It’s been two long years, but Carlos Garcia’s 7 Mile Buffet is finally open in Marathon.
“It was one thing after another,” said the owner, also chef, of Marathon’s newest restaurant on the west end of town. “But it’s finally open.”
It is, indeed, a buffet. Guests are required to wear plastic gloves as they serve themselves anything from yellow rice to moro (rice and beans) to carne con papa (meat and potatoes) or fricase de pollo (stewed chicken dish).
Certainly, all the Cuban favorites are there, but Garcia likes to say the restaurant has more of an international flair. Guests can heap their plates high with plantains — the right amount of buttery, sweet and crispy — or chicken wings. There’s a four-pot soup bar, taquitos, shrimp, scallops, fried rice, pasta, and ice cream at the end.
Everything is very flavorful. And, at 7 Mile Buffett, the flavors don’t run together as sometimes happens at other buffet restaurants. Each dish is distinct and tasty. Diners can heap their ceramic plates with as many goodies, as many times, as they like. Waitresses dart here and there, filling drink orders, removing used plates and greeting guests.
On a recent weekday at lunch, it catered to a little bit of everybody — tradesmen, families, professionals.
The eatery has been reworked since it formerly housed a Mediterranean restaurant. The space is bright and airy, with plenty of seating. There is a fixed price for breakfast ($12.95), lunch ($14.95) and dinner ($18.95). At the moment, the eatery has soft drinks and coffee available and hopes to secure a license for adult beverages, soon. There is also an a-la-carte dessert case that looks scrumptious.
7 Mile Buffet is located at 2211 Overseas Highway, Marathon. The phone number is 305-453-6533. It is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday with a special brunch.
Bring an appetite.
