Cheap to Chic Latin Bites

Three cheap to chic takes on South Florida's Latin cuisine.

Waiter Maikel serves tapas to patrons at Decadencia Bistro. Photo: Pedro Portal.

Jordan Levin8/19/2009

By Jordan Levin

South Florida is one of the best places in the country to enjoy the many facets of Latin food. Here are two divergent takes...

Just up NE 2nd Ave from Churchill's Pub in Little Haiti, the bare-bones Fish Corner specializes in deliciously fresh fish. There's nothing exotic about the preparation, but that just-caught quality makes even simple fried or grilled fish delectable. The rest of the menu is standard but especially tasty as well: giant tender tostones, flavorful black beans, hand-cut freshly cooked French fries, and scrumptiously creamy flan. Décor is almost nonexistent, with stools at an outdoor counter and a few tables inside, but at $6 for a fish sandwich and $10-$12 for fish plates, you don't come for the atmosphere. Beer is an affordable $2 to $3. You'll have to go for breakfast or lunch to enjoy it, however; Fish Corner is open 7:30am-4pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday and 7:30am-4:30 pm Friday.
Fish Corner: 5555 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-757-5056; Prices: sandwiches $4-$6.95, fish dinners $9.75-$15.99; beer and wine.

Friendly Colombian joint La Moon, half neighborhood restaurant, half late night hangout, is the last stop for hungry Little Havana and Brickell Village clubgoers in need of sustenance at the end of a long night (it closes at 6am Thursday, Friday & Saturday). But low prices and tasty, substantial food also attract young Latino families earlier in the evening and office workers at lunchtime. There are a variety of crispy, savory Colombian arepas filled with cheese and your choice of chicken, ham, sausage, bacon, blood sausage or chicarrones (fried pork rind). Perros Colombianos (Colombian hot dogs) come topped with sausage, quail egg or cheese and your choice of five sauces. There are also generous plates of grilled beef and pork, including the unofficial national dish, bandeja paisa, with rice, red beans, grilled steak, plantains, sausage and more. Cut the grease with a batidos, a fresh fruit shake with or without milk, whether mango or more exotic moro or guava.
La Moon: 144 SW Eighth St., Miami; 305-860-6209; Prices: arepas $4.50-$7.50, hot dogs $4.35-$6.50, appetizers $1.25-$8.95, meat plates $10.95-$13.95, fish and seafood $11.25-$13.95.