As your friendly neighborhood Cubana, I must tell you that if you aren't going out into Central Florida and experiencing the overwhelming amount of Hispanic-owned eateries we have, you are missing out.

Yes, we are not Miami, but you know what? I don't want to be Miami!

Okay, I would take a few of their Cuban eateries. Still, Orlando is truly the melting pot that doesn't own one specific category of Hispanic cuisine but has something for everyone. If you don't believe me, you aren't exploring.

Take a journey through Apopka, the Conway area, bits of East Orlando, bits of Winter Garden, Kissimmee, and even Haines City! Not every spot may not fit the 'Instagram-ready' model, but they have a unique charm and almost always a warm, hospitable atmosphere. They are waiting to be discovered and shared. These aren't the places you will necessarily see plastered all over your social feeds since many of these establishments don't have the means to invite influencers to dine for free for exposure.

Ways you can support a locally-owned Hispanic restaurant:

Go to places that aren't "pretty”. The best food, prepared with the most love, is often found in humble surroundings.
If you see a roadside agua fresca table, stop by and grab a drink - you will not regret it.
See a food truck selling tacos and street food? Try it!
Go online and look up the eateries closest to your house. Try one that you haven't been to yet. You just might find a favorite that you can add to your regular rotation.

As much as I dine out, I still have so many places on my list to get to; that is how endless the options are. So your favorite might not be on the list. Within the list each establishment might not all be the same caliber, but as I always say, I don't tell you what is “best”; I tell you what is out there. If a type of food is near and dear to you and you grew up with it, you are more likely to be more critical of finding the “real deal”, but someone else less familiar may love and be introduced to something new.

Below is a list of 70 local spots during and well after Hispanic Heritage Month! Go enjoy!