Tasty Takeout Essentials

Just when it looked like things were finally getting back to (a new) normal, omicron reared its ugly head. As a result of the variant taking over Florida – and literally everywhere – we’ve been cooped up at home eating lots and lots of takeout.

Yes, delivery is an option, but it’s one that’s more expensive and really eats into a small business’ bottom line. So, takeout it is. If you find yourself laying low like us, consider these eateries for some spectacular to-go fare.

A takeout favorite: tacos. Taquiza (1351 Collins Ave., 305.203.2197 and 7450 Ocean Terrace, 786.588.4755), with locations in Miami Beach and North Beach, offers more than a dozen different tacos to take home. Expect to find familiar fillings like barbacoa and shrimp, along with more uncommon bites like grasshoppers and beef tongue. We suggest being adventurous here, given the affordable price point (around $12-21 for a three-taco order); even if it turns out you don’t like grasshoppers, you won’t be out too much money. Some notable non-taco selections are the grilled corn on the cob and churros.

Pizza is one of the ultimate takeout foods, and the pies at Stanzione 87 (87 SW 8th St., 786.360.1852) never disappoint. The humble Brickell shop boasts a menu packed with red and white pizzas that are great the day of and many days afterward. Classics abound, including margherita and pepperoni pizzas, but we’re partial to more inventive fare like the mais (corn) and “Angry Kale” pizzas. Other takeout essentials are the sweet and spicy wood-fired wings and the meatball hero sub.

Looking for a solid sandwich? Look no further than 7th Cafe (1951 NW 7th Ave., 305.454.9065), housed in the same space as Rosie’s in Allapattah. While Rosie’s is still around for weekend brunch, this deli concept takes over the place during the week. On the menu: turkey sandwiches, grilled chicken clubs, pastrami sandwiches and roast beef sandwiches – to name a few items. The eatery also offers breakfast, so you’ll find selections like Bagel Max bagels, croissants and raspberry donuts up for grabs.

Up north, Aventura’s Tap 42 (19565 Biscayne Blvd., 786.440.7270) is making sure you can still get your bar food fix at home. The sports bar serves up the best of both worlds: You can get hefty menu fixtures like the crispy chicken tender melt and overbaked shrimp mac and cheese, or opt for something light such as the grilled salmon Zen bowl and grilled chicken avocado salad. There’s a lot to choose from, so expect to become a takeout regular. Tap 42 also has locations in midtown Miami, Coral Gables, Doral and Kendall – with many more on the way.

Speaking of midtown, the neighborhood is home to an impressive plant-based concept: Thatch (3255 NE 1st Ave., 786.655.4945). The (mostly) vegan restaurant and market features an addicting crispy cauliflower dish – one of our favorite picks of 2021. Get that starter to go, along with the crispy mushroom sandwich, pad thai or fresh shattered potatoes. Cold-pressed juices are Thatch’s other claim to fame, and there are a ton. Health tonics, everyday cleanses, coconut water … they have it all.

Openings

Despite all the craziness these days, South Florida’s food scene pushes forward and makes us hopeful for the future. When was the last time you were on Espanola Way? If you’re a South Florida native, you know to avoid the tourist trap. But locals now have a good reason to visit once things calm down: Tropezón (512 Española Way, 305.763.8523), the gin and tapas concept from the team behind downtown’s Lost Boy Dry Goods. Skull island prawns, saffron wagyu picadillo empanadas and cowboy ribeye are just a few of the many standouts on the menu, which is complemented by yuzu gin and tonics, fino martinis and a bevy of delicious adult beverages.

If healthy eating is a big part of your 2022, be sure to check out the new location of Carrot Express (1111 Brickell Ave., 786.762.2607) in Brickell. The healthy eating concept has brought its tasty wraps, salads and platters to Miami’s financial district. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served here, so stop by anytime for a quick, convenient and affordable meal. Our recommendations: the salmon buddha bowl, the sesame ahi tuna platter and crunchy avocado toast.

Geoffrey Anderson Jr. and Dianne Rubin-Anderson are co-founders of Miami Food Pug, an award-winning South Florida food blog that fuses the couple’s love of dogs and food.