I've visited the clubstaurant's (club-restaurant hybrid) locations in Colombia half a dozen times and was excited to read in 2021 that the lively franchise known for its kitschy decor was coming to the U.S. market.
How long did I wait to get seated at the new restaurant on Friday? Three hours.
The wait would have been even longer, but I left after realizing that the waitlist that they put me on wasn't actually a real thing that they used. The final straw was when the hostess who put me on this list forgot that I had arrived two and a half hours before the couple she had just seated.
I don't know how that's possible. I pointed this out to her both before and after she seated them. (For the record, they weren't VIPs and didn't have a reservation.) But, sometimes, you just have to take the "L" and call it a night. And to be fair, the four-floor Andrés — whose top three floors were closed on Friday — just opened its doors for the first time on Halloween. Not everything is going to run smoothly right away.
Why All the Hype? Andrés Is Versatile — Great for Tourists, Sports-Watching, Partying, and Even Families
Andrés Jaramillo and his wife, Maria Stella Ramirez, opened the first Andrés location in Chía, Colombia, in 1982. The restaurant went on to expand to Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, and Santa Marta, opening mini versions along the way. One of the reasons the restaurant is so popular is its versatility. Andrés has long been a go-to spot for families, tourists, birthdays, the big game, live music, and late-night partying.The main draw, in my opinion, is the experience. In addition to the live music on stage, there are actors in impressive makeup and costumes bouncing around from table to table in character. The costumes change regularly and, during my visits, included everything from Kiss to Pan's Labyrinth. As a heads up, the actors place Colombian flag sashes on guests who are celebrating a birthday or are from out of town. I saw a few patrons wearing these sashes as they left the Miami Beach locale on Friday.
Andrés has also been known to sprinkle in a few circus acts as well. Stilt walkers will stroll past tables, and jugglers will perform in whatever open space they can find. During a visit to the Bogota location in June, I witnessed one aerial artist in chains hanging from the ceiling.
(Sadly, dancer Laura Daniela Villamil made national headlines in August when she suffered significant burns to her body during a performance involving fire at Andrés in Chía. Villamil has spent more than two months in intensive care.)
A photo taken by World Red Eye, as I was unable to dine at the restaurant after a lengthy wait.
Photo by World Red Eye
Regional Colombian Dishes and Hearts Galore — But Make Sure to Make a Reservation
As at the other Andrés locations, the Miami Beach restaurant offers a lengthy menu filled with dishes from various regions of Colombia. Some of the more popular options are the lomo al trapo ($48), which is grilled beef tenderloin wrapped in cloth; chicharrones with guacamole ($22); and the ajiaco soup ($28). You can also expect five types of empanadas, including a wheat vegetarian version ($3.50).I've always felt that the entertainment and atmosphere at Andrés are more memorable than the actual food, but the cuisine does have its share of fans, including the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Andrés in Chía was ranked No. 55 on the website's prestigious list of the best restaurants in Latin America in 2021.
It should be noted that the newest Andrés isn't as big and spacious as some of the locations in Colombia, despite coming in at 10,000 square feet, including the gift shop and rooftop terrace. But it does appear to have a somewhat similar decor (judging mostly by the photos and videos because, well, you know).
Guests will notice a large replica cow by the entrance that looks like it was made out of a disco ball. These cows — each with a distinct artistic look — are a staple at Andrés locations. Another recurring theme in the decor: hearts. You not only see them in the restaurant's logo but also on the light fixtures.
Those interested in checking out the new Miami Beach location are strongly encouraged to make reservations via OpenTable. There was no mention of OpenTable or a phone number on the Andrés Miami Instagram page last week when I was preparing to visit — nobody responded to my direct message or emails either — but an OpenTable link has since been added to the restaurant's Instagram bio.
Andrés also uses the OpenTable app for its waitlist — or at least it claims to do so. If the host or hostess offers you this option, that probably means you need to find somewhere else to get your empanadas.
Andrés Carne de Res. 455 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach; 305-701-1335; andrescarnederes.com. Sunday through Wednesday noon to 11 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday noon to 2 a.m.
