MenuPirate:Miami

A lot of eateries have come and gone on the corner of 57 Ave and Sunset Drive. Off the top of my head I can remember about one or two attempts at a Japanese place and one Italian style restaurant. I can also vaguely recall an earlier attempt at Mexican food on the intersection across from Dan Marino’s. When I saw the Cacti emblazoned logo of Qdoba Mexican Grill going up at the location I was unaware that it was not some start up but rather a pretty large franchise deal with locations across the US. I assumed it would fold as so many others have in the area.

Of course being a pessimistic person doesn’t necessarily detract from my intense love of Mexican food so needless to say I had to try the place and I must say It was great. The first thing you notice is that the restaurant is very slimmed down as far as presentation. No sombreros or over the top Mexican theming just subtle accents which seems to help create a laid back atmosphere.

When you take a gander at the menu it seems to be laid out in “plain english” and gets pretty much to the point. Their claim to fame is the naked burrito which consists basically of the filling of a burrito (rice, beans,chicken or beef etc.) poured into a bowl with an optional tortilla. I usually get a Steak or Chicken burrito which always fill me up and taste exceptional. The fact that you can choose what goes into your taco, burrito or quesadilla every visit adds a lot of return value to the place as you can have the steak burrito five or six times and have it taste a little different each time by switching from pinto to black beans or changing any of the other optionals as you go. The ability to customize your meal is what makes this place a great lunch spot as they turn out fresh tasting Mexican food quickly for only a couple of bucks more than Taco Hell Bell you can’t go wrong with this place.

If your looking for authentic Mexican food on the other hand Qdoba is bit off that path. The selection of ingredients is really cut and try and the place is far from mom and pop as locations have been springing up all over the country. Just within the last year three locations have sprung up in South Florida with one on Miracle Mile ridiculously located a few spaces down from Baja Fresh and another coming up down in Pinecrest to compliment the South Miami Town Center location.

If mama and papa style Mexican is what your seeking Qdoba is not for you. But if your out to lunch in the South Gables or South Miami area and you want good Mexican food in a hurry without the inevitable guilt or gastrointestinal fear of slipping through a Taco Bell drive thru then Qdoba is the perfect place to stop. Their simplified menu and fresh ingredients make the place worth a visit. The ability to customize your food makes them great for catering as well which I imagine would be a hit at any meeting.