Earls Kitchen + Bar has officially landed on Miami’s sunny shores as another addition to Dadeland Mall’s rapidly expanding dining wing.

If you’ve never been to Canada, chances are you’ve never heard of this particular restaurant. Earls Kitchen + Bar was created by Leroy Earl (Bus) Fuller in 1982 with the first restaurant opening in Edmonton, Alberta.

“It was a small restaurant, just a burger and beer joint,” said Fuller. “Over time we’ve been expanding and now we have 63 restaurants open. Most of them are in Canada but there is also a few in the northwestern United States.”

Although there are many Earls locations, it is not a franchise. Every restaurant is owned either by Fuller or one of his four sons. In July, another Earls will open in Boston, and there are also plans to open locations in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Earls Kitchen + Bar has something for every palate. Although the restaurant offers a diverse menu with global and seasonal dishes, Earls will also focus heavily on locally sourced ingredients. Executive Chef Luke Verkuylen explained that many of the items on Earls menu are specific to Miami.

“Here in Miami, there is great quality fish available year round. We incorporate that into our menu and that’s why you can get certain foods here that you wouldn’t get at any of our other locations,” said Verkuylen. “Items like our Spicy Tuna Cones can’t be found anywhere else.”

Earl’s menu includes everything from ceviche to baby back ribs.  The food is prepared in an open kitchen, a refreshing change from the setup of a typical Miami restaurant. From your table you can see the chefs preparing and sautéing your food before it’s brought out by smiling waiters. At the bar, cocktails are made with fresh ingredients and served tastefully at reasonable prices.

For all it’s glamour, the saving grace of Earl’s Kitchen + Bar is its affordability. The average diner should expect to spend anywhere from $20 to $30 for a full meal. Earls is also conveniently located and caters to the many diverse tastes of Miami’s food-lovers.

Although restaurant openings are not uncommon in Miami’s growing food scene, Earl’s Kitchen + Bar is one restaurant you can’t miss. Earls’ amazing food and drink pairings, luxurious locale and well-trained helpful staff are a much-welcomed addition to Miami’s dining scene.

words_pablo chacon alvarez. photos_karli evans.