Menin Hospitality and the Opium Group have partnered on a neighborhood charmer, Bodega Taqueria Y Tequila, 1220 16th St., which recently opened in South Beach. A colorful, hip taco shop with a hidden funky bar await a visit from neighborhood locals, but should also be a purposeful destination for other city dwellers. The menu has been developed by Bernie Matz who has travelled extensively in Mexico and is well known in the local food arena (Books & Books / Bernie's L.A. Cafe).
When entering the transformed space just west of Alton Road, you find yourself in a street food setting, ordering from an Airstream trailer with a menu posted on the adjacent wall and a marquee above. Sitting at a high top table, a pager signals when your food is ready.
Airstream trailer & high top tables
The menu starts with Antojitos, literally translated as "little cravings," including guacamole, quesadillas, ceviche, shrimp cocktail, panko breaded panela cheese, and a Caesar salad that can be augmented with grilled Mahi or spit broiled chicken. Multiple varieties of Tacos de la Casa then tempt you with your choice of meat, fish, seafood, and vegetarian options. We chose the pollo verde, spit broiled chicken, garlicked kale, red onion, cilantro and avocado salsa verde. Sensational flavors abound that are satisfying and complementary. An offering of house made sauces including garlic serrano, Caribbean lime, and red habanero are tableside as an enhancement.
LEFT: Pollo Verde taco. RIGHT: Custom sauces.
Tortas de la Bodega exist in a broad range of creative combinations. Our Cubanito with spit-broiled pork, bacon, oaxaca, pickled onion, avocado and stone ground mustard was a potpourri of texture and taste and a true palate pleaser.
Cubanito Torta
Multiple extras ranging from salsas to a charred pineapple slaw can add another layer of uniqueness to your meal. Ice cream and ice fruit paletas (ice pops) in a multiple of flavors that include pineapple-chili, guanabana and coconut are a cool refreshing punctuation.
The two story lounge can be accessed either through the door that reads "meat market" or the blue door that reads "banos." Enter the latter faux Porta Potty and realize you must go beyond a second door to enter an environment of brick walls, bare bulbs, vintage metal stools, comfortable couches, and innovative art. Here is where tequila and more exists to quench your thirst.
Bar and Lounge
Enjoy a creative menu, explosive flavor and eclectic ambience at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila. I personally cannot wait to return.
Bodega Taqueria Y Tequila
1220 16th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-763-8627
Open Daily, Sunday-Wednesday noon to 2 a.m.; Thursday-Saturday, noon to 5 a.m. www.bodegasouthbeach.com
