Calle Ocho in Little Havana, the latin heart of Miami, is known for its energy, its music and above all its food. For years, one of the most favorite places was El Santo Taqueria, a restaurant the mixed taco flavors with the festive spirit of Mexican culture.
However that chapter has come to and end. And now, another space has born at the same location: El Cuban Diner, a restaurant that combines the best of classic American food with Cuban flavors, creating a bridge between the two neighbor cultures sharing the passion for good food.
El Cuban Diner: A new flavor in Calle Ocho
The opening of the restaurant was celebrate at 1620 SW 8th Street, in the heart of Little Havana. According to What Now, the place recreates the Cuban atmosphere of the 50’s, with red fluffy chairs, neon lights and retro aesthetics that make the visitors feel like inside of and vintage postcard.
The menu mixes traditional dishes from Cuba with typical recipes form the U.S. One of the favorite plates is the Frita Cubana (a chorizo burger served on soft bread), the classic Hotdog with mustard and caramelized onions, and the Pan Con Lechón, on of the beloved symbols of Cuban kitchen.
They also have roasted pork bowls, “vaca frita,” creole chicken or salmon; fresh salads like Caesar or prosciutto with burrata; Italian-style pizzas and pasta, like Penne al Pesto Genovese or macaroni with three types of cheese. With so many options it might be difficult to get tired of the place!
Desserts are more of a nostalgia voyage: rice pudding, flan, torrejas with ice cream or cheesecake with passion fruit. In addition, the “Cuban” milkshakes come in flavors such as strawberry with Maria cookie or Oreo with coconut.
And, of course, the bar is not far behind, they prepare mojitos and Cuba Libre as tradition dictates.
From El Santo Taqueria to El Cuban Diner
According to Gastronomica Miami, the group that own these places, (the location where El Santo Taqueria operated and an additional space) now is the home for both El Cuban Diner and Ciao Havana, another restaurant of the same group that fuses Cuban and Italian flavors.
El Santo Taquería, opened in 2019 next to the secret bar Don Diablo, and it offered tacos, burritos and cocktails, at a place that embodied “the colorful revelry of Lucha Libre culture and the distinct pleasure of Mexican food.” The bar, was reborn as CostaNostra Nightclub, and still keeps the night alive energy go the place. According to Miami Herald, the change aims to highlight the cultural and gastronomic evolution of Little Havana while keeping the latin essence but adapting to a public that’s looking for new culinary experiences.
Little Havana: culture, history and living tradition
Visiting Little Havana is to immerse yourself in a little piece of Cuba within the United States. That’s how Miami and Beaches describe it: the neighborhood is not only famous for its food, but also for its art, its festivals, its music and its characters. At the Parque Máximo Gómez, the neighbors are always playing dominoes under the trees while tourists go around coffees and shops that smell like tobacco and baked cakes.
On the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, stars on the ground celebrate Latin artists the left a footprint in culture; a sign of proud and heritage that defines the community. Every corner tell a bit to the story: immigration, effort, family and love for tradition.
A new era with the same Latin flavor
Saying goodbye to El Santo Taqueria is definitely closing a huge cycle, but the arrival of El Cuban Diner shows that Calle Ocho is still alive, and yes, changing but without losing its soul.