El Grito is best described as a mezcaleria bar and eatery. Previously occupied by a sports bar, adjacent to the original Burger and Beer Joint location, El Grito opened quietly in Sunset Harbour in January 2017.
Washington Charles and his team had an original idea to open a mezcaleria with small bites. As its customer base has grown, food has taken on a more significant place on the podium. Washington has a passion for food and the industry it embellishes. His parents owned a restaurant in Little Haiti, sparking his love of food and fueling his entrepreneurial spirit.
He has worked in, and opened, multiple bars, restaurants, and hotels, including Skybar, The Broken Shaker/27 restaurant, and The W Hotel. Incorporating twenty five years of experience, he opened his first restaurant Taquiza to great acclaim. El Grito's concept is not that of a chef- driven restaurant, but rather a team effort. Several team members are Mexican, and the menu is carefully crafted with the flavors of their heritage.
The restaurant interior is small, colorful and intimate with a welcoming bar. The exterior incorporates picnic table seating in an urban environment.
Top Left: Colorful interior | Bottom Left: Intimate bar | Right: Exterior seating
The drink menu has eight cocktails, predominately tequila or mezcal based, carefully crafted and continually evolving. Prices range from $8 to $13. The evening we dined, I chose the Tepache. Exquisitely composed of pineapple that is fermented for two weeks, canela (Mexican cinnamon), and nutmeg, one then has the option of spiking the drink with Ancho Reyes (chile liquor), mezcal, or tequila. The drink is presented with a pineapple leaf and cinnamon stick and the flavors are intoxicatingly superb. The beer list is predominately Mexican with local and New York breweries also represented. Prices range from $4 to $9.
Left: Tepache | Top Right: Elote | Bottom Right: Costra de Queso
The food menu is divided into sides, burritos and tacos. Our culinary journey started with two sides. Elote is charred corn on the cob with chipotle cream and queso fresco. Corn was flavorful and tender with the perfect accent of piquancy.
Costra de Queso was our next choice. Costra literally means "crust." This fried cheese is made with a traditional Mexican cheese, queso chihuahua. Additions can include chicken, pork, hongos (mushrooms) or steak. Our selection with hongos was generous and decadent. Mushrooms were rich, savory and textural. The cheese was fried to perfection with a golden crust.
Of four burrito choices we chose pollo en mole. Chicken, mole, charred onions, charred pineapple, avocado, and sesame seeds create a melange of robust succulent flavor.
Left: Pollo en mole | Right: Carne a la Mexican
We peered at the food on an adjacent table, where the order was carne a la Mexican. It looked exceptional and will necessitate a prompt return visit. Grilled steak, chile verde, onion, corn, tomato and an avocado sauce created a visual masterpiece.
Tacos are presented two per order and again four choices are offered. We were completely satisfied, and had more than enough food with our selections, but we had the pleasure to chat with our eating compatriots, and live vicariously through them. Their cochinita pibil included pork, cucumber, red onion and jalapeño. The hongos en mole was a combination of enoki and portobello mushrooms, mole, avocado and sesame seeds. A resounding thumbs up was offered for both.
Left: Cochinita pibil (photo courtesy of Andrea Lorena) | Right: Hongos en mole
Happy Hour is every day from 5 to 8 p.m., and includes $6 well drinks, $4 beers and $6 margaritas.
El Grito gives Sunset Harbour a relaxed, intimate, comforting, and affordable alternative with creative drink and exceptional food. Charles and his team have great vision and will continue to enhance the culinary landscape of a destination neighborhood.
El Grito is located at 1766 Bay Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Call 914-844-3640
Takeout and delivery availableHours:
Monday through Thursday: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday and Saturday: Noon to 4 a.m.
Sunday: Noon to 2 a.m.Parking is available on the street and in a nearby garage.
