If you are a Hispanic tourist in Central Florida and for some odd reason in that minimal amount of time miss the ambiance of Hispanic neighborhoods, then just travel to Kissimmee. This small town’s population distribution is Spanish heavy, with nearly 60% of the population being Hispanic. And out of the 60%, 33% are from Puerto Rico, a tiny island in the Caribbean. So of course expect for there to be hundreds of Spanish restaurants scattered all over the area. This makes it tough to find legitimate Hispanic food. However, in the Boggy Creek area, one of the crevices of Kissimmee is a spot extremely popular amongst the community.
The hidden Melao Bakery has satisfied the hungriest of folks for years, raking in awards year after year while developing a good fanbase. I finally took the opportunity to give it a shot. Now, being from the Dominican Republic and having been visiting there a couple times since my official arrival to the States, I know good Hispanic food, and I know when it’s legit and when they aren’t even trying. Inside the place is separated into three registers: one for fresh food, one for food that’s been cooked and is on display for immediate dispensing, and one mainly for dessert.
For starters, there is a lot of space for dining, and a lot of variety. Over 75 items to choose from (excluding breakfast), it will take a while before this place becomes repetitive. They range from the classic Caribbean cuisine to American classics mixed in with a Spanish touch. I went with a small plate of chicken, rice, and potatoes, while also ordering a shrimp mofongo. For those not sure how a mofongo works; it is a brilliant yet time-consuming meal of plantains smashed and cooked with all sorts of spices in a specific frustrating procedure. The Caribbean has mastered the craft and I have yet to find ANY location outside the islands that comes even close to matching the awesomeness of the plantain dish.
The rice and chicken clearly tasted with signs of age, but still work nonetheless. The rice had its fair share of flavor and the chicken was also plentiful with spices, calorie goodness, and savor. The potatoes however, this is the stuff of legend. These small balls of potatoes are cooked with plenty of garlic, and the second you bite into one the evidence becomes very clear. I could probably plow through 90 more of these but I still had the mofongo to focus on. The mofongo arrives, and it is a massive, massive portion, making me mildly regret the food I was eating before.
In the Dominican Republic the greatest mofongo experience I ever had involved a mofongo with shrimp---and the shrimp is MIXED in with the mofongo. It sounds trivial and stupid, but not a single location I have visited in the United States uses this same technique. And in the D.R. the darn thing was engulfed in shrimp broth. I seriously heard angels singing when I had that meal. Back to Kissimmee, this mofongo was indeed great as it had a great helping of meat and fried fruit that was supported with plenty of salt, oil, garlic and Hispanic spices.
As a writer, there are some things in life that’s so tough to describe—mofongo is one of them. I can’t exactly explain the delight that happens when you have a good mofongo, as it’s just a good blend of sweet, savory, salty, and always has a kick of heartiness when you finish. This food has no similar meal to compare to; it is its own separate entity. In Melao, the mofongo will not disappoint and neither will the meat, as it is officially the closest to Caribbean mofongos I’ve ever gotten.
Lastly, I have dessert to ponder about. This place has a good dozen desserts to choose from ranging from doughnuts to cookies to other pastries that look like they were ripped from Italy. I went with the classic flan and a “tornillo,” which is a pastry filled with cream. The flan was amazing as it was soft, creamy, and had the Hispanic Mother touch. The tornillo wasn’t as good but still delivered as the cream inside made up for the abundance of dough involved.
Bottom Line: The best part of this place is the Caribbean hospitality and touch that makes Hispanic restaurants the friendliest out there. You are treated like family, fed like a family member with the portions, and overall you won’t find an unhappy face amongst the crowd and amongst those working. Melao Bakery follows the Caribbean traditions of being nice and humble to all those you are serving, and then we have great food to follow along with it. From the chicken to the mofongo and to the dessert, this spot sports good food at grand prices and a variety of ways to enjoy lunch—depending on your mood. The awards, fame, and success are all well-deserved. Melao Bakery has a new fan.
Final Verdict: Recommend
Melao Bakery
1912 Boggy Creek Road
Kissimmee, FL 34744
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