Three Guys from Miami:Don't Overlook This Miami Dining Gem

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Islas Canarias Number 2 is on Coral Way in Kendall.

Jorge: OK, we're guilty of taking a restaurant for granted.

Glenn: Sometimes it's easy to overlook the places in your own backyard.

Jorge: We've used the drive-up window at Islas Canarias in Kendall for years. It's a convenient way to pick up Cuban sandwiches, even complete meals to take home...

Raúl: ...or eat in the car as we travel around Miami.

Glenn: Many times Jorge has stopped by just to pick up an order or two of one of the house specialties handmade and freshly fried potato chips.

Jorge: I love them so much.

Glenn: It's not that we have never eaten inside the restaurant, it's just that we had forgotten how good it is. Lately we've made several visits here and the food is great.

Raúl: It's one of the top five Cuban restaurants in Miami.

The front section is more casual then the back room.

Jorge: The original Islas Canarias is located in Little Havana. It's an institution, having served the public since 1976. For awhile they had a second location on Bird Road. That restaurant is long gone, but the restaurant on Coral Way in Kendall is a very popular spot.

Glenn: The restaurant is a lot larger than it looks from the outside. It features a more formal section in the back, with linen tablecloths, and a less formal area in front that's totally casual.

Jorge: Wherever you sit, you'll get the same delicious dishes from an extensive menu of classic Cuban dishes. They also have a large list of daily specials.

Glenn: Standouts include some of the most tender cuts of churrasco beef we've ever found. These skirt steaks are rich with flavor and so tender you can almost cut them with your fork.

Jorge: Be sure to ask for a side of chimichurri sauce, the garlic citrus flavor of the sauce is an essential complement to the beef flavor of the steak.

Glenn: Keep in mind that medium here is closer to medium rare, so order your steak accordingly.

Jorge: Another delight is the Pollo al Ajillo, Chicken in Garlic Sauce. You get a generous serving of bite-size chicken pieces in a delicious garlic and lemon sauce. Served with a large order of white rice, you're free to mix the two or just eat the chicken separately.

Specialty of the house: handmade chips. In addition to potato, they have plantain and boniato.

Jorge: If you order the pollo Milanese, you'll end up with just about the largest chicken breast we've ever seen on a plate.

Raúl: I couldn't even see the plate under all that chicken!

Jorge: The masas de cerdo, fried pork chunks, are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Chicken in Garlic Sauce, tender pieces of chicken in a delectable sauce, and a nice presentation.

Glenn: They also have a few Spanish items on the menu, reflecting the heritage of the owner's father who came from Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Specialties like lamb stew and tortilla española are great choices, as is a ham and boiled potato dish. These items usually appear on the specials menu, so watch for them.

Jorge: The caldo gallego a wonderful white bean soup comes with plenty of tender ham pieces.

Glenn: If your budget can handle it, try the lobster Creole. You get a very generous serving of sweet lobster meat in a Creole sauce of tomatoes, onions, and green pepper.

Raúl: It's not cheap.

Jorge: But worth it if you want to splurge.

Masas de cerdo, fried pork chunks -- crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Glenn: The nicest thing about Islas Canarias is the relaxed family atmosphere. You get an excellent dinner served in a nice setting. It's a place where you can feel comfortable brining the whole family.

ATMOSPHERE: Miami Casual

PRICES: Entrees priced around $12 to $19.

HOURS: 7 AM to midnight.

CARDS: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa

BAR: Full