A $20 Meal in Hempstead
By Ryan McCord
Staff Writer
Sometimes if you want to get something done (or, in this case, eat something good), taking matters into your own hands is the only way to go.
Staff Writer
Sometimes if you want to get something done (or, in this case, eat something good), taking matters into your own hands is the only way to go.
I asked postal deliverers, police officers, bus riders, Home Depot workers, and anyone else who spends their lunch breaks in the Village of Hempstead: “Do you know any good restaurants around here?”
The answer, overwhelmingly, turned out to be McDonald’s. No kidding.
“I know three girls that work at a Spanish restaurant down the street, and all three of them will tell you they’d rather eat at McDonald’s then their own place,” said an employee at Aaron’s Furniture on Fulton Avenue, who declined to reveal his identity.
Restaurants of Latin American influence are plentiful in and around the Village of Hempstead, but the only El Salvadorian themed establishment within the business-heavy tracks of Main Street and Fulton Avenue appears to be a cut above the competition.
“The best juke-box in town, man,” claims local regular patron Julio Cesar, 19, as he scrolls through the nostalgic neon-lit music vending machine.
Reservations are far from needed around noon on a Saturday at Miranda’s River Café, but in order to stay and enjoy the amusing tunes of “Los Tigres Del Norte: One Night Only” or admire the professionally painted tropical scene stretching the wall directly across from the bar, you’re going to need to brush up on your Spanish dining dialogue.
Posing the question, “What do you recommend?” means absolutely nothing to waitress/barmaid Rosana Martinez, 23, of Hempstead, or to Rosie the cook. The only regret I have about visiting Miranda’s was that I didn’t bring my pocket Spanish-English dictionary. Ordering in Spanish is not as complicated as you might think and will only take you minutes to learn.
Knowing these key terms and phrases will get you through the ordering procedure relatively stress free:
Since I was working with a $20 budget and elementary knowledge of the Spanish language, I had no choice but to take an unimaginative ordering approach. This meant no $8 plate of calamari to fire up the taste buds. Instead, I substituted my appetizer allowance of $5 on a glass of 2003 Californian Cabernet Sauvignon.
How can you go wrong with enchiladas? My objective in ordering an entrée was to again think conservatively with the idea in mind that since it was being prepared with Latin care, it could only be an upgrade from Taco Bell, who doesn’t even sell enchiladas.
What I ended up getting was a plate of what we Americans call “Mexican Salad.” Nevertheless, the dish was, dare I say it, out of this world. Chunks of fresh red, tasty tomatoes, shredded crispy green salad, diced white onions, and generous helpings of tender, shredded chicken combined harmoniously with Rosie’s blend of Latin spices thrown on two fried flour shells.
Even though the menu comes with no options for dessert, I did see Rosie carrying a few bundles of plantains that looked like they just fell out of the tree. Since she did such a marvelous job with frying the “enchilada” shells, I had a good feeling about her fruit frying skills. My instincts proved me well because the plantains were fabulous, but even ordering something as pedestrian as fruit came with a bit of a twist. Apparently in Latin America, plantains are meant to be dipped in sour cream. After taste testing for the sake of an audience, I came away feeling the mix goes together about as well as toothpaste and orange juice.
Miranda’s is clean, inviting, full of life, wheelchair accessible, and open seven days a week. The only caveat (if you really call it that, considering you’d be exercising your opportunity to speak another language for the price eating a traditional Latin meal and listening to salsa beats at a tolerable pitch) is being able to order in Spanish.
Atmosphere: Leave all your worries out the door. The Latin-American music takes you away the second you walk in.
Recommended dishes: According to Rosana, the tacos de lengua (calf tongue tacos), pupusas de queso (similar to a tamale, only flour shell), the “enchiladas” de pollo, and fried plantains.
Wine List: I counted at least 15 different bottles of red standing behind the bar. The menu lists only four of each color. Red: Concha de Toro ($25.00), Rosso Di Montelgino ($32.00), Merlot-Beringer ($22.00), Caberet Sauvignon ($23.00) White: Pinot Grigio-Italy ($22.00), White Zinfandel ($19.00), Chardonnay-Kendall Jackson-California ($22.00)
Price Range: Appetizers $4.95-$18.95, Entrees $10.95-$18.95
Credit Cards: American Express, Visa, Mastercard.
To read and contribute to the reporter's wiki set up for this article, click here.
The answer, overwhelmingly, turned out to be McDonald’s. No kidding.
“I know three girls that work at a Spanish restaurant down the street, and all three of them will tell you they’d rather eat at McDonald’s then their own place,” said an employee at Aaron’s Furniture on Fulton Avenue, who declined to reveal his identity.
Restaurants of Latin American influence are plentiful in and around the Village of Hempstead, but the only El Salvadorian themed establishment within the business-heavy tracks of Main Street and Fulton Avenue appears to be a cut above the competition.
“The best juke-box in town, man,” claims local regular patron Julio Cesar, 19, as he scrolls through the nostalgic neon-lit music vending machine.
Reservations are far from needed around noon on a Saturday at Miranda’s River Café, but in order to stay and enjoy the amusing tunes of “Los Tigres Del Norte: One Night Only” or admire the professionally painted tropical scene stretching the wall directly across from the bar, you’re going to need to brush up on your Spanish dining dialogue.
Posing the question, “What do you recommend?” means absolutely nothing to waitress/barmaid Rosana Martinez, 23, of Hempstead, or to Rosie the cook. The only regret I have about visiting Miranda’s was that I didn’t bring my pocket Spanish-English dictionary. Ordering in Spanish is not as complicated as you might think and will only take you minutes to learn.
Knowing these key terms and phrases will get you through the ordering procedure relatively stress free:
-
Camarera -- Waitress.
Camarero -- Waiter.
Puedes ayudarme? -- Can you help me?
Una mesa para dos. -- A table for two.
Estoy/Estamos listos para pedir. – I am/We are ready to order.
Menu (men-ooh) -- Menu.
Eso es todo. -- That’s all.
No intendi bien 00 I didn’t understand well.
Café con leche y azucar. -- Coffee with milk and sugar.
Vino rojo/blanco -- Red/White Wine.
Cerveza -- Beer.
Camarones -- Shrimp.
Pollo -- Chicken.
Carne -- Beef.
Al punto cocido -- Medium rare.
Bien cocido -- Well done.
La Cuchara -- Spoon.
El Cuchillo -- Knife.
El Tenedor -- Fork.
La Sal -- Salt.
El Pimiento -- Pepper.
Agua – Water.
El bano – Bathroom.
Since I was working with a $20 budget and elementary knowledge of the Spanish language, I had no choice but to take an unimaginative ordering approach. This meant no $8 plate of calamari to fire up the taste buds. Instead, I substituted my appetizer allowance of $5 on a glass of 2003 Californian Cabernet Sauvignon.
How can you go wrong with enchiladas? My objective in ordering an entrée was to again think conservatively with the idea in mind that since it was being prepared with Latin care, it could only be an upgrade from Taco Bell, who doesn’t even sell enchiladas.
What I ended up getting was a plate of what we Americans call “Mexican Salad.” Nevertheless, the dish was, dare I say it, out of this world. Chunks of fresh red, tasty tomatoes, shredded crispy green salad, diced white onions, and generous helpings of tender, shredded chicken combined harmoniously with Rosie’s blend of Latin spices thrown on two fried flour shells.
Even though the menu comes with no options for dessert, I did see Rosie carrying a few bundles of plantains that looked like they just fell out of the tree. Since she did such a marvelous job with frying the “enchilada” shells, I had a good feeling about her fruit frying skills. My instincts proved me well because the plantains were fabulous, but even ordering something as pedestrian as fruit came with a bit of a twist. Apparently in Latin America, plantains are meant to be dipped in sour cream. After taste testing for the sake of an audience, I came away feeling the mix goes together about as well as toothpaste and orange juice.
Miranda’s is clean, inviting, full of life, wheelchair accessible, and open seven days a week. The only caveat (if you really call it that, considering you’d be exercising your opportunity to speak another language for the price eating a traditional Latin meal and listening to salsa beats at a tolerable pitch) is being able to order in Spanish.
Atmosphere: Leave all your worries out the door. The Latin-American music takes you away the second you walk in.
Recommended dishes: According to Rosana, the tacos de lengua (calf tongue tacos), pupusas de queso (similar to a tamale, only flour shell), the “enchiladas” de pollo, and fried plantains.
Wine List: I counted at least 15 different bottles of red standing behind the bar. The menu lists only four of each color. Red: Concha de Toro ($25.00), Rosso Di Montelgino ($32.00), Merlot-Beringer ($22.00), Caberet Sauvignon ($23.00) White: Pinot Grigio-Italy ($22.00), White Zinfandel ($19.00), Chardonnay-Kendall Jackson-California ($22.00)
Price Range: Appetizers $4.95-$18.95, Entrees $10.95-$18.95
Credit Cards: American Express, Visa, Mastercard.
To read and contribute to the reporter's wiki set up for this article, click here.
