Hoja Taqueria has expanded to Miami Beach, where a larger kitchen means a larger menu. One of our new favorites: the chicken tinga flautas. | Want to see your own picture in this space? Tag either #thenewtropic or @thenewtropic to be featured in our Instagram of the Day. (📸: @miamifoodpug)
What’s the biggest 305 food news right now?
One of the biggest headlines is the return of Overtown’s beloved Rosie’s, which has now set up shop in Allapattah. The Southern eatery has moved into the ground floor of an office building, taking over a former cafe known as SIPS. But the location is pretty much all that has changed: staples like the chicken and biscuits and fish and grits haven’t gone anywhere, and the team has added some new dishes, too.
In other comeback news, Eating House is expected to return early next year in some new Giralda Avenue digs. The Coral Gables “stoner food” favorite is getting a much larger dining room, and Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli promises to bring back some classics like the Cap’n Crunch pancakes and pasta carbonara. Rapicavoli says to expect a more “grown up” version of the original though, as Miami dining has changed a lot since the restaurant opened almost a decade ago.
Eat anywhere good lately?
When you don’t have a lot of time for breakfast, you want something quick, cheap and good. And that’s what we got at El Tropico in Doral near Wal-Mart. The hole-in-the-wall Cuban spot has been there for decades, and you can always count on them for delicious cafe con leche, tostada, eggs, bacon and house potatoes — all for under $8.
We’ve also been on a Nicaraguan food kick lately, and Fritanga Cana Brava has been our go-to for all things carne asada. Portions are massive — you get steak, rice and beans, plantain chips, and coleslaw for around $15; we managed to get three meals out of one order.
Soup szn is coming. What’s a place I should consider for my soup fix? 🍜
Seasons may not exist in South Florida, but ever-so-slightly cooler temperatures are coming soon and that calls for soup. When that soup craving kicks in, look no further than Khaosan Road Eatery in Coral Gables. The unassuming Thai spot is home to a BBQ pork noodle soup that’s one of the best dishes we’ve had in a while: tasty meat, flavorful broth, chewy noodles and bok choy for some greens.
We can’t recommend this place enough even if you’re not in the mood for soup; the menu is huge and offers plenty of vegetarian options as well. Just be prepared for a lot of spice. Speaking of spice ...
It’s the final week of Miami Spice. Give us one last recommendation.
Get one last decadent Miami Spice meal at Phuc Yea. The Vietnamese-cajun spot is serving up bay scallops, duck confit, crispy imperial rolls and other delicious bites from a menu that’s packed with flavor and value. And as if that wasn't enough, a vegetarian menu is also available. Miami Spice ends this Thursday, so don’t waste any time.
Hit me with that Taco Tuesday rec. 🌮
Our favorite taco joint Hoja Taqueria has opened a Miami Beach outpost at Generator Miami. A bigger kitchen means a bigger menu, and guests will find way more than just tacos here: think tuna tostadas, sweet potato tostada, carne asada and branzino — to name just a few. The bar menu offers a lot more than margaritas as well. Pro tip: get the corn porn. They use almost every part of the corn — including the husk — to make one tasty drink, and it lives up to its eye-catching name.
