New Latin American Food & Bakery

Not really sure how I found this place since it was hidden in a shopping center between
Big Lots and QNails.
Upon entering, the menu seemed big for a small cafeteria restaurant. Seating area was small with about 5 tables and a long bar style table with stools. I ordered a Tripleta sandwich which is chicken, steak, and ham combination. The waitress said this sandwich would take over 20 minutes because of the chicken. Really? Not having 20 minutes to sit and wait, I ordered a Pan con Bistec sandwich (steak sandwich on Cuban bread) which she seemed glad I did by the face she made. Why, I’m not sure.
The Sandwich and a Coke for $ 5.75 didn’t sound bad at all. The sandwich was pretty big and OK comparing to other Cuban cafeterias in the area. The bistec (steak) was bland but everything else was fresh.

When I give a Hialeah business a bad review, I think of it as tough love, as an intervention. New Latin American needs an intervention!
I went a few Saturdays back when I found they were actually open. Yes, that’s a complaint because with their early closing time it seems to be only a cafeteria for Westland Promenade employees. I think it closes exactly at 5pm. No biggie though, because other than the pleasant server, the place can stay closed.
A lot of their dishes appear to be precooked, and they have different daily specials. I ordered the grilled chicken («pollo a la plancha») with moros y maduros. Simple enough, right? Well you get plastic utensils to eat. No biggie, unless the chicken is tough to cut and served on the cold side. The moros were also called and a touch on the greasy side. The saving grace was the sweet plantains although they too could have stood more heat. With the cold chicken dish, the only reason I didn’t get sick is a decent immune system and «mima» lighting candles :)
Can Gordon Ramsey come to Hialeah?

It is with great regret that I find myself leaving a bad review for one of the many restaurants in my neighborhood. Not worthy of a one star issuance, though. There are some positives that merit that second star on Unilocal.
It is a nice cafeteria style restaurant. Not a large place but, there are tables for one to sit. One of the challenges that face them is their location. You would never know this was even here unless you drove inside Westland Promenade. This is not their fault, therefor, it was not taken into consideration for the star issuance.
So, I will do what I do best, I will make a list. This list will be comprised into two sections. The Good and The Bad.
The Bad
* I have been here twice for breakfast. Both times, part of the eggshell was scrambled into the eggs. The second time even worse giving me no choice but to just throw them away. I guess at least we know they use real eggs, eh?
* The second time, my Café con Leche had an ant in it. Hopefully, this is visible on the picture I took with my phone. It was perfectly made and it was just an ant so, I took the poor sucker out and drank it anyways.
The Good
* Except for the eggshell, the eggs were scrambled perfectly. Some places you need a spoon to eat them because they are scrambled to death.
* The Cuban Coffee is made very well here. If you are familiar with the area, this is the perfect place to stop for your fix before jumping onto The Palmetto. There is usually almost nobody here early in the morning. You will be out quickly.
* The Cuban Toast is also very good here. Obviously they use fresh bread every morning.
* The Staff is always very nice to everyone here.
* It is noticeably less expensive than most places.
* Both times I have been inside or passed by, the restaurant is kept tidy and clean.
* Parking is sufficient inside this shopping center. The spaces, however, are very tiny.
So, by now you should be asking yourselves; «Well Cid, will you be coming back here?» Nope, I won’t. Within walking distance of this shopping center there are countless cafeterias that serve the same exact thing. Most likely, without eggshells in their scrambled eggs or ants in their Café con Leche. «Maybe,» though, I will stop inside for a shot of Cuban Coffee before shopping at the Big Lot’s right next door.
#KeepItLocal
** Español
Las dos veces que he desayunado aquí, los huevos fueron revueltos con la cáscara. La segunda vez, tuve que botarlos completo. No se podían comer. El café con leche tenía una olmiga dentro.
Pónganse las pilas y presten atención. Los restaurantes como el de ustedes abundan en esta zona.