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Caja Caliente reaches new heights, with a new national show.
Monica “Mika” Leon, a familiar face on the Food Network, featured on Beat Bobby Flay, Guy’s Grocery Games and most recently Chopped, garnished the attention of a new show.
When producers contacted Leon about a new show that Andrew Zimmern was creating she was humbled and honored to participate, not only to feature Caja Caliente but also her family history that inspired every inch of her concept.
The new show, called Family Dinner, features Zimmern’s travels around the United States.
He sits down in dining rooms and at backyard barbecues with strangers, allowing families to tell their stories with their words and their food. Zimmern’s new show will make viewers laugh, cry, and it will help everyone get to know some of the people who make up the diverse cast of characters in America.
“Food has always been my family’s way of communicating, between cooking at home, to my family owning restaurants in Spain, our family culture and values always revolved around the kitchen,” said Monica “Mika” Leon. “Being featured on Family Dinner was the perfect way to honor the Leon family and my Caja Caliente family; my employees, who if you ask mom are her ‘hijo postizos’ translation ‘fake children.’”
The episode starts streaming July 15 on the new Discovery plus platform, where the Leon family welcomes Zimmern to a traditional Cuban dinner in their home. There will be lots of cooking, salsa dancing and of course family talks where Lupita, Mika’s Mom dives into their family roots and, of course, typical Noche Buena family gossip.
Miami’s favorite neighborhood restaurant for all things tacos and nostalgic food, will make a cameo as Leon walks Zimmern through her reinvented Cuban recipes, teaches him how to make empanadas and shows him her inspiration that has made Caja Caliente what it is today.
“Family Dinner has a special place in my heart. This show features the reasons why I wake up each morning, my Leon and Caja Caliente family. I am excited for everyone to get a glimpse of what I experience everyday of my life — the good, the bad, the loud kitchens and of course Lupita (My Mom), because she stole the show.” Mika said.
In addition to the Family Dinner episode, viewers can catch Leon on Chopped via the same Discovery Plus Platform, that is affiliated to the Food Network. For up to the minute information follow Caja Caliente on Instagram and visit www.cajacaliente.com.
Merging her passion for food, cooking, and her family, Monica “Mika” Leon founded Caja Caliente and started her restaurant via food truck in April 2016. The first Caja Caliente truck was a tiny truck serving up tacos on a two-foot grill. Leon slowly expanded to opening right next door in a larger truck with an outdoor seating setup ready to serve the masses.
Creating The Original Cuban Tacos, all tacos are made with the freshest ingredients, where quality and quantity go hand in hand. It’s safe to say it’s not your average taco with over 4 ounces of protein in each serving. In addition to their signature tacos, the eatery features reinvented family recipes. All the dishes are made with love by her and her mother surrounded by cousins, uncles, and friends that work with her at Caja Caliente. It’s a family-run business and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
In 2019, Mika brought her Cuban tacos and fan favorites dishes to Coral Gables in brick and mortar fashion, quickly becoming a local favorite serving up lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night bites. In 2020, Leon moved her food truck from Wynwood to the Design District.
For more information visit www.caja-caliente.com, Design District location, 95 NE 40 St, Miami, FL 33137, 786-717-4964; Coral Gables location, 808 Ponce De Leon, Coral Gables, FL 33134, 786-431-1947.
