We visited Padrino’s this past Mother’s Day as a party of 16 and it was amazing. The professionalism that they displayed at a location that has only been open for a few weeks was a testament to their dedication to quality.
As we all arrived, we were promptly seated at a large table along the rear wall next to the kitchen. The dining area is so large and open making the beautifully appointed bar the focal point of the restaurant. After giving us a few minutes to settle in our server took our drink orders. Doris ordered the Guava’ Rita made with Dano’s Tequila, Guava, Agave, and Lime. It is, in my opinion, one of the best margaritas that I’ve ever had. This is truly a house highlight drink. I went with the Palma which is made with Redemption Rye Whiskey, Agave, and Lime juice. An excellent choice that I would most definitely order upon returning.
For our appetizers, we ordered 2 Cuban combination platters for the table which consisted of Fiesta tostones, croquetas de jamon, picadillo empanadas, mariquitas, and black bean salsa. Everything on the platter was Exquisite for me the Black Bean Salsa was unforgettable. There was also a bit of a guava salad that I believe was garnish but was absolutely delicious. Doris called it guava from Heaven.
For the tables entrees, we ordered several dishes listed in no particular order. I saw at least 3 orders of Arroz Relleno that are made with morsels of boneless chicken and mozzarella cheese between two layers of yellow rice, topped with mozzarella cheese, and served with sweet plantains. There were 2 orders of the Arroz Con Pollo made with boneless chicken, onions, peppers, garlic, and chorizo all sautéed in moist yellow rice and also served with sweet plantains. I saw at least 1 order of Palomilla which is a traditional Cuban marinated minute steak topped with sautéed onions. Served with white rice, black beans, and plantains. I ordered the Ropa Vieja which consisted of shredded flank steak slow cooked with green peppers and onions in a light sauce. Served with congri’, and plantains. For those not familiar with the names of the dish congri’. Congri’ is rice mixed with black beans. I only know of one place where I could get better congri’ and that is my late Aunt Sara’s on any given Saturday night that I found myself in Miami.
The service for a table of 16 was fantastic and the food was as if My Grandmother and Aunt were cooking in the kitchen. EVERYTHING ordered was nothing short of perfection.
This just as the Padrino’s in Boca Raton is nothing short of AMAZING!!! The consistency of the food, the quality of the food, and the flavors are unparalleled to anyone here in South Florida. I said it before and I’ll say it again “This is down-home Cuban food like your Abuela made it”. They have been modernizing the look and feel of their location but have not messed with the recipes. They know that the savor is what has made them the success that they have become.
We recently had the privilege to attend the Grand Re-Opening of Padrino’s in Plantation. They have moved to their beautiful new location at 1039 South University Drive, which is just under half a mile from the previous location at 801 South University Drive. While touring and becoming acquainted with Mario Padrino Sr. the Company’s CEO since 1984, I related to him how my Mother turned me onto Padrino’s. It was around the mid 90’s, they had a stand in the Festival Flea Market Food Court. I remember it because it was the only stand that was always busy. In the early 2000’s my father and I would park in the back of the building and we would place our order in a small separate dining area that they had. Mario related to us the history of the family (including some old photographs which made for the best visuals, IMHO) since their days in Cuba where they started as a local grocery store. The Padrino family’s American legacy began in 1976 by opening their first restaurant in Hialeah. Since then, the family has passed the brand down to the following generations, who have opened restaurants throughout Broward and Dade County. Hard work, family values, integrity, respect, dignity, loyalty and the preservation of the original family traditional recipes all sound like a beautiful, blessed, and winning combination for all of us.
“It is truly warm and heartfelt gratitude that we are experiencing to be sharing time and traditions with this beautiful family. They and of course their staff made sure that we enjoyed our Mother’s Day celebration from the first phone call to make the arrangements and right through every detail and change to the last Cafecito.” Doris Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
