"No one cooks Cuban food better than abuela. But when she’s tired of sweating over pots of ropa vieja and frijoles negros, take her to the only restaurant that can compete with her cooking: La Viña Aragon. The tiny spot in Hialeah looks like a lived-in Cuban home filled with sun-washed family pictures and a portrait of Jesus in the dining room. It’s been around since the ’80s and few restaurants (or their prices) are as delightfully stuck in time. Their pollo empanizado is puffy and crunchy, garlicky yuca con mojo pairs well with the entire menu, and a full breakfast with eggs, three sides, and a coffee only costs $7.95. Regardless of what you order, bring cash. And it closes at 6pm—perfect for an early bird dinner with a grandparent taking the day off cooking." - mariana trabanino, virginia otazo
