Frequently, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter has lunch at a local restaurant and tells you about the experience.
By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services
When it comes to eating out in Shreveport-Bossier City, you can pretty much find something to satisfy whatever your taste buds are craving.
Mexican? Seafood? Italian? Asian? Home-Cooking? You don’t have to go far (especially if you want Mexican food) to find it.
I am pretty conservative when it comes to food. I know what I like, and don’t tend to stray. However, a couple of years ago, I went to an event where there was a Miami Latin Kitchen food truck. I really enjoyed what I ate, but never came across the truck again. That’s why a couple of months ago, I was excited to see that Miami Latin Kitchen had moved into a brick-and-mortar building (941 E. 70th Street, Shreveport).
So, on a recent Thursday, I asked a friend if he was up for something out of the ordinary. He was, and we made arrangements to meet for lunch. We looked at the restaurant’s website, but frankly, didn’t understand most of what was on the menu. That added suspense to our visit, and we hoped someone would be able to explain what we were ordering.
That was the case, as a very nice lady (I am thinking she was the owner) greeted us when we arrived. Miami Latin Kitchen is small, but very clean and very casual. It is decorated in white and orange colors, and there was recorded Latin music playing, which added to the vibe.
My friend and I must have looked like Latin newbies, because it wasn’t long before the lady asked, “Is this you’re first time?” Hmmm. I wonder what gave us away? Probably the very confused looks we had on our faces.
We began browsing the hand-held menu – you place your order at the counter and your food is served to your table – and were as lost as a goose. We had no idea what Arepas were (there were 10 choices, including fried or baked), but thankfully, the restaurant had a book with pictures. Miami Latin Kitchen offered six entrees, but the descriptions included some words of which we knew their meaning, and some words we didn’t. And there was a picture of only one entrée.
We did know what an Empanada was, because we have had one at another restaurant. This restaurant offered a variety of wheat and corn empanadas, some fried and some baked.
Totally out of our comfort zone, we relied on the very patient lady to guide us. I ended up ordering the Asada negro ($15.50), the one entrée for which there was a picture. To go along with that, I ordered a baked Guava with Cheese wheat empanada ($6.99). My friend and I decided we would share Cheese Tequenos ($7.99), which came four to an order.
For my friend’s entrée, he chose the Pork and Cheese Arepas ($13.99). He also added to his order, choosing a mini beef empanada ($1.50) and a mini chicken empanada ($1.50). We each had bottled water to drink.
There’s really no need to break down each individual food. I can sum up our thoughts after eating with two words: Bland and Disappointed.
There wasn’t much – if any – flavor to what we ate. My Asada negro was a plastic container of beef, rice, plantain, and black beans. It reminded me of a TV dinner. (Do grocery stores still sell those?) I don’t know what Latin food is supposed to taste like, but what I had didn’t taste different from any other beef, rice, and black beans I have eaten.
My friend said his mini-beef empanada tasted like a Natchitoches Meat Pie. That’s fine, but we didn’t go to a Latin restaurant to eat as if we were in Natchitoches. He described his pork and cheese arepas as a pita sandwich with sliced pork and “a bunch” of shredded cheese. He said the pork didn’t have a unique taste – something we expected all of our food to have.
I can’t say exactly what I was hoping for, but I can say I was expecting more to the experience than what we received. The portions were fine, but they did nothing to make me feel as if I was sampling Latin cuisine.
The cost of our meal before tax and tip was $47.36. I know it’s expensive to eat out, but I thought that was way too much for what we had.
This is a tough one for me, because the lady I presumed to be the owner was extremely nice. I want her – and other locally-owned restaurants – to succeed. And you may enjoy your visit more than me. But my loyalty is to you, the reader. Therefore, I must give Miami Latin Kitchen Two Forks. I would return, but only if someone else is buying.
1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit? Email SBJRestaurantReview@gmail.com.
