Versailles is basically the Olive Garden of Cuban cuisine—overpriced, over-sauced, and designed for people who think Cuban food begins and ends with rice and beans. Real Miamians haven't eaten there since the 1990s, and neither should you if you want authentic flavors at honest prices.

El Carajo (2465 SW 17th Avenue)

Yes, it's literally inside a BP gas station on Coral Way. Yes, it looks completely sketchy from the outside. But their croquetas are perfection—crispy golden shells with molten béchamel centers, not the frozen grocery store garbage most tourist spots serve. $3.50 each, and their wine selection would make sommelier snobs weep. Order the serrano ham while you're there.

Islas Canarias (285 NW 27th Avenue on Calle Ocho)

No English menu, cash only, and the ropa vieja tastes exactly like someone's abuela spent six hours perfecting it. $14.95 gets you a portion that genuinely feeds two people, served with perfectly seasoned black beans and rice that isn't swimming in oil. The maduros (sweet plantains) here are caramelized to perfection.

La Carreta (Multiple locations, try 3632 SW 8th Street)

Open 24/7 and filled with taxi drivers, nurses ending night shifts, and families celebrating quinceañeras at 2am. Their café cubano is strong enough to wake the dead ($1.25), and the tres leches cake ($4.50) will ruin you for dessert anywhere else. This is where working-class Miami eats, which means the food has to be exceptional to survive.