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Glenn Lindgren: Sometimes it's easy to overlook the places in your own backyard.
Jorge Castillo: 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 Musibay: ...or eat in the car as we travel around Miami.
Glenn Lindgren: 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 Castillo: I love them so much.
Glenn Lindgren: 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 Musibay: It's one of the top five Cuban restaurants in Miami.
Jorge Castillo: 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 Lindgren: 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 Castillo: 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 Lindgren: 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 Castillo: 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 Lindgren: Keep in mind that medium here is closer to medium rare, so order your steak accordingly.
Jorge Castillo: 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.
Raúl Musibay: I couldn't even see the plate under all that chicken!
Jorge Castillo: The masas de cerdo, fried pork chunks, are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Glenn Lindgren: 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 Musibay: It's not cheap.
Jorge Castillo: But worth it if you want to splurge.
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
