Monday, December 10, 2007
Sergio's becomes Casavana
Except for two Sergio's - its landmark Coral Way location and an unrelated Sergio's on Bird Road, all the Sergio's in Miami have become Casavana.
What is Casavana? I am not sure, but I'm guessing it's a play on words "casa" (home) and "Havana" (the Cuban capital), to evoke an image of home-style Cuban cuisine.
The point of Casavana, according to Lazaro & Jose Garcia - both owners, is to commercialize Cuban cuisine into a chain-like concept - similar to Pollo Tropical, but with less emphasis on it being a fast food establishment, and more emphasis on it being a casual in-dining experience.
And many people think they've got what it takes to expand that concept beyond South Florida not in the too distant future - after all, they're the same people that expanded Pollo Tropical all across Florida. They also were the people that expanded Latin American Restaurant & Cafeteria in Miami, during its heydays.
It would be nice if they worked on expanding Latin American Restaurant & Cafeteria again - it's so hard to find them nowadays and I liked their Cuban especial sandwiches.
Anyways..., why didn't they change Sergio's on Coral Way? Because that one Sergio's is already a Miami culinary institution - and they rightly feel that it should not feel commercialized. Changing Sergio's would be like making the Rascal's House disappear. I know you would agree with me once you try the tortilla con maduros (egg frittata with pan-fried plantains - I just ask them to take out the potatoes in mine since it normally comes with them, I think) - so inexpensive, big, and good! And it's a perfect tapa to share with the table.
Another reason why Sergio's specifically stands out is because they're open for 24 hours in the weekends - so it's a haven for Miami's club-goers as well. And I wouldn't want them to change that - where else are you going to get a good cup of coffee so late at night? And no, there's not a 24 hours Starbucks in Miami either.
But anyways... let's hope Casavana spreads out of Miami-Dade and makes a positive name for Miami's culinary scene, as they've vowed to take a step above mom & pop cafeterias in quality.
Let me know if you have tried them already - and how your experiences have been!
Locations of Casavana Cuban Cuisine
- 2814 NE 8th St., Homestead
- 13600 SW 152nd St., Miami (Country Walk)
- 16435 NW 67th Ave., Miami Lakes
- 8202 Mills Dr., Miami (Kendall)
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2 comments:
Hello. Please note that SERGIO's and CASAVANA are two separate restaurant chains with different looks and menus. Although the restaurants share some common onwers they are not related. The owners and operators of the SERGIO's restaurants located at Town and Country, Miami Lakes and Southwest Dade closed down the restaurants at those locations and reopened as the new CASAVANA chain. In addition to those locations, there is also a brand new CASAVANA in homestead. The Bird Rd and Coral Way restaurants remain SERGIO's under different ownership.
I will like to hear from the owners of this Restaurants I have a great location fir the next Restaurant
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