11th Street Diner
Pictured above: Spicy Shrimp on a Skewer, Key West Margarita, Fried Shrimp Platter (substituted the coleslaw with sweet plantains), Sunset Margarita, Salmon BLT, and Veggie Garden Burger with Grilled Onions & Avocado with No Cheese
When I arrived at 11th Street Diner it was pretty packed and there was already a line outside. They asked everyone to wait outside, no matter how hot it is, until you are called to be seated. Trust me, it was pretty hot that day! It had to be at least 98 degrees and the humidity was probably at 90%. So I was convinced that I was going to melt before I had the opportunity to eat.
Right as I was preparing to accept my faith and say my final goodbyes before I died of heat stroke, they called our names to be seated. Luckily, the wait was only a few minutes; so you don't have to worry about a long wait in the sun. I’m just extra and felt like I was waiting forever.
The beauty of most diners to me is that they use a lot of the same fixtures from back in the day. When I stepped inside 11th Street Diner it was like walking back in time, but with a modern twist. Let me tell you from now, the food was so good that we went there twice!
The first day there we were seated outside, which wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. There were ceiling fans above us, which provided a nice breeze, and being outside offered prime people watching opportunities. Their menu was expansive so most individuals can find something on there that they will enjoy. 11th Street also caters to vegetarians, which is always a plus. Also, for all the people that are breakfast lovers, they also offer breakfast all day!
Now lets get to the food! The spicy shrimp skewers were grilled to perfection. When I bit into the shrimp it was so juicy and it definitely was not lacking any seasoning. The key lime margarita was absolutely refreshing and had me litty!
Even though the margarita was mixed pretty strong, as it should be, bare in mind that I am a light weight. So if you're not also a light weight then one glass will probably have you simply feeling nice. But it makes your time enjoyable nonetheless.
When our waiter brought over the fried shrimp platter I was staring at the plate wondering how am I going to finish everything. Like most diners, 11th Street provides you with generous portions. The plantains tasted just like it does when I cook it at home (Jamaica 🇯🇲 ). Even though plantains are not that difficult to cook, not everyone cooks them well. Some cook it in way too much oil and they become soggy, or they cook the plantains before they are fully ripe. However, this diner made them just right! There were ripe, juicy, sweet and flavorful. The fried shrimp tasted just as good as they looked!
On the second time around I had the sunset margarita which got me right just like the key west margarita did. My boo ordered the salmon blt, and in his own words, "the sandwich was the perfectly designed blend of flavor and crunch. The salmon was well seasoned, succulent, juicy and charred to perfection. The smoked bacon was a perfect match to add a layer of flavor and crunch. The sandwich was equipped with more layers of lettuce, tomato and avocado which offered the perfect blend of textures and flavors in between two lightly toasted loaves of bread. Add fries to top it off and this was easily a very satisfying meal." Clearly he loves food just as much as I do.
At first I was a bit nervous ordering the veggie burger because I've had a few veggie burgers that were absolute trash! However, I am glad I took a chance because I ended up enjoying my burger. The grilled onions added a nice crunchy texture to the burger.
Have you ever had that moment at a restaurant where the food is so good that all you and your date can do while you're eating is take bites of your food, look at each other and nod in confirmation? That's what we experienced at 11th Street Diner. The service was great, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the food was amazing! Would definitely go back whenever we visit Miami again.
