Cold drink hot spot
Calle Ocho’s reputation as a genuine snapshot of Latin-American life precedes itself. But if you’re looking for an unguarded perspective of Latin culture in Miami, head west to Flagami. Calle Ocho turns into 8th Street, the ficus canopies become thinner, and the buildings more neglected. The Guyabera and cigar stores are gone, replaced by locksmiths and pawnshops.
Flagami may not have Little Havana’s history or charm, but it does have the best, most authentic juice palace in South Florida. Reinaldo and Apolonia Bermudez came to Miami from Cuba in 1965. Reinaldo worked at a grocery store and Apolonia in a factory, all the while saving money over the next five years to open their first Palacio. The establishment started out as a small fruit store in Little Havana and grew into a local empire, currently operating at eight locations in Dade County. The majority of their employees are formerly impoverished Cuban refugees.
Info
Address 5721 W Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33144, +1 305.262.0070, www.elpalaciodelosjugos.com | Hours Mon–Sat 8am–9pm, Sun 8am–8pm | Tip Before getting a juice at El Palacio, stop in for a meal at the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant (1395 NW 57th Ave). Watch planes take off and land at one of the world’s busiest airports while you dine.
There is never a lull in the action at El Palacio. Even at 3 o’clock on a Monday, the place is packed. Outside, under the awning, a man stands behind a kiosk wielding a machete. Fresh, green coconuts on a giant tray are hacked one by one, flipped over onto a funnel, and drained into a jug, ready for sale. Inside, there are hot trays filled with traditional Cuban fare like arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) and platanos (fried plantains). But the hallmark of the establishment is its busy juice counter, manned by workers clad in bright yellow outfits that match the color of the bananas, passion fruits, and pineapples they squeeze into white Styrofoam cups. You can play it safe and order a delicious fresh-squeezed limonada or jugo de naranja, but go ahead and be adventurous. For something sweet, try a mamey juice, which tastes a lot like liquid pecan pie. Or cool down with a refreshing guava juice; still sweet, but it won’t leave you thirstier than before you drank it.
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