LoKal opens today, serving up gourmet burgers

Looks like there will be a little more life on the corner of Grand Avenue and Commodore Plaza these days -- LoKal Burgers and Beer, the new place at 3190 Commodore Plaza is having a soft opening today, December 24, at noon. Take a break from your Christmas shopping and stop in if you get a chance, it's worth the visit.


Matt Kuscher and Albert Collado are featuring all natural food, including clean protein grass fed beef , kobe-style, from Ocala Florida, also from the same farm comes Florida bacon. The chicken is free range and comes from Central Florida, too. The beef is ground right at the restaurant daily. It's a comfort food place, with a conscience. That's Matt behind some of his new staff, from left: Nicole, Ruby, Carmen, Cris and Katie.

All the beers are craft, you won't find Bud or Bud Light at LoKal, David Rodriquez (their beer guru, made sure of that). They even make their own ketchup and other condiments! The desserts, including tres leches and key lime pie are made right on the premises, too.

I think we needed a burger joint like this in the Grove and hopefully you'll all agree and stop by for a visit.


Burgers include: the Frita ($11), the 50/50 ($12) the Classic ($9) and Miami Blues ($13) to name a few. Sandwiches include "My Wife's Tuna Fish Sandwich" ($8), Chick Chop ($10) and LoKal Mahi Sandwich ($12) among others. Above, left, Ruby is holding the 50/50, which is 50% grain fed beef and 50% bacon, with onion marmalade. At right, Katie has the Frita, with Guava paste and Gouda cheese. Both served with fries and homemade sauces.


There are bites and sides like New Mexico Chili and Heirloom Tomatoes and lots of salads, too. Michael, left, and David are part of the staff, which there is quite a lot of, you won't want for service at LoKal.

The beer menu is long, it includes Dog Fish Head 60 Min, Bells' Kalamazoo, Dale's Pale Ale, Palm and lots more in bottles and draft.


And if you dare, ask about the $300 Burger & Bubbles on the menu. Yes, $300. But we promise you, the prices are reasonable on the rest of the menu. In fact, here's the menu if you want more info. Above is the Frita. The Burger & Bubbles involves expensive Champagne and all.


This is the Heirloom Tomatoe salad, which is topped with Maytag blue cheese, cucumbers, homemade croutons and fresh basil, sprinked with LoKal vinaigrette dressing ($9).

The hours at LoKal, for now are, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from noon to 10 pm and Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 2 am. The way Wednesdays are going around here in the Grove, which is turning into one of our busier nights, they tell me that they may extend the hours to later than 10 pm.