Miami has more classic Cuban dining establishments than you can shake a stick at, but what we also have is an array of modern takes on our old favorites. Chug’s, opened just earlier in 2019, is one of those places. This Cuban diner has plenty of comfort food platters to keep the locals coming back, with plenty of twists to bring in curious tourists. Run by Chef Michael Beltran, this Grove spot features the quintessential Abuela’s breakfast–”named as such and composed of rice and beans plus fried eggs and maduros–”plus delectable delights like the medianoche (made with duck) and a wide array of pastelitos. It’s basically got everything you need out of a Cuban dining establishment but turned up to 11.

Recommended for Cuban because: Chug’s raises the bar for Miami’s diners with Cuban fare that takes into account the adventurous tastes of Miami’s younger foodies without upsetting abuelita.

Priscilla’s expert tip: Chug’s is a Cuban eatery brought into the 21st century. That is, they have all the favorites you grew up with, with the added bonus of craft beer and regular events like domino competitions and pastelito eating contests to keep the millennial crowd coming back. Stay on top of their events by following their social pages.

Cuban diner Chug’s has gotten a major facelift after a months long closure. The diner, which was once a small pop-up, is now a permanent and expanded full-service diner and modern day ventanita. The restaurant now occupies the same space it once did, all 677 square feet of it, but expanded outward to a total of 4,500-square-feet of indoor-outdoor dining, bar, and cafe space. Chug’s is now serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with favorites like the cast-iron skillet, Chug’s burger, pan con minuta, and more making a return on the menu. And unlike most diners, Chug’s features a full bar, too.

Michael Beltran distinctly remembers the day he received his childhood nickname. It was his first day as a high school freshman; Beltran walked in late to class, a chocolate milk chug in hand. Today, Chug is the name of the restaurateur’s Cuban-American diner, a successful pop-up he’s since expanded into a permanent, full-service eatery modern-day ventanita. Where once stood a tiny grab ’n’ go, Chug’s now shows off an airy, open design inviting morning, afternoon, or late-night dining, complete with diner-style booths and a bar with lounge-style seating. True to the diner ethos, a crave-worthy menu of Cuban-American eats covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While pancakes and meat loaf are signature highlights, don’t miss out on the curated selection of Pastelito Papi’s famous fruit- and meat-stuffed pastelitos, or the house Cubano sandwich served on fresh-baked Cuban bread from the diner’s own bakery

This is the version of the Cuban-American diner that chef Michael Beltran imagined when he first opened Chug’s in 2019. After a year-long expansion, it’s an all-hours diner, where you can get his cast-iron pancake for (all-day) breakfast, a shaved eye round pan con bistec with oxtail jus for dipping at lunch, a frita-stuffed pastelito from sous chef Gio Fesser for a snack, and Beltran’s upscale take on meatloaf for dinner. Oh, and cocktails until 2 a.m. on the weekends.