Lime Fresh Mexican Grill: Raising the bar for fast casual
When it comes to fresh, inspired Mexican cuisine, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill raises the bar in Miami’s fast casual dining scene.
With four locations across the city, including the original spot on Alton Road in Miami Beach, owner of all four restaurants, Grant Gussin and Executive Chef Sharon Fernandez have created an everyday go-to, wallet-friendly dining experience that is as lively and warm as the food is fresh. One thing that truly sets Lime Fresh Mexican Grill apart? No freezers—anywhere. Every dish is crafted from scratch daily of fresh ingredients and the difference is unmistakable.
We recently were invited to preview all ten of their new menu additions at the Lime Fresh Mexican Grill's Miami River Landing location- 1440 NW N River Drive (suite 190) beginning with the chicken empanadas—golden, crispy, and filled to the brim with grilled chicken, sweet peppers, scallions, and a creamy, melty house cheese blend. Served with an avocado ranch crema, these empanadas were both rich and vibrant, with just the right touch of tang and heat.
Next up: their new Mexican Street Corn appetizer bowl. Char-grilled sweet corn, served off the cob and topped with Cotija cheese, lime crema, crushed corn chips and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro—a feast for the eyes and the palate. Every spoonful had crunch, creaminess, and a punch of lime that kept us going back for more.
Then came the Nachos, a standout in both flavor and presentation. Rather than a simple layer of melted cheese, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill uses a zippy house-made queso sauce that’s woven through every layer of their seasoned corn chips. Add in black beans, pickled jalapeños, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, lime crema and a generous dollop of house guacamole—this dish was dangerously addictive.
We moved on to two new quesadillas: The Carne Asada Quesadilla was packed with a generous helping of tender grilled skirt steak, roasted onions, sweet peppers and their signature cheese blend. A smoky kimchi aioli on the side added an unexpected twist that balanced the richness beautifully. Then came the “Veggie Dilla”- grilled portobello mushrooms, black beans, cheese and roasted poblano peppers, served with a side of zesty tomatillo ranch—a vegetarian option that could convert any meat-lover!
Of course, no Mexican menu is complete without tacos and Lime’s new Carne Asada and grilled Mahi tacos did not disappoint. The Carne Asada taco was elevated with pickled jicama, scallions, cabbage and a touch of mint—layers of texture and taste in every bite. The Mahi taco, winner of the 2024 SoBe Seafood Fest Champion Taco award, featured a generous cut of line-caught fish (not small pieces) that stayed intact from first bite to last. Pickled cabbage and a drizzle of tomatillo ranch rounded it out—bright, bold and beachy.
We also sampled two salads: the Lime Chopped Salad and their unique take on a Caesar. The chopped salad was bursting with crunch and bright flavor, with Napa and red cabbages, sweet peppers, pickled jicama, scallions, mint and a zippy citrus vinaigrette. The smoky chipotle Caesar was a bold reimagining of the classic—romaine lettuce, pickled sweet peppers, Cotija cheese, cilantro crema and a smoky house Caesar dressing all topped with crispy lime tortilla strips. Both salads are customizable with proteins, making them a hearty yet fresh option.
Just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, out came the fajitas—served on a bed of crispy rice. Both the chicken and steak versions came with warm tortillas (your choice of flour, multigrain, or corn), shredded cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo and salsa. YUM!
And be sure not to miss their generously-sized frosty, frozen Margaritas. Available in traditional, spicy and assorted tropical fruity flavors- the perfect complement to everything on the menu.
To end on a sweet note, the churro bites, golden and crispy, tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with a side of whipped topping for dipping, is a perfect finish.
Another feature worth mentioning is Lime Fresh Mexican Grill’s Salsa Bar— an array of eight house-made fresh salsas ranging from mild and fruity to bold and fiery. It’s a DIY dream that lets each guest personalize their flavor experience.
Owner Grant Gussin is committed to his passion for high-quality ingredients and scratch-made philosophy behind Lime Fresh Mexican Grill. Executive Chef Sharon Fernandez, originally from Puerto Rico and a self-proclaimed lover of Mexican cuisine, has been the creative force behind Lime’s kitchens for 15 years. Her vision blends traditional flavors with global inspiration—think kimchi aioli and citrus-forward dressings—and everything feels perfectly in balance.
Fresh, innovative, and delicious—Lime Fresh Mexican Grill offers a culinary celebration of affordable Mexican cuisine, and we can’t wait to return.
Multiple locations( consult link for closest location)