Looking for a Cuban restaurant with superior Vaca Frita

[jduffy]

Tried I think it was Portos but it was dry and not the way I'm used to having it back home in Miami.

If you know of a place in or around LA that makes it nice and moist, love to be able to go check it out.

Thanks a ton for the help.

[jdwdeville]

... everyone here seems to think Vaca Frita is a deep fried skirt steak, as opposed the the shredded-down-to-a-single-fiber boiled beef, marinated overnight in lime and seasoning, then "fried" up in a pan in a little bit of oil deliciousness it is in MIA. oh, how i miss it! oh yeah, Low Blood Sugar, the closest frita i think you'll find is 3000 miles away on Calle Ocho. trust me, i've tried. I buy my Cafe Bustelo and make coladas at home, fry up my own croquettas, relleno my own papas, and pretty much make everything else i crave at home nowadays....
and please be sure to tell me if any of you find a good place!

[Das Ubergeek]

You don't have to relleno your own papas -- if you like Porto's version, they're quite tasty, or if you prefer an actual potato that's stuffed, go to Puro Sabor.

[wutzizname]

A belated question, but wondering if there are any recs on where to buy Café Bustelo?

[Das Ubergeek]

Prepared, or in tins for use at home?

If the later, absolutely any Latino market in the county will have it. Give us an area and we can point you.

[Heather K]

I too have this problem, I grew up in South FL and now am in Raleigh and am DYING for AWESOME Vaca Frita....or some pan in the morning...or some ham croquetas in the mall...urrrggg....

[Low Blood Sugar]

Sorry to derail but, do you know where to get a good frita in this town? I'm 34, born in Miami, went every year til I was 20. Nobody introduced me to the frita until LAST YEAR. All the places i've tried it at in L.A. has been a huge disappointment. They all seem to think a frita is pretty much a hamburger, i'm looking for one that's more like a sloppy joe.

[oro3030]

Miami style Cuban food in general is hard to find in LA.

I haven't had it there but try El Cochinito on Sunset and Micheltorena. Their lechon asada was pretty decent (moist, flavorful, etc) so maybe the vaca frita is good too. The arroz y frijoles were OK, which is better than I can say for most Cuban places in LA. Lousy cafe cubano though. Can't have everything....

[sindy500]

Finding a Miami-style Vaca Frita in this town is hard to find. Guantanamera in Burbank (Victory/Burbank Blvd) has a decent Vaca Frita.