Can anyone recommend restaurants in South Beach? We know about the pricey ones but are looking for something a little more affordable.

Are diners OK? There's quite a few popular diners that are reasonsable such as the News Cafe, the Van Dyke, Rascal House, and Big Pink. There's also a good Cuban place on Collins St. called Puerto Sagua that's pretty reasonable.

When you say "popular" does that also translate into "crowded" and "Long wait for a seat?" Just checking to see if there's a best time of day to check these places out.

Those diners came highly recommended but unfortunately, we never got a chance to try them out. But yes, I was told that they do get pretty crowded at times, especially the News Cafe and the Rascal House. Maybe someone else can clarify this, and what would be the best time to go there.

Front Porch Café, Penguin Hotel, Ocean north of 14th.

La Sandwichérie, Collins and 14th, just behind the Amoco station.

Grillfish, Collins and Española Way.

Nexxt Café, Lincoln Road Mall.

Strong second on Puerto Sagua. Yum!!

If your visit is between now and Sept. 30, a series of Miami restaurants are running a promotion that gets you dinner for $30.05 and lunch for $20.05. The website is www.miamirestaurantmonth.com and menus are listed. It's a great way to go to some of the best restaurants in the city for a fraction of the price. Off the top of my head, Mark's South Beach, the restaurant at the Tides, and Metro Kitchen and Bar all were participating, and I know that South Beach has many more.

Davids and Davids II for Cuban.

Fourteenth Street Diner

What BigJim and rjw said.

I dunno about jagger, but my trip is toward the end of October. I'm still looking forward to trying all these spots, though. I'll be right on Collins Ave!

Melissa, what did you decide on?

GoT, I decided to split my time in Miami, staying part time in the Beach Plaza Hotel. The deal that I got there is just too good to pass up, and they said I have a nice room so we'll see. I'm actually not too worried; it's not like this is my first time traveling or I'm not resourceful!

I'm looking forward to trying a Cuban Sandwich!!!! I hope the weather is not hotter than Hawaii, I will have to jog off everything I eat.

Great information. My trip to South Beach is next month, so I am in time for the special dinner deal going on. Thanks, Everyone.

Thanks, aamc for the hot tip! I've already checked out the web site and have a few places picked out. This will help narrow our search.