The explosion of cuisine in Sunset Harbour—Spanish tapas, innovative sushi, Brooklyn-style pizza pies—just gained a little spice with Tequiztlán, a Jalisco-inspired joint from the team behind former Lincoln Road favorite El Rancho Grande. Here, owner Jose Ortiz dishes on his new eatery.
You have a 20-year legacy as a Mexican restaurateur on Lincoln Road. Why did you move to Sunset Harbour?
We’ve always liked the Beach and didn’t want to go far from our clientele. We like [Sunset Harbour] because there are local people and not that many tourists. We saw the location and said, “You know what? Yes, let’s do it.”
Miami is not known for great Mexican food. What sets you apart?
We want to focus on locals. We base our menu on what people ask for and our home recipes, which we tweak a little for the local [taste]. Our food is not extra fancy. Our menu is basic, authentic Mexican: moles, chileverdes, tacos, carne asada.
What does it take to prepare the food you offer?
We don’t have an extensive shopping list. People don’t believe us when we tell them what we use in our kitchen. We cook with tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, avocado, salt and pepper, lime, and tortillas. Basic. That’s our secret.
Why the Tex-Mex element?
Once you bring fajitas to a menu, it becomes Tex- Mex. These dishes are so popular, it made sense to include them. So we say that our menu is authentic Mexican with a Tex-Mex side.
Any signature sweets?
We do a twist on tiramisu called Tequila-misu, which is made with Don Julio tequila.
It’s not a Mexican meal without a good tequila. What’s on your top shelf?
We have the brands people ask for, and also those that Mexicans are tasting, such as Cazadores and Don Julio. We have tequila flights, including the ultrapremium: Casa Dragones, Don Julio Real, and Gran Patron Burdeos. 1884 Bay Road, Miami Beach, 305-397-8442