Mimi the Kitty Hearts Kingdom, and Other Revelations on the Court of Miami's Best Burger According to Epicurious

Jackie Sayet

Nice kitty

 It's not easy trying to find something new to tell you about Kingdom that hasn't already been said, typed or printed.  But then we heard that Miami Herald food critic Victoria Pesce Elliott crowned its Queen Burger victorious when Epicurious, the online home of Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazines, asked local food critics to scout their cities for the best patty.  So it was worth a deeper dive. 

Here are some things you may not know about this MiMo "restaurant sports gallery" on the occasion of its royal commendation:

Brand spanking new grub
Tracy Hughes, the better half in this husband/wife team, has some recipes up her sleeve, too.  In fact, she just sneaked some new items on the menu when chef and hubby Justin wasn't looking.  "It's good you're here because we just printed up new menus," says Tracy when I break the news to her that the Epicurious piece is online.  "I wanted to have some less expensive options for the neighborhood.  Some folks come in and order fries, and you know it's because it's all they can afford.  It was important to me to add some cheaper items to the menu."  Not all of them are cheaper, but in addition to classic bar food fare like quesadillas and nachos "loaded the way you like them" with chicken, beef or three cheeses, there's now a $2 hot dog on the menu.  Screw Best of Miami 2006, Best Bar Food.  Kingdom's not about to step down so easy. 

Jackie Sayet

Hot off the presses

 NFL Ticket on six TVs
"With the digital changeover, a lot of people don't have the time or money to get the converter box," Tracy adds. "We have NFL ticket, so they can come in and watch the games."

Jackie Sayet

Mise en palace

 Pulling back the burger-making curtain
Ok, so king-of-the-grill-top Justin won't be divulging the ingredients in his special spice mix or barbecue sauce squeeze bottle any time soon, especially not if Tracy has anything to do with it.  He did give us a peek more than most after some cajoling, though.  We snapped up some rare pictures of the action in the kitchen as a queen burger came together.  "They're made with tender loving care," Justin says. 

Jackie Sayet

Preparing the throne

 Taking in the strays
Tracy's been caring for kitty cat Mimi ever since the original owner left her behind, about five years ago.  Mimi sits patiently outside waiting for her daily order: proper cat wet food.  When finished, this battle-scarred feline, no less lovable, sprawls out under a table on the patio to clean herself, holding court next to the king of the Biscayne jungle.

Kingdom
6708 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami 33138
(305) 757-0074  

Hours:
7 days a week
Mon - Wed 4 - 11 p.m.
Thurs - Sun 11:30 - 2 a.m.

Jackie Sayet

The queen is all hot and bothered, just the way we like her

 

Jackie Sayet

Mimi knows where it's at