Breaking the Fast at Casa Cafe, Now Serving Cuban Eats in Shenandoah

Jackie Sayet

Damn good cortadito

Sure, Latin cafes are a dime a dozen in Miami.  But a close look reveals that each of these neighborhood dives has its own collection of cooks, quirks and kooks -- idiosyncrasies that draw you to them and make you love 'em, even when you'd love to hate 'em. 

Good coffee, however, is non-negotiable when choosing which haunt to pledge allegiance.  Casa Cafe, brand new to the eastern stretch of Coral Way known as S.W. Third Ave., has very good coffee.  And the husband/wife team at the reigns will treat you like family, too.

I stopped in on Saturday for breakfast and ordered up the special, a glorified version of my usual tostada (cuban toast with butter) and cortadito (mini latte,) but with four scrambled claras (egg whites) and a choice of bacon, sausage or ham for $4.99.
 

Jackie Sayet

The breakfast special measures up just fine in my book

Jackie Sayet

Mi likey mi pan con poco mantequilla

"This is a volume business," explains owner Tammy who, with husband Antonio, remodeled the place in three weeks with the help of family and friends. "I'd rather serve the more expensive product and have people come back because they like it, than sacrifice the quality for my customers."

They're serving the high end of middle end, Cafe Bustello Supreme coffee, the number one Cuban coffee brand in the U.S. Enjoy its deep, roasted flavor in Casa Cafe's cortadito, which is a market-consistent, but no less gratifying, $1.

Jackie Sayet

Fresh squeezed orange juice was sweet and tangy, for $3

Jackie Sayet

Regular Casa Cafers cozy up to the counter

The rest of the menu revolves around hot house specials ($10.50 - 15.99) and lunch specials ($7.99, scheduled for each day of the week) that come with a choice of two sides like salad, rice, beans (red or black,) french fries, maduros (sweet plantains,) fried yuca and tostones (green plantains.)  There's fried seafood, meats a la plancha (flat top grill,) arroz con pollo and even a "rotisserie" chicken done in the oven on Wednesdays.  A selection of sandwiches, wraps and salads rounds out the mix; there's something for each day part, except for late night since they close at 7 p.m.

Jackie Sayet

Petite pastelito case