MIAMI – Some of the best tapas fare can be found in the least likeliest of locations, reports the Miami News Times.
“If you don't believe me, then join the sludge of traffic oozing up South Dixie Highway to Southwest Seventeenth Avenue and pull into the Citgo on the corner,” writes the newspaper, where hungry patrons are dining on fine wines and Spanish style tapas at the El Carajo International Tapas & Wine located inside the convenience store.
“El Carajo, a cute, tiny, and almost ridiculously charming wine and tapas bar in the unlikeliest of locations. Go in for a tank of unleaded and a lottery ticket, and come out with a stomach full of gambas al ajillo and good rioja. How cool is that?” reports the newspaper.
El Carajo features an “expansive roster of fine wines and champagnes” to accompany a menu of tapas selections that are tasty and “extraordinarily cheap.” For $18, the newspaper writes that customers can dine on “several pieces of rare-grilled skirt steak, three succulent lamb chops, two thin pork chops, an entire chicken breast pounded into a paillard, a plushly textured blood sausage, a fat link of savory-sweet chorizo," as well as "big chunks" of fried potatoes and roasted red, green and yellow bell peppers.”
Wines from Spain, “some of the tastiest and most reasonably priced on the market today,” are stocked in store coolers along with selections from France, Italy, California and Chile. “Save a sip for the rich, creamy guanabana flan and you will enjoy a delightful ending to the best meal at a gas station you will ever, ever eat,” notes the newspaper.