Review: Latin food restaurant serves traditional favorites for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maribeth Renne

Hot, honest, healthy, Latin food that's gently seasoned and fresh from the kitchen or made to order. It’s just that simple and it’s simply that good. Latin Melting Pot is the no-nonsense approach to mealtime.

Whether it is time for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Latin Melting Pot is one of the few homestyle restaurants that open early and close late to serve all three meals.

Bright and clean as a whistle, this colorful little restaurant has both inside and outside seating. But first, line up to order at the register, then find your seat and wait for your food to be brought right to you.

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At the Latin Melting Pot in Vero Beach,
At the Latin Melting Pot in Vero Beach,

The menu includes authentic Latin dishes for building your own combo. Peruse the food being served from warming stations and choose from white or yellow arroz (rice) and either black or red frijoles (beans). Next, choose a side such as yuca, sweet plantains, French fries or vegetables. Lastly, decide between Latin recipes of pollo (chicken), cerdo (pork), carne de res (beef) or pescado (fish).

Servers are warm and friendly and ready to answer any questions you may have. In addition to what is referred to as the "hot food" menu, the made-to-order items are plentiful.

Several kinds of empanadas, tostones and croquetas are offered as appetizers, along with crisp house ensaladas (salads) and sopas (soups) served with rice. Don’t forget the many types of Latin sandwiches and, of course, tacos. Note to vegetarians: There is a loaded fresh veggie sandwich.

The Latin Melting Pot in Vero Beach serves succulent pork with rice and plantains on the side.
The Latin Melting Pot in Vero Beach serves succulent pork with rice and plantains on the side.

Not having had an opportunity to try the Latin inspired breakfast and bakery items, including desserts, I was inspired to plan to return some morning when they open bright and early at 8 a.m. I’m also very intrigued by the Latin-inspired pizza, served all through the day.

If you are hankering for a combo with succulent pulled pork ($14.99) or delicious shredded beef ($15.99), I can attest to the outstanding quality and taste of both. And the sweet plantains were themselves worth the trip.

We drank sugarcane and passion fruit lemonades ($3.50) and shared creamy arroz con leche (rice pudding $5.50) for dessert, savoring the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise.

Latin Melting Pot is conveniently located at the far east end of the Treasure Coast Plaza off Indian River Boulevard.

At the Latin Melting Pot in Vero Beach, you can order from the 'hot foods' menu or build your own combo.
At the Latin Melting Pot in Vero Beach, you can order from the 'hot foods' menu or build your own combo.

Latin Melting Pot

  • Cuisine: Latin

  • Address: 2017 Indian River Blvd., Vero Beach

  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday–Sunday; closed Monday

  • Phone: 772-789-0104

Maribeth Renne dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm. Contact her at maribeth.d.renne@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Restaurant review: Latin Melting Pot in Vero Beach has pizza

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