Lots of Lox

Why are there so many places in my city that have been around for eons yet I know nothing about? Apparently this lox emporium has been in existence at the same location for 30 years, nearly as long as I've lived in Miami, and I never heard of it. It has 'lox' in its name, for Pete's sake! How could I have missed it? No matter. I'm here now.

    As a norm, I don't advertise my intention to blog about a place, but the Lots of Lox staff got a little nervous when I began to take pictures since I arrived earlier than my book club buddies, Michele and Pam. Jimmy, the gruff and lovable manager, swooped in on me, and I was forced to tell him my secret. He was surprised and amused that I would want to write about his little hole in the wall.
     In anticipation of my date with a bagel stuffed with Nova Scotia lox, I had starved myself all day, and at this point the hunger was real, y'all, so I placed an order for potato latkes while I waited for the rest of my party. They were crunchy on the outside and the perfect combination of creamy and lumpy on the inside, but they were on the bland side. They came with the traditional sour cream and apple sauce on the side, which is always fun, and I enjoy the choice to use additions. However, a well-flavored latke invites you to eat it au naturel.

     When the ladies arrived, so did a bowl piled with thick slices of Bread and Butter pickles that made me giddy with delight. Pam ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, Michele a sesame bagel with lox spread, and I ached for my multi-grain bagel with cream cheese and Nova. Pam's sandwich looked classic, gooey and comforting. Michele had pleasure in her countenance while schmearing her bagel.

     And my platter came as expected- a warm toasted bagel, a large scoop of cream cheese, thick tomato and onion slices, and abundant cuts of velvety, savory, superior quality lox. It was time to worship.
     Pam and I shared a coconut cream pie for dessert that came highly recommended by Michele and our server. They were right to be so confident. It was a loose mess of cream, graham crust and shaved coconut with the definitive flavor I expect from coconut.

     I judge a deli by how nostalgic for New York it makes me feel. If you look around, you can tell every patron here is a regular. The place has a familiar atmosphere, and the food is generally solid. Indeed, for a moment or two, I was in a New York state of mind.

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