I just learned that Versailles and La Carreta are owned by the same family. Felipe Valls Sr opened Versailles in 1971 and La Carreta in 1972.
“Valls then acquired Badia’s restaurant in Little Havana and grew it into a popular Cuban spot, which he later sold to raise money to buy the famous spot where he first opened Versailles in 1971.
Valls is the creator of Miami's emblematic
“ventanita
” concept, a walk-up window serving Cuban coffee and pastries.
With more than 2,000 employees, the Valls Group encompasses over 30 establishments, including Versailles, La Carreta, Casa Juancho, MesaMar, and Casa Cuba, it also has several outposts at Miami International Airport serving millions of travelers.”
Felipe A. Valls Sr., businessman and the owner of Miami’s iconic Versailles Cuban restaurant in Little Havana, died Saturday at the age of 89.
www.nbcmiami.com
“The style of cooking at La Carreta is more country style, while the style at Versailles is more like Havana or big city cooking. It's a lot like the difference between Cajun and Creole cooking. Although both restaurants serve many of the same dishes, the food at La Carreta is closer to what the guajiros would eat in the countryside.”
Take the whole family to this casual Cuban restaurant a long-time Miami mainstay. Three Guys From Miami: On the web since 1996.
3guysfrommiami.com