Reviewed by Stephen R. Lang

Along Alton Road on Miami Beach, between 10^th and 11^th Streets you might have noticed a quirky sounding restaurant appear.  With only the words “8 oz.” it does not give you much to go on, however, once you walk through the doors you will experience a truly great and fun adult burger place. 

Originating in Los Angeles on Melrose Avenue, Executive Chef Govind Armstrong wanted to create a friendly and relaxed restaurant with the best quality food at affordable prices.  Not only did he want a neighborhood feel with California style but to be able to utilize primarily locally grown organic produce and humanely raised meats.  Their beef comes from farms specializing in hormone-free Black Angus sirloin, short rib, and chuck or Estancia Beef that is grass-fed.  The turkey they use is free-range and the bacon is house-cured.  Even their pickles are homemade and ketchup is made using heirloom tomatoes!   

When you go, on the first visit you must try an 8 oz. Burger—you will not believe your taste buds.  This is possibly one of the best tasting things in this restaurant.  They really know what they are doing in the kitchen.  Sure they have sandwiches like a Tuna Melt, Grilled Chicken or Short Rib Grilled Cheese but the burger is what they are known for.  They of course offer sides for their sandwiches like: Kennebec fries, fried pickles, crumbled potato salad, but the Stout battered onion rings and roasted garlic mashed potatoes are magic in your mouth.  They not only have the 8 oz. Burger, but they have a Grass-Fed (from White Oak Pastures in Georgia), and the Melrose with arrugala, garlic roasted tomatoes, and a red onion marmalade.  They also serve a Niman Ranch Lamb sandwich, Veggie Burger, Filet of Fish, as well as a Free-Range Turkey Burger with sautéed mustard greens , bacon, and a horseradish dijonaise.  You can take your burger to the next level by adding sauces like:  spicy mayo, ranch, blue cheese, or green peppercorn aioli or adding such cheeses as:  bel paese, white cheddar, humbolt fog, fried mozzarella, or cave aged gruyere. 

8 oz. Burger Bar is the place to go to sit back and relax, maybe watch some news or sports, and order a drink from their full bar.  All of the signature cocktails were created by Ryan Wingo and most are made using fresh squeezed juices and organic herbs.  There will be a fresh muddled Blackberry Vodka Collins ordered next time!  Soon after arriving in Miami Beach, 8 oz. became a Care Resource’s Dine Out for Life 2009 sponsored restaurant and after taking photos there, knew a trip in would be well worth it.    

When 8 oz Burger Bar entered the restaurant scene of Miami Beach, it brought back a sense of reclaimed masculinity through not only its powerful and satisfying food, but through use of decorating style like their tin ceiling, reclaimed wood, leather, subway tiled floors, and easy to understand menu.  There is no frou-frou here—just great affordable food.