Spring Break: Navigating the endless food options on South Beach

Starting Black Tie Barbecue has been a labor of love. The key word being labor. We have worked every holiday major or faux that has occurred since we have been in business. (I burned my nose and hand on 4th of July and ate something other than turkey on Thanksgiving.)

We chose Miami as our destination to get away from it all for a few days. We spent so much time deciding on the best place to stay on South Beach that our dining options were nothing more than an after thought. After a $60.00 experience, which consisted of overcooked chicken wings and a margherita pizza, which in actuality was a  microwaved cheese pizza, we recognized the potential traps and pitfalls to avoid when eating on South Beach. In the process we also discovered places that offered memorable meals at reasonable prices.


Pay careful attention to the following pictures and avoid these type places at all costs: 

Try not to frequent establishments that offer breakfast, lunch and dinner "specials" or that prominently display their food. I am sure there are exceptions to the rule, but our experience taught us that these type establishments can be a slippery slope . 

On Ocean Avenue we recommend: 

 Go to News Cafe and get the huevos rancheros. The tortilla is the perfect combination of thin and crispy.













Our favorite dining experience on South Beach was the Latin American food served at a street fair on Lincoln (if you're lucky enough to catch the street fair on a Sunday)

For tasty yet inexpensive dining we recommend crossing the bridge and going to Little Havana. 
Versailles offered traditional Cuban fare. Dinner for 4 with appetizers and Sangria came out to $80.00

La Camaronera, also in Little Havana,  is a great seafood location.  It is a standing only diner and everything offered is fried, but La Camaronera has some of the freshest tasting seafood that I have tasted in a while. 

Now about the drinks:  
BYOB is probably the best policy. Again, beware of the large garnished glasses that are offered by the same woman or man trying to "sell" you the Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner special.

As for Wet Willies, be sure to ask for the drinks made with rum, because the "other" drinks are made with grain liquor, which can ruin your Spring Break and the days and weeks to follow.

In conclusion: 
We had a blast on SoBe. By no means is this a comprehensive list of dining options in Miami.  If you're ever in Miami for a short period of time and on a limited budget keep our recommendations and warnings in mind. 

By: Spencer Humphrey