Bodega Taqueria y Tequila

Voltaire once said “Illusion is the first of all pleasures” and walking into Bodega Taqueria y Tequila on Miami Beach reaffirms this. At first glance, Bodega is a simple Mexican taqueria serving up simple, traditional tacos and Mexican street food. The place is unpretentious, affordable and perfectly out of place among the glitz and glamour that South Beach is better known for.

The first surprise is the converted Airstream (yes, you read that correctly) that seems to be forcibly embedded into the walls of this tiny space. Like a prop out of a Michael Bay movie, it’s wedged snugly against the back wall and serves as the kitchen / walk up counter. Above this, hangs a movie theater marquee with an ever changing series of witticisms. Somehow it all seems to fit just right. The entire place ushers up a laid back, hip vibe without OD’ing on skinny jeans, hipster cool.

The second surprise was the price….it’s inexpensive. South beach is home to $25 hot dogs and $30 cocktails so finding a menu with $3 tacos is as rare as natural boobs on the beach.

The menu is broken into ANTOJITOS, CLASSICO TACOS, TACOS DE LA CASA, CLASSICO TORTAS and TORTAS DE LA BODEGA. We recommend trying the Al Pastor with Spit-Broiled Pork, Bacon, Black Bean Refrito, Oaxaca, Fried Egg, Salsa Rosada and the Panza, a braised nuskee Pork Belly, with Black Bean Refrito and avocado Salsa. Add the Chicharrón with Avocado Salsa Verde and your Taco trifecta is complete. Wash this down with a drink from the cane-sugar soda fountain or cold bottled beer and you’re ready for part two of the adventure.

This is where things get a little weird.

Look for the blue portapotty door and enter, you’ll be standing in a tiny room with urinals high on the walls (we told you it was weird). Walk on through yet another door and, like Dorothy, you would have entered the strange and wondrous speakeasy that lies on the other side.

“Love Me, Fuck Me”… you’re not in Kansas anymore.

The fully stocked bar stretches the length of the wall. Bartenders serve up a mean Old Fashioned and spicy margaritas to the gyrating crowd as they pulse rhythmically to the beat of old school hip-hop, reggae and club bangers. The mood is electric, the drinks strong and the crowd committed to the extracting every last drop of serotonin from their synaptic vesicles.

Couples and would be lovers settle into cozy couches and line the railing of the loft overheard. The bass deepens and the place becomes a hive of activity. The portal to that long forgotten outside world opens and closes, spilling more bodies into this den of earthly delights. You slip deeper into the first of all pleasures, losing all concept of time and space. The night grows longer and the drinks keep flowing as you stop for the briefest moment in time and think…..”this is one hell of a Taco joint.”

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is located at 1220 16th Street on Miami Beach and is open Sunday – Wednesday 12pm util 2am and Thursday – Saturday 12pm util 5am.