Brightline's New Food Hall Will Have You Rethinking Eating At Train Stations
So much better than day-old Sbarro
Recently, Miami got a slew of new culinary gems in the most natural place to find culinary gems: A train station. “Wait,” you say, “aren’t train stations usually places where you choose between a microwaved Egg McMuffin and starving to death?” And if you, like most of Miami, are from the northeast, then the answer is unequivocally yes, as even the cockroaches usually prefer starving over the food at train stations.
But this is not Amtrak. This is Brightline, the passenger train that more closely resembles an airline run by a morally questionable middle eastern country than a passenger train. You can get cocktails delivered to your seat. The chairs are basically recliners. And I’m pretty sure they pump fresh lemonade in through the AC ducts. On top of all that, they just revamped the Central Fare food hall to feature a bunch of beloved local restaurants, rather than the usual collection of congealed pizza and Sus Fried Chicken train stations usually offer.
Here's a look at the best spots at Central Fare, and what to get when you go there.
Wolf of Tacos
Wolf of Tacos’ first “I’m Not F**king Leaving!” location has some spectacular tacos, most notably the al pastor, al carbon, and pollo asado. Even more notably, on Tuesdays you can get them for half off. Expect a line.
Must get: Carne asada tacos with hot sauce, a hot sauce which may require reconstructive surgery after use if you’re not careful.
Corner Diner
Rather than retiring to Boca and playing golf after the big payday he got from Josh’s Deli, Josh Marcus is still grinding – literally - making Miami’s best bagels from scratch every day and a big menu of massive deli sandwiches.
Must get: The classic burger, served on Japanese milk bread that makes you rethink every hamburger bun you’ve ever had.
Stanzione Pizza
Stanzione, in Italian, means “Insanely good Neapolitan pizza that you’ll eat all of even though you really only wanted a snack.” No, actually it means “Station” so is there any other place you’d expect Franco Stanzione to pop up after he left his original spot under the Metrorail?
Must get: If you can’t just be normal and get the pizza, try the penne alla vodka. It’s just as good as Carbone’s, and Franco won’t make you wait an hour at the bar first.
Peppi’s Steak and Hoagies
This place is so authentically Philly that you expect to get mugged as soon as you step away from the counter. Fortunately, that doesn’t happen, but you will be treated to toasted sesame seed rolls topped with shaved ribeye, or Buffalo Chicken if you want a true culinary tour of fanatical football fanbases.
Must get: The classic Philly cheesesteak. It’s better than anywhere in Philly not called Angelo’s.
Guchi’s Handroll Bar
I know, “train station sushi” sounds like about as good an idea as “having a picnic on the Brightline tracks.” But in this case the handroll bar comes courtesy of the guy behind Poke OG and Miss Crispy Rice and is a fittingly luxurious way to start off your train journey.
Must get: The Surf and Turf, made with A5 Wagyu and crab meat.
Cotoita
Central Fare goes South American with this “ita” version of Cotoa, the Ecuadorian spot from chef Alejandra Espinoza. Never tried Ecuadorian food? The obvious first time to do it is right before a train ride to Orlando with a rice bowl or cheese empanada.
Must get: Empanadas de queso. They’re the perfect thing to much on while you wander around and decide what else to get.
For Something Sweet
For those with sweet tooths (teeth?) there’s also an outpost of Stepanie’s Crepes, Icy-n-Spicy, and Rosetta Bakery. Just please don’t call the ensuing comedown a “crash,” Brightline tends to frown on that word. There’s also a full cocktail bar if you’re the type who needs a few before getting on the train. You’re not driving, so go for it.
Perfect timing for the article you have written to come out Olee as I’ll be riding the train to Orlando soon!