No bakery has the quality of the food, service, or price that EL Brazo Fuerte has. They catered a party for me once (and delivered a cake that was decorated EXACTLY to my specifications). No complaints. Only compliments from myself and my party guests. I wouldn't suggest going anywhere else but el Brazo Fuerte for no matter what the reason.
(5)
Tom S.
A very classic Cuban bakery. They have a wide selection of sweets as well as small sandwiches. I prefer to get a cafe con leche and a croquetta to go. The staff is very friendly but doesn't speak and English. So be careful if your a gringo like me. Lol
(4)
Betty M.
Best pastelitos!! The service is slow. The nicest lady is the really old one. Be patient, it's normally super busy. The pastelitos are totally worth the wait. The guava pastelitos is perfection.
(5)
Michael A.
mmm so many delicious pastrys, sweets, sandwiches, croquetas.. and all so cheap..i always bring a few boxes back for me and my family whenever im in miami favorites of mine are the cream cheese pastelito guava cream cheese , capuchino cones and croquetas
(4)
Jojo T.
I love Pastelitos so I usually stop at a bakery when I have time. Then one day I passed by El Brazo Fuerte Bakery and ordered a few pastelitos. They looked fresh and yummy. The minute I took a bite I said to myself "these are the best" and to this day I go out of my way on Sunday mornings and order at least 10 pastelitos for the family and have them for breakfast w/ cafe con leche. And their party platters are also very fresh and good. So far my favorite.
(4)
Janeisie R.
i love this place!! The best pastelitos and sweets! Every time i need to order a party tray of pastelitos I always get them there! Parking might be a bit hectic during busy hours but it's worth it!
(5)
Carrie R.
Oh I'm sorry, you think you know where to get the best pastelitos in Miami? NO YOU DON'T unless of course you say El Brazo Fuerte. It basically translates into "The Strong Arm" which makes perfect sense because the pastelitos grab you by the soul and suck you into their deliciousness. You won't be able to sit down and eat, but you can randomly sip some water from a fountain that's built into the counter- yes, try to picture it and don't judge because nothing matters when you devour as many pastelitos de carne, queso, croquettas, empanadas and any type of dulce you can imagine and shove it down your throat washing it down with some cafecito because YOU'RE HARDCORE LIKE THAT. Sorry, I lost myself. Come here and figure out how you're not going to spend at least $30 on a box of pastelito loving. DO IT.
(5)
Jenny L.
The workers don't speak much English but the lady was polite and was able to understand my bad pronunciation. Ordered the chicken croquetta, ham pastelitos, Cuban coffee(cafe con leche), and a slice of coconut cake with a cherry on top. Everything was bomb and the coffee a nice compliment. Dirt cheap at about $5 for everything. Last stop before flying home to sac and glad I did.
(5)
Hernani A.
Coffee is terrible! And their guava pastries are bad too! This place is so old fashion and the service is terrible... They have these old cakes and decorations in the windows... And is kind of dirty... Stopped a second time for a cuban bread and is cheap but not good i just do not crave this place... They need to improve....
(1)
Bernardette S.
Your typical, traditional bakery in Miami. I love the hidden location. You have your assortment of pastries, Cuban bread, Cuban coffee and very sweet Cuban cake. The pastelitos were amazing! The tostada not so great, bread didn't feel fresh. The croquetas were also great although personally I like the outside a little crunchier but that's just a personal like. The flavors and freshness, treatment and Cuban coffee were amazing!
(4)
Alden K.
I grew up visiting and eating at El Brazo Fuerte. As a kid, I knew they were awesome. As an adult, gaining more experience, I realized they are one of the best bakeries in Miami. Often reputed as THE best bakery. I remember when you could visit here at any time of day and find parking. Not anymore, their consistently high quality and reasonable prices have made them way too popular. This is the place to go for pastelitos!
(5)
Nanashi Y.
So glad we found this cozy little bakery on yelp! The pastelitos are perfectly light and flakey with just the right amount of sweetness. Friendly staff that does not speak English, but we made it work through pointing and our very limited Spanish vocabulary haha. We ordered a couple of cheese, as well as guava and cheese pastelitos thinking that was enough - then proceeded to eat them all on the spot before ordering several more to go. They are that good!
(5)
Emily H.
After 20 years pastelitos and croquetas still one of the best. I used to come to this bakery all the time when I was in high school. Today I was in the area and decided to stop by and have a pastelitos and croqueta. I could honestly say I wasn't expecting much, it was 4:00pm and by this time pastelitos are either sold out or stale from sitting there the whole day. There was only two pastelitos de guayaba (guava) left, and of course there was only one person in front of me and she snatched them up so I got the next best thing, guava and cheese. I was surprised how flaky and delicious the pastelitos was. The croquetas were just as good. 20 years and still kicking but.
(4)
Jo W.
Pastelitos!!!
(4)
Christian S.
If you are local or find yourself in the area check this place out for pastelitos (pastries), croquettas, and Cuban coffee/cafe con leche. Very old school style bakery worth checking out if you want a true Miami style breakfast. A nice unique item here that isn't common to "most bakeries" is the yemitas. Try them out, they are little yellow spheres with a white dot on top. I recommend this place, parking is a bit sparse but it has never ceased to impress me with its consistent Latin bakery authenticity.
(4)
Cristina G.
I love this bakery!!! It has the best pastelitos. If you are looking for an authentic Cuban bakery then this is the place to go. It so many sweet treats and it even has cafecito. Once you try it you will be hooked on it.
Everything is so good here. I have personal preferences, but friends have ordered the guava and cheese and loved it. Their croquetas and pizza pastelitos are my favorite! Pizza and pastelito, what more can you ask for? You can tell it has been around for a while, and fits right into the neighborhood. I live in broward county, and it is worth the drive but I am excited for their new location in Pembroke Pines!
(5)
Evelyn L.
The food is good, but not anything out of the ordinary. I could get this at any other Cuban bakery. My friend's cortadito tasted burned. I live close by so I came here, but the service is ALWAYS a hit or miss. Very annoying. The lady I had today definitely wasn't in a mood to help out. I spent nearly $20 got quite a bit of things. The service is what truly kills this place. Oh & there's a $10 minimum when you use cards. That's a bit ridiculous considering things are a 1.25 & less. So come with friends or a nice apetite if you are using a card.
(3)
Emily P.
One word: Paste-freaking-litos. Finding Miami's tastiest and freshest pastelitos was one of my top priorities while in this humid beach city. I turned to Yelp for assistance, and of course my old friend did not disappoint!!! This little tiny bakery was EXACTLY what I was looking for! Hidden in a neighborhood off the beaten path of Tourist Town you will find El Brazo. Be warned, if you are solely an English speaker like myself you might have a little trouble.... Thank the mighty heavens one of my girlfriends traveling with me was bilingual!! The service was amazing and the crew working here was very friendly, helpful, and kind. This little haunt is plucked right out of Cuba. Even on a weekday there was a crowd inside the tiny shop, so be prepared for a very small wait. You don't have to ask. The Pastelitos were A-MAZ-ING. My girlfriends and I walked out with a box of a dozen (there were four of us), but the perfect burst of guava and cheese mixed with the flaky pastry was just not enough folded into their tiny little edible packages!! We weren't very far before we decided we needed to turn back and get a second dozen! But they have SO much more to offer you could stand there for ages choosing what to eat next. Cakes, pastries galore, and another Miami treat that is an absolute must to check off your eatery list- Cuban Coffee. That tiny little shot of delicious, stronger than espresso, joe is a perfect pair for your breakfast pastries.
(5)
Rob M.
I found this place based on Yelp reviews while in Miami on business and decided I needed to take home some authentic Cuban treats. The staff up front didn't speak English to give me pointers on what to select so my floundering was obvious to all in the shop. Luckily Henry, a friendly Cuban-American patron, filled me in on the best local pastries and told me he drives well out of the way for this place since it's the best in town. I got a box filled with meat, guava and cheese pastelitos at his direction. They were fresh and warm out of the showcase. At first blush the pastry seemed like the American version of a croissant, but they were actually a lot more light and flaky, the cheese filling tasted more sharp than a cream cheese, but it contrasted nicely with the sweetness of the pastry and the fine granular sugar on the outside. Good Cuban stuff for a Carolina boy!
(5)
Jensen E.
The great Cuban Pastry hunt begins! I refuse to let my wedding guests starve so they will be spoiled by the presence of pastelitos. I'm looking no further than El Brazo. The prices are ridiculously low, like time-travel cheap, and the cafecito will turn you into a junkie. Don't expect them to speak English. The future hubs did his best to order in Spanish and everything turned out fine. There are numbers, pictures, and labels on everything so you can just grunt and point your order and they'll get it right. We ordered an array of goodies from sweet to savory. Our favorites were the pastelitos de guayaba and guayaba y queso. They're iconic so they'll definitely be making an appearance at the reception. I also loved the almond biscuit.. It's shaped like a little crescent and the flavors immediately took me back to my Italian aunt's house. I can't wait to order these puppies. They have awesome specials and the place was filled with party trays.. all a good sign! The only problem with this discovery is that I can't keep going if I want to fit into my dress.
(5)
Steve M.
After reading all the Great reviews, i was touring the area trying to find little Havana and came across this bakery. I really wanted to try the pastelitos and see what they were all about. When i walked in, the place was cozy, looked like a typical bakery with lots of pastries, cakes, and some breads. Nobody really spoke English so it was a good opportunity to try out my Spanish skills. I ended up getting a croissant type pastry that was filled with cheese and had sugar crystals baked into the crust. The tag in the window just said queso, so not sure if this was a pastelito or not. It tasted very good, it was warm, and flakey, and delicately flavored. I also bought a pastry that consisted of about 5 layers of cake and cream (see my picture). I ended up taking one bite of it and throwing the rest away. The taste was great, but the pastry was very hard, and dried out. Seemed like it has been sitting in the glass case all week. When I was ordering they asked me if I was staying or taking my order to go. I didn't see any tables or chairs in the room so I wasn't sure where I was supposed to sit if I had decided to stay. Prices were great, the total for the 2 pastries came out to about $2.
(2)
Ant M. A.
I have to agree with others about this hole in the wall being the best Cuban bakery in the area. The prices are reasonable and I threw in an extra star for cleanliness. Their pastelitos and croquetas are always fresh and done to perfection. The service is a bit slow but they take their time with each and every customer to make sure they have what they need. Weekends before 11am is the worst time of the day. They do get busy and parking is limited but you can park next door or across the street. The staff has been the same since I can remember. I love this place!!!
(4)
Carla L.
Ok so for years I would pass by and giggle to myself every time I saw the name... STRONG ARM bakery in English for those of you who don't know Spanish. Pretty cute. So we decided to stop by and grab a box of goodies to take home and share with the kids. For $12 we got: 8 Pastries, 3 Pastelitos and four little pigs in blankets. You can't go wrong with that deal. I was a bit disappointed to see that they closed at seven and it was 4:10 and they wouldn't give us coffee. Fine, no problem. The pastelitos were delicious absolutely great. The pastries however were just so - so. All of us were trying each others, and all four of us agreed. We actually threw out a whole eclair after tasting it and a couple of other things I do not know the names for. I must clarify that I am a pastry freak and will eat just about anything if it has sugar, cream and carbs in it. So for me to throw away a pastry its saying a LOT. If you stick to the pastelitos you will get top notch delicious ones. Those are fantastic. You cannot go wrong if you do.
(3)
Chris S.
We usually order from them when we have a party. They make the best Cuban birthday cakes around. The meringe, on the top and middle of the cake, is amazing!
(5)
Wendy H.
This used to be my favorite cuban pastry bakery but for the last year or so the quality has really changed. The cheese pastery (pastelito de queso) was heavenly and now i noticed that they don't melt the sugar they way the used to and it is just not the same dough...i don't know it is just different. None of the other pastelitos taste the same to me....something has changed and I don't know what it is but it is time to find a new favorite pastelito bakery because el brazo fuerte just doesn't deliver anymore. I gave it 3 stars because it is just ok now and because it truly was amazing once.
(3)
Roxie G.
Best pastelito de carne ever. The cafe con leche is also amazing. A plentiful box of assorted pastries is only 10.00. This is a very old school bakery so their dessert and cakes options are not very modern but I personally don't come here for their desserts.
(5)
Tomasz M.
My previous office had breakfast fridays. Being the new guy at a large design firm (oblivious to backstabbing)... I though this was a great way to start a relaxed Friday and prep for Happy Hour later in the day. It was,. until it was my turn to fork over a quarter of my pay & feed 35 'too cool for school, designer black only wearing egos. Just messing, those guys were great. After a insider tip and help from a Spanish speaking co-worker, I called El Brazo Fuerte and ordered one of the specials. It's was a variety party tray of great small bites. 25 Pastelitos de Queso ($6.00) 25 Pastelitos de Guayaba (6.75) 25 Croquetas ($5.50) 25 Cangrejitos de Jamon ($6.00) 25 Bocaditos de Lasca ($9.25) ham, cheese & pickle sandwiches Grand total with added coffee from Dunkin' and OJ all under $40.00! Win. Note: Ladies seemed a little annoyed w/ me as the place was crowded and I stood in wrong line. Pick up is by cakes section, give name. Always best to place order day before for 8:00 am pick-up.
(4)
Ivonne Marie C.
After reading Adriana Ds review and working so close to this bakery, I just knew I had to give it a try. I stopped in this morning to get some pastelitos for the people at work to celebrate a birthday. Walked in to a large bakery, with just a few customers (I'm assuming its way busier around 8 a.m. or so, but I walked in at 9:30a.m.). The attendants are normal. I didn't find them to be nice or overly friendly, didn't even make eye contact when I walked in, they were simply doing their job - but I do have to note that they were pleasantly and happily doing their job. (this earned them 3 stars) As far as the pastelitos... let's just say that two minutes in the door and they were GONE! yup, everyone loved them - and I was able to sneak out two... the croquetas are delicious, this combination of sweet and salty that I don't know how they achieved with ham, but oh. my. gawd! (this would have given them 4 stars, but really, I don't eat pastelitos that often anyway). 1/2 a star for accepting credit cards (minimum $10) and for being super cheap - my full bill of a million pastelitos and one cafe con leche was less than $14!
(3)
Jenny Q. V.
Best pastelitos!! Love the croquetas. Service is okay staff seems uptight but besides that I wish I had one closer to home I would have pastelitos everyday! They used to have yuca rellena and it was great I wish they still had it :(
(5)
Jordan N.
Delicious homestyle Cuban bakery. They have croquetas, pastelitos, cakes, dessert, and *CHEAP* coffee. Cheaper than anywhere else I've seen! 80 cents for a cortadito. 95 cents for a cafe con leche. --- this is like a cafe latte, people! 95 WHOLE CENTS! I'll admit though. I haven't tried the coffee yet. I only had $2 on me and I wanted some yummy pastelitos. Talk about a bang for a buck! All you have to do is get a number, and wait for the viejitas cubanas (old cuban ladies) to flip the number cards over until you see your number show up. Then you order. (Yes, I know I'm talking to you like a baby here). Only downer - cash only. Another downer - pray you know Spanish. But you might be able to do just fine if you just point and know that you have to pay in cash.
(4)
Raul M.
Best Pastelitos in town at the best prices. I just got enough food to feed my entire office for only $10! I was beloved and I didn't break the bank!
(5)
Jenny S.
My favorite Cuban bakery so far. I've been coming here for years upon years upon years. No frills here just good pastelitos. This is not the place to go for a fabulous birthday cake decoration. They're a little outdated. Pastelitos are always fresh. They have everything from queso to tuna (love the tuna one). Meat is outrageously good. They're all delicious! Service is okay. The attendants remind me of my grandma so I can't help but like them anyways. Love this place!!!!!
(4)
Karla S.
Don't come here for anything else but a cafe con leche and pastelitos. Hands down -- BEST PASTELITOS around town.
(4)
Adriana D.
HANDS DOWN my FAVORITE pastelito place ev-ar! for me this place is a staple, a constant of Miami Cuban culture. I've been coming to this place for years, decades even! it's so good that when I go visit family and friends out of town, they ask me to bring them a box or two of these delicious treats. the staff hasn't changed - except maybe some new additions to help with the masses that are here every morning - same pastry chefs, same ladies behind the counter, same everything - why mess with a good thing? their pastelitos de carne are the freaking best I've ever had. all the others (guayaba, cheese, guayaba and cheese, papa rellena, etc.) come a close second but are still mouthwateringly delicious. their croquettas, either the ham or the chicken are outstanding. they have all sorts of dessert type sweet treats too, and even make cakes, but I always stick to the pastries cause they've never done me wrong. another top favorite of mine, their fresh baked Cuban bread is unbeatable. the prices are super cheap, I mean super. depending on when you go you may have quite a wait but - trust me - take a number, step back and let your hunger build until they call you....you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Janelle B.
I have been going to this bakery ever since I can remember. The croquetas and pastelitos de guava, jamon, queso, and carne are all delicious. The cafe con leche is only second to my Abuela's. They have a huge window that allows you to see the little Cuban men making the monstrous Cuban cakes (I'd pass on those, though). Expect to wait at least 20 minutes on the weekends because of the amount of people who frequent it.
(5)
John L.
The gold standard of Cuban pastries (pastelitos); everything else is alright so long as it's not chocolate (for some reason Cuban bakeries can't do chocolate well). But again, they're pastelitos are beyond compare, especially when fresh and warm-- during the a.m.).
(5)
Deb R.
The pastelitos are the best I've ever had. I even had them delivered to my wedding reception. Great service, friendly staff, great food, and gorgeous cakes.
(5)
Katie L.
Every time I come to Miami or whenever my families throw parties down in Miami, this is where we get our pastelitos. Simply the best of the best! Sometimes the wait is a bit long but it's well worth the wait! Azúcar!
(5)
Alison R.
Aye dios, Brazo Fuerte I'm here in New York dreaming of your pastelitos. Until we meet again.
(4)
Alejandra G.
This place has the worse service that I experienced anywhere. We decided to visit after the review on yelp but it's bot even worth the drive to get here. The pastries were not that great.
(1)
Rob D.
Best bakery in Miami. Luckily my family lives down the street from this place, so every time I stop by here several times. The pastelitos are second to none; Gilbert's bakery used to have slightly better pastelitos de carne (and I mean "slightly"!) years ago when they were on the corner of 16th Street and 37th Ave, but ever since they moved their whole product has gone downhill. Their other sweets are also delicious, but you've really got to like sweet stuff. Their Cuban bread is good, but again and again I've decided that I prefer the Cuban bread from Publix (I know, I know- impossible to believe but there it is).
(5)
Edwardo C.
I have tried Cuban pastries from the typical joints- Versailles, La Carreta etc. However, I have found that El Brazo holds the freshest and most delicious Cuban pastelitos, empanadas, Cuban bread, and Cafecito. Awesome Spot!
(5)
Kristen H.
I can officially say that I will never go back here. It used to be that there were a handful of things that you could count on to be great here--caracoles, coffee, croquetas de jamon o de queso, and that's pretty much that. However, the last time I went, it was clear that things had completely changed. I have to wonder if ownership has changed. The caracol I had tasted as though it were made from old, freezerburnt frozen dough and the filling had both the consistency and flavor of instant Jello-O pudding : /. Before the natilla in the caracol was the best in town. It used to be the perfect thickness, the kind that stayed put without being overly dense, and the flavor was the perfect sweetness with a great zip of lemon. This last time, the flavor was terrible in the pastry and the cream, the filling was runny, and the flavor was very generic-tasting. I did not even finish my caracol after having craved it for so long. I had to trash it rather than waste my calories on cheap- and stale-tasting junk. I hate to say it, but I will never be back again. Sad to see this place go down this way.
(1)
Miami Y.
This is where I go and get Cuban pastries and buy flan for my grandmother. We grew up coming to this place and its still great and economical. Make sure to try a pastry called "Senorita" its amazing!
(5)
Gustavo A. L.
In my previous life, I drove past this bakery every weekday for a couple of years - never paying much attention to it. So when I found myself again in the area a couple of weeks ago, I figured, it was time to pull in and give a shot. All 5 stars to service - albeit, it is colloquial, and informal but the place is more like a neighborhood bakery so it is to be expected. The pastries look great in the glass display, so I got a bit ahead of myself and bought a bunch of different ones, I was surprised by how inexpensive it all came out to be. However, when I got home, I literally threw each and everyone away after one bite- It is not that they were that bad - but just not worth the calories.... I guess the best way to explain this is to direct you to the french bakery in France @ Epcot - buy a Napoleon - by the sheer size of it, it probably packs like 2000 calories, but when you take a bite out of it, you will gladly finish it and enjoy every single ounce of fat, calories and cholesterol in it ! That's what I mean. The Brazo Fuerte pastries where just blah - maybe if I was famished, and haven't eaten in a couple of days those calories would be good for my survival but not as dessert on a semi full stomach. The pastelitos are much better - So there it is .... take pastelitos, leave the pastries. Finally, super kudos for withstanding the test of time as they have been serving this community for many years.
(3)
Suzanne P.
Best pastelitos in all of Miami. This hole in the wall that's hidden in a primarily residencial neighborhood off of Miracle Mile is probably the best bakery in Miami. Don't go there for anything other than pastelitos, all the other sweets are just meh but the pastelitos, empanadas, and piggies-in-a-blanket make up for everything else. They melt in your mouth and the center, no matter what flavor, is delicious to the point that you just want to keep eating and eating...**ahem** sorry, I'm thinknig of passing by right now just to get my pastelito fix. The attendants are older hispanic ladies so they don't speak very much english but really people, just point at what you want and never underestimate the power of charades. The people that work there are really sweet and are always looking out to see if you need some refills. When you get that urge for good pastelitos, this is the place to go. Grab an Ironbeer (the authentic and quintessential Cuban soda) or a Nestle Iced Tea (I've been drinking this with the El Brazo Fuerte pastelitos since I was a kid, it goes well together. No I don't know why) and enjoy!
(5)
T M.
Wow. I think I the first time I went to El Brazo Fuerte was around 18 years ago, and not much has changed about it. They still offer cheap, fresh Cuban bread, various sorts of pastries, and cakes with various Disney characters all over them. To some degree, all pastelitos I have eaten and judged are going to have to be compared to theirs. Whenever I visit Miami, I come here on the first day and buy a loaf of bread and a box of Cuban pastries. It doesn't matter how it has to happen, but all will get eaten one way or another. They do take credit cards, but I think you need to purchase at least $10. It might be difficult to hit this threshold if you're just buying for yourself, though, since individual items are pretty cheap. So go ahead, get the party tray.
(5)
fatima f.
The best pastelitos in Miami, definitely. This place has been around forever and there are plenty of reasons, why; the quality of the food, the fair prices and the services. Just walk in and take a number, within seconds one of the nice Cuban ladies that work there will call your number and help you and they DO know how to do that because they have been doing it for years. Once you taste it you will get hooked and become regular and soon they will know your face. Don't forget to grab a loaf of Cuban bread on your way out, it's cheap, tasty and filling.
(5)
Elizabeth A.
Absolutely fabulous! Just be warned that if you don't speak Spanish, you'll be gesturing a lot!
(5)
Kelly O.
I have been coming here since I was a child. Their cheese croquetas are always perfct. The cheese pastelito is one of my favorites (it's almost as good as the one at La Suisa bakery). Obviously, I'm a cheese ho, lol. The cafecito always hits the spot. It's a great place to go for take out breakfast. Best of all it's cheap!
(4)
Rob C.
legendary. always busy. definitely come for the pastelitos and bocadito party trays! if you only have a dollar, come here and you can pick from a lot of stuff! actually some items are numbered, in case you forget the spanish name flavors are spot on: guayaba, capuchino, etc. this place is great -- the way cuban bakeries should be. take a number when you arrive. ridiculously inexpensive, awesomely tasty. try the salchicha with their mini sausage inside: 30 cents this one is so good -- a perfect pigs in a blanket with the outer crust slightly sweet amping up the taste also the croqueta and papa rellena were nice. capuchinos good flan excellent: 1.30 also, be sure to check out the juice place a few blocks down (north) -- unlabeled, so hard to yelp, but they are a fruit market with guanabana juice $1.25 -- excelente.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Danny C.
No bakery has the quality of the food, service, or price that EL Brazo Fuerte has. They catered a party for me once (and delivered a cake that was decorated EXACTLY to my specifications). No complaints. Only compliments from myself and my party guests. I wouldn't suggest going anywhere else but el Brazo Fuerte for no matter what the reason.
(5)Tom S.
A very classic Cuban bakery. They have a wide selection of sweets as well as small sandwiches. I prefer to get a cafe con leche and a croquetta to go. The staff is very friendly but doesn't speak and English. So be careful if your a gringo like me. Lol
(4)Betty M.
Best pastelitos!! The service is slow. The nicest lady is the really old one. Be patient, it's normally super busy. The pastelitos are totally worth the wait. The guava pastelitos is perfection.
(5)Michael A.
mmm so many delicious pastrys, sweets, sandwiches, croquetas.. and all so cheap..i always bring a few boxes back for me and my family whenever im in miami favorites of mine are the cream cheese pastelito guava cream cheese , capuchino cones and croquetas
(4)Jojo T.
I love Pastelitos so I usually stop at a bakery when I have time. Then one day I passed by El Brazo Fuerte Bakery and ordered a few pastelitos. They looked fresh and yummy. The minute I took a bite I said to myself "these are the best" and to this day I go out of my way on Sunday mornings and order at least 10 pastelitos for the family and have them for breakfast w/ cafe con leche. And their party platters are also very fresh and good. So far my favorite.
(4)Janeisie R.
i love this place!! The best pastelitos and sweets! Every time i need to order a party tray of pastelitos I always get them there! Parking might be a bit hectic during busy hours but it's worth it!
(5)Carrie R.
Oh I'm sorry, you think you know where to get the best pastelitos in Miami? NO YOU DON'T unless of course you say El Brazo Fuerte. It basically translates into "The Strong Arm" which makes perfect sense because the pastelitos grab you by the soul and suck you into their deliciousness. You won't be able to sit down and eat, but you can randomly sip some water from a fountain that's built into the counter- yes, try to picture it and don't judge because nothing matters when you devour as many pastelitos de carne, queso, croquettas, empanadas and any type of dulce you can imagine and shove it down your throat washing it down with some cafecito because YOU'RE HARDCORE LIKE THAT. Sorry, I lost myself. Come here and figure out how you're not going to spend at least $30 on a box of pastelito loving. DO IT.
(5)Jenny L.
The workers don't speak much English but the lady was polite and was able to understand my bad pronunciation. Ordered the chicken croquetta, ham pastelitos, Cuban coffee(cafe con leche), and a slice of coconut cake with a cherry on top. Everything was bomb and the coffee a nice compliment. Dirt cheap at about $5 for everything. Last stop before flying home to sac and glad I did.
(5)Hernani A.
Coffee is terrible! And their guava pastries are bad too! This place is so old fashion and the service is terrible... They have these old cakes and decorations in the windows... And is kind of dirty... Stopped a second time for a cuban bread and is cheap but not good i just do not crave this place... They need to improve....
(1)Bernardette S.
Your typical, traditional bakery in Miami. I love the hidden location. You have your assortment of pastries, Cuban bread, Cuban coffee and very sweet Cuban cake. The pastelitos were amazing! The tostada not so great, bread didn't feel fresh. The croquetas were also great although personally I like the outside a little crunchier but that's just a personal like. The flavors and freshness, treatment and Cuban coffee were amazing!
(4)Alden K.
I grew up visiting and eating at El Brazo Fuerte. As a kid, I knew they were awesome. As an adult, gaining more experience, I realized they are one of the best bakeries in Miami. Often reputed as THE best bakery. I remember when you could visit here at any time of day and find parking. Not anymore, their consistently high quality and reasonable prices have made them way too popular. This is the place to go for pastelitos!
(5)Nanashi Y.
So glad we found this cozy little bakery on yelp! The pastelitos are perfectly light and flakey with just the right amount of sweetness. Friendly staff that does not speak English, but we made it work through pointing and our very limited Spanish vocabulary haha. We ordered a couple of cheese, as well as guava and cheese pastelitos thinking that was enough - then proceeded to eat them all on the spot before ordering several more to go. They are that good!
(5)Emily H.
After 20 years pastelitos and croquetas still one of the best. I used to come to this bakery all the time when I was in high school. Today I was in the area and decided to stop by and have a pastelitos and croqueta. I could honestly say I wasn't expecting much, it was 4:00pm and by this time pastelitos are either sold out or stale from sitting there the whole day. There was only two pastelitos de guayaba (guava) left, and of course there was only one person in front of me and she snatched them up so I got the next best thing, guava and cheese. I was surprised how flaky and delicious the pastelitos was. The croquetas were just as good. 20 years and still kicking but.
(4)Jo W.
Pastelitos!!!
(4)Christian S.
If you are local or find yourself in the area check this place out for pastelitos (pastries), croquettas, and Cuban coffee/cafe con leche. Very old school style bakery worth checking out if you want a true Miami style breakfast. A nice unique item here that isn't common to "most bakeries" is the yemitas. Try them out, they are little yellow spheres with a white dot on top. I recommend this place, parking is a bit sparse but it has never ceased to impress me with its consistent Latin bakery authenticity.
(4)Cristina G.
I love this bakery!!! It has the best pastelitos. If you are looking for an authentic Cuban bakery then this is the place to go. It so many sweet treats and it even has cafecito. Once you try it you will be hooked on it.
(5)Michelle R.
The parking sucks but it's so worth it. It's the only place I can find my cookies that have almond slices on the outside. It's the best place for Cuban pasties in Miami. I always make sure to stop there before I head back home to Orlando. It can get crowded but they are pretty quick with their service. Cuban bread, croquettes, almonds cookies, pastelitos, and café con leche I believe are a must have or at least that's what's in my box to go. Love this place. Can't wait to go back to Miami.
(5)Nicole M.
Everything is so good here. I have personal preferences, but friends have ordered the guava and cheese and loved it. Their croquetas and pizza pastelitos are my favorite! Pizza and pastelito, what more can you ask for? You can tell it has been around for a while, and fits right into the neighborhood. I live in broward county, and it is worth the drive but I am excited for their new location in Pembroke Pines!
(5)Evelyn L.
The food is good, but not anything out of the ordinary. I could get this at any other Cuban bakery. My friend's cortadito tasted burned. I live close by so I came here, but the service is ALWAYS a hit or miss. Very annoying. The lady I had today definitely wasn't in a mood to help out. I spent nearly $20 got quite a bit of things. The service is what truly kills this place. Oh & there's a $10 minimum when you use cards. That's a bit ridiculous considering things are a 1.25 & less. So come with friends or a nice apetite if you are using a card.
(3)Emily P.
One word: Paste-freaking-litos. Finding Miami's tastiest and freshest pastelitos was one of my top priorities while in this humid beach city. I turned to Yelp for assistance, and of course my old friend did not disappoint!!! This little tiny bakery was EXACTLY what I was looking for! Hidden in a neighborhood off the beaten path of Tourist Town you will find El Brazo. Be warned, if you are solely an English speaker like myself you might have a little trouble.... Thank the mighty heavens one of my girlfriends traveling with me was bilingual!! The service was amazing and the crew working here was very friendly, helpful, and kind. This little haunt is plucked right out of Cuba. Even on a weekday there was a crowd inside the tiny shop, so be prepared for a very small wait. You don't have to ask. The Pastelitos were A-MAZ-ING. My girlfriends and I walked out with a box of a dozen (there were four of us), but the perfect burst of guava and cheese mixed with the flaky pastry was just not enough folded into their tiny little edible packages!! We weren't very far before we decided we needed to turn back and get a second dozen! But they have SO much more to offer you could stand there for ages choosing what to eat next. Cakes, pastries galore, and another Miami treat that is an absolute must to check off your eatery list- Cuban Coffee. That tiny little shot of delicious, stronger than espresso, joe is a perfect pair for your breakfast pastries.
(5)Rob M.
I found this place based on Yelp reviews while in Miami on business and decided I needed to take home some authentic Cuban treats. The staff up front didn't speak English to give me pointers on what to select so my floundering was obvious to all in the shop. Luckily Henry, a friendly Cuban-American patron, filled me in on the best local pastries and told me he drives well out of the way for this place since it's the best in town. I got a box filled with meat, guava and cheese pastelitos at his direction. They were fresh and warm out of the showcase. At first blush the pastry seemed like the American version of a croissant, but they were actually a lot more light and flaky, the cheese filling tasted more sharp than a cream cheese, but it contrasted nicely with the sweetness of the pastry and the fine granular sugar on the outside. Good Cuban stuff for a Carolina boy!
(5)Jensen E.
The great Cuban Pastry hunt begins! I refuse to let my wedding guests starve so they will be spoiled by the presence of pastelitos. I'm looking no further than El Brazo. The prices are ridiculously low, like time-travel cheap, and the cafecito will turn you into a junkie. Don't expect them to speak English. The future hubs did his best to order in Spanish and everything turned out fine. There are numbers, pictures, and labels on everything so you can just grunt and point your order and they'll get it right. We ordered an array of goodies from sweet to savory. Our favorites were the pastelitos de guayaba and guayaba y queso. They're iconic so they'll definitely be making an appearance at the reception. I also loved the almond biscuit.. It's shaped like a little crescent and the flavors immediately took me back to my Italian aunt's house. I can't wait to order these puppies. They have awesome specials and the place was filled with party trays.. all a good sign! The only problem with this discovery is that I can't keep going if I want to fit into my dress.
(5)Steve M.
After reading all the Great reviews, i was touring the area trying to find little Havana and came across this bakery. I really wanted to try the pastelitos and see what they were all about. When i walked in, the place was cozy, looked like a typical bakery with lots of pastries, cakes, and some breads. Nobody really spoke English so it was a good opportunity to try out my Spanish skills. I ended up getting a croissant type pastry that was filled with cheese and had sugar crystals baked into the crust. The tag in the window just said queso, so not sure if this was a pastelito or not. It tasted very good, it was warm, and flakey, and delicately flavored. I also bought a pastry that consisted of about 5 layers of cake and cream (see my picture). I ended up taking one bite of it and throwing the rest away. The taste was great, but the pastry was very hard, and dried out. Seemed like it has been sitting in the glass case all week. When I was ordering they asked me if I was staying or taking my order to go. I didn't see any tables or chairs in the room so I wasn't sure where I was supposed to sit if I had decided to stay. Prices were great, the total for the 2 pastries came out to about $2.
(2)Ant M. A.
I have to agree with others about this hole in the wall being the best Cuban bakery in the area. The prices are reasonable and I threw in an extra star for cleanliness. Their pastelitos and croquetas are always fresh and done to perfection. The service is a bit slow but they take their time with each and every customer to make sure they have what they need. Weekends before 11am is the worst time of the day. They do get busy and parking is limited but you can park next door or across the street. The staff has been the same since I can remember. I love this place!!!
(4)Carla L.
Ok so for years I would pass by and giggle to myself every time I saw the name... STRONG ARM bakery in English for those of you who don't know Spanish. Pretty cute. So we decided to stop by and grab a box of goodies to take home and share with the kids. For $12 we got: 8 Pastries, 3 Pastelitos and four little pigs in blankets. You can't go wrong with that deal. I was a bit disappointed to see that they closed at seven and it was 4:10 and they wouldn't give us coffee. Fine, no problem. The pastelitos were delicious absolutely great. The pastries however were just so - so. All of us were trying each others, and all four of us agreed. We actually threw out a whole eclair after tasting it and a couple of other things I do not know the names for. I must clarify that I am a pastry freak and will eat just about anything if it has sugar, cream and carbs in it. So for me to throw away a pastry its saying a LOT. If you stick to the pastelitos you will get top notch delicious ones. Those are fantastic. You cannot go wrong if you do.
(3)Chris S.
We usually order from them when we have a party. They make the best Cuban birthday cakes around. The meringe, on the top and middle of the cake, is amazing!
(5)Wendy H.
This used to be my favorite cuban pastry bakery but for the last year or so the quality has really changed. The cheese pastery (pastelito de queso) was heavenly and now i noticed that they don't melt the sugar they way the used to and it is just not the same dough...i don't know it is just different. None of the other pastelitos taste the same to me....something has changed and I don't know what it is but it is time to find a new favorite pastelito bakery because el brazo fuerte just doesn't deliver anymore. I gave it 3 stars because it is just ok now and because it truly was amazing once.
(3)Roxie G.
Best pastelito de carne ever. The cafe con leche is also amazing. A plentiful box of assorted pastries is only 10.00. This is a very old school bakery so their dessert and cakes options are not very modern but I personally don't come here for their desserts.
(5)Tomasz M.
My previous office had breakfast fridays. Being the new guy at a large design firm (oblivious to backstabbing)... I though this was a great way to start a relaxed Friday and prep for Happy Hour later in the day. It was,. until it was my turn to fork over a quarter of my pay & feed 35 'too cool for school, designer black only wearing egos. Just messing, those guys were great. After a insider tip and help from a Spanish speaking co-worker, I called El Brazo Fuerte and ordered one of the specials. It's was a variety party tray of great small bites. 25 Pastelitos de Queso ($6.00) 25 Pastelitos de Guayaba (6.75) 25 Croquetas ($5.50) 25 Cangrejitos de Jamon ($6.00) 25 Bocaditos de Lasca ($9.25) ham, cheese & pickle sandwiches Grand total with added coffee from Dunkin' and OJ all under $40.00! Win. Note: Ladies seemed a little annoyed w/ me as the place was crowded and I stood in wrong line. Pick up is by cakes section, give name. Always best to place order day before for 8:00 am pick-up.
(4)Ivonne Marie C.
After reading Adriana Ds review and working so close to this bakery, I just knew I had to give it a try. I stopped in this morning to get some pastelitos for the people at work to celebrate a birthday. Walked in to a large bakery, with just a few customers (I'm assuming its way busier around 8 a.m. or so, but I walked in at 9:30a.m.). The attendants are normal. I didn't find them to be nice or overly friendly, didn't even make eye contact when I walked in, they were simply doing their job - but I do have to note that they were pleasantly and happily doing their job. (this earned them 3 stars) As far as the pastelitos... let's just say that two minutes in the door and they were GONE! yup, everyone loved them - and I was able to sneak out two... the croquetas are delicious, this combination of sweet and salty that I don't know how they achieved with ham, but oh. my. gawd! (this would have given them 4 stars, but really, I don't eat pastelitos that often anyway). 1/2 a star for accepting credit cards (minimum $10) and for being super cheap - my full bill of a million pastelitos and one cafe con leche was less than $14!
(3)Jenny Q. V.
Best pastelitos!! Love the croquetas. Service is okay staff seems uptight but besides that I wish I had one closer to home I would have pastelitos everyday! They used to have yuca rellena and it was great I wish they still had it :(
(5)Jordan N.
Delicious homestyle Cuban bakery. They have croquetas, pastelitos, cakes, dessert, and *CHEAP* coffee. Cheaper than anywhere else I've seen! 80 cents for a cortadito. 95 cents for a cafe con leche. --- this is like a cafe latte, people! 95 WHOLE CENTS! I'll admit though. I haven't tried the coffee yet. I only had $2 on me and I wanted some yummy pastelitos. Talk about a bang for a buck! All you have to do is get a number, and wait for the viejitas cubanas (old cuban ladies) to flip the number cards over until you see your number show up. Then you order. (Yes, I know I'm talking to you like a baby here). Only downer - cash only. Another downer - pray you know Spanish. But you might be able to do just fine if you just point and know that you have to pay in cash.
(4)Raul M.
Best Pastelitos in town at the best prices. I just got enough food to feed my entire office for only $10! I was beloved and I didn't break the bank!
(5)Jenny S.
My favorite Cuban bakery so far. I've been coming here for years upon years upon years. No frills here just good pastelitos. This is not the place to go for a fabulous birthday cake decoration. They're a little outdated. Pastelitos are always fresh. They have everything from queso to tuna (love the tuna one). Meat is outrageously good. They're all delicious! Service is okay. The attendants remind me of my grandma so I can't help but like them anyways. Love this place!!!!!
(4)Karla S.
Don't come here for anything else but a cafe con leche and pastelitos. Hands down -- BEST PASTELITOS around town.
(4)Adriana D.
HANDS DOWN my FAVORITE pastelito place ev-ar! for me this place is a staple, a constant of Miami Cuban culture. I've been coming to this place for years, decades even! it's so good that when I go visit family and friends out of town, they ask me to bring them a box or two of these delicious treats. the staff hasn't changed - except maybe some new additions to help with the masses that are here every morning - same pastry chefs, same ladies behind the counter, same everything - why mess with a good thing? their pastelitos de carne are the freaking best I've ever had. all the others (guayaba, cheese, guayaba and cheese, papa rellena, etc.) come a close second but are still mouthwateringly delicious. their croquettas, either the ham or the chicken are outstanding. they have all sorts of dessert type sweet treats too, and even make cakes, but I always stick to the pastries cause they've never done me wrong. another top favorite of mine, their fresh baked Cuban bread is unbeatable. the prices are super cheap, I mean super. depending on when you go you may have quite a wait but - trust me - take a number, step back and let your hunger build until they call you....you will not be disappointed!
(5)Janelle B.
I have been going to this bakery ever since I can remember. The croquetas and pastelitos de guava, jamon, queso, and carne are all delicious. The cafe con leche is only second to my Abuela's. They have a huge window that allows you to see the little Cuban men making the monstrous Cuban cakes (I'd pass on those, though). Expect to wait at least 20 minutes on the weekends because of the amount of people who frequent it.
(5)John L.
The gold standard of Cuban pastries (pastelitos); everything else is alright so long as it's not chocolate (for some reason Cuban bakeries can't do chocolate well). But again, they're pastelitos are beyond compare, especially when fresh and warm-- during the a.m.).
(5)Deb R.
The pastelitos are the best I've ever had. I even had them delivered to my wedding reception. Great service, friendly staff, great food, and gorgeous cakes.
(5)Katie L.
Every time I come to Miami or whenever my families throw parties down in Miami, this is where we get our pastelitos. Simply the best of the best! Sometimes the wait is a bit long but it's well worth the wait! Azúcar!
(5)Alison R.
Aye dios, Brazo Fuerte I'm here in New York dreaming of your pastelitos. Until we meet again.
(4)Alejandra G.
This place has the worse service that I experienced anywhere. We decided to visit after the review on yelp but it's bot even worth the drive to get here. The pastries were not that great.
(1)Rob D.
Best bakery in Miami. Luckily my family lives down the street from this place, so every time I stop by here several times. The pastelitos are second to none; Gilbert's bakery used to have slightly better pastelitos de carne (and I mean "slightly"!) years ago when they were on the corner of 16th Street and 37th Ave, but ever since they moved their whole product has gone downhill. Their other sweets are also delicious, but you've really got to like sweet stuff. Their Cuban bread is good, but again and again I've decided that I prefer the Cuban bread from Publix (I know, I know- impossible to believe but there it is).
(5)Edwardo C.
I have tried Cuban pastries from the typical joints- Versailles, La Carreta etc. However, I have found that El Brazo holds the freshest and most delicious Cuban pastelitos, empanadas, Cuban bread, and Cafecito. Awesome Spot!
(5)Kristen H.
I can officially say that I will never go back here. It used to be that there were a handful of things that you could count on to be great here--caracoles, coffee, croquetas de jamon o de queso, and that's pretty much that. However, the last time I went, it was clear that things had completely changed. I have to wonder if ownership has changed. The caracol I had tasted as though it were made from old, freezerburnt frozen dough and the filling had both the consistency and flavor of instant Jello-O pudding : /. Before the natilla in the caracol was the best in town. It used to be the perfect thickness, the kind that stayed put without being overly dense, and the flavor was the perfect sweetness with a great zip of lemon. This last time, the flavor was terrible in the pastry and the cream, the filling was runny, and the flavor was very generic-tasting. I did not even finish my caracol after having craved it for so long. I had to trash it rather than waste my calories on cheap- and stale-tasting junk. I hate to say it, but I will never be back again. Sad to see this place go down this way.
(1)Miami Y.
This is where I go and get Cuban pastries and buy flan for my grandmother. We grew up coming to this place and its still great and economical. Make sure to try a pastry called "Senorita" its amazing!
(5)Gustavo A. L.
In my previous life, I drove past this bakery every weekday for a couple of years - never paying much attention to it. So when I found myself again in the area a couple of weeks ago, I figured, it was time to pull in and give a shot. All 5 stars to service - albeit, it is colloquial, and informal but the place is more like a neighborhood bakery so it is to be expected. The pastries look great in the glass display, so I got a bit ahead of myself and bought a bunch of different ones, I was surprised by how inexpensive it all came out to be. However, when I got home, I literally threw each and everyone away after one bite- It is not that they were that bad - but just not worth the calories.... I guess the best way to explain this is to direct you to the french bakery in France @ Epcot - buy a Napoleon - by the sheer size of it, it probably packs like 2000 calories, but when you take a bite out of it, you will gladly finish it and enjoy every single ounce of fat, calories and cholesterol in it ! That's what I mean. The Brazo Fuerte pastries where just blah - maybe if I was famished, and haven't eaten in a couple of days those calories would be good for my survival but not as dessert on a semi full stomach. The pastelitos are much better - So there it is .... take pastelitos, leave the pastries. Finally, super kudos for withstanding the test of time as they have been serving this community for many years.
(3)Suzanne P.
Best pastelitos in all of Miami. This hole in the wall that's hidden in a primarily residencial neighborhood off of Miracle Mile is probably the best bakery in Miami. Don't go there for anything other than pastelitos, all the other sweets are just meh but the pastelitos, empanadas, and piggies-in-a-blanket make up for everything else. They melt in your mouth and the center, no matter what flavor, is delicious to the point that you just want to keep eating and eating...**ahem** sorry, I'm thinknig of passing by right now just to get my pastelito fix. The attendants are older hispanic ladies so they don't speak very much english but really people, just point at what you want and never underestimate the power of charades. The people that work there are really sweet and are always looking out to see if you need some refills. When you get that urge for good pastelitos, this is the place to go. Grab an Ironbeer (the authentic and quintessential Cuban soda) or a Nestle Iced Tea (I've been drinking this with the El Brazo Fuerte pastelitos since I was a kid, it goes well together. No I don't know why) and enjoy!
(5)T M.
Wow. I think I the first time I went to El Brazo Fuerte was around 18 years ago, and not much has changed about it. They still offer cheap, fresh Cuban bread, various sorts of pastries, and cakes with various Disney characters all over them. To some degree, all pastelitos I have eaten and judged are going to have to be compared to theirs. Whenever I visit Miami, I come here on the first day and buy a loaf of bread and a box of Cuban pastries. It doesn't matter how it has to happen, but all will get eaten one way or another. They do take credit cards, but I think you need to purchase at least $10. It might be difficult to hit this threshold if you're just buying for yourself, though, since individual items are pretty cheap. So go ahead, get the party tray.
(5)fatima f.
The best pastelitos in Miami, definitely. This place has been around forever and there are plenty of reasons, why; the quality of the food, the fair prices and the services. Just walk in and take a number, within seconds one of the nice Cuban ladies that work there will call your number and help you and they DO know how to do that because they have been doing it for years. Once you taste it you will get hooked and become regular and soon they will know your face. Don't forget to grab a loaf of Cuban bread on your way out, it's cheap, tasty and filling.
(5)Elizabeth A.
Absolutely fabulous! Just be warned that if you don't speak Spanish, you'll be gesturing a lot!
(5)Kelly O.
I have been coming here since I was a child. Their cheese croquetas are always perfct. The cheese pastelito is one of my favorites (it's almost as good as the one at La Suisa bakery). Obviously, I'm a cheese ho, lol. The cafecito always hits the spot. It's a great place to go for take out breakfast. Best of all it's cheap!
(4)Rob C.
legendary. always busy. definitely come for the pastelitos and bocadito party trays! if you only have a dollar, come here and you can pick from a lot of stuff! actually some items are numbered, in case you forget the spanish name flavors are spot on: guayaba, capuchino, etc. this place is great -- the way cuban bakeries should be. take a number when you arrive. ridiculously inexpensive, awesomely tasty. try the salchicha with their mini sausage inside: 30 cents this one is so good -- a perfect pigs in a blanket with the outer crust slightly sweet amping up the taste also the croqueta and papa rellena were nice. capuchinos good flan excellent: 1.30 also, be sure to check out the juice place a few blocks down (north) -- unlabeled, so hard to yelp, but they are a fruit market with guanabana juice $1.25 -- excelente.
(5)