El Taquito

Location:10314 W Flagler St, Miami
t:305.553.7466
Cuisine type: Nicaraguan
Price: Cheap
Hours: tu.closed, w-m.11am-8pm

As hole in the wall places go, and I do love hole in the wall places, this one is a little gem.

I consider myself somewhat of an expert on Nicaraguan cuisine. I don't actually dabble in the region's rich culinary techniques; however, you could say that my credibility on the subject lies in my appetite's boundless reveling for the stuff. I have been known, on more than several occasions, to help myself to seconds of my girlfriend's mother's cooking. Needless to say, she is Nicaraguan, and though I would love to have everyone over to partake in her feasts, you will have to get your fix at El Taquito; my pick for the best Nicaraguan food in Miami, well, that is to say, after you know whose cooking.

In my opinion, Nicaraguans are masters when it comes to cooking meat. They can take a very mediocre cut of meat and turn it into a succulent and tasty morsel. How do they do it? I can't say for sure, but El Taquito most definitely has some insight into the matter. Whether you have their churrasco or their carne asada you will bear witness to what I am saying. I usually have the meat or chicken churrasco for two, though you could elect to share. It includes two pieces of churrasco (thin cut of tenderloin or chicken breast, depending), two portions of gallo pinto (rice with red beans), two of queso frito (fried cheese), two tortillas (Nicaraguan flat bread), one whole platano maduro (fried plantain), and one whole platano verde (flattened crispy fried plantain). At about $14 for the platter, there is no possible way that you could go wrong, and you won't because everything on that dish is delicious. I am particularly partial to their gallo pinto, which I think formidable, though I'm still trying to find a place that serves it like some people in Nicaragua do - slightly overcooked and crunchy. If anyone knows of a place please share the wealth.

There are several things worth trying on the menu, though I must confess, I tend to stick to the usual, which is a bit out of character for me. Do, however, try their repochetas (tortilla folded over white cheese and fried), it's usually pretty good, eventhough I have been disappointed with it on some occasions.

If you go, pay particular attention to the typical artisan crafted statuette by the register. In a very humble restaurant setting, it is the only thing that sticks out in my mind, and not for a good reason. You see, my girlfriend has, on several occasions, empowered me to assume the task of negotiating the purchase of the figurine, claiming the experience would be a better one if I succeeded in its removal. I on the other hand think that it just wouldn't be the same without it.

So drop by for lunch sometime, order my usual, take your appetites and your low expectations and leave with the knowledge that you can't always judge a hole in the wall by the size of the hole, or its cover, well you know what I mean.

Remember the statuette, not that you can miss it.