If you’ve lived in Miami-Dade for any length of time, you know the drill with suburban dining. It’s mostly strip malls. Endless rows of chains. But then there’s this spot in Miami Lakes. Honestly, walking into Cancun Grill feels less like a quick lunch and more like a deliberate choice to ignore the clock. People talk about the Cancun Grill restaurant Miami Lakes menu as if it’s a local secret, even though the place is usually packed. It’s Mexican food, but not the "Taco Tuesday" $2 variety you find in a downtown food truck. This is old-school, sit-down hospitality.
The atmosphere hits you first. It’s colorful. Loud, sometimes. It has that specific Miami energy where a business lunch is happening three feet away from a 10-person birthday party involving sombreros. It works. It shouldn't, but it does.
What’s Actually on the Cancun Grill Restaurant Miami Lakes Menu?
Let’s get real about the food. Most people show up for the fajitas. You hear them before you see them—that aggressive sizzle that makes everyone in the dining room turn their heads. The "Fajitas Cancun" are basically the flagship. You get your choice of steak, chicken, or shrimp, and they don't skimp on the peppers and onions.
But the menu is surprisingly deep.
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You’ve got the Enchiladas Suizas. These aren't just tossed together. They’re draped in a green tomatillo sauce that actually has a bit of a bite to it, topped with melted Swiss cheese. It’s heavy. It’s comforting. It’s exactly what you want when you’ve had a long week.
Then there are the Tacos Al Carbon. This isn't the ground beef stuff from your childhood. We’re talking grilled skirt steak wrapped in flour tortillas, served with pico de gallo and guacamole. The steak usually has that nice char on the outside while staying tender. It’s simple. No fluff. Just good meat and fresh tortillas.
The Seafood Secret
Not everyone realizes how much seafood is tucked into the Cancun Grill restaurant Miami Lakes menu. If you’re tired of the standard burrito, look at the Camarones al Ajillo. Shrimp sautéed in a garlic lemon butter sauce. It’s surprisingly light compared to the rest of the menu. Or the Huachinango—red snapper that they do either fried or "Veracruzana" style with olives and capers. It reflects that coastal Mexican influence that often gets lost in Tex-Mex joints.
Starters and "The Salsa"
We have to talk about the salsa. It’s thin, red, and potentially addictive. They bring out the warm chips the second you sit down. It’s a dangerous game. You eat too many chips, and suddenly that massive plate of Chimichangas feels like an impossible mountain to climb.
Try the Queso Fundido if you’re with a group. It’s melted Chihuahua cheese. You can get it with chorizo, which you absolutely should do. It’s greasy in the best way possible. You scoop it up with flour tortillas and suddenly you don’t care about your cholesterol for thirty minutes.
The Strategy for Navigating the Menu
Lunch vs. Dinner is a whole different vibe here.
The lunch menu is a steal. They do these "Express" combinations that usually include a taco, an enchilada, and the standard rice and beans. It’s fast. You can be in and out in 45 minutes if the kitchen is on its game.
Dinner is for the Margaritas.
The drink list is expansive. They have the "Monster" sizes which are, frankly, hilarious. You need two hands to hold them. But the quality is there—they use actual lime juice, not just that neon yellow syrup from a plastic jug. If you want to be fancy, they have a solid selection of Reposados and Añejos for sipping.
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Why This Place Stays Relevant in Miami Lakes
Miami Lakes is a funny neighborhood. It’s planned, it’s neat, and it’s very family-oriented. Cancun Grill fits that mold perfectly while still feeling like an escape. It’s located in the Main Street area, which means you can walk around after you’ve effectively entered a food coma.
The service is usually "Miami fast." That means the servers are moving at 100 mph, sliding plates onto tables with practiced precision. It might feel a bit rushed during the Friday night rush, but that’s just the tempo of the place. They’ve been around since the 90s. That kind of longevity in the Miami restaurant scene is rare. You don't survive thirty years by accident. You survive because the Cancun Grill restaurant Miami Lakes menu delivers exactly what people expect every single time.
Misconceptions About the Price
Some folks think it’s overpriced. Is it more expensive than a fast-casual spot? Yes. But you’re paying for the real estate and the fact that the guacamole is actually made from avocados, not some green paste from a bag. A typical entree will run you anywhere from $18 to $35 depending on if you're getting basic tacos or a high-end steak dish.
Finding the Hidden Gems
If you want to go off the beaten path, look for the Mole Poblano. Mole is a polarizing sauce. It’s chocolatey, spicy, and earthy all at once. Cancun Grill does a version that is rich and dark, served over chicken. It’s a complex flavor that most people skip because they’re afraid of the "chocolate" description. Don't be. It’s savory and deep.
Also, don't sleep on the Sopa de Tortilla. It’s a great way to start if it’s one of those rare Miami days where the temperature drops below 70 degrees. It has plenty of avocado, cheese, and crunchy tortilla strips.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning a visit, here’s the move. Don't go at 7:00 PM on a Friday without a plan. The wait can be brutal. Aim for an early dinner around 5:30 or a late lunch. Check the specials board near the entrance—they often have seasonal seafood dishes that aren't printed on the main menu.
Grab a seat in the back if you want it a little quieter, or stay near the bar if you want to soak in the noise and the tequila. Either way, make sure you ask for extra salsa for the table. You're going to need it.
When you finish, walk over to the nearby theater or just stroll down Main Street to work off the cheese. It's a Miami Lakes staple for a reason. It’s consistent. It’s loud. It’s exactly what Mexican-American dining should be.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the Lunch Specials: If you’re on a budget, the 11 AM - 3 PM window offers almost the same portions for nearly 40% less.
- Join the Waitlist Online: Use their website or Google Maps "Join Waitlist" feature before you leave your house. It saves at least 20-30 minutes of standing awkwardly in the lobby.
- Park in the Garage: Street parking on Main Street is a nightmare. Use the free parking garages tucked behind the buildings; it’s a two-minute walk and much less stressful.
- Order the Table-side Guacamole: It’s worth the extra couple of dollars to see it mashed fresh right in front of you—you can control the salt and the jalapeño level yourself.