Oasis Cafeteria

I discovered this hole-​in-​the-​wall because I had to take the bus when my car broke down. And it frequently passed this place and I kept shrugging it off while mentioning in my head that it was so close by work! I finally decided to come here the day the bus driver pulled out of the street, stopped and parked in the nearly nonexistent parking lot, blocking at least 5 cars from leaving, and walked inside to get what he hungers for — good Cuban food. Okay okay, he really only got coffee and something quick to eat for breakfast.
But someone stopping by this place instead of any other places we’ve passed by in Hialeah (there must have been at least 200) tempted me to check this place out.
But, to be sure, this is the industrial wasteland of Hialeah, facing the nice commercial business complexes of Miami Lakes. This Cuban restaurant advocates good barbecue and beer in this run-​down strip mall that’s more suitable for small businesses or industrial activity.
Walk inside, and you may be nervous or apprehensive — it’s very plain, with the wall decorated in red-​neckish décor that’s reminiscence of some off-​road beer haunt for truckers. And yes, complete with a jukebox and pool tables in the back.
But since I work on the fringe of eastern Miami Lakes, this Cuban restaurant is actually the closest one to me. Additionally, I’ve actually liked the food here better than several places I’ve been to already in Hialeah.
The prices are very reasonable. Since it advertises itself as a barbecue joint, even though the menu leans much heavily on traditional Cuban food, the meats here should be king. And I wasn’t disappointed with my food. Churrasco, a nice, thick (actually, the thickest I’ve seen yet), long cut of beef with rice, flavorful beans, and perfectly made maduros, for $ 8.50. Cortaditos for 75 cents. Pastelitos for 50 cents. The rest of the menu revealed Cuban food with prices that just can’t really be beat in many places, especially for the portion and the flavor.
Since the prices are very reasonable and the service was friendly, I’m tempted to even come back to play pool!