Are we ready for a Juicy Lucy? This NYC spot brings elevated comfort food to Miami Beach

Everybody needs a little comfort these days. If you like your comfort in food form — and honestly, who doesn’t? — Whitmans welcomes you to drop by, chill out and eat up.

Named after the poet Walt Whitman, the 1,500-square-foot New York import offers what it calls an “elevated comfort food” in an upscale but casual atmosphere, with a menu that zeroes in on American favorites.

That means burgers, of course, including a take on the Juicy Lucy, a burger made famous in Minneapolis. The Juicy Lucy involves two short rib-beef patties pinched together around a scoop of pimento cheese. Yes. The cheese just oozes out all over your hand.

If gooey cheese is not your thing, it should be. But you can also opt for The Hound, which comes with Applewood smoked bacon, arugula, smoked Gruyere and potato crisps on a potato bun or the intriguing PB&B burger, which comes with peanut butter and bacon. There are also lamb burgers, spicy burgers and veggie burgers. All burgers run between $11 and $15.

Other choices at the restaurant, which can seat 30 indoors and 15 outside, include the East Villi cheesesteak, a BLT, a chicken club or a grilled cheese. If you’d rather eat green things, you can try one of Whitmans salads ($9-$13). The restaurant plans to introduce a brunch menu soon as well.

This won’t be Whitmans’ only foray into South Florida. Along with this Miami Beach location, the brand plans to open its biggest restaurant yet in Wynwood.

Whitmans

Where: 959 West Ave., Miami Beach

Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily

More information: www.whitmansnyc.com

This story was originally published March 7, 2022 at 12:56 PM.