Lokal: Clean Burgers, Brews, and Killer Tomatoes (Pictures)
Categories: First Bites, First Impressions
 |
| All photos by Laine Doss |
| Lokal's cork logo. |
When Short Order spoke with owner Matthew Kuscher in September, he spun a tale of a small neighborhood restaurant featuring locally sourced food and drink. Kuscher described a mural made of cork, tables made of recycled materials, a wall of graffiti art, and a small area devoted to selling locally made and environmentally sound products. It all sounded good as we sat in mismatched chairs and gazed at shopping bags full of old cassette tapes and corks filling the empty (and dusty) space.
It took awhile, but that vision is now a reality. Lokal is small and bright, with a hipster vibe that wouldn't seem out of place in Williamsburg or the East Village. On a Thursday evening the crowd was mixed, though less raucous than the college crowd that frequents Sandbar or Mr. Moe's. It could be because the music or television was designed more for background -- allowing diner to converse with each other, rather than scream at the game or booty-shake.
Lokal has received their beer and wine license, so we tried a Florida Lager on draft and a Two Hearted Ale from Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan to go with our burger, shrimp tacos and heirloom tomato salad. All burgers are made with Florida grass-fed beef from White Ranch in Ocala. The cattle are free-range Kobe-style, free of hormones and antibiotics. Shrimp are Gulf rock shrimp, and the tomatoes are large, colorful, and juicy.
The food was served quickly (almost too quickly), and my one comment that the tomato salad needed... something immediately prompted Kuscher to arrive straightaway with a pepper grinder. With a hands-on owner, eager staff, and prices that won't blow your budget, Lokal seems poised to become a go-to spot for locals.
 |
| Grafitti art frames Lokal's bar. |
 |
| The Lokal ($12) with Florida tomatoes, sliced red onion, homemade honey mustard, melted Jack cheese, and Homestead avocados. |
 |
| Pink tacos with bang bang shrimp ($10). |
 |
| Heirloom tomato salad ($10) topped with Maytag blue cheese, cucumbers, basil, and Lokal vinaigrette dressing. |
 |
| Original wall art at Lokal. |
Location Info
Venue
Map
LoKal Burgers & Beer
3190 Commodore Plaza, Miami, FL
Category: Restaurant
|
0 user reviews
|
Write A Review |
| Save to foursquare |
|
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
