Any new "cheap eats" in SOBE worth recommending?

Pacific Time closed in DesDis? WTF? Not enough support from the art crowd? Please move back to the beach (although I know you won't).

Tal is on a roll with the suggestions - thanks. Coach, will try your suggestions this week.

Tacontento - staff is very friendly. I ordered the burritos and a margarita. A man approached me and said he was the owner and that if I didn't like the food he would buy my dinner. Whatever. Food was quite good but the margarita was a little weak, especially for a place that only serves beer, wine...and margaritas. I'm sure it will come together. In the end, I was quite contento.

King Kone - seriously big hand rolls. Maybe twice the size of hand rolls you'd get anywhere else. In the old arepa spot (don't remember the name of that place). No one was in there when I went, which I thought was a bad sign. But I thought the sushi was excellent and I'd go back, if it lasts. They said they've been there 7 months.

Of all the places I thought wouldn't survive on the beach was Qbano. I really thought I was the only one who liked it since no one was ever in there but me. I know sometimes there are "extracurricular" reasons for any venue's survival, but it's nice to see it is still there.

Pacific Time closed in DesDis? WTF? Not enough support from the art crowd? Please move back to the beach (although I know you won't).

My understanding is that unfortunately, the reason they left is because the traffic would not support their Miami Beach location.

Also, I think they are the same people who do Pacific Time also run Q American BBQ, Pizza Volante, and some other place around there.

Hey, give us a holler sometime and we can join you in your rounds!

Ha! Thanks for the update on Sandolab, ouch for them.

There's a King Kone on Espanola, too.

Yeah, El Scorpion I would definitely not call "cheap" and El Rancho Grande is better, anyway.

Anything is better than el Rancho Grande, how people are duped to believe that is Mexican food is beyond me.

Actually James the Kone place on Espanola is Konexpress - different business but same concept. I haven't been there yet.

I don't know what the problem with Pacific Time was It was a big space and the couple of times I was in the area it wasn't full. It's right across the street from Michael's Genuine, which has enjoyed much popularity due to the Beard Award going to the head chef. Maybe the competition killed them?

El Rancho Grande is awesome. Far superior to the other Mexican places on the beach, definitely better than Rosa Mexicano in Brickell. Their mole is rich & complex, homemade tortillas are delish, and omggg the carnitas! Yummmm.

Ha! Thanks for the update on Sandolab, ouch for them.

There's a King Kone on Espanola, too.

Yeah, El Scorpion I would definitely not call "cheap" and El Rancho Grande is better, anyway.

Anything is better than el Rancho Grande, how people are duped to believe that is Mexican food is beyond me.

Where do you suggest for Tex-Mex, then? Or real Mex?

Ha! Thanks for the update on Sandolab, ouch for them.

There's a King Kone on Espanola, too.

Yeah, El Scorpion I would definitely not call "cheap" and El Rancho Grande is better, anyway.

Anything is better than el Rancho Grande, how people are duped to believe that is Mexican food is beyond me.

Where do you suggest for Tex-Mex, then? Or real Mex?

Do you seriously want her to respond? She just cut down one of your favorite places. Besides, as a former Texan, you're my go-to guy for good Tex-Mex around here. To say "anything is better than El Rancho Grande" is just silly, considering we are discussing "cheap eats" here. BTW, the North Beach location makes the guac tableside, and less expensive than Rosa (though I love Rosa).

As for Pacific Time, the reason they left the Beach was because the rent was raised.


FYI, I define "cheap eats" as any place that I can have a meal for under $20 pp including tax&tip, and excluding alcohol.

Do you seriously want her to respond? She just cut down one of your favorite places. Besides, as a former Texan, you're my go-to guy for good Tex-Mex around here. To say "anything is better than El Rancho Grande" is just silly, considering we are discussing "cheap eats" here. BTW, the North Beach location makes the guac tableside, and less expensive than Rosa (though I love Rosa).

Silly? Let's be real. El Rancho Grande is below average for what it is. I guess when you live in California for a long time like I did (or have eaten real Mexican food in Mexico), your taste buds are used to quality and if El Rancho is quality cheap food for you, we have nothing more to discuss. Ask any Mexican and you'll get an honest answer like mine. Hell even the taco carts in Brooklyn taste infinitely better than El Rancho but again, it is all a matter of choice for some.

I am no expert in Tex Mex which is totally different than Mexican food.

Wow, that wasn't rude

Do you seriously want her to respond? She just cut down one of your favorite places. Besides, as a former Texan, you're my go-to guy for good Tex-Mex around here. To say "anything is better than El Rancho Grande" is just silly, considering we are discussing "cheap eats" here. BTW, the North Beach location makes the guac tableside, and less expensive than Rosa (though I love Rosa).

Silly? Let's be real. El Rancho Grande is below average for what it is. I guess when you live in California for a long time like I did (or have eaten real Mexican food in Mexico), your taste buds are used to quality and if El Rancho is quality cheap food for you, we have nothing more to discuss. Ask any Mexican and you'll get an honest answer like mine. Hell even the taco carts in Brooklyn taste infinitely better than El Rancho but again, it is all a matter of choice for some.

I am no expert in Tex Mex which is totally different than Mexican food.

I agree with Norah, once you been to Mexico or been cooked real Mexican food then you would understand her point. Until then, just keep going to El Rancho Grande, if that is what you prefer.

I don't think authentic Mexican food exists in Miami. I've heard, however, that Homestead and Florida City have growing Mexican communities. You guys might find the authentic stuff there. If I was looking for a good authentic Mexican meal, and trust the Yelpers, I would check these two places out:

Taqueria Morelia
La Cruzada Taqueria

One of the reviewers mentions that La Cruzada has "sesos". These are tacos filled with calf brains. "Lengua" is cow tongue. Both are very tasty. Chicharrón is also one of my favorites. You know you've stumbled onto authentic Mexican food when you see these on the menu.

Another recommendation I would make is that you ask the restaurant if there is a nearby panderia (Mexican bakery) open so you can fill up a bag of breads and sweets to take home. The breads are usually very inexpensive, so you'll get a lot of bang for your buck. Also, if these restaurants don't have these dishes, ask them if they recommend a nearby place for next time: birria, barbaqoa, menudo/pancita, caldo de gallina, burritos de manitas (pigs feet), pozole...