Umami Burger is back in Miami as a Ghost Kitchen

Well, Miami, it looks like Umami Burger is back after a 6-year hiatus. Its original run on Miami Beach lasted a little over a year, from May 2013 through June 2014.

We regret to announce that Umami South Beach had its last day of service on Sunday, June 22nd. Due to ongoing construction issues outside of our control, we are unable to continue operating in this location. We are thankful for our Umami fans in Miami and we look forward to announcing a new location soon. Please visit umami.com and follow us at @umamiburger for our current locations and upcoming openings.

Statement about their closing in June 2014, courtesy of Eater Miami

Umami Burger returns to the 305

They announced the return on their Facebook page on October 2nd. This time they are operating as a ghost kitchen out of the Brickell area. Umami Burger claims to be available only on your favorite delivery app. I couldn’t find Umami Burger on Uber Eats, but maybe that’s cause they’re not my favorite? 😂 However, I did find them on Door Dash and Postmates.

The first thing I noticed how branded out everything was, including the sealed delivery bag. All of the Umami Burger graphics look sharp. Each other came in its own box along with a bag that held all of the sauces. As an added plus, they remembered to include forks, knives, and napkins.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything, but I wouldn’t order it again. Why? It’s just too far from my house, and everything arrived lukewarm. The travel length also affected things like the breading on the tenders and melted cheese on the burger, which had congealed into modern abstract shapes.

The Cheesy Potato Tots, the Miso-Mustard, and Double Cheeseburger were the big winners in my Burger Beast comfort food book.

If you’re in the Brickell area of Miami, I’d highly suggest you order it though, otherwise, find something closer to your neighborhood.

Current Umami Burger Pictures

Umami Burger Delivery Bag
Delivery Bag
Umami Burger Box
Umami Burger Box
Umami Burger Sauces
Umami Burger Sauces (Truffle Ketchup, Miso-Mustard, Jalapeño Ranch & Buffalo Sauce)
Cheese Tots
Cheesy Potato Tots
Hash Brown halfsie
Cheesy Potato Tots halfsie
Chicken Tenders
Chicken Tenders
Chicken Sandwich
Sam’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Umami Burger Double Cheeseburger
Double Cheeseburger
Cheeseburger money shot
Double Cheeseburger money shot

Original Umami Burger Post on BurgerBeast.com

May 9th, 2013 – Way way back at the 2011 Burger Bash, I first tried Umami Burger. It was around this time; I believe that they had announced their intentions to open a spot in South Beach. Late last year, Short Order mentioned that Umami Burger (1080 Alton Rd, Miami Beach) had secured the old 8 oz. Burger spot on Alton.

While the official opening isn’t until Monday, May 20th at 11 AM, I was able to sneak a *taste of what Umami Burger is all about with the blogger Chowfather and my old childhood friend Tommy. It’s important to note that Umami Burger (named after the “fifth taste”) not only grinds their own meat but produces everything from their condiments & cheeses to the bread in-house.

Umami Burger Placemat
Umami Burger Placemat

We’re ready Freddy

Once seated, I was greeted by this brown paper lunch bag type placemat with the Umami Logo. The next thing I know, there’s a trio of sauces dropped off at the table. After our server takes our drink orders, we take the divide and conquer menu kind of attack.

The appetizers we choose are Truffle Fries, Smushed Potatoes, and Fried Pickles. I never got to try the Fried Pickles or Truffle Fries. I did steal some of the un-truffled Fries for use with two of the sauces.

I’m not exactly sure of its name (El Diablo?) but be careful; it’s got some heat that will creep up on you. The Smushed Potatoes were served on a thin bed of garlic aioli. These fellas were excellent, and I’m still having nice daydreams of them leaping fences in my potato garden.

Umami Burger Trio of Sauces
Umami Burger Trio of Sauces
Truffle Fries
Truffle Fries
Smushed Potatoes
Smushed Potatoes

I was able to sample 4 Umami Burgers (only 3 are pictured here). The Burgers were ordered medium-rare and were crumbly delicious. My actual burger was the Truffle Burger (house-made truffle cheese, truffle glaze).

Chowfather ordered the Umami Burger (shiitake mushroom, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, parmesan crisp, umami ketchup, no picture, unfortunately), and Tommy had the Manly Burger (beer-cheddar cheese, smoked salt-onion strings, bacon lardon).

After I had bites from each of theirs and polished mine off, I had only one thing on my mind: Thank you, sir, may I have another!  If I had to choose my favorite between those three, gun pressed to head; I would have to give the nod to the Umami Burger. I love you, parmesan crisp!

Manly Burger
Manly Burger
Truffle Royale Burger
Truffle Royale Burger

Dessert…but not Really!

Cubano Burger
Cubano Burger

So for dessert, we opted for the Cubano Burger (mojo mustard, house cheese, pickles, prosciutto, smoked ham, and a pork/pork belly patty); what did you think we were gonna have? The flavors in the Cubano Burger really came together nicely.

My sole objection to this “Burger” would be the Prosciutto since it’s not in a “real” Cuban Sandwich. Still, it was terrific and easily better than many of these “Burger” Cuban Sandwiches I’ve tried.

So there you have it, after 2 long years, Umami Burger is finally in Miami. Was it worth it? Well, whoever said “the best things in life are worth waiting for” must have been talking about Umami Burger.

*I was invited by my old friend (Thanks Tommy!) to try out Umami Burger during a pre-opening tasting.

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