Miami - Cuban Coffee - Photo Essay

A bunch of us have been chatting it up on the South Florida Railfans Yahoo! Group about the various restaurants that have stands laden with Café Cubano.

Some of these are actually hidden along rail corridors! And they are not far when scouting the local in question.

Here are three alone I've been to and how much I recommend them.

The Homestead Sub has two nearby restaurants with formica countered coffee stands, La Carreta (Bird Road) and Rinconcito Latino.

Rinconcito is a chain that is fast growing, and offers great food and though I haven't tried it, the Cuban Coffee is probably great too. Hell, almost anywhere the brew should be good.

 

I've been to the 105th and Bird location that spells MIAMI well. This is however, 3.3 miles from the SXH 1044.22. There is one though by Coral and Ludlam, 0.4 miles east of the SXH 1043.21. And it is a great grab-n-go when chasing O721. RL is the closest "Lance friendly" coffee stand to the Homestead Sub, which guarantees a train every day anywhere between 4:15 and 6:15 PM, and its return in a wider window between 10 PM and 1 AM. I have a pic from 104/bird and a GSV look at Ludlam/Coral. The bird road location should be essentially similar... it has formica tables and counters, and the food is one of the best deals anyone can find. Where can you get a nice made-to-order sandwich for $5? Perfect for when one is done with chasing O721 to Krome.

The only reason I never tried RL's coffee is... well... La Carreta and only the Bird Rd has THE BEST and ABSOLUTE BEST Cafe Cubano anyone can find. Their stand spells Miami all around and can actually be more personal and down home than others. This location unlike RL has lasted 25 years and counting. Coffee is a good $0.70 + tip so say, a buck total. The flavor is so rich you'll be in heaven for a little bit... and here the ambiance is "Lance Friendly" as well. People have told me stories there about the FEC, Miami history, and even one person who works by Miami Iron / FPT told me about the downtown job (Y120) and how basically it works FPT, taking its cut across N River, switching, and so on. The counter sandwich bar inside is also a nice place to have some grub as well. As for the pic of the half empty and already consumed cup, I gotta say, I was so enticed to drink the coffee that I forgot to take a pic of it. :P

Pics:

One string attached though: It's 1.4 miles away from the Homestead Sub's SXH 1044.22. Though the side trip is worth it.

The last picture was a bit of compensation for the half full to show how a fairly full size cup looks like, albeit ordered to go (para llevar), though it was taken at their Int'l Mall location. More catered to the nearby mall, the place isn't nearly as exotic, though it is only a short 5 minute walk away from the Lehigh Spur's SXL 1045.51. The Lehigh Spur at one point boasted 70 car Florida Rock trains, but I hope to god that business isn't gone forever. FRKX has recently only shipped out of Krome.

Cuban Coffee is the secret ingredient to the magic of railfanning in Miami. It is also the conduit for exchanging stories, experiences, and can be a very lasting memento when in town for a day or two. I personally recommend stopping for it fully to enjoy it, as god intended, in a ceramic cup. Definitely like Lance says, it's one thing you won't find in a Starbucks, McDonald's, or Dunkin Donuts.