You might find me eating a burrito at Lime Fresh on Alton Rd (just south of Lincoln) in Miami Beach. But it’s not for the food, instead for the, atmosphere  – to eat among the model types that walk in from the infamous Flamingo and Floridian condos that are the local meccas of hedonistic materialism. If I really want a tasty and hearty burrito, I get the Home Wrecker from Moe’s Southwest Grill. There’s a reason Lime Fresh has about fifty various hot sauces in addition to the salsa bar for toppings for their entrees – to add taste to what would otherwise be a bland burrito. Well, there’s definitely no lack of taste in the Home Wrecker which I like with steak, rice, black beans, salsa, guac and some extra sour cream (shhh!!!). I think the key is in the thick salsa, which is almost just sliced fresh tomatoes with a hint of mysterious flavor. They make the, sometimes bulging out of the tortilla shell, delight in front of you with your choice of parts – lettuce, guac, cukes, rice, choice of beans etc. And there’s no difference in price whether you go for the chicken or steak (unlike the previously mentioned chain). The toppings bar is minimal with about four choices of sauces for adding to your food or dipping the chips in. The medium hot sauce, which me makes cringe at the thought of trying the "hot", adds the perfect zing to my meal.
And ladies, the Moe’s I go to off of 17th Street in Lauderdale seems to always be filled with firefighters and cops from various agencies. I guess they know a good burritto too. Don’t say I’m not an equal opportunity writer. I’ve enjoyed some other noteworthy burritos at Zona Fresca and Baja Fresh.

Despite being the committed work out nut I’ve become of late and now somewhat  of a stranger to the bar scene, if I were to win the lottery, which you’ll learn to be a common opening theme of mine, I’d throw a big party to clebrate and boast – and I’d hire Joe as my bar tender for the evening. Joe must have played and dominated the game "Memory" as a kid A LOT.  I could introduce you to him one slamming night at Himmarshee Restaurant and Side Bar. He’ll greet you with a smile, shake your hand or give you a kiss on the cheek and serve your drink of choice. Should you pop up at his ever packed bar six months later I do not doubt that he will have remembered both your name and drink -regardless of your looks or gender. He’s like the Rain Man – in a good way.  

Side Bar, as it’s more known at night, is a small establishment in the Miami and Fort Liquordale scope of things but does really well on Friday nights – thanks in part to its resident DJ spinning the right mix of dance/hip hop and remixes of current chart toppers and to the attitude free bar staff which includes Joe.  There are four bar tenders working away at Side Bar yet Joe, in his solitary corner off to the side seems to always have a never ending crowd waiting to be served and say hi. I think people just like to see him work his magic. There’s no juggling of bottles like in Tom Cruise’s movie, Cocktail. He just works at sweaty Flash Gordon speed subtly demonstrating his special skill for remembering everyone and everything, including the order of who’s to be served, regardless of the size of the bills or cleavage held up in front of him.