Wheat shakes to juicy steaks Discover the culinary secrets of Hialeah’s 49th Street
Hialeah is often associated with Cuban food, but diners can find much more than local fare these days on West 49th Street, where restaurants serve dishes for all tastes, including the most refined palates.
Although more than
75% of its residents are of Cuban origin, this city is home to other Hispanic communities, including Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Nicaraguans and Hondurans. That has led to restaurants making efforts to cater to customers who speak the same language but whose gastronomic traditions are different.
Hialeah’s 49th Street even has its own hamburger, named after the owners of Trigo Café, located at the western end of the commercial corridor.
TRIGO CAFÉ
Since it opened six years ago, Trigo Café has sought to offer the most traditional Cuban food in an innovative way. The wheat shake, which inspired its name, is a puffed wheat shake mixed with milk and sugar, a nostalgic flavor for the Cuban community.
The restaurant will soon expand to become Trigo Tapas & Wine. It offers the typical “arroz a la cubana,” made with rice, fried eggs and sweet plantains as Hialeah Comfort, an ideal dish for brunch.
If you’re looking for a quick meal instead, there is the 49th Street Burger, served with caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, bacon and a fried egg.
Also on the menu are salads, sandwiches and main dishes of meat or chicken.
Address: 839 W. 49th St.
Telephone: 786-6168952
Hours: 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday; till 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
I HEART FRIES
The guilty pleasure of fried food is at the center of I Heart Fries, a fastfood restaurant that offers dishes with an original twist.
A base of French fries with the protein of your choice (chicken, steak, shredded beef, shrimp, pork, chorizo) allows diners to taste a variety of international dishes with typical flavors from German, American, Argentine, Cuban, Italian and Venezuelan cuisines.
Its greatest draw is the crisp fries — you’ll always want to eat one more.
Address: External area of Westland Mall, 1675 W 49th St.
Telephone: 305-4569234
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; till 8 p.m. Sunday
PINCHO
If you feel like eating a pincho (kebab) accompanied by vegetables, rice, beans or tostones (fried plantains), this is the place to go.
This franchise has 10 locations in South Florida,
and one of them is in the commercial heart of Hialeah, with a wide range of culinary options: hamburgers, rice bowls, hot dogs; all accompanied by a protein pincho (meat,
chicken, seafood).
Recently, Pincho was listed as one of the 100 best fast-food restaurants in the United States. This year marks its 12th year in the fast-food market.
Address: 4950 W 12th Ave.
Telephone: 786-4092818
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10
SEE FOOD, 6A