Babe's Meat & Counter

"If you’re looking for an unconventional bánh mí, Babe’s Meat & Counter in Palmetto Bay has two bacon sandwiches you should try: a pork bacon bánh mí and a duck bacon bánh mí. Both are smoked in-house, but we prefer the duck. It’s leaner than pork bacon but has a similar salty flavor. It’s sliced thick and layered onto pickled carrots and daikon radishes, cucumber, and cilantro in a hoagie roll (not a traditional baguette). They have some counter seating inside as well as a couple of tables out front, but it’s more of a takeout spot." - virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer

"The food at Babe’s is all quality and zero flashiness. This is why their smashburger just looks like a very normal burger. It’s smashed—but not as thin as most—because you still want to taste the patty they grind fresh themselves (this place is also a butcher shop). And that beef is lovely, accentuated by american cheese, Sriracha mayo, housemade pickles, and not a single other unnecessary item. Simplicity is refreshing in the smashburger universe." - mariana trabanino, virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer

"Like Proper Sausages, Babe’s is a meat shop in Palmetto Bay. So, yes, the patty is predictably delicious. But theirs is more of an old school burger—they keep it simple with just american cheese, pickles, and sriracha mayo. The bun is one of those squishy burger buns that gets steamed the longer you leave it in its wrapper. There are no fancy tricks going on with this one, but every bite is classic burger perfection. This should be in the dictionary under the word “burger,” in case you’re listening, Merriam and/or Webster." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo

"Pretty Much Anything We tried (and failed) to pick a favorite sandwich from Babe’s. But we just can’t. They’re all too good: the bacon banh mi, Montreal smoked pastrami, Italian roast pork, Cuban sandwich, BLT. Please, do us a favor and order them all. Just maybe not at once. Start with the Cuban—which is outstanding—and then maybe venture into the smoked pastrami and bánh mì. And after you’ve tried them all, don’t feel bad if you, too, simply can’t hurt the feelings of Babe’s sandwiches by picking a favorite." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino

"Babe’s Meat & Counter is more than just a top-quality butcher shop and market. Next time you visit the Palmetto Bay spot to pick up your sausages and steaks, please order the hot dog, which you could get with relish and onions, but, if possible, we suggest adding kimchi instead (the kimchi dog can often be found as a special). The kimchi adds a spicy, tangy dimension to their snappy Fripper’s dog. The whole thing is then topped with creamy mayonnaise that gives it a simultaneous cool and warm temperature contrast. In classic Babe's fashion, it’s all the flavors you loved growing up, but somehow even better than you remember. " - charlie crespo, ryan pfeffer