Rinconcito latino: Pupusas

Food Type: Full Meal

Origin: main course: El Salvador; restaurant specializes in Cuban.

website: n/a

location: 9979 SW 142nd Ave. Miami, FL

For today's entry I present to you, arguably the gem in central american cuisine! "Pupusas" as they are known in El Salvador and neighboring countries is a simple concept. Masa harina (dough) is used to make a flat and thick tortilla-like circle filled with cheese, beans, pork, or a combination. In El Salvador or Honduras you can find street vendors making this on street stands for 50 cents each. Here you'll have to pork up $2.00 each. However, at the Rinconcito you can get two, the coleslaw it brings included, rice & beans, and a soda for about $7. Now In my opinion.. that's a good portion of food! If you haven't tried it, I suggest you swing by one of El Rinconcito Latino's several locations and give it a try instead of your usual Wendy's or Burger King lunch trips, you won't be disappointed.

Bubble Tea @ Lan Pan

Food Type: Bubble Tea/Boba

Origin: Taiwan

website: www.lanpanasian.com

location: Dadeland Station

Bubble Tea, or sometimes simply Boba, consists of a variety of teas, milks, smoothies and other blends in which small tapioca pearls (re: bubbles) are dropped. Equipped with a fat straw to suck them out with, they travel up the straw while you sip your drink of choice. The tapioca pearls have a gummy consistancy and every person i've ever seen try it wants more. The only problem? Locations! Lan Pan has a little bubble tea window similar to what you see in cuban restaurants for coffee, but apart from this and a few other locales up in broward you'll be hard-pressed for bubble tea near you. There was a dedicated place named "Lollicup" across from FIU, but since I don't think they ever considered advertizing.. they "moved" and never were heard from again in south florida. sad.

Bubble Tea and its deliciousness is only $3.50, which compared to regular smoothies offered by robek's, starbucks, or jamba juice is quite a bargain.

Doña Paulina/ Don Davis

Food Type: Meat/pasta

Origin: Uruguay

Website: www.dondavismiami.com

location: several

Doña Paulina (formerly Doña Tota) was founded a few years back by an Uruguayan immigrant with 5k in his pocket and a good know-how of the kitchen. What is Uruguayan cuisine? Well like our Argentine neighbors it has a lot of meat, pasta, and well.. good meat! haha, but seriously you won't enjoy this place if you're a vegitarian.

[serious face.]

Anyways, here are some of the highlights from when I frequent the locations. My number one choice and best recommended dish would be the skirt steak (entraña) which comes with two sides. good choices for sides are rice and french fries, but veggies, platains, and others are available. The steak will make your lunch or dinner or day. For dinner I suggest you opt for a 16oz or bigger and share it as not only will the bill come out less painful (lol $24 at the most), but it is also a nice way to.. bond with your fellow carnivore.

My second suggestion is "el chivito" for which another restaurant is named for (El Rey Del Chivito). The lamb as it translates to is actually just meat in a sandwhich form, which also includes ham, lettuce, tomatoes and a sunny-side up egg. Toss in the french fries as a side and it's guaranteed to fill you up and under $10!

In Uruguay life is simple. People drink mate(tea), they watch soccer, they eat meat, and they go to the beach. I hope to move there one day, maybe for retirement or something of the like. In the meantime however, you can watch the anthony bourdain special about it, or eat at the restaurants i'll suggest and live a bit of it out ;)

La Pasadita; taqueria

Food Type: Taqueria

Origin: Mexico

website: n/a

location: 624 N.English Avenue, Homestead FL 33030

They say there's nothing like a home cooked meal. Well I say there's nothing like a burrito by a mexican family owned taqueria. Chipotle, Moe's, Qdoba.. they all imitate. This is the real deal folks.

Down in homestead, just off US1 and off a random sideroad you'll see a little free-standing building with nothing more but a little banner. This is where you'll find "La Pasadita". This place is well worth the drive on a day when you're bored, hungry, or in the area. Not only is everything well priced (under $10 of course), but it's as authentic as you can get.

The main attraction is the Burritos that are like chipotle's, but make the new-age restaurant cry in shame. This tastes like something fresh and grown, not processed. Other things i'd be down to try is stuffed bell peppers with meat, cheese, etc inside. Very good from what i hear, my grandmother used to make something similar. Here's my choice for the day:

- Chicken Burrito, $5.99 + soda

Also try for the same price:

- 5 Tacos filled with pork

De maxima calidad! This place really does have the tastiest tacos in town.

-Nick

Dollar millionares.

Food Type: Fast

Origin: America!

website: lol.

location: Everywhere

Some days you just want to pig out on a budget at 2am or later. what do you do? Dollar menu that's what.

so what's open past midnight (fast food-wise, others i'll cover later)? Wendy's, Mcdonalds, BK, and the heavenly bell of tacos (taco bell). For this excursion we chose BK simply because it was close by. The dollar menu always has its highlights. for Burger King they are:

- Whopper jr. $1

- Spicy chicken crisp $1

You can buy quite a few of those, with some [late-night drink of choice] at home and play cards or something with your friends and be quite satisfied.

For the sake of completion, i'm gonna offer a few highlights off the top of my head from the other dollar menus.

McDonald's

- fries

- sweet tea (HUGE!)

- ice cream

- Mctasty

- 2 apple pies (for $1!)

Wendy's

- Chicken nuggets (I think thats what they're called lol)

- Spicy Chicken

- Frosty

Taco Bell

- variety of chips with stuff on them 89c

- plain tacos 69c

- cheesy fiesty potatoes (personal favorite)

- caramel empanada (similar to apple pie, but with caramel taco shell)

Alex approves:

-Nick

Fuddrucker's: world greatest burgers

Food Type: Burgers & Fries

Origin: U.S.A.

website: www.fuddruckers.com

location: several

Fuddruckers, makers of a mean burger. World's greatest? Thats questionable. It certainly ranks high up there though, and a good american atmosphere along with it. I feel like i've completely reviewed Fuddrucker's already with my piece on "Betty's Best", but i'll reiterate some key points. You will get more than you can eat for under $10 here. I went with the 1/2 pound burger, but my friend opted for 1 pounder.. a true test of manhood. Unfortunately, he was unable to finish it but a great effort overall lol. Same menu as Betty's best, and honestly just as good.

- 1/2 pound burger, fries & drink for 8.49... familiar eh?

- 1 pound burger combo, bigger than juerguen's head.

-Nick

Betty's Best Burgers

Food Type: Burgers & Fries

Origin: U.S.A.

website: n/a

location: Us1 s.w. 104th st

There was once a Fuddrucker's on Us1 and 104th. I went here occasionally growing up, back then there was a window into the kitchen next to the cashiers in which you could see the whole cow hanging and the butcher cutting up chunks of meat for the fresh burgers. Years later, Fuddruckers enjoyed success with various car meets at the location (and the resulting business), but lost the infamous window due to what I assume were complaints by sensitive people.

A couple years back I was hit with a big suprise. Fuddrucker's had been sold. Why? Who knows. The Us1 location had been sold to someone named Betty, who had replaced the sign with one bearing bad ghetto-looking font but accompanied by a familiar burger. For a long while I was reluctant to step inside, to see what they had done to the place. The big suprise was, nothing had changed! The decor, menu, prices, layout. Everything was the same. And so, the Burgers were still great!

Some will argue the burgers are better at Betty's than at Fudd's, but I say its too close to call. When the menu still has the 1/3, 1/2, and 1 pound burgers intact, I doubt anything has changed at all. Here's my verdict: if you like Fuddruckers, you can't go wrong at Betty's Best Burgers.

$8.49 for a half-pound burger (huge), seasoned fries and a drink? yes please. easily the most burger for the price out of all my reviews.

[burger radius is phenomenal]

also try:

- 1/3 burger combo:

[half is gone in picture, lol]

- Grilled chicken combo:

-Nick

Los Perros (Venezuelan)

Food Type: Fast

Origin: Venezuelan

website: n/a

location: doral on 107th

Los Perros is a little joint located right next to a Chevron gas station in Doral. If you are a broke guy like me with a big stomach, and up for a meat on meat action then this would be your Valhalla. Los Perros offers a large menu, but the best run for your money would be the "Regular Hamburger" which is far from regular I might add. This glorious hamburger is made out of 100% Venezuelan ground beef, piled high with cheese, tomatoes, cole salad or lettuce or even both plus so many different types of dressings that makes you start to question yourself of how would it taste. But do not be worried my friend, because even after the rampage of different flavors you can still feel the glorious beef patty's taste. This bad boy will only set you back 5 bucks, and since the place seems to be kept in the D/L you don't need to worry about taxes nor tips which puts a big smile on my face. With 2 of these, you will be set for the day. If you are thirsty you can always walk 50 ft and go inside the gas station and buy whatever you'd like.

Pro: No taxes, Tips optional, Gas Station adjacent meaning that you can gas up and eat at the same time, Open till really late.

Con: Only cash accepted, no fries, exposed: meaning no A/C

2x Hamburgers 10$
1x 20 oz beverage 1$

Total: 11$ and a fueled stomach

[doral on 107th]

Chipotle.

Food Type: "Southwestern"

Origin: Mexican-american

website: www.chipotle.com

location: several

Upper-division fast food. Is this the real name for it? probably not, but this type of place is becoming way more common and popular among young people, and for good reason. In the nice middle ground, Chipotle as well as its two competitors are tastier, healthier, and overall better (also more expensive) than Taco Bell without becoming the classic mexican restaurants of years past. My choice at chipotle is a Chicken burrito with: white rice, black beans, cheese, lettuce, and the costly quacamole. If chipotle has a kryptonite it would be the extra charge for the "quac". Worth it however, chips and soda also added will set you back just under $10. No waiters. Seating is fast-food style with fountain drink refill machine by the wall and somewhat modern wood/stainless steel furniture. There's no luxury here, just good burritos.

-Nick

Lan Pan asian cuisine.

Food Type: Pan Asian

Origin: Japanese-thai-chinese

website: www.lanpanasian.com

location: Dadeland Station

Today was a little break from the cheaper alternatives, and i went to Lan Pan asian in Dadeland station. Over time, as public relations for my school's Asian Student Union I have been to quite a few asian restaurants in Miami. This place ranks up top among the plethora of choices, a popular birthday spot, and a nice combination of taste and price!

Let me start by saying that my favorite Japanese dish is Unagi Don. A fairly cheap dish to make in Japan (ironically), Unagi Don consists of strips of bbq eel over a bowl of white rice. Now as my favorite dish, I have tasted it at many of Miami's restaurants and Lan Pan takes the prize.

The lunch hour is the best time to come to Lan. Kitchen closes at 3pm sharp so get there before their hour-long break to get the cheaper, better menu. The Unagi Don at lunch brings:

Miso soup (tofu & seaweed in chicken broth, delicious):

Salad:

and the Eel over rice.

All for $11!

Soda and tip will set you to about $15, not too shabby for a 3 course meal eh?

also try:

-Spicy Korean BBQ (Kimchee):

[also with soup & salad during lunch]

-Various Noodle Dishes:

[also with soup & salad during lunch]

-Various sushi combinations [try Rainbow roll!]

-Nick

Taco Bell

Food Type: Fast

Origin: Mexico?

website: www.tacobell.com

location: everywhere :D

A haven for those with little cash and a big appetite, Taco bell has been the place to satisfy those cravings for a long time. Taco bell is also the late-night king, always having the longest lines at night, and closing at 4am.

what's the big deal about Taco Bell you say? The Cheesy gordita crunch. This is a hard taco with a pita bread added and melted cheese in the middle of the two shells, along with a special sauce inside. What is the sauce made out of? Awesomeness. $2.50 scores you one of these "not on the menu" specials, at most Taco bells. Along with a filling dollar-menu Cheesy fiesta potatos and a soda you have a serious kick to your taste buds for about $5.

Also try:

- Chicken Quesadillas

- Steak Burritos

- Sub-dollar priced nachos

-Nick

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Food Type: Burgers & Fries

Origin: U.S.A.

website: www.fiveguys.com

location: several

Today I ate at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The upper division fast-food restaurant has a simple decor of classic americana, and specializes in precisely what it's name implies. Their main claim to fame is the use of peanut oil to cook their products. Another highlight is how full you can get under $10!

Five guys is always packed. Every time i go there is a line and most chairs are taken. There's a very good reason for this. The food is great! I like to order a double cheese burger with mushrooms [$5.00], fries [$2.69], and a soda [$1.30]. The advantage Five guys has over its nearest competitor Fuddruckers is the no charge for toppings, which makes a (slightly smaller) double cheeseburger a cheaper choice. Other nice touches are the vast amount of fries they give you (don't order the large!) and..

free peanuts!

Yes, the peanuts are free for the taking and you can eat as much as you'd like. I do however, hate how much effort cracking a peanut for the small nut inside takes. If your appetite outlasts the money in your pocket however, its a nice comfort food.

Now look at this burger. It is the equivalent to a wolf in sheep's clothing. Inside this gnarly looking small burger is a whole lot of taste! No, of course it's not healthy. When will "burgers and fries" ever be healthy? Peanut oil or not, you should look into exercise to justify this flavorful toll on your midsection...

Moral of the story? for $10 you can't go wrong at Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

-Nick

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-Nick

Chili's

Food Type: Southwestern

Origin: U.S.A.-Mexican

website: www.chilis.com

location: several

Today was a friend's late birthday lunch with friends, she picked Chili's. A perfect choice for a broke guy like me! Chili's is a restaurant with a great menu and many things that can fill you up for under $10, although i'm inclined to consider it an under $15 type of deal.

I felt hungry for a mushroom-swiss burger, which is quite manly at Chili's. Together with some seasoned fries, this is a $8 order. I opted for some soda, which is the real killer in today's experience. Not only is soda bad for you, but it's also $2.35! unlimited refills or not, water is the clear choice if you're strapped for cash.

The bad thing about restaurants is the hidden expenses. Drinks run up the tab, and then tipping if you don't want to look like a douche (important when when not eating alone!). My check came out to be $11 for the quite filling burger, fries, and coke. tip was extra.

~$15 or ~$10 with tip, your choice.

[The aftermath]

Broke Guys: Miami; Food on a budget.

hello world!

This is a new project by a stereotypical broke college student and his friends. Fancy food critics don't review the things we eat on a daily basis, so it's about time someone did! My friends and I will go ahead and rate and review the best deals for good food in miami, all within what you could afford on a normal day and quite possibly no job! thanks for reading.

-Nick