A Cuban woman residing in Miami recently took her cousin, visiting the city for the first time, to two of the most iconic Cuban-American restaurants. The stark contrast between the two experiences left her utterly "speechless," according to her own words. Yohana Serrano (@yohanaserrano805) shared her thoughts in a TikTok video on Sunday about her visits to La Carreta and El Versalles.
The Disappointment at La Carreta
The first stop on their culinary tour was La Carreta, located on Calle Ocho near SW 42nd Avenue in Little Havana. From the very first dish, the experience was a letdown. Yohana described the beans as flavorless, and the congrí as reminiscent of "hospital food." The only dish that stood out to her was a whole fried fish. Everything else, she felt, was forgettable.
Adding to the disappointment was a mandatory 18% tip, regardless of customer satisfaction. "Here’s your forced eighteen percent, like it or not," she quipped in her video.
The only thing that brought a smile to Yohana's face at La Carreta was the decorative rooster at the entrance. "I took a bunch of pictures because photos are free," she joked, implying that the rest of the visit wasn't worth much excitement.
El Versalles Lives Up to Its Reputation
The following day was a different story altogether. At El Versalles, known as the world's most famous Cuban restaurant and a historic gathering place for Cuban exiles in Miami, the service was "spectacular" and the food "incredibly spectacular." "Everything was divine; we had a great time at El Versalles," she summarized.
What puzzled Yohana the most was that both restaurants are owned by the same entity. "If you're the same person, my dear, your calculations are off. You need to check on La Carreta's kitchen, because it’s not up to par," she addressed the owner directly in her video.
The Legacy of the Valls Group
Both establishments are part of the Valls Group, a Cuban-American culinary empire founded by Felipe Valls Sr. after fleeing Cuba in 1960 due to Fidel Castro's regime seizing his businesses. Valls established El Versalles in 1971 followed closely by La Carreta, turning them into Calle Ocho landmarks. Following Valls' death in November 2022 at the age of 89, his son Felipe Valls Jr. took over the group, which also operates Casa Juancho, MesaMar, Casa Cuba, and several locations at Miami International Airport.
Yohana concluded her account with a mix of nostalgia and disappointment: "It's a shame because it’s a restaurant with a long-standing name, an emblem of Miami, of Cuban cuisine, of our customs, of our traditions." For those planning to visit both places, Yohana's verdict is clear: El Versalles lives up to its reputation; La Carreta has some work to do.
Exploring Miami's Cuban Culinary Scene
What makes El Versalles a must-visit restaurant in Miami?
El Versalles is renowned for its spectacular service and delicious Cuban food, making it a beloved landmark and a historic gathering spot for Cuban exiles in Miami.
Why was the visit to La Carreta disappointing?
The experience at La Carreta was disappointing due to flavorless dishes and a mandatory 18% tip, which did not reflect the quality of the food or service.
Who owns La Carreta and El Versalles?
Both La Carreta and El Versalles are owned by the Valls Group, founded by Felipe Valls Sr., and are currently managed by his son, Felipe Valls Jr.