Janet Vargas
Google
La Cocina is exactly the kind of place Hialeah needed. When you just don’t feel like getting dressed to go trip over the cracked (but colorful) sidewalks of Wynwood or dealing with panic-inducing street parking (that might just be me) for a tasty cocktail, La Cocina is close to home and hits the spot! And they have a free parking lot right across from Stephen's.
I first visited La Cocina with friends in 2019 when excitement for the Leah Arts District was at its peak and lots of block parties and events were being held nearby. The vibe and quality of drinks, food, and ambiance has not changed! I will say, however, the times I’ve gone back since the pandemic/reopenings, La Cocina hasn’t been quite as busy as it was before 2020, which depending on how rambunctious of an ambiance you need to enjoy your cocktail, may or may not be a good thing! They used to be open more evenings of the week, but understandably they’re now only operating Friday and Saturday nights, and sometimes Sundays if there’s an event going on. There are some evenings where there’s a pretty good crowd, and in those instances, service does become a bit slow as there isn’t enough staff, but they do their best!
If you’re someone like me and you’re petrified of fighting for attention and trying to shout and order a drink at the bar, have no fear as you can take a seat and they come to you! Socially awkward friends, you’re safe here. Within this year they changed up their menu, but most of the food options are the same. I’m not sure if they’re still on the current menu, but there were some cochinito tacos that were phenomenal, and the chicken and waffle sliders were great for sharing. The guava frita burger is one of my favorites, but with the recent menu change, the price has gone up (which is completely understandable in these times), but the burger is now served with coleslaw instead of fries. I hope that leaves you stunned in silence as it did to me. I can’t think of many circumstances in which I would like to enjoy a burger, possibly buzzed, and dip my fingers into some coleslaw. Please bring the fries back as the default side. You can substitute the cole slaw for fries, but last time I did, I think it was a $4 upcharge.
But speaking of fries, it’s not listed on the menu, but please believe me when I tell you that you need to order the basket of fries. I don’t know how they do it, but they’re consistently the best fries you could hope for when you’re several drinks in. It’s just pure starchy, salty, potatoey magic. They’re so good that they have their own paragraph in this review. Get the fries.
As for the drinks, there’s something for everyone on the menu (even non-alcoholic drinks). The names and concepts behind them are funny and tasty, and very very Hialeah. The presentation is *chef’s kiss*. My absolute favorite, which is no longer listed on the menu, was the Ya Tu Sabes, which was a mango old-fashioned. Andy, the cowboy hat-wearing rockstar of La Cocina that has been there since the post-pandemic reopening, always comes through when I ask for it even though it’s no longer on the menu. I’ve tried different drinks (the Que Cute from the first drink menu was a second favorite; it was guava and gin-based), but nothing compares to the Ya Tu Sabes. I very often come to La Cocina just for that drink. They serve it with a nice big ol’ cube of ice, so you know it’s legit.
I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves, but there are plenty of reviews also raving about the awesome attention to detail of the decor. As a Latina of non-Cuban descent, there are often many things about Hialeah that in a sense have made me feel left out, or that I couldn’t relate to. But there’s something about how La Cocina captured the essence of a childhood in Hialeah that still evokes a sense of nostalgia for me, and I really appreciate that.
There is a LOT to love about this place, and I hope it continues to thrive and provide as this awesome little speakeasy in Hialeah. Definitely check it out!
