Jorge Castillo: One question we get a lot -- "who makes the best frijoles negros?"
Glenn Lindgren: Everybody who makes black beans has their own little twists on this, the most classic of all Cuban dishes.
Raúl Musibay: EVERYBODY making black beans thinks that their recipe is the best.
Jorge Castillo: But you know something? If you don't truly believe that your recipe is the best, then you shouldn't be making frijoles negros!
Glenn Lindgren: So when people ask us the black bean question, we usually just smile. We have eaten some great frijoles negros and we have eaten some truly awful concoctions.
Raúl Musibay: That's like trying to pick the most beautiful woman in the world, the most beautiful rose, the one perfect wine...
Glenn Lindgren: It's impossible. There are just too many great examples -- all different, but all equally delicious in their own way.
Jorge Castillo: So we had to suppress a smile when we saw the sign on Houston's Café Miami: "King of the Black Beans."
Glenn Lindgren: First, you have to be pretty confident in your kitchen skills to name a Texas restaurant after the capitol of Cuban food in the United States.
Glenn Lindgren: Cafe Miami has three things going for it: tasty Cuban sandwiches, excellent tamales, and some classic Cuban cuisine
Raúl Musibay: Café Miami is strictly "old school."
Jorge Castillo: You won't find any culinary surprises on the menu here. Just old-fashioned Cuban comfort food.
Raúl Musibay: This is a great place for breakfast! The make wonderful Spanish tortillas -- omelets -- that are a great way to get the day started.
Glenn Lindgren: On a hot Texas day, try an ice cold batido made with fresh tropical fruit -- a much better choice than the offerings at the Smoothie King up the street.
Jorge Castillo: The restaurant is showing it's age a bit. The neon sign crackles and stutters and the sign above the entrance has just one lonely letter "c" glowing in the Houston twilight.
Glenn Lindgren: Things pick up in the evening when the music is louder and there's more of a party atmosphere.
Raúl Musibay: Wow -- cute girls, some crazy guys, and everyone seems to be having fun!
Glenn Lindgren: Everyone sure liked the food! Chicken and chuletas de puerco were very popular.
Jorge Castillo: Ask about the special of the day -- it's usually a great bargain at just $7.25.
Raúl Musibay: The restaurant recently changed hands and the new owners will need to work hard to maintain Café Miami's reputation.
Jorge Castillo: Finish your meal with a sweet cafecito that will remind you of your favorite walk up window in Miami!
HOURS: Daily 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
PRICES: Very reasonable: most entrees priced less than $8.00.
DRESS: Very Casual
BAR: No
CARDS: Visa, MasterCard
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