Francisca Charcoal Chicken & Meats | Miami — Restaurant in Doral

First of all I’d like to clarify this review is done with good intentions considering I’ve a customer of this restaurant for at least 4 years now and have worked myself as a server and hostess at restaurants similar to this one therefore I happened to have a good eye to notice the room for improvement. After the hostess took us to the table which was right in the middle and next to an entrance to the kitchen I asked her kindly if we could sit at the table with the booth that was empty and considering my mom has a leg condition and can’t sit at those uncomfortable chairs, she got annoyed by our request. I understand restaurants have areas and tables designated to certain servers; however is not reason to get annoyed at customers. Next, we got the nice table we requested, the waitress was not in her best mood either, she was kinda rushing us and suggesting we were not ordering enough food. Food was great overall, however the aguapanela was way too strong and concentrated, lacks lime, we had to ask for limes and an extra jar of water to make it drinkable ( waitress made a face insinuating we were being cheap for watering the aguapanela down lol) I wish someone could recommend me a nice waitress at this place because it’s not the first time. She offered us ice cream in exchange for a review, she seemed to forgot and never got us any ice cream. Not surprised tho, didn’t have any expectations of her. When the check came she had the audacity to press herself the highest percentage for tip and just stared waiting for us to sign ¿? No freaking way I tip high for such mediocre service and a place where the hostesses wear LEGGINGS. I recommend rather to order take out, don’t even waste ur time trying to have a nice dine in experience...

Could have EASILY been 5 stars.

The Good: Chicken was excellent, very small chickens though, but cooked exactly right. The sausages were good and are grilled over actual charcoal. The baked telita cheese was VERY good and the soursop smoothie was awesome as well. The waitress girl was VERY attentive and professional.

The bad: I ordered 1/4 chicken (2 pieces) and asked them if I could get two thighs and nope, you can't do that, you have to eat our chicken how we want you to eat it... they didn't actually say that, the girl was apologetic and nice and I didn't make a big deal about it, but that is the message conveyed when they do this. The plantains are the main reason for my 4 star rating. With such a good meal, awesome chicken and food, using frozen, unripe plantains is a disservice to the food, the restaurant and the customer. This was extremely disappointing to me. The guasacaca (sauce) came in a plastic pouch that was very hard to open... I almost asked for scissors since I couldn't open them easily, not to mention that I was very concerned this thing would burst open all over me as I tried so hard to tear the top to use it... after the packet was opened, sauce was good, but man, too much effort and not in accordance to the food and the establishment.

The ugly: Nothing, really. Beautiful restaurant. I sat at the bar in front of the grill and rotisserie, and everything looked great and pristinly clean. Do NOT seat there of you don't like the heat, it was fine for me because I love grilling and it should be expected as they use actual charcoal to cook the food,...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Francisca, a charming Venezuelan restaurant that offers an authentic and heartwarming experience. From the moment I stepped inside, I was welcomed with a cozy, family-like atmosphere that immediately made me feel at home. The warmth and friendliness of the staff made all the difference in making this meal a truly memorable one.

The standout of the evening was the exceptional service provided by Elianny L. She was attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure that our dining experience was perfect. Her knowledge of the menu and her passion for the restaurant’s offerings made our meal even more enjoyable. It’s clear that Elianny takes great pride in delivering top-notch service, and her positive energy added an extra layer of warmth to the entire experience.

As for the food, every dish we tried was a delightful celebration of Venezuelan flavors. The arepas were made to perfection, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the empanadas were rich with flavor. The pabellón criollo, a traditional Venezuelan dish, was bursting with savory goodness and gave a true taste of the culture. The portions were generous, and each bite left me wanting more.

What truly sets Francisca apart, though, is the genuine care they put into every detail—from the food to the service. The welcoming vibe, paired with Elianny’s outstanding service, made this experience feel like dining with family. If you're looking to explore authentic Venezuelan cuisine with exceptional service, Francisca is a place you should not miss. Highly...