Cuban Sandwich
When Chef Michael Beltran opened Chug’s as a pop-up in the spring of 2019 in Coconut Grove, he had no idea that it would take on a life of its own.
PB&J Pastelitos
The compact eatery — an American diner with a Cuban spin — pivoted during the pandemic to offer food and supply delivery as well as a curated grocery store before it closed for renovations.
Now, it has reopened as a permanent establishment with more space.
“It has been an unexpected, wonderful and sometimes heartbreaking journey from where we started with Chug’s to where we have arrived,” says Beltran in a press release.
The restaurant is in the same location but instead of its former 677 square foot footprint it expanded to more than 4,500 square feet of indoor-outdoor dining, bar and café space. It will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner — and a full bar (we’ve got our eye on the Guava Gimlet with gin, guava and lime!)
Menu selections include a cast-iron pancake slow-cooked in clarified butter, served with warm butter on a pool of maple syrup; meatloaf with tamarind ketchup, peas and carrots and whipped mashed potatoes; veggie casserole — Tahini mojo, sweet potato, boniato, peas and carrots, roasted onion and sazón breadcrumbs and pork belly masitas with fufu de platano and mojo onions.
Signature desserts include goat cheese flan and arroz con leche.
Chug’s is located at 3444 Main Highway, Coconut Grove. For more information, visit chugsdiner.com.
Pork belly masitas with fufu de platano and mojo onions