Blue Collar

This will be brief since the meal wasn't amazing and I'm not in an abusive mood. I wanted some lemon ricotta pancakes and my amazing, loving spouse drove my pregnant behind to the hoods of Biscayne and BFE for just that. I had heard pretty awesome things about the place so I was excited. I love me some brunchy/breakfast goodies so that just added to the joy.  

 

 

 

The place is located in the least glamorous area in the MIA. It's actually a tiny hole in the wall somehow connected to a very shady motel establishment where I can only assume the most illicit entrepeneural transactions take place in the wee hours of the night. Parking sucks. The walkers on the street are creepy. The inside of the place makes you wish you had a hooded poncho to shield yourself (and your 'do) from the greasy mist that percolates. We decided to melt, I mean, eat outside. Umbrellas are limited. Thank goodness my hubs is strong dude and managed to move an umbrella for me so I didn't melt. It's just not a comfortable spot at all. But let's get to the point...

 

The menu is extensive offering straight up comfort food - do the Deens own this place? Breakfast items a plenty, sandwiches, hearty entrees, and a fantastic variety of vegetarian sides. Since we were there for breakfast, we started with some coffee which presented itself in a very old school thermos type-a thingy with a cute milk-manish bottle on the side. Adorable. The rust on the lip of the thermos, not so much. I don't love tetanus with my caffeine.

My husband ordered BC Breakfast Sandwich - eggs, bacon, latkes. It went back with the quickness due to the inedible amount of grease that leaked on to the plate when he tried to take a bite. The potatoes were also soaked in fat, which was unacceptable.

We ended up sharing my Classic Benedict which was also very greasy and my eggs were dangerously undercooked. Again, the potatoes were inedibly oily and left a puddle wherever they touched the plate. Sadness.

The lemon ricotta pancakes were also quite greasy but since I was craving them I had a few bites and felt satisfied. They were buttery and crispy but not in a yummy way, in a very guiltfilled, repugnant, call my cardiologist kinda way.

I get that the place is all old-school and diner-ish but that is no excuse to make food that makes you feel like shit about eating it and feel disgusted with yourself afterwards. If they were to tone down the lard a bit this would've been a kickass meal. It actually pains me to write a crappy review for a place that has such awesome ratings on Yelp, but I have to be honest. I would give it a second chance but I need a new dining companion because my husband wouldn't ever set foot in here again. Any takers?

Blue Collar
6730 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33138
(305) 756-0366

El Agave Azul

 

As I write this post and reminisce on the amazing food we had here I am literally texting my husband and demanding a trip to Davie for some good Mexican grub ASAP. We ended up here while shopping at Ikea. I was Yelping like mad and found this spot via Yelp (as usual.) This place is located in a dingy strip mall next to a questionable bar and other shady businesses...as most awesome places typically are.

 

Don't expect anything fancy once you walk into this little spot. It is bare with zero decor or Mexican flair because these people aren't in the business of cute and cozy, they are in the business of making the best damn Mexican food ever. The picture I took sucks so here's a link to their menu

 



 

My favorite thing about this place and the one thing that haunted my dreams and made me come back the following week (with a fabricated "I gotta return something @ Ikea" story) was the guacamole. This is really and truly the best guacamole I've ever had. It is fresh, chunky, tangy, and full of flavor. There's plenty of cilantro & lime. Get a big tub. And some to take home. Trust me.

 



 

 

Next up I had tacos - carne asada, avocado, and cheese. I don't like lettuce or tomato (it's a texture thing I can't get past) so it was nice and plain just how I like it. The beef was tender and flavorful. The avocado was chunky and creamy. The tortillas must be made in house because they tasted like there's a 4 ft abuela named Guadalupe in the back making them herself.  

 

 

I also had a sope, which is something new I've never even heard of. This chunky, deep fried, mass of deliciousness came topped with carne asada, quese fresco, and refried beans. The "small, thick, corn tortilla" as it is described on their menu was just that - chunky and cripsy and really freaking good. It was warm so it went very nicely with the cool queso fresco.

 

 

 

 

My husband had chicken tacos which he really enjoyed. I really didn't pay much attention to him since I was busy devouring my sope, tacos, and keeping a watchful eye on him to make sure he didn't eat all the delicious guac. He often says he feels like he's eating in prison with me because I always have my eye on the food (sorry babe!)

Lastly - dessert! These adorable little goodies were stacked on a basket on the counter. They sat there so innocently just begging to be picked up, like a hungry kitty cat on the street. To the left we have tiny little caramel filled, cinnamon sugar dusted empanadas. To the right, powdery, buttery cookies that must have been made by Guadalupe's younger sister, Lupita. They were amazingly fresh and tasted authentic and home made.

 



It's a shame this place is so far from my 'hood but if you make a day out of it - Ikea, Sawgrass, whatever you fancy - the drive is absolutely worth it. The food is fresh, authentic, flavorful, amazing!

El Agave Azul
13040 W State Rd
Davie, FL 33325
(954) 530-4321