Coyo Taco in Wynwood is the Mexican counter at 2300 NW 2nd Avenue, with hand-pressed tortillas and three tacos plus a margarita coming in under $20 most days.
Tip: Al pastor and carne asada are the value picks. The kitchen runs until 2am Mon-Wed, 3am Thu-Sun.
Address: 2300 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
Enriqueta's in Miami is the 1988 Cuban counter at 186 NE 29th Street, with pan con bistec under $11 and cafe con leche the locals walk to from Wynwood.
Try: Pan con bistec
Tip: Pan con bistec with potato sticks. Closed Sundays; opens 7am, line by 9.
Pinecrest Bakery in Miami is the 24-hour Cuban-American chain at 12101 S Dixie Highway, with pastelitos at $2 each and croquetas filling out a $5 breakfast plate.
Try: Cuban pastelitos and cafecito
Tip: Flagship runs 24 hours. Add a cortadito for under a dollar. Best bang on a 3am drive home from Calle Ocho.
Sanguich in Miami's Little Havana is the Cuban sandwich counter at 2057 SW 8th Street, a 2022 Bib Gourmand pick, with the city's reference pressed pan cubano under $15.
Try: Cuban sandwich and pan con bistec
Tip: Add a side croqueta. Closed evenings; this is a lunch stop. Card or cash both work.
Lung Yai Thai Tapas in Little Havana is the Bib Gourmand counter at 1731 SW 8th Street, with Thai street-food plates under $15 each that build into a full meal for two.
Try: Thai street-food tapas under $15 per plate
Tip: Order four plates for two diners. Closed Mondays; arrive at 5pm or after 9pm to skip the line.
Versailles in Miami is the 1971 Calle Ocho institution at 3555 SW 8th Street, with full Cuban platters from $13 and ventanita pastelitos at the front window.
Try: Vaca frita platter with sides
Tip: Vaca frita with moros and maduros is the value plate. Counter beats the dining room for solo dining.
