i did not know what this diamond in the rough had in stock for me and my family... paola was an…read moreamazing server and she was super helpful with what the menu items had. the food was so quick to be served too! LOVE THAT THIS IS ALLDAY BREAKFAST TOO! more restaurants need to be less restrictive with their breakfast/dinner menus like this! The seating area was small, so I imagine this is more of a to go experience. But it still felt comfortable and it was just us that were there sitting. Need to go back and try their shawarma pizza.

Two of the things attract me to try a new place are local neighborhood restaurants and family owned…read morebusinesses. This one checked off both of those boxes. And so I have now visited three times. Or I should say two since one was a delivery order. This is a rather long review so in case you don't wanna read the whole thing, here's the summary. This place is great. Food is great. Service is great. Restaurant is beautiful. Done. Now everybody else, please read on. I will start with the delivery order. I had a desire for falafel for lunch and found the excellent reviews of this particular restaurant and figured I would give it a try. Did the order through DoorDash and received it much quicker than expected. The falafel was exceptional. Shaped a little bit strangely because they overloaded the scooper to give you more, it was expertly seasoned, freshly made, and delicious. Definitely within my top three in Miami and being right near my home will sit at number one on my list. The fact that they were able to get the order out to DoorDash and arrive at my home still warm, gets it extra points. But the delicious flavor, crunchy on the outside soft on the inside, and even a delightful aroma was really overwhelming. Paid for six got seven! Recently paid for five elsewhere and got four. Again extra points for a wonderful portion. But then look at what is surrounding it. Excellent smoky flavored eggplant. Delicious lentils and rice. Exceptional hummus. Fresh pita. Not a fan of tabouli to begin with so I won't comment except to say it was as good as it gets. Overall, I loved everything on the plate and loved everything about it. Came here for lunch one day with my wife. She had a falafel sandwich which I didn't take note of as I should have because I was so overwhelmed by my delicious lamb Shawarma platter. Again with all the best sides and the baba ghanoush was as good as any I've ever had. But the lamb was so moist and savory and tasty. I've gotta say that their attention to flavor is evident in everything that they serve. And then my other visit. This one was breakfast. Boarded my puppy last night so that my wife and I could have a romantic evening out for her birthday and picked her up this morning and wanted to take her for breakfast. Was thrilled to see that pesto Café and Grill as outside seating. I ordered the lox omelette and a side of bacon. I had coffee and they brought her a nice bowl of water. It does not come with a bagel so there is an up charge which I found mildly annoying but I wanted to try the full experience so I ordered anyway. It also comes with hashbrowns, which I wasn't particularly interested in, but it came with the meal. They make their lox omelette with onions and capers, and I noticed some green onions as well. They also use cream cheese, which I'm not generally a fan of. Since moving to Miami, I see way too much cream cheese being used in way too many ways. What is with this Miami obsession with cream cheese? Some places even put it in my sushi. Blasphemy. Oh but that's not part of this review perfect; for this review I am going to reverse everything I isually say about cream cheese because the flavorful way that they blend this imtoy the omelette as a condiment and not something that overpowers the other flavors was spectacular. I could not enjoy it more. The bacon was a huge order and was cooked perfectly. I hate sloppy greasy bacon. It was as if they knew exactly how I would want it served. Or maybe they just have good taste and serve it like how I like it. My waitress, Kayla was exceptional as well. But the service did not end there. Multiple people from inside came out periodically to make sure that I was happy outside and had everything I needed; that my coffee was full, and my water glass was filled and my table was cleared to unused dishes. They even made sure my dog had water and kept an eye on her water bowl so that it did not get too empty. Who does this? I'll tell you, they do. Eat here I know you will get great food made from the best ingredients and cooked perfectly and served treating you like they you as a customer. Even after I paid, they continued to come outside and make sure I didn't need anything else and fill my coffee without pushing me to leave and allowing me to enjoy my wonderful breakfast. And then to relax and enjoy the beautiful day out in front of their restaurant and be pampered. I didn't just feel like they cared, I realized that they really do. I will be back. Often. I will order from DoorDash from here. Often. And I will recognizing this on social media and recommend it to everyone I know. Often. Because you do not come across a place like this very often.

This place was a pleasant surprise. First of all their weekend deal is hard to beat given the…read morequality of their food. Matcha latte was good. Chicken and tuna melts were both delicious. Plenty of filling, so very satiating. I also tried their wraps, which were really good. Everything tastes so fresh. The one thing I was disappointed in was their sweet potato fries being super soggy and undercooked. Not worth it. Highly recommend this place with their weekend deal.

Honestly, I had never heard of Carrot Express until I walked by one when I was looking for a spot…read moreto have lunch. They had a ton of great looking/sounding options for a healthy lunch and I went with the Pesto Chicken Bowl which was really good. I'm always on the lookout for different options for lunch and Carrot Express is one that needs to be part of the rotation!

Located next door to the Hampton Inn hotel, this restaurant offers fresh bowls, salads, wraps, and…read moremany more healthy options without the added grease and heavy feeling after eating a big meal. I ordered the chipotle chicken bowl and added avocado, I was offered a sample of their frozen yogurt and açaí. The frozen yogurt is a sweet treat and I also ordered a frozen yogurt bowl with blueberries instead of bananas. Everything was delicious and made to order. I'd definitely return when in the area or if I happen to see another store in a different area. Definitely give them a try, service was friendly and quick and the restaurant was clean. You can also dine in if you'd like. The chipotle bowl I forgot take a picture of but the website picture is exactly what the bowl looked like.

This is really close to my hotel so I decided to go in. There wasn't a soul in there when I walked…read morein at dinner time, so I was a little concerned about the quality of the food. The staff was super nice, they helped to walk me through how to order. I ordered at a kiosk...a Poké bowl with raw salmon and tuna and added mango and avocado to my order at an up charge for each. I would've been so much more happy with this meal if it actually had any avocado in it!! It's a decent size bowl, but the two sauces it comes with are in teeny tiny containers. It tasted pretty healthy, but probably not something I would order again.

Swing by for a lunch a little after noon time. There was plenty of meter street parking available…read moreon Collins Ave. Both working staff members were very friendly and helpful with the menu. My wrap tasted very good. There was allot of take out but not much spot down customers.

I went to this establishment on a Sunday afternoon. The place was clean and quiet and the service…read morewas friendly. The food was very tasty and fresh! I will definitely come back .

The food was so good I forgot to take a picture of it! I got the chicken bowl and it was perfect…read more Generous portion of hummus and perfect blend of toppings on top. You order from a kiosk which the friendly employee at the front helped me with. They also brought out some water which I appreciated. It's got a nice outdoor patio with plenty of seating. Great casual dinner or lunch spot.

We came to this place because of the rating on Yelp. We were pretty disappointed with the food. The…read morefamous french fry fried in avocado oil was very soggy and oily. The pita bread was very thick, and chewy. The prime rib bowl was sort ok. The meat was tender; however lack of taste. The bowl is mostly rise. The hummus is excellent. The food would get two star rating from me. On the other hand, the server was top- very attentive, helpful and friendly. He certainly gets a five star rating.

I'm a Miami born and raised gringo foodie that was weaned on Cuban sandwiches. Hands down this is…read morethe best Cuban sandwich in Miami, even better than the original location! Sanguich doesn't even come close!

One of my foodie friends brought me here, an dI was delighted to find this cute sandwich shop…read more Sometimes I have a hard time finding chicken options, but I had a few to choose from. My friend recommended trying their Fritanga Chicken Wrap, and it was great. Their sauces only enhanced the sandwich and I am a sauce girly. Its located in a plaza so there is free parking around.

This is a small sandwich shop. I want to emphasize the small. Because of the size and the…read morepopularity, there is often a line to get in. It's worth it to wait in this line. They keep it moving fast, so typically the line moves right along. Every time I come here, I tell myself I am going to try something new, but I don't because the pan con bistec is always perfection. The steak is thinly sliced, so the sandwich has great texture. It has fontina cheese, which is definitely unique for a steak sandwich in Little Havana. The star, though, is the mojo rojo they put on it. It gives this sandwich an absolute twist you won't find anywhere else. So trust me when I say, wait in the line!

Come for: any sandwich, any side…read more Know that: line gets long Wow...this place completely changed how I felt about cubanos. Never did I believe it could be so good. The restaurant is a classic touristy hole in the wall. You stand outside until ready to order, be prepared to wait 30+ mins. I ordered 2 sandwiches, cuban fries, and chicharrones to split with a friend. The cubano (5/5) and pan con bistec (5/5) were absolutely excellent. Both had a perfect ratio of meat and sauce. But what really set it apart was the crispy crusted bread. Spectacular! The chicharrones (4/5) were a steal - MASSIVE portion for like $5. Insane deal, and delicious. The cuban nachos (4.5/5) had their amazing sauce and garlic confit lechon on it. Delicious and would order both again. Overall, this is a tourist spot but one I don't think can be missed.

Fresh, Massive Bowls Right Across from FIU…read more If you are looking for a solid spot near Florida International University that moves beyond the standard fast-casual chain, The Green Chicken is a great find. It's located right across the road from campus, making it an easy win for students or anyone in Sweetwater looking for a reliable, healthy-ish meal. The interior is pretty standard--a nondescript, counter-service setup designed for efficiency. However, the outdoor seating area is where this place really shines. It is well-shaded and shielded from the Florida sun, creating an inviting space whether you're meeting up with friends or need a spot to pop open the laptop and get some work done. The menu is surprisingly expansive, but the best way to describe the experience, at least for what I ordered, is an elevated Chipotle bowl. I went with the Jerk Chicken bowl over black beans (no rice). The Chicken had a nice, clean flavor. It wasn't seasoned to the extreme, so if you're looking for a massive spice kick, you might want to ask for extra sauce, but the quality of the meat was clear. The black beans were cooked perfectly, and all the veggie add-ins were crisp and fresh. The staff here is incredibly friendly and they clearly pride themselves on the "heavy hand"--the portions are huge. You definitely won't leave hungry. It's a great local alternative when you want something fresh, fast, and substantial.

First spot on the recommendation of a couple FIU students. I tried the jerk chicken tacos and they…read morewere simply delicious!! Large portion. Tasty. Filling. Pleasant and friendly service

Grabbed a bite before heading to Grails to watch the US Men's Soccer team secure another win. I had…read morethe Godfather sandwich which had prosciutto di parma, mozzarella, spring mix, and tomato. The bread was warm and tasted super fresh. The boys both got a Mr. B Con Bistec, which they both said was interesting but liked. The sandwiches were not super filling, so I would recommend getting a side if you are hungry. Overall, this was a good spot for a quick and tasty lunch.

Picking up a South Beach Food and Wine ticket is a great premise to stay and try a sandwich here…read more Order your food at the counter, get a number stand to place on your choice of seat. There is counter seating, a long table, a handful of smaller tables and a sofa at the entrance for your choice of cafe seating. They have a water cooler across from the counter to serve yourself water. I got a Turkey Brie-yonce ($14), which has turkey, brie, spinach, red onion, avocado. The baguette was fresh with good flour flavor and crusty crunch. There is no spread or sauce on the sandwiches because they give you a bottle of garlic cilantro and dijon vinaigrette to pour onto your sandwich as you eat it. I don't know if something was wrong with my taste buds but I honestly didn't taste much of a difference with the garlic cilantro and dijon vinaigrette besides the vinaigrette being, well, more acidic. I couldn't have told you what was in the garlic cilantro was if I didn't know what kind of sauce it was. Otherwise, the sandwich clearly had fresh ingredients and was lovely to eat with several pours of the sauces. It does make me think that someone may not like the sauces, so it would help to have a couple more sauce choices if the sandwiches are not dressed. They nonetheless know a quality sandwich with bread that the French would find acceptable. I'd return to try a different sandwich if I'm in the area!

I had to have a late lunch, at my desk, so I figured healthy delivery was the way to go. I decided…read moreto check out Fresh Cafe and called to make sure they would deliver to me. Dennis, the owner, answered the phone and was very courteous. He told me the lunch rush was over so there was no worry about delivering to me (regardless I am in the delivery area) and not to worry about the minimum delivery amount if that was a problem ($10). so, I checked out the on-line menu and was really excited to finally give this place a shot since my initial contact had been so good. I called back, spoke to Dennis again, and placed my order for the turkey burger (they sell out fast and I got the last one for the day) with provolone cheese (upon his recommendation) with a green side salad. the total wasn't enough for the $10 minimum, but Dennis said 'don't worry'....he then went on to explain that they would be closed for the next three days (weekend & holiday) and would I like him to throw in a cookie!? I couldn't decide between peanut butter and oatmeal so (nice!) he gave me one of each. the wait wasn't long but I was pretty eager to finally try this place. I grabbed the bag, sat at my desk, and got ready to chow when I realized there was no side salad (but the cookies were there). I called Dennis to let him know and told him not to worry, I didn't want the delivery guy coming back just for that. Dennis was gracious enough to offer a discount next time I ordered as long as I reminded him. Satisfied with the effort and courtesy he showed, I let it go with no issue and settled down to eat. now, I know delivery can never be compared to an in-house meal, but I must say I was a bit let down by the quality. the handmade turkey burgers, although somewhat seasoned and made with peppers inside the patty, was a bit on the bland side, a little dry and overcooked, and in no way remarkable. the cookies on the other hand were very tasty and delicious - although I got 2 peanut butter and no oatmeal :( despite the lackluster first experience, I will definitely try this place again. somehow I feel that my experience may have been a fluke due to bad timing (friday after lunch-rush before a 3-day holiday weekend). I hope this was a one time deal and have faith that they will redeem themselves given another chance...to be continued!

Nice place for breakfast and lunch or just for a drink and something sweet…read more The menu is American/Mediterranean with a twist. A fresh place in downtown.