Pretty everything in the place is recycled from the Lokal sign made from cork board, the cassette tape wrapped bar to the wooden pallet tables. There’s even a little area selling great locally made products like Copperpot’s Jams & Jellies (which I love).

Chili

The Fresh Alligator Strips were calling my name but the New Mexico Chili had my attention the minute I looked at the menu. The chili which is topped with Monterrey Jack Cheese and diced Onions was riveting. I almost channeled my inner Johnny Depp (Once Upon a Time in Mexico style) and went back to the kitchen to take care of the chef. It was so good I was eating as if someone was going to take it away from me. The next thing I knew it was good and I still kinda miss it to this day.

It’s clearly stated that Kush’s Favorite is the LoKal’s version of a Frita topped with Guava Jelly, Melted Gruyere, Stuffed with Potato Sticks, Crispy Bacon, their Lokal Sauce and then pressed and cut in half. I will normally go for either the house specialty or just the restaurant’s straight up regular burger, in this case the Classic. But….I chose the 50/50 (50% Florida ground beef & 50% Florida ground Bacon, served w/ Mayo, Monterrey Jack Cheese, Tomato and a Sweet Onion Marmalade). It’s served with 50% sweet potato fries, 50% french fries and homemade Ketchup and Honey Mustard dipping sauces.

50/50 Burger

Take your pick, you won’t go wrong with either the regular or sweet potato fries. That honey mustard dipping sauce is pretty stupendous. The burger was everything you might expect and more. What really got me was the smokey taste that ran throughout the burger and how fresh it was. The Sweet Onion Marmalade added a nice sugary component that cut through slightly and complimented the meat. I’m sold and I’m looking forward to some more Chili and a Classic Burger. Or maybe the Alligator Strips and the Royale with Cheese? I’ll figure it out.

Eat Local:

The Lokal
3190 Commodore Plz, Miami, FL 33133
305-442-3377

Chili Dog

The life of a hot dog at House of Dog is not the norm. The cylindrical meats are injected with beer (Pabst Blue Ribbon) and then boiled in a beer bath. When you place your order they also get a grilling on their flat top to give it a crispy exterior.

The menu is filled with great sounding dogs like Dracula (Chipotle Dog with Hot Sauce, sauteed Onions & Peppers, Sauerkraut and Sour Cream (of the parve variety) or Clint Eastwood (2 Dogs wrapped in a Flour Tortilla Burrito style with Lettuce, Tomato, Chili, Guacamole and Sweet Chili Sauce). I opted for a Chili Dog and a Ninja Dog.

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The nice warm and tasty buns complimented the dogs well and did not disintegrate under the all the weight it was carrying. The chili while touted as “the best chili ever” falls into the pretty good category but it was more like ground beef and veggies sans the spices than chili.

Ninja Dog

The Ninja Dog with its Mushrooms, Pineapple, Terriyaki Sauce and Wasabi Mayo silently worked over my taste buds. I’m a fan and this will definitely be on the order list next time I’m back. The “Belgian Fries” are those pre-seasoned potato wedges. While I don’t care for those type of fries, the option to buy some dipping sauces (20 are available) is great for those drunken nights.

As for their burger, well there’s a reason this is a hot dog joint. I’ll be back for their Clint Eastwood…..too bad there’s no Terminator dog, it would have made me seem much more clever.

Grab a Kosher Wiener:

House of Dog
456 W 41st Street, Miami Beach, FL 33140
305-397-8733

Trucks on the Beach Menu

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Participating Trucks:

B.C. Tacos

Big Gay Ice Cream Truck from New York

Bite Gastrotruck

C & S Brisket Bus from Orlando

Clarabelle's Cupcakes

Coolhaus

Islas Canarias' CUBANCUBE

Dim Ssam a Gogo

Dog Eat Dog

The Fish Box

The Flying Saucer

Jefe's Original Fish Taco & Burgers

Latin Burger & Taco

Mac'n

Mangia Mia Italian Kitchen

Moty's Grill

Mr. Good Stuff

Ms. Cheezious

The Rolling Stove

Stocked N Loaded

Philly w/White American

There are also wings (available in 10,20 & 50) and fries (1/2 or 3/4 pound size) on the menu with the usual variety of sauces and toppings.

If you’re unsure as to how to have your sandwich, ordering it Pat’s or Geno’s style takes the hard work out of it for you. Pat’s and Geno’s refers to the 2 most popular steak joints in Philly who’ve been duking it out right across the street from each other for over 45 years.

Philly w/Whiz

I had 2 steak sandwiches (One with Cheese Whiz and the other with White American Cheese) and both with onions. I’ve had Phillys with Whiz before but I preferred the White American version way more this time around. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the Whiz but I mean who isn’t?

Direct From Philly
1201 South Military Trail (inside the Chevron)
Deerfield Beach FL 33442
954-428-7035

Cheese Steak Sub

After much deliberation (I’m exaggerating a little here) we decide to split 2 subs, a Cheese Steak and Cheeseburger. Both dudes are served on some great crusty sub bread. The Cheese Steak was a solid affair with the onions and cheese doing their duty.  I preferred the Cheeseburger Sub whose fresh patties were chopped up. I had the fast food trinity of sauces (ketchup, mustard and mayo) added to it but in retrospect it didn’t need it. The meat tasted great and was fine with just the cheese and grilled onions.

Cheese Burger Sub

I forgot to mention that when we were walking up to the shop I noticed some signs informing you that they carry Frankie’s Pizza from Westchester. Frankie’s Pizza is one of those long time Miami institutions that you should be embarrassed if you’ve never tried. They’re known for their square slices, divine pepperoni and the free slice they put on your pizza box when you order. I could probably eat a case of those little pepperonis, they’re that good.

We of course could not pass up the opportunity to order some Frankie’s and I commend them for bringing a slice of Westchester (where I grew up) to the Keys.

Frankie's Pizza at Chubs Subs & Wings

I’m past my prime for competing in eating challenges but if it’s your thing, there are a couple of them here. The Chub Challenge involves eating a fully loaded 5 pound sub in under 45 minutes. This has yet to be conquered, not much of a surprise there.

The Apocalypso-Oh Challenge which you’re more likely to beat involves eating 13 wings (in 13 minutes) tossed in a sauce so hot you need to sign a waiver. What do you win if you conquer these challenges? An exclusive shirt proclaiming your victory as well as your picture on their wall. I’m all for competition but I’ll stick to my Cheeseburger sub thank you very much.
Eat at:

Chubs Subs & Wings
101429 Overseas Highway
Mile Marker 101.4 Key Largo, FL
305-451-2929

Royal Castle was a chain of slider serving burger joints that was created in Ohio to capitalize on White Castle’s success. During the 1960′s it seemed as if there was one on every street corner in Miami and you can still point out former Royal Castle restaurants because of the shape of the stores. For example, La Palma on 8th Street is a former Royal Castle.

My sources were correct and indeed the terrazo flooring with the phrase, Royal Castle “fit for a king” was as in as good of condition as you can expect for something easily over 30 years old. I would suggest you be on the lookout for more of these because they’re not alone and if some reason you get a hankering to eat a real slider (not the mini burgers hyped as sliders) check out the last 2 open Royal Castle locations, Brimberry’s Royal Castle and Arnold’s Royal Castle.

Giraffas is a restaurant chain from Brazil that is known for its steaks and burgers. The thought of ordering a steak crossed my mind but the Filet Mignon sounded much more appealing to me.

Filet Mignon on Buns

So…..maybe the Filet Mignon Sandwich at Giraffas isn’t really a burger but it’s served up just like one. It’s as tender a piece of beef as you’ve ever had served except on a beautiful burger roll with cheese. I loved it and they’ve also got a ground patty made from Picanha (Brazilian term for the Top Sirloin Cap) if you’d like to go the more traditional burger route. Both were great but the Filet Mignon was a little heavier on your wallet so that’s something else to consider. If money is no object, I’d suggest the Mignon.

Check them out:

Giraffas
1821 Northeast 123rd Street North Miami, FL
786-866-9007

Check out what delicious looks like below:

Potato Pancakes

Pork & Beans

Mashed Potatoes

Mac N Cheese

Cuban Rolls

Manchego/Mushroom Croquette

Manchego/Mushroom Croquette Half

Ricky's Cordon Bleu Sandwich

The Big Ragout

Real Juicy CheeseBurger

Philly Cheesesteak Gregg's Way

Chocolate Cake w/Cup of Milk

Heath Bar Bread Pudding

The Details:

Blue Collar
6730 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138
305-756-0366
Facebook: Blue Collar Restaurant
Twitter: @BlueCollarMiami