr old girl. Made her cry. She was lucky it was public place. If you go don't expect nice people be prepared for bad customer service.
(1)Stephanie D.
A taste of Nicaragua in the heart of Miami. For under $10 I ordered a carne asada meal, which included gallo pinto, platano maduros & a piece of queso frito. The meat was cooked to perfection and the food portion is outrageous!! TWO THUMBS UP!! "Barriga llena, corazon contento"
(5)Jerad G.
My friend found this place on Yelp for us to try my first day in Miami, and I didn't know what to expect. While I waited in line I watched what everyone else ordered. It was the carne asada plate almost every time. I followed their lead and wasn't disappointed.
(5)Pat G.
My favorite to go spot. Best bang for your buck!! Without a doubt the best grilled meat in Miami. I recommend the "carne asada con gallo pinto". In addition you might want to try the fried cheese. Huge portions so I encourage you to come with an empty stomach and an appetite. Long lines is the only complaint I have.
(4)Mario O.
It's not 24/7!!!!!!!! And if you come late at night you want to buy your food and go not wait....making me never to come back....Love the food. But today am writing a review. It's been several times I get there and they are supposedly cleaning the floor. And they tell us they are about to finish and make us wait for 45 mins. If they advertise the place it's 24/7 then they shouldn't close the store to supposedly clean the floor. This gets me really upset. And the on Wednesday they close again. Management should do something about this and not have customer waiting outside. If store is open then the store should be open. If not just close the store not have us waiting. I love the food. Hate this closing thing to clean the floor. wtF!!!!!! Smh please management do something about it... There was a line waiting for a long time.
(2)Irvin D.
Good food! But you better know the name of the particular food items you will order or they will give you a peculiar look. The whole ordering process feels rushed which creates an uncomfortable experience.
(4)Rob L.
Best Nicaraguan food around. Prices are good and the "carne asada" is delicious. Restaurant is nothing fancy. It's like a school lunch line. You make the line, approach the counter where all the food is on display, order what you want and pay. Downside: Lines can get long. Not really enough space to eat-in. Tables aren't always clean. But it's great food, great prices. They have a typical Nicaraguan beverages, pastries, tortillas and random stuff in the back room. The backroom is CASH ONLY. I just recommend take-out, and making the line is probably worth it.
(5)Tania G.
2 people can eat from one meal - no joke. the carne asada is packed with flavor and the queso frito is perfect. this place is a gem. an old, beaten down, down to the nitty gritty gem.
(4)Tisha B.
I love this place! The queso blanco, carne asada n gallo pinto is amazing.
(5)Mark H.
Pinolandia is the kind of dive that makes legitimate restaurants look bad in comparison. And by look bad, I mean taste bad. Like many of its clientele, Pinolania isn't much to look at. You won't see any beautiful people sitting outside on modernist lounges sipping martinis, and you won't be served by a smiling waiter. What Pinolandia is known for is plentiful, mouth-watering food served 24/7 at a very reasonable price. Try under $9 for a heaping Styrofoam platter heaped with rice and beans, fried plantains, fried queso blanco, and the kind of juicy, tender, succulent meat that you keep masticating well after necessary because it tastes too good to swallow. Mmmm. 50 Shades of Grey has nothing on this review. Anyhow, try it out. Food this good is worth a trip.
(5)Dainy L.
expect to speak spanish and the employee expectation that you are lesser human being the second you step in the door and likely at no fault of your own, but at the hand of an overseer extorting human labor for pennies on the hour. the line easily took 20 minutes to serve the 4 people ahead as the three employees each manning the cashier, the grill, and the hot table clearly are in no hurry at work or in life. come my friend's turn and learning that el no habla espanol, the baby-faced Cuban gent in a minor chef's cap, leered with impatience, assumed a condescending stance, and directed my friend to point at the items he wanted as he watched from a distance (foolproof approach, right?) surprisingly, there was miscommunication. Minor chef, proceeded to speed shovel everything into a styrofoam tray without so much as a glance upwards for confirmation. so the wrong item got scooped. we asked that he swap it out - a two scoop effort. he refused. we asked why. he points to a lovely vinyl-lettered sign explicating their totalitarian regiment and enumerating the reasons they hate their customers: 1. don't use your cell phone while ordering. 2. no refund after your food has been eaten. 3. do not smile or be happy, etc etc etc... we hold our position. minor chef throws a tantrum and walks away to the grill muttering. the cashier comes up and inquires about the situation. we tell her what's up. she seems ready to oblige us and relays the message to minor chef, who clearly is now enemy and thwarts the moment of customer compassion with a stubborn bellow. her eyes shift away and no longer make contact as if put in her place - yay, macho latin culture! despite the 6 hours since our last meal, we walk out to foil minor chef's attempt at forcing us to purchase food we did not want and found the warm maternal love of the ladies at Yambo just around the corner.
(1)Alex O.
Excellent carne asada. When I lived in Miami this was a great place to go. Traditional plate comes with gallo pinto (rice and bean mixture), maduros (sweet plantains) carne asada, and maybe some queso frito (fried cheese). As you could guess its very "heavy". But it really hits the spot! The place is kind of dirty and cramped, which is the only thing holding it back in my opinion.
(4)Matt B.
I've been to this place thrice. It's definitely in not-the-greatest-part-of town. I don't discern as much as many, but a lot of these Centro American restaurants are put there, and most taste the same to me. This place had great food though. It might be the best 3am authentic latin meal in the town. Though not stellar... It is really good and the feeling of walking through this shithole building that's always packed, sometimes with mad sketchy people, only to get these huge soul food entree, is kinda cool. Not a date spot FYI. MB
(4)Michael H.
"IT IS WHAT IT IS!" If you like Gallo Pinto with Carne Asada this is your place Always full, always busy, always open! Dive but worth the trip If your short of $$$, don't worry. very reasonable!!! Lots of variety and always fresh "Something different"
(3)Jorge M.
Pros. Place was PACKED at nine pm with locals. Carne Asada gallo pinto plantains all excellent. I fed five people for 25.00! The other people in line were very patient and helped us order. THANKS!!!! Cons. Very small place. Line up tell the Spanish only lady ( soup nazi) what u want. Do u can watch her get annoyed No place to sit ( it's packed remember) I still can't figure out where to get a bebida. Maybe next door? Conclusion. I would return if I bring a Spanish speaking friend. the food was very good.
(4)Jason J.
1. Do not judge a book by its cover. 2. No ambiance for those looking for decor 3. If you have trouble communicating just point 4. You must order the carne asada (steak) 5. Order the fried cheese 6. Drinks can be purchased in the convenience store that's attached 7. Must pay with cash less you spend at least $10 8. ENJOY Parking is not easy to find but you can park in the neighborhood. You will not be disappointed. We ordered for 6 people and only spent $46. I have no regrets whatsoever
(5)Ashley G.
Been to this place only about a hand full of times. The food has a good flavor but I don't not want to imagine how it's made. The meat is storage in a garbage can, flies everywhere, inside are only two tables which are always packed and now they have outside tables, but with the Miami weather and bugs makes it disgusting to sit outside. I recommend to take your food home. Very small place and no parking at all !
(1)Aj F.
Great food! My wife and I are Filipino and love to eat and try new food. This was recommended to us by someone and we were impressed. We got this for our 3 hour drive down to Key West and it was great and fulfilling. Granted we over ordered like crazy and didn't know what the names of the items were besides what we saw on Yelp...The food selections there looked great and what we got was great!
(5)Tennison Z.
Best meat from all the Nicaraguan fritangas in the area. Courteous staff and the main staple (Carne Asada) is always available. I usually don't venture into the rest of the menu, simply because I'm so stuck on always ordering the grilled meat. The portions are huge and could feed a couple if you eat small meals. The horchata is pretty decent here too.
(4)Jake P.
I wish I could give this place 6 stars. I have been searching all of FL to find some top notch Carne Asada. If you are unfamiliar with Carne Asada, you need to stop reading this review and map Pinolandia on your GPS because this place will change your life. Probably my favorite restaurant in all of Miami.
(5)Jordan N.
Good prices and food - Nicaraguan buffet a la carte. Pick what you want, and pay in the end. Was pointed to this place thanks to the guest writer at the Miami Dish blog. I had the fried chayote stuffed with cheese, a fried corn tortilla "burrito" stuffed with rice and pork (pescozón), and the carne asada - all of which were yummy. It seems that the batter they use to fry stuff is slightly different than other places, but I may be wrong.
(5)Eli C.
As a central american and a miami native ive been all over miami eating central american food , i must say this place has the BEST meat and gallo pinto!! Down side is that the meat are skinny little turds (not enough) and if you want an extra turd its like 2something extra... Still, they give a great portion (enough for two in one) and there cacao is a must have! The place is a dump and somewhat of a sweat shop but who effin cares when your looking for amazing food?!?! Now if only the employees there werent rude and mean muggin all pissed off at the world id give the place 5 Stars ..... In all actuality there food gets 5stars there service a 2 star (and thats omly because some of them arent mean lookin or rude) Nonetheless, very much recommended !!!
(4)Ellena L.
Honestly the food IS good, BUT the LONG lines and the fact that they see there's lots of people waiting and refuse to put more people to help the situation out , over shadows this place being great. Like i mentioned the food is good, and the portions are good as well, but with so many other Fritanga's around the way serving the same portion OR more with cheaper prices, i don't see the big deal anymore.
(3)BeerMe S.
After getting lost looking for a different place to eat we asked a local who directed us to come here...I'm sooo glad we got lost. The place had a continuous line out the door, I couldn't communicate with anyone, we have no idea what we ordered, but it was ALL AWESOMELY DELICIOUS!
(4)Tina K.
I could picture Anthony Bourdaine waiting in line here filing an episode of No Reservations, in fact, I'm surprised he didn't come here during his Miami episode. It is tiny and has a tiny little gas station type store in the back to buy drinks - no beer though : (. There's only 3 fast food bench tables inside so I wouldn't bank on finding a seat. The line normally wraps out the door and down the street but it moves fast. Busier for lunch than for dinner. People behind the counter move fast, steaks and chicken charring on the grills, Gallo pinto being hauled out of the kitchen and poured into plastic containers. They don't speak English but you can see the food laid out cafeteria style so you can always point and nod. Got the Carne Asada which is what everyone recommended, beautifully charred although the cut of meat was befitting its 7$ price. The Nicaraguan slaw is vinegary and much better than the normal mayo filled coleslaw. Seems like people put the slaw on everything from the plantains (I like the sweet plantains) to the meat to the rice and beans. I also got the fried cheese which is a crumbly hard cheese that they pan fry so its stiff, don't expect melting mozzarella but taste great when eaten with plantains. Also ordered the cheese dessert crepe, which is a thick crepe rolled in Cinnamon and sugar and sprinkled with the same hard crumbly cheese. I would rate the food a 3.5 star but the atmosphere and price raises it to a 4 star - perfect when you want to get down and dirty.
(4)Joseluis A.
oh man .. where do i begin? this fritanga is awesome. i was with a friend, hoping to get some mexican food around the neighborhood but the smell of carne asada (grilled meat) lured us to pinolandia. we got there at 9pm on friday night. the place was packed. everything looked delicious. i knew we were in for something special. theres something really awesome about low budget eateries and that is that they are actually doing better despite our sore economy. the owners at pinolandia noticed an increase on customers the last few months so they are now open 24 hours a day like el yambo. awesome! i had gallo pinto (nicaraguan style rice with beans) with lengua guisada (tongue, yes tongue get over it), tortilla, queso frito, maduros and salad. the gallo pinto was just good but i have to say i like it better at yambo but... everything else was just awesome. they serve pretty generous portions too. my friend had the same thing i did but with carne asada instead which was delicious. we also ordered another portion like his to go and we ended up paying 22$ for everything. so much food! so good! i am positive i will be coming back to pinolandia, perhaps stumbling at 4am in the morning, any given sunday.
(5)HK L.
yo no soy nica pero amo este lugar. Best Carne asada gallo pinto NIca food...!!!
(5)Rosa C.
YUMMY! O-M-G after you've tried this place all other Fritanga places seem mediocre at best. The meat is of course their selling point, I was tired of getting dry meat at Fritangas and was seriously about to give them up altogether until my mom introduced me to Pinolandia. The one downside to this place is parking and that it's ALWAYS busy, No matter what time you go! Fortunately for me, they just opened up a location in Cutler Bay literally across the street from my house! Please visit this location folks (it's right off the 184th exit on Tpike in the shopping center where Le Petite Academy is)... I would hate to see them close down like the last 2 restaurants that were there.
(5)King T.
When we walked through the front door, we moseyed to the back of a decent line. That would've been OK, but it was really hot inside since there was no air conditioning. Anyways, it was eventually our turn to order. The food on the hot table looked good. Unfortunately, there was no menu or signs that explained what everything was. So I asked the food server what she recommended. That wouldn't have been a problem, except that she didn't speak English. But she could speak Spanish. Only...I didn't know how to speak Spanish. After a long, epic, drawn-out series of pointing and facial expressions, I got some rice, carne asada, plantains, and fried cheese. The food itself wasn't that great. I was not a fan of the fried cheese. The carne asada was probably the only saving grace, but even that was a tad overcooked and burnt.
(2)Eddie Z.
I have never been a big fan of Carne Asada until I tried Pinolandia's Carne Asada. Wow, I almost feel like it's a crime to get such a big serving of carne asada, gallo pinto, salad, and plantains all for $7. The place in the back also has the bomb Cacao drink as well as a bunch of other delicious drinks. Word to the wise, they sell chia in the back for $5 a lb, at Whole Foods, about 17 bucks.
(5)Joseph C.
I have to say that I really enjoy eating some good old fritanga for lunch every now and then and this place stands out from all of the others for a couple of reasons. The first reason is because the food is so good. Their gallo pinto (beans and rice) for one, is some of the best I've ever had. The carna asada (grilled steak) is tender, juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Also, their queso frito (fried cheese) is really good. The second reason is because of what this place looks like. For one, if you are driving too fast or not paying close attention, there is no way that you are going to find it. It is on the East side of NW12th Ave tucked into a cluster of buildings. It has a sign with coloful letters on the outside which is the landmark that I usually look for. Once you walk in you're going to notice that is is quite tiny and is attached to a small market. This market is where you will have to proceed to purchase your drinks because they do not sell any where they make the food. The dining area it self consists of about three booths. I usually do take-out here so it isn't an issue for me. One thing I like about this place is that although it's small and located in a somewhat sketchy area, the kicten is open so you get to watch them grill the meat and prepare your food. The prices here are pretty cheap and you get plenty of food for your money. There are a decent variety of things to choose from but I always stick to the items I mentioned above. Also, keep in mind that it is cash only here. I'm pretty sure that there is a bank across the street just in case you forget.
(4)kim n.
Absolutely love this place. The line is constantly out the door, and for good reason. For under $20, my husband and I bought 2 take out boxes filled with food. The carne asada comes with 2 sides and a salad for about $8. The carne asada is juicy and tender, cooked perfectly. And they are definitely not stingy with the gallo pinto. Only wish they would have given us more of that delicious sauce. We also had the queso frito and the fried corn tortilla burrito. That burrito is it's own meal! Filled with rice and pork, it was extremely flavorful. Again, all of this for under $20....how can you not love this place.
(5)Olivia L.
The place is always packed and lets face it the servers are not exactly the friendliest people in town, HOWEVER, the meat is worth it! A couple of months back they changed their schedule to 24 hrs and boy oh boy is this spot the place to hit after a night out on the town! Try the queso frito! You won't regret it.
(4)Julie J.
This place has excellent Latin food filled with different tastes. They serve as a restaurant and even cater which I have used a multiple amount of time and has I have always had a great experience with it. My favorite is the Carne Asada.
(4)Gaby G.
I have never been to this type of eatery before but i do know my meats and rice. The carne asada in sauce was perfectly done. The picante sauce was pretty good, but i have tasted better. As for the rice, the flavor was extremely good but what makes this place a 3 star instead of a 4 is the fact that the rice was undercooked. I eat rice each and every day, so i can tell this as a fact. Other than that, eating here is an experience all by itself. The best thing us the price, $6.00 for a huge takeout plate. Buen Provecho!
(3)Gus M.
I guess I went on a bad night, because people seem to love this place. A friend of mine at work recommended it, and I ventured out one Thursday night to try it out. After an hour of driving around looking around, I realized I passed it about five times, because their big sign that says "Pinolandia" was turned off. C'mon, what is that? Anyway, I do love these hole in the wall, late night spots, but this one just didn't do it for me. The place was empty, no one else was there besides the employees. The meat was pretty good, and tasted fresh, but the rice was just awful. It tasted like there were small rocks inside and I was fearing for my teeth the whole time. Probably old, dry rice they never threw out. The 'queso frito' was just sub-par. It was hard to cut and chew throughout. Each plate (of meat, rice, cole salad, and queso frito) was about $8.00. The staff is very quiet and to themselves, but they seem to be happy serving you. There was a lot of noise at the time I went, with kitchen equipment being thrown around and such. A little store quietly operates in the back, having all sorts of weird sodas and candies. Everything in the place is cash only, and the only atm is across the street at a Suntrust Bank, which charges you $2.50 to withdraw cash. There are other places like these (for the same prices) which offer you more (where were my plantains?!) bang for your buck.
(3)Mariela P.
This place is delicious! Sometimes the lines are huge but its worth the wait. My boyfriend loves carne asada and he's actually the one who brought me here, I love it!
(5)Bil R.
My nicaraguan friends dragged me to this place for lunch one day. Now I drag them. If you go at meal times the line is out the door. There are only 2 or 3 tables, so plan to take it to go. Prices are cheap, food is flavorful,
(5)Ant M. A.
This might have to be one of the best fritangas in Miami. You can smell this place from a mile away. One thing that gets me here is the parking and the brutal line. It is always packed during the day and let's not even talk about weekends. The variation in food is great and there is plenty to select from. The enchiladas are outstanding and the carne asada is always sizzling off the grill. The portions are more than enough for 2. They are open 24/7 which to me is fantastic because it comes in handy after a long night out.
(4)Fay L.
Sometimes you get tired of nuggets, burgers and french fries and want real food. Just found out today that this is the place! Long line, may get hit by the entrance door and bad parking, but definitely worth it. Carne asada is awesome!
(5)Princess V.
LOVE IT! what's not to love beef, rice & sweet plantain for $6.50? amazing could eat here every day! only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because they need a bigger place other than that everything is great :D oh & they need a delivery service!
(4)John S.
Not exactly beautiful, but the best Nica food in Miami that I've had so far. You can have an entire meal (gallo pinto w/ carne asada and platanos) for about $6.00.. Their cacao's (drink) are on point. You get tons of food and they always cook the carne asada fresh. By the way, translations for Americans: Carne asada- basically thick pieces of steak. Platanos- Fried Plantains. Cacaos- this drink that basically tastes like chocolate milk, but much better.
(5)Jamie F.
Now that I know this is close to my house it will be a regular go to for dinner options. BONUS - the portions are so large that I will have lunch the next day as well! Being a gringa - ordering certainly scared me but as it turns out a smile and some curiosity will work in your favor. The place is set up cafeteria style and there was a line, but it moved quickly and the service was fine. I ordered the infamous carne asada and basically said yes to everything else that went with it - no matter what you get the price is the same. Eight dollars! I am no fritanga expert, nor have I been to Nicaragua but here is what I thought. The meat and gallo pinto (rice and beans) were great, the cheese I will pass on and next time I will try the tortilla over the plantains, although they were great. I am just a homemade tortilla fan. Salad consists of a tangy cabbage slaw and the relish boosts all the flavors up a notch! Tip and they will give you a calendar and a pen!
(5)Mariela D.
Ok...talk about the most spectacular hell hole in the wall I have ever come across. So...there we were... completely indecisive about what we wanted to eat. The day had been horrible and we felt like lazy slobs and wanted something good and hearty to eat. Now, my Cowboy still had never had Central American carne asada! So we asked my cousin to point us to a good place. Once we inputed the address in the Nav. system, we still passed this place twice! Thats how small it is. It was dark and raining...so sue us. So in we went and there was a freaken line in the freaken RAIN! Now, let me tell you, when you see your people standing out in the rain for food from a rat hole.... IT BETTER BE DELICIOUS FOOD! AND IT WAS!!!!!!!!!!! Cowboy almost had a heart attack at the line, but I hushed him up and made him wait with me! The line moved pretty fast and when we got our food, we were tempted to pull over on the side of the road and just chow down!!!!! But we waited and when we got home, IT WAS INSANELY DELICIOUS! The tortillas were moist and thick, the meat melted in our mouths, the salad was true Central American, the rice and beans... on point! We chowed down like it was our last meal on Earth! And for two FULL meals, that we had enough for the next day, we spent 16 dollars!!!! Now, there are some draw backs - Its difficult to get to. We had trouble finding parking as well. - Not in the best part of town. - Uhm, white Cowboy was looked like he was the 'Migra so that was weird. The customers looked kind of put off or something to see someone like him there....actually, that was more funny than a con. But all in all the food was so great and the prices so cheap, I could not give them less than five stars! Its soooooooooooo good. Please try it... you have not truly lived until you have had some good Central American Carne Asada! Im a Catracha so I KNOW good carne asada! Yum! Oh and the ladies positively simpered and died when Cowboy turned on the megawatt charmed and that was hilarious! Great service!!!!! Those ladies work hard with a huge smile so kuddos! Oh and I almost forgot, there really is no where to sit. It more of a take out type of place. Also its open 24/7!!!
(5)Patrick T.
i like this place. one plate is easily enough for two humans with good appetite and it was only like $6~ i had the carne asada with the maduro and the pinto. it was delicious. my first nicaraguan cuisine. unable to comment on authenticity, as i have yet to travel there ... however it was spanish only and clientele seemed mostly local. which is super duper cool like penguins on ice. also had the rice pudding thing which was like $2 and pretty good too :D
(5)Rob C.
it's like one of those busy "hidden" spots that would be featured on the travel channel. long lines, meat cooked on the open grill with no ventilation thus the flavors permeating the air, only a couple tables -- so take to go, and no English. food laid out cafeteria style, with a smaller bakery/drink storefront in the back. had the carne asada and a pork rib dish with gallo pinto and maduros, cheap, not the best, but a good experience, noticed some fried potato, overall selection small oh, and they have chicha drink here -- in all its pink glory
(5)Ivonne Marie C.
Credit is given where it's due, and the simple fact that this place is always sooooo packed says something to me - that Nicaraguans like the food - so to honor their taste-buds, and because they know authentic flavor better than I do, I'm adding one more star to this place. That and the fact that at 7pm after going to three other places Pinolandia was the only place that still had salpicon. I still like the flavor of the food at Monimbo better, but the one on 12th is always empty, while this place is so crowded the line sometimes goes out the door. So in the name of authenticity, this place is A-OK.
(3)Christopher T.
Great flavor. Great price. Great food. I used to live in Miami and would come here for lunch as much as I could. I wish I could find a place anywhere in the NYC area with Nicaraguan food.
(5)Jeanet R.
Pretty good food and now open 24hours! But tends to be crowded in the day time hours.
(4)