M&M Cafe

Orlando is not synonymous with food.  In fact, it is seen as an afterthought to the experience.  It could also be called an obstacle.  You go to one the many parks there in the morning.  Hit the big rides to avoid the long lines.  And then, if there is time, grab quick bite so you can get back onto the rides.  Why with the high prices and mediocre taste would you not want to think that way?  For being the happiest place on Earth, food seems to be an unpleasant one.  But if Disney and company want to provide a magical and transformative experience, shouldn't food be a part of the equation?  Wouldn't that make a complete experience? (And no, character brunches don't count).  The inability to answer these questions has left its impact on American culture.  Food, in many circles, is an afterthought.  It has left kids only knowing how to order chicken tenders or burgers with fries, even at fancy restaurants.  Terrifying.

Things are beginning to change though.  People are beginning to demand better food, and finally there is a supply of restaurants serving this food.  M&M Cafe is one such place.

It may not seem like a place that you would want to go to.  It's situated in a shopping center that has seen better days.  And there are signs in front of the restaurant advertising it as serving "Spanish" or "Latin" food.  It's trying to advertise to gringos who will probably not even go near the place.  I mean the surrounding area looks like any boring suburban town full of strip malls.  But right as I walked in, the owner greeted us with samples of the food being offered on the counter.  We sampled a variety of meats and a unique starch I have never seen before.  Each meat comes with a starch, sweet plantains, and some salad.  After not being sure of what to get, I ask the owner to recommend a way for us to sample everything.  She agreed that when there's a group of people, everyone should order something different in order to try everything.

The first plate is pepper steak with rice and pinto beans.  It's just simply rice and beans with some meat.

Second, there was stewed chicken over mashed green plantains.  Now I've had sweet or ripe plantains before but never unripened.  Like bananas, the flavor is milder the less ripe it is.  Since the plantains are so mild, it can rendered as something savory.  But what made me the most happy is the fact that they used dark meat chicken.  It works well with the spiced broth it's soaked in.

Finally, a plate of roasted pork (pernil) over yellow rice with black beans.  The pork is roasted on the bone and with the skin on.  It allows the meat to retain the natural juices.  And when it comes time to serve, it comes with pieces of skin.  After trying all of these dishes, my family and I agree that the pork was the best of them all.

I would really like this place to be popular.  I really would.  This restaurant truly has great food and even better service.  If this place were in a major city, there would be a line out the door around the block.  But at the same time, I don't want this place to be like that.  Imagine having to serve that many people.  That personal connection would be lost for the sake of more efficient service.  There will be too many faces and names to remember.  There will not be enough time for friendly chat here and there.  It won't be the same as it is now.  But in reality, getting more customers is necessary to keep the business going.