Kush Brickell — Restaurant in Miami

First of all, I have never intended to go to this place, it was my last day in Miami and I've just had finished a half marathon in the morning of that same day, and my plan was to 'eat to death' in Casa Tua Cucina at the Brickell City Centre, but there they had a really long, endless line, and I had to go for plan B, which consisted on leaving Brickell City Centre and trying to find a nice place to eat nearby.

And that's what I did. Immediately across from the Brickell City Centre there's this Kush restaurant, which from outside has a 'permanently closed' feel to it, but it's (still) open. When I read 'Kush' I remembered of eating at another Kush, the one inside "Timeout Miami" (now closed) in March 2020, so I remembered that the burger was kind of good, and went for it without knowing what I was about to enter.

After opening the door, I was appalled with the bad smell, the cheap ambiance, greasy feel and the unfriendly attitude of the guy behind the counter (Luis E) - this is his name according to the bill. With that said, I've just told him that I wanted the food as 'take away', but then I remembered how hungry I was and decided to eat there anyway. Big mistake.

I received the food, ate it, and then the nightmare started it.

They don't accept credit cards with chips, but there's zero information about that inside or outside. 'Luis E' turned then into a total psychopath and started demanding either my watch or cellphone as temporary payment (who knows if I would receive it back), and me saying that I could go to the nearby ATM with one of their employees or back to my hotel (also with one of them) to pick up cash was not possible according to 'Luis E'. Seeing that my life was now at risk, as not giving him what he wanted would not allow me to leave this place (all that because of only $27 -- 20% tip included), I removed my watch and was about to give it to him, but then the manager appeared out of the blue, and politely told me that she could go with me to the nearby ATM, where I withdrew the money and then paid ( $27 -- 20% tip for 'Luis E' included). I didn't tell the manager, but if I had given him my watch, I would straight call to the police and report that this restaurant had stolen my watch because my credit card was not accepted and that I wanted it back.

One of the craziest experiences of my life... Who would have tought that a restaurant across Brickell City Centre would be so cheap, greedy and also not accept credit cards, and that the guy behind the counter would behave like a thug when customers' credit cards are not accepted.

Be careful entering Kush. This is not a place for families/regular people/civilians. Avoid this place like the plague! Go to Casa Tua Cucina nearby and stay in that endless line no matter what, there they don't steal your cellphone or watch if your credit card is not accepted. This is only what low-status places like Kush Brickell does. This a serious case of a restaurant in the wrong neighbourhood, you guys don't belong there! Hopefully, there will be a huge skyscrapper where you guys are next time I...

We had visited their sister restaurant LoKal in Coconut Grove and absolutely loved their burgers and vibe, so when we were in Brickell, we decided to check out Kush Brickell. We just walked in on a whim for lunch, no reservations needed, and were seated right away. No lines or haters here,just a welcoming spot that felt like a natural extension of what we enjoyed at LoKal.

ATMOSPHERE:

This place channels a fun, retro Miami vibe with nods to the historic Tobacco Road bar it’s reviving: think speakeasy-era decor, lively energy, and a mix of communal tables and bar seating for about 40-50 people. It’s cozy yet buzzing, with music that’s upbeat but not overwhelming, and a casual, hipster-casual crowd. Perfect for a laid-back lunch in Brickell.

MENU:

Burgers are the star, alongside sandwiches, wings, salads, and appetizers. They’ve got a solid selection of craft beers, cocktails like margaritas, and even some Miami-inspired twists. It’s all about elevated pub fare with local flair. They also feature homemade hot sauces for that extra kick.

FOOD:

Margaritas

We started with their house margaritas, which were refreshing and well-balanced, not too sweet, with a nice tart lime edge and quality tequila. They hit the spot on a warm Miami afternoon and paired perfectly with the spicy food to come. Solid choice for anyone looking for a classic cocktail done right.

Death Burger

This was the highlight and why we came. Topped with jack cheese, sautéed onions, jalapeños, sriracha, and spicy mayo on a juicy patty, it had the perfect amount of spice, fiery but not overpowering, with layers of flavor that built with each bite. The burger was cooked to medium as requested, super fresh, and came with crispy fries on the side. We amped it up further with their homemade hot sauce, which added an additional kick of heat and tanginess without overwhelming the dish. If you’re a spice lover, this is a must-try; it ranks up there with some of the best burgers we’ve had in Miami.

SERVICE:

No reservations, but we were seated quickly on a weekday. The waiter was super friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu,our server recommended the Death Burger based on our love for LoKal’s offerings. Food came out fast and hot.

TIPS: Check the full menu inside, as the one outside might not list all the burger variations or specials. If you’re sensitive to spice, ask about adjusting the heat levels, they’re flexible. Parking in Brickell can be tricky, so consider rideshare or valet nearby.

OVERALL:

Was it worth the visit? Absolutely. Kush Brickell delivers on the promise of its sister spot LoKal with killer burgers, solid drinks, and a fun atmosphere that’s pure Miami. We’ll be...

My girlfriend and I recently visited Kush Brickell for a casual evening, hoping to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and a glass of wine. However, our experience took an unexpected turn due to the questionable upselling tactics employed by the bartender.

Upon seating ourselves, we were approached by the bartender who promptly suggested upgrading to a full bottle of wine since it equated to just two glasses anyway. Without offering us a list of available bottles or giving us the opportunity to make an informed decision, he proceeded to open a bottle without our consent.

To our surprise, the bottle turned out to be larger than expected, equivalent to a regular-sized one. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable but not wanting to cause a scene, we decided to go along with it. However, this decision came back to haunt us when we received the bill.

The cost of the bottle we hadn't even chosen was exorbitant, leaving us in disbelief at the final tally. It became evident that we had fallen victim to a misleading upselling strategy, and it left a sour taste in our mouths, quite literally.

While we understand the concept of upselling in the hospitality industry, the lack of transparency and respect for the customer's choice displayed by Kush Brickell was disappointing. It's crucial for businesses to prioritize honesty and customer satisfaction over maximizing profits through questionable tactics.

In conclusion, our experience at Kush Brickell was marred by the unwelcome pressure to upgrade our order and the subsequent shock of the inflated bill. This approach to doing business does not foster trust or loyalty among patrons. We hope that the management of Kush Brickell takes this feedback constructively and implements measures to ensure a more transparent and customer-centric approach in the future.

Additionally, we would like to note that we are open to revising this review if Kush Brickell offers us a refund for the...