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American Noodle Bar - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Asian Fusion Asian Fusion [Edit]
6730 Biscayne BlvdMiami, FL 33138
(305) 396-3269
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
81 reviews for American Noodle Bar
Review Highlights
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"Can't wait to go back to try the cheeseburger dumplings." In 22 reviews -
"...combination is the duck broth with the soft boiled egg." In 8 reviews -
"I went with ginger beef broth noodle bowl with skinless..." In 3 reviews
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81 reviews in English
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Review from Vishy B.
Boca Raton, FL
12/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The best sweetbreads in south FL !!
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Review from Mike S.
6/25/2011
Please note that the original owners have changed and the entire kitchen staff has been replaced. About half of the menu was crossed out today.
Ramen was overcooked and soft, the duck broth and lemongrass broth were both salty and really had no baseline flavor. My first thought was, " I guess it's called American Noodle Bar for a reason." My ramen obsessed friend was extremely disappointed and he was almost in tears after the meal. He said the broth seemed a little too mysterious as 2 tbs of siracha sauce disappeared in the bowl.
Unfortunately I had acute diarrhea 4.5hrs later while I was at Starbucks and was forced to use a public toilet. On my way home to take a bleach bath I received a txt from my friend who had the same problem. This is Miami food poisoning #2 for me, #1 was at Gordon Biersch 3 years ago. Surprising considering all of the truck food and tacos I've had since.Listed in: Miami CLOSED
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Review from Michelle T.
Miami, FL
4/23/2011
After hearing about this place for so long, I finally tried American Noodle Bar. I'm especially late to the party now that Michael Bloise is no longer affiliated with the place.
I went for some late night dining and ordered like it was the only time I would ever be there. I shared everything with a friend.
We ordered the famous cheeseburger dumplings, big mama's egg roll, braised pork belly with spicy melon salad, the monster beef corn dog and a noodle bowl (with oxtail broth, mushrooms, 2 deep-fried soft-boiled eggs and oxtail meat). I also got an iced green tea and tried another friend's french fries with kimchi ketchup.
Standouts were the tasty cheeseburger dumplings, the spicy melon salad (minus the overcooked pork belly) and the french fries with kimchi ketchup that were hot, crispy and very hard to resist. As for the noodle bowl, we both felt the oxtail broth lacked salt. And I didn't see the point of a deep-fried soft-boiled egg in a broth. The breading, or whatever it was coated and fried with, was going to get soggy, as it did. I think they can do without deep-frying it and just have a regular soft-boiled egg as an add-on. The deep-frying is unnecessary, if you ask me.
We sat outside. It was a nice night; the weather was cooperating.
Overall the food was decent/good, but nothing that wowed me.
It's a good late night dining option, but I think that's about it. -
Review from Elizabeth D.
Miami, FL
3/13/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The first two times I visited American Noodle Bar, I found it forgettable. I kept trying to order different variations of noodles without a clear winner.
Things changed drastically for me when I decided to order other things to supplement my noodle dishes. Bahn Mi! Chicken wings! Oh my!!!
To have a super successful meal for two at ANB, split the following:
- Bahn Mi. Get it. Just do it. These sandwiches originating for Vietnam are the bomb. To make it perfect, add a little schiracha sauce (you know you want to).
- Noodles + BACON SAUCE. Bacon sauce in your broth is guaranteed win. Shrimp are great too. Pay $1 extra to split between two bowls.
- Spicy Chicken Wings - delicious, but way too many for one person.
Getting these three menu items was a huge eye-opener for me. In fact, I was avoiding brushing my teeth that night because that leftover bacon sauce taste in my mouth was to die for. -
Review from Alexandra D.
Miami Beach, FL
4/9/2011
We ordered a corporate lunch from here yesterday and I ordered the duck broth with duck, bok choy and broccoli.
Didn't know I'd be getting the Andrew Zimmern experience and have a brown mamorated stink bug in my soup too (Yes, I actually googled what poked the inside of my mouth, wouldn't you?).
My first impression of this place was that it would be my last.
Check your soup before you start slurping. -
Review from Tatyana C.
Miami, FL
1/2/2011
American Noodle Bar
Not For Me.
I hate to disagree with some of my fellow yelpers, but I must admit I am not a fan of American Noodle Bar. I had to check out this place for myself, after everyone told me how amazing it was. The parking was a little confusing; we ended up parking on the side of some Motel. I like how the menu is up on the walls on a black chalk board. The seating on the inside is one long table so you would more than likely sit next to a stranger, but everyone comes together under a flat screen TV, especially during a Heat Game.
The weather was amazing so we ended up sitting outside, I ordered a Noodle bowl with basil butter and I added mixed veggies and chicken for a buck each. The Noodle Bowl wasn't what I expected; it was more like a soup. I was not a fan of the flavor I actually ended up giving it to one of my friends, who added some hot sauce and ate it up.
Disappointed, I looked through their menu and decided on some chicken wings, and French fries. The chicken wings were ok, but my friend couldn't take their smell, he actually moved away from me lol. The French fries were really good; they had a mustard taste to them.
I probably wouldn't give them a second try. -
Review from Elyse W.
1/28/2011
I think the secret to this place is knowing the right combo for noddle bowls. Unfortunately, there's no suggestions of combos on the menu when I went here, so I got a pretty lackluster bowl of thick flavorless noddles. I had to squirt a whole lot of complimentary hot sauce in my bowl just to feel like I was eating something resembling...uhm, deliciousness. Service was super friendly though! But, what's up with the new "our menu is on a chalkboard, aren't we edgy?" trend going on in this neighborhood? If you want to be *edgy* upper east side/midtown/design district eateries, why don't you tattoo the menu on your hostess/cashier's forehead. THEN I'll be impressed by your innovation.
Also, although the idea of building a restaurant out of the side of an old hooker motel is *cute*, the parking lot is really small, awkward, and hard to get in and out of.
Bacon broth does sound enticing though...*may* come back. But that's a very strong maybe. -
Review from Jessica C.
Miami, FL
12/9/2010 ROTD 3/5/2011
Foodgasms are awesome. Care to have one? try the fried cheeseburger dumplings from American Noodle Bar and let the party in your mouth begin...oh yeah...giggidy!
Seriously, this place is so small and the concept is simple yet it works. Everything on the menu is less than $10 and yummy. I had a bowl of noodles with roasted shallot broth and shrimp and it was tasty! the broth was not overpowering and with a bit of sriracha sauce it gave it an added kick. I also have tried their chicken wings and french fries and both were equally satisfying.
Some complain of the fact the American NB is located inside a motel, but I don't mind. It's not everyday you get to eat and have the opportunity to go to motel after. Who knows, perhaps after one foodgasm you want to keep the party going...if that's your kind of thing, I don't know. Whatever.
So if you're in the neighborhood and looking for something simple and cheap, or in need of a good foodgasm, I definitely recommend stopping by American Noodle Bar! -
Review from MICHELLE C.
Miami, FL
What a unique experience. Stopped in yesterday to finally try their noodle bowls. The location is odd, set inside a small strip hotel. They have one large communal table to sit. It is small inside, decor is plain. As you walk in the menu is written on a big chalk board. This was great to try for the first time on a chilly night.
I ordered the vegetable broth with duck. For the extra dollar definitely get the extra meat, so worth it. I really like duck if it is properly prepared. When the very nice cashier explained to me that it is shredded duck I had to try. Hubby ordered meatballs in a soy broth I believe. And we shared a Big Mama's eggroll. Oh wow my favorite was the Lychee Green Tea, oh this was so good.
Our order came out in no time. For the price you get a huge bowl of food. First bite and yes the duck was superb, the broth very tasty, my only thought was how I wished the noodles were not so thick. They were like a thick spaghetti noodle. More of a chow mein noddle would be better IMO.
The dish other than the noodles was very good. Highly recommend the duck, so good. Who can finish this entire bowl? Wow, good size.
The big mama eggroll was so big, it was comical, split in half filled with vegetables and sprouts, very good as well. The sauce they give you was to strange for me, did not care for it. If they offered sweet and sour sauce oh I would have devoured this eggroll. Again the very nice cashier came over to check on us and she brought over another type of sauce for me. Again, was not crazy about it.
Service and friendliness five star all the way, excellent! Food, three and a half, only because of the texture of the noodles. I will visit again because I did enjoy. It will just have to be one of those days where I will have to be in the mood for a heavier type pasta noodle.
Prices, reasonable.Listed in: Sushi, Sashimi, Asian,…
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Review from Cassie G.
6/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been wanting to go here since it opened and caught on to all the hype surrounding the place. That's definitely died down in time but I was still curious. While I had a ton of combinations in mind, in the end, I went with the whole wheat noodles and shrimp in bacon broth with bok choy.
After dousing it in lots of Sriacha for an extra little kick, I'd lie if I said I finished every last thing in the piping hot bowl. I liked the bacon broth and thought it went well with the shrimp but the shrimp were really small and while there were lots of them, it just reminded me of something you'd find in a cafeteria. The whole wheat noodles (a new addition on the menu) kind of broke apart as they got soggier.
I left full but what I like about noodles is that you never feel sick to your stomach full, just content. I'm curious about the cheeseburger dumplings but not sure if I'd make the trip back just to try them out. On the plus side, the service was friendly and I like the overall feel of the place. I guess if you're feeling creative and want to try out an inventive noodle combination, it's not an awful place to come to test out an idea. -
Review from Vanessa P.
Aventura, FL
2/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been trying to get my significant other to come here since American Noodle Bar opened, but the idea of "noodles" isn't really his thing when he's strictly meat, potatoes, and chocolate. But by the grace of cooler temperatures and no drink specials at Balan's across the street, he finally wavered.
We dined inside on the big long table in the middle of the restaurant which we shared with several other customers. The clerk who took our order was friendly and the wait time is fairly quick. To start we shared the cheeseburger puff bites, which are really addicting. I'm not sure which sauce exactly comes with it, but it's a greenish color and it tastes good, so no complaints. For my noodle bowl I ordered the duck broth with Chinese sausage. It was pretty good but I felt it lacked a little something - probably should have added some vegetables in ($1 extra for each add-on). My boyfriend ordered the lemongrass broth with pork meatballs and he was a big fan.
Since then, my S.O. has ordered take out 3 times in 2 weeks - only one time in which I've had another take from their menu. The most recent noodle bowl I've had was lemongrass broth with shrimp, baby bok choy and broccoli (could you tell I was trying to lighten it up a bit?) Well, I must say, this bowl was deeeeelicious!
I had yet to write my review until earlier this evening my S.O. informed me that his infatuation with American Noodle Bar has caused him to think we should have it become our weekly "thing" (ritual, if you will) where we order from there once a week.
So why the 3 stars? I'm torn between giving it a 4 because each time I think about it I think I'd rather enjoy a bowl of pho instead. That's strictly a personal preference though. American Noodle Bar is a solid place and since it seems I'll be dining here on a regular basis at least I'll get to try out a variety of noodle combinations.
3.5 stars -
Review from Rony M.
Maybe it was the free parking, perhaps it was the communal table with diners out of a Benneton ad, or the Lau Kar-Leung kung fu movie "Dirty Ho" playing on the plasma, but I was instantly enamored with American Noodle Bar.
Hong Kong Cinema was my first exposure to Chinese cuisine. They always showed fighters eating hearty meals of baozi (steamed buns), jiozi (dumplings), and bottomless bowls of la mian (hand pulled noodles). It seemed obvious to me as a 6 year-old, if I wanted to grow up to be an ass kicker, I had to eat Chinese food.
Now it's 2010 and my ass kicking career hasn't really taken off yet, but I still love the food. For 25 years I've been eating it all over the world, and just like being married that long, it gets old. No worries ANB to the rescue like a Shaolin fighting monk! They've taken Southeast Asian noodle culture, and given it a Southern comfort flair ala Gigi in Midtown. The concept is simple;
Pick a sauce like, Brown Sugar Soy, Ox-tail Broth, Spicy Sriracha Butter, Sweet Honey Shallot, and Basil Butter.
Pick an add-on like, Chinese Sausage, Pulled Pork, Tempura Soft-Boiled Egg, Garlic Meatballs, and veggie friendly options like BBQ Tofu.
Hand over your 7 bucks and that's it! There is currently only one type of noodle, so that's the kind you'll be having.
I chose Edamame Hushpuppies (off the chain!) with Curry Mayo as an appetizer, and Roast Duck + Bacon sauce over noodles. A note about the bacon sauce before we move on;
I have high cholesterol and blood pressure, and I know sauce made from rendered bacon fat is bad news, but I couldn't t let it go to waste. Yelper Dong O. and I looked at each other for reassurance, and greedily gulped down the remainder of the broth. That's right, I braved death to finish it.
Next time I'm taking a Peach Green Iced Tea, Cheeseburger Dumplings, and the Bánh Mì (Vietnamese style sub) to the face, and whoever tries to stop me is going to get a one inch punch to the groin.
http://www.youtube.com...
I usually leave noodle restaurants bloated like a PMSing middle-aged mom, but this time I left satisfied. Bar none the best noodles in Miami. Now it's your turn to use your Noodle and buy American.Listed in: Me first and the gimme gimmes, Oriental Fantasies
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Review from Brent B.
12/23/2010
I just returned from American noodle bar and what I can say is they have a lot of potential. The problem is whether this is a Ramen joint or not?
I started with the cheese burger dumplings. They were good bursting with cheeseburger flavor and the sauce complimented them well.
Now I am not a noodle bar aficionado but it seemed odd to me that a joint that is all about the broth only filled the bowl one quarter full with the tasty liquid. This did not allow the noodles to cook properly and the were overly hard and chewy. Since the broth is delicious I'm not sure why they don't fill you up. They should at least offer that as an option. I would ask them to do that next time. For any extra dollar they give you double add-ons(meat,veggie, or tofu) and I recommend doing this like many others have said. I got duck and veggies. The duck portion was a little small but the veggies definitely filled up the bowl. I also agree that the noodles didn't seem incorporated into the broth. The duck was tender and flavorful veggies were crisp and bacon broth which I added a dash of Siracha to was delicious. I will be back to try the double broth.
The service was friendly and fast.
Park at the motel lot on 68th.
By the way they no longer have the oxtail. -
Review from Megan M.
Updated - 11/22/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I've been back a few times to try other combinations. I still love the atmosphere, and the staff has been so nice every time I've gone in.
I tried the sriracha and lemongrass sauces since my last review as well as the duck and pork shoulder. The sriracha sauce is so good. It tastes like the kind of sauce you get with hot buffalo wings. I loved it. The pork was better than the duck, and the lemongrass sauce is too mild. It was lacking flavor.
I will agree with some of the mixed reviews. There's very little meat, too large of a portion of the noodles, and the sauce sinks to the bottom of the bowl. Maybe making the sauces just a little thicker in consistency would help it stick to the noodles. I'd also recommend they cut down the portion size of the noodles, and maybe add more veggies or meat to make up for it. In the meantime, I'm just ordering double meat for an $8 bowl rather than $7.
I want this place to work because overall, I think everything is pretty good. Every new place needs a few tweaks, that's what us Yelpers are here for!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/4/2010
I went to ANB for the first time tonight. I love that there is another cool place in this area.
… Read more »
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Review from Eve C.
12/9/2010
It seemed like forever from the time American Noodle Bar's sign first appeared at the Biscayne Inn till the time it finally opened its doors, but it was definitely well worth it!
I don't work in the area anymore, so I don't get to hit up this place as much as I would like, but it's good enough to entice me to leave the beach on the weekends, and you know that's hard to do!
I can't seem to stray from the bacon sauce, and kudos to American Noodle Bar for coming up with something so deliciously addictive! I've had it with both the chicken thigh (delicious and plentiful) and the duck (delicious, but not nearly as plentiful). I've also had the cheeseburger dumplings, which are pretty tasty themselves!
Overall, I have yet to not have a delicious and satisfying meal at American Noodle Bar, and for very reasonable prices too! This place is definitely worth a visit (or several!)!Listed in: Midtown Lunch Spots!
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Review from Ken D.
I'm still a bit high (and soy-bloated) from my lunch today at American Noodle Bar, having had a very satisfying, tasty, and hearty bowl of noodles with ginger beef broth, garlicky meat balls, snow peas, and a deep-fried, soft-boiled egg. (Yup, a deep-friend, soft-boiled egg!) Yum-tastic!
The choices on the menu abound, and a control-freak like me likes to be able to choose what shows up in his bowl. The friendly staff and minimal, cool decor only added to my experience. Plus, a little vintage Jackie Chan (with a hair-do that would have made Farrah jealous) on the flat-screen provided some additional visual stimulation to supplement that found in my bowl.
What keeps me from giving American Noodle Bar five stars? Firstly, I reserve that for the transcendental experiences, and while this was very, very close, I would have liked a few more meat balls, and perhaps some fresh herbs added as garnish and a light note to my bowl. As I read what I just wrote, I want to add a half-star to the rating. Yes: 4.5 stars it is! -
Review from Tal T.
1/24/2011
After reading several of my fellow Yelpers' reviews on ANB, I felt like I had a pretty good idea of what to expect, and I was right... erm, you Yelpers were right!
Yes, it's in a motel and it's tiny, but it's quaint and clean. It's a hipster lover's paradise, with unique beer selections and fast service.
An array of food was ordered at my table so I'll run down my feelings quickly. Skip the wings and opt for the giant egg roll instead. The cheeseburger dumplings were lacking cheese - ground beef in a deep fried nugget, how can you taste bad? You don't, but nor did you wow me.
My noodle bowl with pork broth was slurpy goodness! The duck and mushroom add-ins were well prepared and decedant, but I do wish they were more plentiful. Note the difference between the "sauce" and "broth" for your bowl. The sauces are just that; don't expect soupy. Like others, I would love to have soba or other noodles as an option.
Friendly, fast service completed my experience here, but I was left wanting something more. Yes, it's pretty cheap, but my total for two people came to $45 with tax, drinks, and tip. I'll go back if I'm in the neighborhood.
Bottom Line: ANB brings better than bar food but lacks that wow factor. -
Review from Marjorie B.
Miami, FL
4/21/2011
Ok, been dying to try this place cause, I miss my noodle bowl place in LA.... Kouraku
Anyway, cashier, was nice! and they help you by suggesting a noodle bowl of the day...
Everything is A LA CARTE so add ons make your bowl.
I went with ginger beef broth noodle bowl with skinless chicken thighs and asian cabbage.
YUMMY, have a cold and it brought me back to life.
I wish it had a little bit more broth, got a little salty and thick at the end and maybe I should have asked.
Anyway, it's a tad small and has limited seating: but a friendly family size table makes it homey inside.
plenty of outdoor seating but it was a bit dark..
free parking next to hotel (limited also).
Specialty bottle beers nice touch! -
Review from Michael C.
Tampa, FL
Like many of you, I've been eagerly awaiting the opening of American Noodle Bar. I've always been a fan of Asian cuisine, and I feel Sakaya Kitchen has helped pave the way for a new generation of Asian street food in Miami. American Noodle Bar is one of its brothers.
The interior is "flying kick you in the head" badass. Literally, there is a graffiti of Bruce Lee on one of the walls. If that didn't get you pumped, the communal table will, as you and random strangers make plans to take over poor farming villages behind a wall decorated with a bamboo forest.
But enough about day dreaming: on to the food.
They have something called bacon sauce. I'm drinking it. If I could, I'd take a whole bowl full of the sauce. Oh yeah, the bacon sauce is on the noodles, as well as Chinese sausage (which also deserves to go on everything) and the pork meat balls. Other sauces that piqued my non-bacon interests: smoked lobster sauce (I'll try with shrimp), brown sugar ginger (with pulled chicken) and... sriracha butter? I know what I'm doing when I get home...
There are other items on their chalkboard menu (hey, did you steal this from Sakaya?). I went with the cheeseburger dumplings because what part of that doesn't sound great? The dumplings are bite sized, so a great group apetizer. Also the chopped cucumber and tomatoes that come on the side are great. Also on this side menu are a footlong corn dog, pork egg roll, edamame hushpuppies, Banh-Mi sammich and a lot of other stuff. I was not expecting this variety from a noodle bar.
They also have fresh brewed white peach tea. Its good.
I took a break to shove another chopstick full of noodles, sausage and balls in my mouth. Yeah, I went there, and if you want some good food on the cheap, you'll go here.
Update: I couldn't finish the whole bowl yesterday. And like most pasta + sauce leftovers, it was better the second day. I can see myself getting two bowls, and using one instantly for leftovers. -
Review from Irene L.
Seattle, WA
12/7/2010
Maybe I'm a little biased. After all, I grew up eating noodles and I realized after my visit to American Noodle Bar that I'm pickier about my noodles than I thought I was. Don't get me wrong. This is a good place to satisfy your appetite for noodles. For seven bucks, it's not bad. I ordered the brown soy sauce broth with duck meat (I'm very partial to duck). Gotta say - not bad at all. We also ordered some of the appetizers - hush puppies, cheeseburger dumplings and the Mama's egg roll - all of which were tasty.
But what I didn't quite like as much were the lo mein noodles. I grew up eating noodle bowl dishes with the thin egg noodles or ramen-type noodles. The noodles make a big difference and I think I would have liked it more if it was the thinner kind. Plus, it would have helped if there was a little more meat but I guess for $7, you get what you pay for.
All in all, it was a good experience and I wanna come back to try out some of the other broths and meats. Good atmosphere, and the guy behind the counter was very friendly. They were showing an old school Jackie Chan movie, which took me back to my childhood - nice touch. And I liked the outdoor seating, especially now that the weather has cooled down. -
Review from Maria T.
11/30/2010
You're hungry. You want something quick. You don't want fast food. You need American Noodle Bar.
I finally made it over here at the suggestion of several friends and was not disappointed. I chose the noodles in veggie broth with vegetables (how rabbit-like) of me) and it was tasty and delightful. The pork egg roll ($for THREE DOLLARS) was the best part of the meal as the dipping sauce is like liquid heaven.
The service is amazing, too. The lady who helped my brother and I was particularly sweet, inviting and helpful.
I also love the ambiance. Located inside a questionable hotel (I mean, aren't they ALL questionable?) on Biscayne Boulevard, American Noodle Bar is like a Zen den while funny karate movies play in the background.
If you want noodles, don't wanna break the bank, go here. -
Review from Marcos R.
11/14/2010
Welcome to the neighborhood American Noodle Bar! I love how the Upper East Side keeps churning out new and interesting businesses.
They're located directly across the street from Balans and next door to Kingdom. The signage is a little hard to notice when you're crusing down Biscanye at warp speed, so you kinda have to take your foot off the pedal for bit, please.
Like Red Light further up the street, American N.B. occupies a small front wing of an existing MiMO motel.
You can order a bowl of noodles and then pick a main ingredient and then choose from a selection of sauces.
They also have a nice selection of appetizers. I'll definitely come back for more. -
Review from Andrew J.
Miami Beach, FL
2/12/2011
Finally ate here today and really enjoyed it. Quirky, bohemian vibe--we need more places like this in Miami.
You order at the counter and pick up your food when they call you.
Had the noodles in duck broth with roast duck and bok choy--very tasty.
Great value...I'd like to return and try some of the other entrees. -
Review from George M.
12/25/2010
I first had a taste of ANB at the Signature Chefs event where I had the Cheeseburger Dumplings Of all the culinary treats that were available, and there were many, the best and the one i found myself parked next to was ANB's table I was a bit disappointed to find out that they hadn't opened up just yet so I had to wait a couple weeks before stuffing my face with these
After having gone here a couple times and getting over the excitement of the cheeseburger dumplings, this place is A-OK pretty good, but not great
You know you choose the sauce and the topping but what I would like is a choice of noodles IMO, the noodles are to thick and don't do a good job sucking up the sauce
The price is alright
The setting is pretty cool, being in an old motel on Biscayne and the whole communal table makes it easy for making quick friends
I would suggest this place but not rave about itListed in: Overrated
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Review from Isabelle R.
New York, NY
It's not that I don't like American Noodle Bar, it's just that something is missing. Obviously I like it enough to keep re-visiting it on nights when I get home late from work and don't feel like taking a longer drive to grab dinner but I'm still waiting for that element of surprise and excitement that has yet to come.
Yes, the noodle bowls are very satisfying and the assortment of broths are all good (the duck add-on is my favorite) but that's where it ends. Despite all the broth and meat combinations, you get tired of the same noodles pretty quickly (at least one or two more types would be great). The hush puppies are too dense, dry and not very flavorful (unless you soak them in the rich, creamy garlicky sauce that comes on the side), the peanut dressing on the salad (which is more like a small side salad) is overpowered by vinegar, the cheese burger dumplings good only because anything fried and dipped in a creamy sauce is good.
On the other hand, the vibe inside is great (gotta love the communal table, the glass drop chandelier and the simple yet cool decor) and sitting outside also has it charms (watching the 'working girls" of Biscayne saunter by makes for great conversation).
In all fairness, ANB hasn't been open for very long and menus take time to perfect which is why I keep going back. I hope that the day will come when I leave this place not only full and satisfied but also wowed. -
Review from Hannah S.
11/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
Noodly goodness! Nothing gets me excited like a place that offers "Make-your-own" anything, so I love American Noodle Bar purely for the pick & choose aspect. They have tons of mix-ins and sauces to choose from.
This time around, I went with tofu and brown sugar soy sauce. The noodles were terrific, but the sauce was a little on the heavy side for me, so I couldn't come close to finishing my bowl. Also, there wasn't a whole lot of tofu, I had to scavenge for it. We also sampled the scallion hushpuppies, which were tasty, but could probably have used a little more scallion, IMO.
The decor & atmosphere here were outstanding! Loved the stark, mod surroundings, and the staff was super nice. I'll definitely be back to try some other options, and hopefully boost my star count a bit. -
Review from Krystyn P.
Miami, FL
4/1/2011 1 photo
Non-pretentious, non-chain, original food. Always a good bite and reasonably priced. I put together the bacon sauce with scallops last night... and well, that's a darn good combo. Also, try their homemade sodas - I did strawberry five-spice last night... delish! I wish they'd open this in Brickell... One, I think they'd make a killing (if the rent is reasonable) but two... I would love to walk there versus drive. If we didn't have to drive there, I think we would visit a lot more.
While I like the options and ability to just choose whatever you think might taste good together, my husband recommends a menu that is recommended combos for the decision challenged... might not be a bad idea. -
Review from Caro d.
2/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
No me gusta.
Their burger dumplings were creative and tasty and the service was friendly, but what the hell is going on with those noodles?!
My friend and I both ordered the Basil Sauce with Chicken or Chinese Sausage and were not fans at all. The little flavor that did exist in the sauce was stuck pooling at the bottom of the bowl and required a whole lot of ungainly chopstick mixing to distribute semi-evenly.
I managed to eat about half of the $7 noodle bowl before giving up and ordering some tasty fries. I ate the rest of it the next day for lunch and still deeply regret that decision. After the bowl bounced around in my car all morning, the sauce was thoroughly mix and distributed, it was also very greasy - as in, my tongue felt slick afterwards (think oil spill slick, not "cool" slick).
Probably not coming back. -
Review from Rebecca C.
Miami, FL
11/16/2010 4 Check-ins Here
I had to go back today for a second time to be sure - American Noodle Bar is hit or miss. I'm going to add-on to previous reviews instead of being redundant. It seems like people either love this place or hate it.
The first time, I wasn't a fan. It was a soupy brothy pho noodle bowl: Honey Shallot with shrimp bowl. The honey shallot sauce is bland and no signs of "honey" or "shallot" anywhere. I tasted the Lobster sauce, which had the same taste and lack of "lobster" flavor but was a tad better. It was when I taste-tested another friend's bowl and discovered the amazing Brown Sugar Soy sauce. No wonder she was slurping it down! Besides her, the rest of the table was ho-hum and not really blown away at all.
So today I decided to try again and ordered the Brown Sugar Soy sauce with BBQ tofu. Did I mention the shrimp are extra pequeno salad shrimp? As someone who doesn't really like tofu and the rubbery consistency, this place has tofu perfected! And with the sauce combination, its a great meal for $7!
The Scallion hushpuppies are okay to add some crunch while eating soft noodles but aren't anything extraordinary. My hopes are that ANB reads our reviews and ditches some sauces and adds some new ones.
PS Why is it called American when it has an Asian flair?Listed in: Cheapest Eats
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Review from Andrea W.
11/11/2010
Our first chilly day in Miami and comfort food came to mind. Picture a noodle bowl with small amount of veggies, pick your sauce, pick your add on, then all of that goodness tossed with a generous portion of noodles. My choice was the bacon sauce, and chicken sausage. My SO choice was Honey shallots, and braised oxtail. They were fabulous!!! All sauces are paired to go with any add-on. Can't wait to go back to try the cheeseburger dumplings. They vibe was great and the service was A+++
American Noodle you put the oddle in my noodle for me. -
Review from Vicky P.
Miami, FL
Dear American Noodle bar,
Im officially OBSESSED with you guys!!! Please open another one in Ft. Lauderdale to save me the drive!!!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/3/2010
AWESOME service, food and prices what more can you ask for?!?!
I got the noodle bowl w/ the sriracha… Read more »
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Review from Farrah R.
North Miami Beach, FL
12/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
I can't comment on the tast since I went there for soup to aid my recovery from the flu, so my taste buds are compromised. I wish they offered a variety of noodles to choose from...I was a little disappointed, no Yudon on the menu :( From what I did taste, I'm not loving the noodles that they give.
Also, the bowl was a little light on the broth, thought it would've been filled.
Great service, cute place. -
Review from Jeff G.
11/22/2010
Another great example of how glowing five star reviews can lead you astray.. I'm starting to wonder if my fellow Yelpers are writing about the food or just the concept?
I wanted to like this place, really, I did..
I was so disappointed that I actually waited to write this review, after making a few suggestions to the chef on what needs improvement, so that I can get feedback from others to see if they listened.
Apparently not it seems.
I ordered a bowl of pork balls in honey shallot sauce, and a side of hush puppies.
The hush puppies were alright, but really really tiny. $4 for 8 little balls of cornmeal and edamame? Maybe if they were twice the size of the ones I had.
The noodle bowl was a whole new level of disappointment.
The noodles lacked any flavor, the garlicky pork meatballs were ok, the broth was pretty weak. It was way too thin and nothing stuck to the noodles. It was pretty lame.
I suggested to the chef, who passed by and asked me how everything was. I was honest with him and told him what I found wrong.
He was very cool about it, and seemed open to what I was telling him.
I don't consider myself to be an amazing chef, but I do know what I am talking about most of the time!
So from what I've heard recently, it's possible their answer is to add salt!
Adding more salt is not the simple answer, it just makes it salty.
I'll wait for more input from those who know food and ignore all the flavor of the month reviews this place seems to be getting a lot of.
Maybe it was just what I ordered.. but that's no excuse, everything should be tasty not just one or two items.
Wake up people, just because a place is cool or cute, doesn't mean it's good. -
Review from Donna H.
Miami, FL
I rarely ever give a low star review. This one deserves it though. This place has really a nice decor, I loved the flooring. Seats are tiny bar stools that were not uncomfortable and the giant black and white Bruce Lee on the wall was pretty cool.
This place has outdoor seating which is nice in Miami, but it's right next door to some roach motel unless you don't mind people watching while you're outside and looking on to the drivers who exit the motel with shame all over their face, which was pretty funny.
The "hostess" took our order and we sat down and waited to be called upon which was quick! A few minutes only passed before we got our food.
I ordered the brown sugar soy noodle bowl with pork shoulder which was cheap. 7 Dollars, not bad. I also ordered the burger dumplings and my boyfriend order the same thing I did, but with chicken.
The noodle bowl I had was so salty I threw it away half eaten. I had to sip my soda after every bite because it was too much for me and that's saying a lot since I always add salt to everything. This time it felt like they threw in a salt block for me in the dish. It was too gross. The noodles felt like spaghetti. They didn't feel like Asian noodles at all. The pork should was tender at least and the veggies in the dish were cooked well.
The burger dumplings were something else. They weren't bad, but it's not something you can appreciate. Mine were a bit over cooked and the dough was rubbery. The beef inside was cooked well.
I left the establishment grabbing another soda, which I rarely drink, just to get the horrible taste out of my mouth. My boyfriend is now stuffing his face with Atomic fireballs to do the same.
What a shame, this place looked like I could enjoy the food. :( -
Review from Jordan N.
12/13/2010
After visiting Tutto Ramen in New York, I had cravings for noodles in Miami.
When I heard about American Noodle Bar, I knew I had to try it out. So I ventured out and I was surprised to see a make-your-own Ramen menu.
You pick a broth, you pick a topping, and they add the noodles. Simple math, and for $7, you get a meal.
I picked duck broth and Chinese sausage. And it was tasty with the noodles. Judging from the other reviews, it seems like it's hard to go wrong with any combination. And as for the noodles itself, it was good. Not Tutto Ramen great, but good. I would definitely return for them.
Other notes:
- Cheeseburger dumplings were tasty. Good not great. I could order them once in a while.
- HUGE egg roll were a disappointment. Too much of the typical egg roll filling makes it taste bland. They should add pickled veggies or something to add some pizzazz. And I had a hard time tasting the pork in them. I'd skip this one, as even the sauce didn't even help save this egg roll. But if you DO have to order this, ask for the sauce that comes with the Cheeseburger dumplings - it helps the egg rolls somewhat. -
Review from Wendy H.
Miami, FL
The vibe at American Noodle Bar was quite cool and I had high hopes for this new restuarant. As I walked in, the staff was friendly and eager to help me customize my bowl of noodles.
I ordered noodles with spicy Sriacha sauce and Chinese sausage, ingredients I was familiar with and couldn't imagine how it could go wrong. As I waited outside for my food, I enjoyed the view of the busy avenue and imagined myself slurping up next meal.
However, when the food came, I was quite disapointed with the quality of the noodles. First of all, these were not noodles you could "slurp" because they were quite hard and clumped together. Also, there was not enough soup to soften the noodles and it felt like I was eating spegetthi without sauce. I liked the Chinese sausage but they were quite stingey with the add-ons. I also enjoyed the soup but as I mentioned, also not enough in bowl. I ended up eating all the sausage and drinking all the soup, leaving the hard noodles in the plastic disposable bowl that it came in.
In summary:
Pros: Good service, good atmosphere, genius concept
Cons: Bad noodles, stingey with add-ons, plastic bowls. -
Review from Lyle C.
Miami, FL
American Noodle Bar... Biscayne Blvds newest addition..... Great food. Great value, fun place.. Best Video review. watch it now. (shot all video with my iPhone 4)
http://www.youtube.com... -
Review from Sandra R.
Miami, FL
3/20/2011
Love this place! What a find!
Delicious, hot soup and the fried cheese burger dumplings are both among the best things I've ever tasted.
This establishment takes special care of its clients. It can be seen from the chef himself who takes your order to the range of interesting constantly changing ingredients that they offer.
I would definitely recommend if you're craving hot noodle soup in a low-key, casual setting. My favorite combination is the duck broth with the soft boiled egg. Just don't forget the cheese burger dumplings.
Great beer list too. The dessert menu looks great but have always been too full to make it to dessert.
Can't say enough good things about this place! Definitely worth a try... -
Review from Stan R.
Miami Beach, FL
1/12/2011 3 Check-ins Here
They had me at "Cheeseburger Dumplings" on the Chalk Board menu. So Good! The fact that you can build your own bowl with any sauce, meats will make me come back to keep trying new things. Gotta have the Fried Hard Boiled egg!
Only a few blocks from work! -
Review from Janet D.
Miami, FL
12/6/2010
After navigating through the Basel madness we found a spot and strolled over to the rather uninspiring building that's American Noodle bar and it did not dissapoint. Walking in however, we instantly felt welcomed into the small space with an open kitchen space behind a large counter, the Bruce Lee flick playing in the background was a nice touch and the warm welcome by the gentleman behind the counter even better.
After carefully contemplating the noodle broths and add on menu, we made our choices including a selection of appetizers: hush puppies - delicious; Mama's egg roll - extra delicious; fried cheeseburger dumplings - good, but not as good as the egg roll. As for the noodles they were good, though I was tempted away by the day's special, braised pork belly, need I say more! It was nicely done and served with a spicy melon salad, which I would have even without the pork belly. A Holy Mackerel beer, rounded off an all around nice night.
Definitely worth a shot and bonus points for no incarnation of sliders on the menu.
