Being that airlines no longer even give you a peanut sample on their flights, I was in dire need of a bite when I arrived back in Miami yesterday evening. Somehow we ended up at Ver-Daddy’s, the taco shop on 75th and Biscayne that we always drive by and say we have to try. A few people I know complimented their fish tacos, but I’d also read mixed reviews about the place.
As I’ve said before I’m a believer in second chances and it’s not always fair to judge a restaurant’s food based on only one visit, although one could argue that if a restaurant is consistent, their food wouldn’t be much different the next time around. But I digress. The food I ate at VerDaddy’s wasn’t bad. What completely turned me off about the place was its appearance – and I’m not necessarily talking about the, in my opinion, poor choice of wall colors, which were dark and rather unwelcoming.
My first issue with the place’s appearance and hygiene began when I visited the bathroom. The floors looked dusty, like they hadn’t been cleaned in a few days, there were empty toilet paper rolls thrown on the floors … made me feel like I was at a run-down gas station.
I ordered what they call the guacotaco. Although the fish tacos were what most people I know recommended, I felt a little uneasy about trying them. Not even the framed Miami Herald review of the tacos on the counter gave me the reassurance I needed.
The guacotaco is a taco with shredded chicken, guacamole, crema mexicana and cilantro. It wasn’t bad. I liked the big chunks of fresh avocado and the chicken was okay. D ordered the steak and potato macho taco – or something like that. That’s one big taco with steak, rice, beans, and French fries! It’s more like a burrito. I took a bite and it was tasty, not too greasy considering what’s in it. I actually liked it. But my attention kept deviating from my food to my surroundings. The floors and entrance mat were also poorly kept. The staff was loud.
While I can’t say I disliked their food (it’s not amazing, but it’s good enough to eat on a lazy evening), when I eat there again I may just take a cue from the other customers who came in while we were there and order for take out. And I hope that business is good like our hyperactive server told us, so that the owners invest a little in lightening up the place or at the very least cleaning its floors more often.
Ver-Daddy’s Taco Shop
7501 Biscayne Blvd.
305.303.9755
tags: Ver-Daddy’s, VerDaddy’s, tacos, Biscayne Boulevard
The place is vile. I think they prey on unsuspecting locals who aren’t sure of what they’re eating. The machotaco is a burrito, just call it that. I never wish anyone ill, but the food is so bad and the decor and upkeep of the place even worse that I hope it shuts down and something else opens.
Ah, L2M, we meet again! Imagine the wide grin on my face when I saw ‘1 comment’. I knew it was you. I have to agree (finally, and completely) that on my last visit the place was filthy and the food was terrible. And I was pretty drunk. If you can’t enjoy a taco when you’re drunk, why even go on living? I save my taco fix for Orale. You eat a taco NOT prepared by a Mexican at your own peril!!!!
Paula, I can’t speak for this place but I have a personal philosophy about restaurant cleanliness as a patron.
As a patron the first thing I do on entering any restaurant from Mom & Pop type to 4 stars is to visit el banyo. If it is in any way dirty or illkept, I will simply turn around and walk out. Sound harsh? Why? It’s very simple. Before leaving I ask to speak confidentially with the gm of the place or owner. I then inform them that I will not be eating at their place and further I will be telling as many as I know about it because their bathroom is in deplorable shape. It’s my opinion that if the bathroom is dirty, then the hygiene of the staff is equally dirty and the kitchen will almost always be deep down grungy. It signals a breakdown in management control over staff and attention to detail. I’ve been in enough restaurant kitchens to know this rule proves true…
Just sayin’…
MD, you make it sound like I’m on a crusade against this place. Well, I kind of am, but deep down I’d rather the place take comments to heart and improve its food and facilities. I doubt that’ll happen.
What’s say we get the guys at Orale to park there truck on weeknights at an empty lot across from VD?
A recent find and change of opinion after a drunken stuper.
“VerDaddy’s is a thousand times better than Chipotle.”
Found on Chowhound
Blue Zebra — I think you’re right about the bathroom being an indicator of good/bad hygiene at a restaurant. If we hadn’t already ordered and hadn’t been so hungry, I may have been temped to leave.
L2M-I agree 100%, which is why I always try and let them work out the kinks. But I agree that this has gone on too long, and we must take action. Hopefully they’ll heed our call. Either way, I’m at Orale on Saturday!