Hungry Posted: Salsa Fiesta

By: Quiqui Ronan

What to expect:  When you walk into this recently opened location, you’re automatically greeted by cool graffiti murals as well as their ‘build your own’ counter full of fresh, Tex-Mex eats (which will make your mouth water BTW). Grab some free chips and salsa as you wait in line, but save room for more, as you’ll have a hard time picking exactly what you want to munch on. This is a place to come grab a solid meal after a long day or a much-needed lunch after a long night of partying. Expect a súper chill vibe since the regulars here are young fams and Canes fans.

The Menu: The South Miami location has a different serving style than the other venues: here you’ll get to pick a base, proteins (yes, that means two!), veggies, sauces, and toppings with options like garbanzos and good ol’ beef barbacoa.  Some of the fresh items on their ‘build your own’ menu include ceviche, pork carnitas, ahi tuna, mango salad, and orange-mint couscous. The restaurant offers sweet horchata and a selection of beers to top off your meal. Last but not least, they have a selection of salsas from mild to ‘Dios Ayudame’ levels, so serve yourself some after you pick up your order for that extra fuego.

What to order: We can guarantee you’ll want to try everything, but here’s our reco on the perfect bowl.

Base:  We love carbs, you love carbs. Yeah you can get the salad base but why would you want to if you can order couscous or cilantro-lime rice?  So definitely get the rice. (You can work out tomorrow.)

Veggies: This one’s easy: go directly for the semi-spicy esquite corn, and mango salsa. Like we say here in Miami this part is tranquilo y tropical. The sweet ingredients are the perfect contrast to the spicy salsitas you’re about to pour all over this baby. + Guac. (Do we even have to say it?)

Protein: This one’s not so easy. With choices like carnitas, chicken tinga, and barbacoa, you’ll be glad that you don’t have to pick just one. We went for the ahi tuna and ceviche because we wanted to keep it ‘bien light’ (AKA we’re ordering more food). The ceviche was filled with citrus notes and the ahi tuna is what we’ve been missing from Mexican bowls, all our lives.

Sauces: Saucey Hungries rejoice! Like their name says, this is a place where sauces will make a party in your mouth. We recommend the yogurt-avocado and yogurt-cilantro cream.

Other stuff you need to try: Repeat the above, but do it in taco form. You won’t regret it. Also on the menu: Tostones. Except that these are loaded tostones, topped with beans, pico de gallo, a protein (we recommend grilled chicken), crema, guac, and COVERED IN CHEESE. Need we say more?

How to get a seat: No reservations here. Pop in during the week and you’ll likely get served right away or within a few minutes by their súper friendly staff.