Located in a busy area of Washington Avenue, Alama may seem little different from the neighboring Mexican/Latin American restaurants that tend to populate South Beach. However, it offers a decent variation in typical dishes like fajitas or empanadas with prices that will not break the bank.

What it may lack in novelty is made up in the sheer amount of side orders that is added to the mainly meat based main course. Every plate is slathered with cheese, refried beam, guacamole, and Pico de Gallo so none will leave feeling hungry. However, the real stand outs on the menu are the huge multitude of taco offerings, The tacos are the way they are supposed to be, fresh tortilla, steak, chicken, carnitas, pork or fish, cilantro and lime. Then you can add extra toppings from a bar (but no sour cream nor guacamole) that perfectly accentuate the dish. A taco of particular note is the fish taco which is hand battered and baked until flaky that pairs well with the numerous amounts of hot sauces available.

There are two seating areas inside and outside though outside is quite limited to only two or three tables for parties no bigger than two. The inside seating is not much better as it was already quite cramped even with two other parties with only 3-5 members so it advised to come back later if it looks really crowded. The wait staff was pleasant with the main dishes coming fairly quickly for an overall expedient dinner as the dessert options were a tad lacking and a bit pricy.

With hours from 10am-11pm, Alama is a low-key tex-mex dinner where the dishes may not be innovative but they make up for the pure amount of food you get for your dollar. No one will ever leave Alama with an empty stomach or wallet.

· Location: 1344 Washington Ave
· Phone: (305) 695-0880
· Menu: http://almamexicanamiamibeach.com/#menu-item-29
· Hours:

Mon 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tue 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wed 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thu 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Fri 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sat 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sun 10:00 am – 11:00 pm