Exquisito Restaurant

The worst Cuban dinning experience that I have ever had, especially the service. They also did not accept a coupon that I was issued by my firm. The waiter was lost in every aspect, no water refill, and when we decided to take some of the food home, they charged us 30 cents for the container. The food took a long time, and they brought out the plates at different times. Will never, ever go there again. more

Let's start with the service is terrible. My husband and I started with the Tapas Exquisito which came with pork chunks that were dry and overfried in what I can only imagine was very old oil, the other items on this sampler appetizer were clearly out of a box. I ordered a Filet (beef tenderloin), they brought me a fatty, hard piece of shoe leather. I sent it back and asked for a breaded steak, instead they then brought me fried chicken, with fries that were old, grease soaked and tasted like cardboard. Not to mention the rice, which is really hard to mess up, tasted horrible. My husband ordered the roasted pork which wasn't bad, but it came with moros that was ice cold and yuca that while soft had absolutely no flavor. We will never go back and if you want a good meal don't go there. more

I have been a fan of El Exquisito since the 90s. The food was wonderful. The prices were great. But the last two times I've gone, it has been a big disappointment. I will not be going back any time soon.\r \r Today an out-of-town friend was in town, and as we often do when he visits, we made a special trip to Exquisito. We ordered the masitas de puerco, yuca con mojo, and moros. They were out of masitas, so we ended up eating lechon asado instead.\r \r 1. They didn't give us much bread. The first basket contained four slices for three people, and it was a little burned. They used to make it properly, and they didn't skimp.\r \r 2. The pork had a powerful boar taint smell to it. The smell reminded me of wet dogs and other things I would rather not mention. I could not finish mine. I ate a few bites to keep me alive until I could get to better food. It also had a limp texture, as though it had been microwaved.\r \r 3. They used to serve cold canned Cokes, with glasses full of shaved ice, which is much nicer than cubes. Today I got a warm can and cubes. When I poured the Coke into the glass, half of the ice melted, so it was watery.\r \r 4. The yuca had very little garlic on it, little or no mojo, and NO SALT. It's impossible to cook well without salt. I don't know if they're trying to make Cuban food healthy, or what. If so, it's a big mistake. There is no such thing as good healthy Cuban food.\r \r 5. The moros were watery and overcooked, and there were almost no beans.\r \r 6. We asked for fried onions to put on the pork, and the onions were cooked with no salt, so they were not good.\r \r The management needs to STEP IT UP. There is no way I'll go back until I know they've made changes. The service is still fine, and the seating area is nice and clean. This place used to be wonderful, and it could be again, if they would hire a real cook and fix the food. more

Here's a hint that the food is good: the tables are always packed with obese cops.\r \r El Exquisito is a clean, inexpensive restaurant that serves very nice Cuban food. I usually have masitas de puerco, yuca, and beans and rice. The pork is crunchy, juicy, and tender on the inside. I like to ask for fried onions to go with it.\r \r The boliche is also good.\r \r I can't say the desserts are great, but you won't really need one, after the giant portions.\r \r The wait staff is very nice, and they put shaved ice in the Cokes, which is extremely important. English very weak.\r \r Avoid, when they have live music. Trust me. You can't hear yourself think.\r \r It's nice to know a good Cuban place, now that Miami's Cuban restaurants have so many Central American cooks who have no idea what they're doing. more

While in Miami for a couple of days we decided to take the group for Cuban food. Exquisito got good reviews, so that's where we went!\r Never had Cuban food before, and our Spanish is a little weak, so ordering was tough at first; but the server helped us out, and we ordered a couple of Daily Specials (Wednesday): Ajiaco Criollo (Creole Soup), Fricase de Pollo, Arroz, Potaje y Maduros (Chicken Fricassee, Rice, Stew & Rice Plantains), as well as a Snapper dish, a steak dish, and a pork dish, and a couple sides of plantains and sweet potato fries. I also ordered a Cuban Sandwich (of course!)\r When the food started coming out, we were shocked. When it kept on coming out, we were astounded!! The quality of the food was excellent, the portions were unbelievably huge, and the prices were so low, we had money left over for dessert! (but not enough room!)\r The staff was very helpful, and patient with us white folk. Would be nice to see some Cuban drink specials, maybe some Cuban beer? But in all, fantastico!!\r When you are in Miami, even for a short time, do not miss this place. And make sure to spend a few minutes in the cigar "factories" in the area! more

A "tostones portion" comes with mojo, a garlicky sauce that will keep your enemies away (trust me). But this is the way it is, you dip the tostones which are pieces (thick slices) of green plantain double fried. more

Cafe in Miami\r \r I lived in Miami for a long time,and I really miss a good cup of coladita or cafe con leche. It is something that you can not describe; the quality of Cafe is out of this world, texture, color, taste and the service ritual is out of a south american or caribbean movie.\r \r When I was there, I was happy to go to the cafeteria en la esquina (Cafeteria at the corner) and get my coladita cubana.\r \r My search for good cafe or coffee outside of Miami is something that I have not found, let me know if you find that place for me.\r \r BTW if you go to Miami visit Exquisito's Restaurant in 1510 SW 8 Street (Calle 8),,, oh gosh I miss coffee and tostadas cubanas are the best. more

T e El mejor restaurant cubano do la calle 8. more

If you really need to feel what the Little Havana District currently is about, go try out El Exquisito Restaurant. Great food, service, and modest pricing. This place is in a very unique position in Little Havana. Walking in, the ambient back drop of the Tower Theater, a classic cultural movie and event theater gives lends a sense of culture. On the inside, the whole place has been redesigned. Along with a huge Flat Screen TV the place comes equipped with Free Internet Wireless Access!!. This is really a great place to sit down, grab their famous ?Cafecito? and check your email while watching the Marlins game! The owner, Juan, is always there to provide the best friendly service. THANK YOU guys!!! Pros: Location - Free Internet Access - Flat Screen TV more

The best cuban cusine in town. If you want real homemade cuban food, go there. more