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In Miami for a stop over and had to find this place! I will not eat anywhere else in the terminal. The two times I've been here were for breakfast. You wait in the line (always a line) and pick up sandwiches and salads until you reach the hot section. The ladies at the hot section are always pleasant when serving up my cafe con leche with fried eggs and toast. Prices are decent for the freshness of food. Also if you notice, everyone who works in the airport eats here.
When you dine in, a cute old gentleman drops off extra napkins, toothpicks, and mints. I think that's what makes this place stand out, the service and the people that work here. Until you walk out and realize you're in an airport.
La Carreta, I'll be back for my cubano sandwich on my return layover!
This place has inspired me to try Cuban in my own neck of the woods. I think this place has other locations outside the airport...now wonder its good. It was amazing in the context of airport options but maybe its good in the outside world too.
Its a 'they serve you buffet' line. They have huge portions but if you want just a side, or make your own, its not always a possibility. Black bean soup, yellow rice yummy!
Roast chicken breast was absolutely HUGE! (thats not organic). I really liked plantanes on the side but I'm not an expert on them. Its a little more than your average meal but really tasty. Their signs for the foods need to be just a little bigger though. Its a comfortable place to have a layover for sure!
If I'd gone into this place with no expectations, I'd have given it one star. After hearing so many good things and then getting such dreadful food, I'd like to give it zero.
The Cuban was horrible in every way. The bread was dry and dull. The ham was generic and much too thickly sliced. The pork made no impression. The mustard was standard yellow. There were no pickles. The cheese skewed more to "cheese product" than "Swiss."
It was a very large sandwich; I don't know if this is a good thing or not. If you want to fill up on the cheap, good. Unfortunately, better-tasting food can probably be found at Nathan's, Burger King, or any other mediocre chain in the terminal. Awfully disappointing.
We call it La Cucaracha...
have a coffee but have your meal elsewhere.
As far as airport food goes, this place takes the cake. Don't expect fine dining, but it was good cooking. Great cuban selections, I recommend the Arroz con Puerco (rice w/ pork)
We were at Miami Airport, hungry, looking for something other than a deli sandwich... We asked an older Latin woman named Maria who was working at the airport where to eat (in Spanish). She replied (in Spanish), "Are you looking for something fresh, healthy, and warm? Go to La Carreta, and tell them Maria sent you..."
She read our minds.
We headed to Concourse D, Gate 38 to eat at this fantastic Cuban Restaurant. Maria was an angel, sent by the airport goddess to direct us there.
We had pork and rice, maduros (fried sweet plantains), Piccadillo (beef spiced), and rice and veggies, plus really good rice pudding for dessert. It was all really good and the atmosphere was great. There were tons of choices and everything looked good.
I wish instead of delis all major airports had La Carreta!
There was so much butter in my eggs that they tasted like butter instead of eggs.
On my way back to Phoenix from Miami, I always make a final stop at La Carreta, right inside the airport and pick up a Cuban Sandwich to go. Maybe some croquetas and a cafecito. One las Cuban hurrah before I leave my home and go home.
Service is always excellent - the girls at the counter are always smiling, and call me "Mamita" as in, "Que te preparo, mamita?" It just feels like home. And it's nice to know that although I hugged and kissed my parents goodbye at the curb, I am still feeling the warmth of my "home" almost all the way to the airplane.
The terminal's restaurant has a full menu and you can either walk up with a tray and order stuff, or you can sit down and have service at the bar/counter. I just go up to the counter and order to go.
As far as my cuban sandwich goes - flawless every time. Warm and toasty cuban bread, pressed to just the right flatness/thickness, just enough pork and ham (some places pack it on there so excessively that most people end up pulling half of it out); right amount of pickles and mustard. Perfectly wrapped for airplane transportation, to where it doesn't make the whole plane smell like your food.
When i get "home" to Phoenix and pop that baby in the oven to re-toast, its like I never left home.
What can you expect from an airport restaurant? Burk, Nothing really.
This place sounded interesting to me at first, while I was waiting for my 4 hours layover flight time at Miami Airport in Florida, on my way back from St Kitts and Nevis.
It is a Cuban restaurant and I was very excited at first because I was ready for a great meal after a 3 hours flight.
I ordered a slice of roasted chicken and for sides, I chose rice and yucca. The chicken was dry as well as the rice, and the yucca was slippery. Maybe the yucca was supposed to make everything else less dry.
But for an airport food, it was edible. my dish with a bottle of water cost me $13.46, pricey for the type of meal I got.
Rarely does an airport restaurant makes such an impression. I have eaten here twice, both were fantastic (albeit different) experiences. The first time, I was returning with my partner from Curacao (near Aruba) en route to San Francisco. Just as frayed nerves and empty stomach threaten to erupt an aneurysm, a large serving of rice and beans with a side of chicken soup really calmed the fire (my partner is Cuban, and he gives a stamp of approval for authenticity). The second time was after an exhausted business trip in Miami, when I got dropped off in the terminal 6 hours too early for a flight. The Cuban sandwich and chicken soup again settled the inner bitch, and actually evoked some sweet memories of my prior visit. Given these two experiences, I am a fan.
All being said, give it a try if you are around, the food is really good.
The BEST meal I've ever had at an AIRPORT!!!
On my way back from the Bahamas, some friends told me to try La Caretta in the terminal (they had it on their way in). This is located right outside the security gates for Terminal D.
On the back side is food court style where you pick up a tray, and order whatever you want. Since I had time to burn, I decided to sit in the bar where you can order off the same menu.
I ordered the Churrasco Carretero (skirt steak) which came with rice, plaintains, and black beans (I think). The meat was marinated nicely and wasn't overdone or tough. I really liked the plantains were sweet and gooey and a bit cruncy- very nice. It was a lot of food and I could barely finish it. I was stuffed and in food coma heaven.
I tried their drink specials Cuba Libre and Mojito, which were ok.
If I'm traveling through MIA again, I'm definitely stopping in.
Amazing Cuban espresso / Café Cubano. Best place to eat in an airport period. Keep in mind it is in an airport...but with that said, very well done. If you have a few free minutes next time you're in the Miami American Airlines terminal make sure to stop by for a café cubano. --Gate D38
Next to Atlanta Hartsfield, MIA is probably my least favorite airport in the country.
La Carreta is the one thing that makes it bearable. The food is decent here, as airport food goes. But the real reason to come fo La Carreta is for your cafecito. It's so good you'll really never want to drink regular coffee again...
MMMM Oh My God! MMMM Oh My God! MMMM Oh My God!
Yes, that is the sound I make every time I fly into the Miami airport. Reason being is that I always come to this restaurant and order the empanadas. Not only do I order 1 beef, 1 chicken, 1 guava and 1 cheese and guava empanadas for myself (i know, but it's sooo worth the guilt), but I also order another set just so that I can take it back home to San Francisco and have it for later.
In fact, I am eating one right now as I type this review. I don't care that some of the guava is dripping onto the keyboard. I don't care that the tips of my fingers are wet with grease. I don't care that the flakey, buttery crust is all over my shirt, pants and table.
I still love this place and will always make it a point come here for the empanadas. MMMMM Oh My God...
I suppose the reason La Carreta (airport location) is rated so highly is because it is in the airport. Choices are trail mix, Big Mac, ice cream, trail mix and donuts.
But for those who know Cuban food, La Carreta is not a 4 star. Actually Miami natives go to La Carreta's other 9 locations more frequently for late meals and after club grub....La Calle Ocho (8th Street) location and also the first is usually packed with cops drinking their cortaditos in the outside cafeteria while the post club mayhem lain inside rowdily asking for more mojo!
I have definitively been to this place several times...usually after lowered inhibitions- the only time I don't care seeing that roach scurrying across the dinning room that one time....he was probably on his way to those tostones everyone loves. Sorry Guys!
I read a New York Times review of the airport location of La Carreta at MIA so we decided to give it a try on a layover. It is a very solid choice if you find yourself needing a meal at the airport. It is cafeteria style ordering with self seating at a huge number of tables. Everything we had was pretty good and certainly above expectations for an airport.
The ordering process was very confusing, however, and it would be good if they updated their signs to help out visitors.
My favorite dessert in Miami that is free of lactose is Pastelito De Guayaba. And LaCarretta is number one in Cuban Cooking in Miami. So, I went to the best. Their Tres Leches and flan are out of this world too!
You wanna know about Pastelito De Guayaba. It is Guava Pastry. A flaky buttery dough with guava jelly inside. And the pastry is brushed with honey. Then, baked until it's nice and brown. Wonderful with coffee or tea.
As soon as my plane landed, I had to be at La Caretta. It just seems to be a fact of life. Everyone goes La Carreta for the homestyle-Cuban food, but I go for the dessert.
And Luis thanks for putting "empanda de la espinaca y del queso" on the menu. Beso Beso.
Is it sad that one of my favorite restaurants in the world happens to be in an airport?
If you ever find yourself flying into or out of Miami International Airport, do yourself a favor and check out La Carreta. The food is spectacular.
My favorite is the empenizado steak, but I'll normally order a Cuban sandwich to go as well. Great desserts too.
This spot will make you wish your plane is delayed for hours!! It's hard to believe that airport food is this wonderful. I love Cuban food and La Caretta did not disappoint me. In fact, I was very surprised at the authentic Cuban cuisine served here. The beef was great, the Morro rice was stupendous and i couldn't give a hoot about missing my flight to Philly.
This is why I fly into MIA instead of FTL.
My last trip home to Miami, I was frantically eating cuban sandwiches every chance I got. It was a fun trip. Many, many cuban sandwiches.
As it would turn out, the first one out of the gate, the one from this La Carreta in the Airport (of all places) was the best of the bunch.
The secret is all about balance and proportion.
And it is harder than one might imagine.
But this has the perfect mix of ham, roast pork and cheese.
AND most importantly the roll is pressed to the perfect thinness.
Brilliant. Blew the doors off the Cubano at Versailles (which was much too bread-y)
Really, no other sandwich I had that week came close.
Excellent food for an airport but not as others made it seem. A bit too crowded.
Now this is the kind of airport dining that all airports should have. Affordable, authentic, casual food that is easy to grab and go. The midnight sandwich totally hit the spot before I rushed off to my flight. Bye Miami!
Best sit-down restaurant inside the Miami International Airport, hands down! Arroz con pollo (chicken with rice) was good and so was the ropa vieja (shredded beef). There's plenty of other dishes here such as the vaca frita, sandwiches, etc.
If I have to wait in the airport and want to grab some grub, this is where you'll find me - La Carreta - at the beginning of Concourse D!
Also, the coffee shop is open 24 hours at this location.
I ate here before getting on the plane to head back to California, and it was definitely great being able to enjoy Cuban food one last time before leaving Miami- and what a great way to enjoy it too! This place is cafeteria style. In other words, you basically walk down this long row of every Cuban entree, appetizer and dessert you could ever imagine and pile it onto your tray and then pay when you are done. It seems a little pricey, but it really isn't considering the enormous variety of good quality food you get! My boyfriend and I shared a heaping plate of Cuban-style pot roast with potatoes, salad, torta tres leches and Cuban soda and it was $14.
With a few hours of sleep and lots of jet lag the last thing I want to eat is Burger King so i head for La Carreta. This Cuban restaurant is a cafeteria type thing where you grab your tray and head down the line skipping all the ugly items. I ordered the Cuban sandwich with a fruit cup. Then I got in line at one of the three cashiers to pay for my meal. The customers were so rude, apparently tourist do not understand the concept of waiting in line. You are behind me, therefore you wait until after i pay before you cut me off. The seating areas fill up fast. So if your in a group, save tables before you order. The booth seats are not comfortable. I jumped on it thinking it would be comfy and injured my butt. Beware hard cushion ahead. OK back to the sandwich it was sooo good minus the cheese. It was so stringy like pizza cheese...um not on my sandwich gross. Then when your done you leave your tray at your table. Awesome!
Hooray! The best restaurant in any airport, anywhere! With great cuban sandwiches! It makes a long-ass flight to wherever bearable.
Really enjoyed my lentil soup, and the cuban sandwich was pretty good (but skimpy on the pickles). They need to put more La Carreta stands in the Miami airport though, I had to walk all the way from Concourse J to Concourse D which royally sucked, because Miami airport is one of the worst designed airports, ever. It is almost as bad as O'Hare.
Delicious empanada de carne, pastelito de queso and of course, cafe con leche. All in an airport terminal... wow.
Miami, FL
Category: Cuban
Miami, FL
Category: Cuban
Miami, FL
Category: Cuban
Miami, FL
Category: Cuban
Miami, FL
Category: Cuban
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