Miami Fusion Cafe Denver NC — Restaurant in Cornelius

Wanted to like this place. Been on a Cuban food kick lately and have had this place on the list to check out for literally years.

Sadly It was... definitely the worse 'Cuban / Cuban Adjacent' food we've had in the area, and up there for just some of the worst food in general I've had in awhile, especially at the price point. I get it's fusion and not 100% authentic or something but dang.

Paid almost 80 dollars for two kids chicken strip meals, the Toston Burger - Cuban Style, a Cuban sandwich, some drinks and an iced latte and a side of rice/beans.

I'm from FLA. Love me a good Cuban sandwich. Off the bat the Cuban sandwich was.. not great. Bread tasted stale or something, didn't have any crunch and was chewy in an off-putting way. We got it to go but ate it in the parking lot, so it's not because it sat in a box too long (once we had it anyways). Overall was just kind of dry too. Not the worst Cuban I've ever had but probably in my top 3 worst.

My wife got the Toston Burger - Cuban Style. Ordered it medium well, was well done, to the point it felt like eating dry, flavorless rubber. Looked like a grey boiled meatloaf. Gave up on the burger and tried to just eat the Tostones but she said it didn't even seem like they were salted. My wife rarely complains about anything and she couldn't eat it.

Also they forgot her fries.

Kids chicken strips and fries were fine. About what you'd expect.

The real kicker for me was the rice and beans. Ordered a side of rice and black beans (it cost like 8 dollars or close to it - insane). The black bean juice seemed like they had added a bunch of water. Wasn't thick like most places, was translucent and thin. Didn't taste very good and it seemed like they must have scraped the bottom of a pot to get what they had in there, all.. broken up bean scraps.

For this amount of money I could have eaten at one of the other Cuban joints around Lake Norman and gotten alcohol and not hated my meal.

Also - Service was meh. Food took.. awhile but nothing crazy, but they forgot forks, forgot the sauce we requested, I had to ask for our other drinks we ordered, etc. When I came back in to inquire about the missing sauce they had to pull my order back up, like I was trying to steal two 5 cent cups of sauce. Wild.

For the money I just.. I can't recommend this place. Not when there are other Cuban spots in reach that are...

It’s not often that a meal moves you - not just because of the flavor, but because of the feeling it brings. That’s exactly what happened when I walked into Miami Fusion.

As a Cuban raised in Elizabeth, NJ, I grew up surrounded by the smells, the spices, the sazón that made our food unforgettable. Since moving to North Carolina, I’ve longed for that familiar taste - the kind of food that doesn’t just fill your stomach, but feeds your soul. Miami Fusion gave me that and more.

The Cuban sandwich? Perfection. Pressed just right, balanced in every bite - crispy, melty, seasoned like it came straight from a Miami ventanita. The pastelitos de carne? Pure nostalgia. Flaky, savory, sweet - everything I remember from my childhood, wrapped in golden pastry. This isn’t just good food - it’s authentic, it’s deeply Cuban, and it’s something I thought I’d have to keep going back to Jersey for. But I don’t. I’ve found it here.

And just when I thought the experience couldn’t get any better - we had the tres leches. My God! Decadent, creamy, and perfectly balanced in sweetness, it was the kind of dessert that makes you pause mid-bite just to savor the moment. One spoonful and I was right back in my Mimi’s kitchen, where love lived in every dish.

While enjoying our meal, my visiting family and I had the privilege of meeting the owner. I say “privilege” because it truly was. In just a few minutes of talking, it was clear: JC doesn’t just cook Cuban food - he lives it, honors it, embodies it. His warmth, his humility, and his passion shine through in every dish and every word. Meeting him felt like being home.

If my Mimi were still with us, I know - without a doubt - she would’ve fallen in love with this place. She would’ve tasted that same magic she brought to every one of her own meals, she would’ve seen the heart behind every recipe, and she would’ve smiled, knowing her Cuba lived on through people like JC.

Miami Fusion is more than a restaurant. It’s a celebration of culture, a keeper of tradition, and a comfort I didn’t know I needed until I sat down, took a bite, and felt something stir deep inside me.

Thank you, JC. For your food. For your heart. For giving us more than a menu - for giving us a piece of...

I was born and raised in Miami so I'm truly a food snob when it comes to "authentic" Cuban food LoL and moreso what threw me off was the "fusion" part of the name but as soon as I read the menu and tried the food, it ALL MADE SENSE!

First off, we literally found out about this place based on a recommendation on Saturday morning and were there on Saturday afternoon. As soon as we walked in I felt like I was at a cafeteria in Hialeah and Janelle TRULY made us feel "at home". We ordered SO MUCH food and it was all so nostalgic of "home". We ordered croquetas and while NO ONE makes them like Islas Canarias, they were DAMN GOOD! They served them with Lance crackers like you're supposed to LoL! We also ordered queso frito, ham and cheese empanadas their sauces which from what I remember is not common of Cuban food were phenomenal too!!!! My husband ordered a Cuban sandwich which is his favorite and I ordered the vaca frita which was AN ABSOLUTE FLAVOR BOMB!!!!!!! The rice and beans were also so dang tasty! Everything is made with Cuban love and soul!

Now besides the food being AMAZING, the service was OUT OF THIS WORLD! It's been such a breath of fresh air to walk into a restaurant (or any establishment) and have someone be so welcoming, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about taking care of you. Janelle's knowledge about not only the food but both establishments, history, etc was just such a treat! I literally felt like I was home with a family member. Sadly she's not at this location often but she let us know when she's scheduled to be here again so we're already planning on coming! Keep up the great work to...