Julio's Empanadas — Restaurant in Gulfport

I'll update my review with a photo later when I get time.

I think the main appeal for here are calzone sized empanadas with a creative twist and the massive deviled crab. Unfortunately, I went for the Cuban & maduros because these are two culturally important dishes just like the crab. I grew up with someone's sweet aunt selling Cuban sandwiches on most corners and you could get a plate for 8 bucks that would have you rotund like a beach ball, but I digress. The Cuban had decent bread but the contents were disappointing. The sweet Spanish ham (I'm sure it wasn't Spanish ham) was thick cut which make a good "flat" press difficult in the first place, lechon was dry and hard to chew (far from juicy flavors making the sandwich sing), in fact the sandwich was dry overall. I might stick to Pinellas Park area for the best Cuban in St Pete for now or try the 727 la teracita.

The mixto is made from the combination of Italian (hence the salami regional addition) and Cuban heritage that built the very town we all share and love and deserves that level of respect. There is a reason people prefer ours to Miami.

Fries were the best part of my meal.

Update : Here are the pictures I promised of the other half but it's me trying to make it edible for lunch (not worth the surprise price of 12 when listed for 10)

For a place that was once a gas station I didn't get a big helping ours at Bodega were better and more affordable which is crazy considering that's DTSP so the rent is insane there I'm sure. They used some kind of gringo country ham that was way too thick...

So I’ve eaten here three times in a week. I’m so impressed. Thought the menu was a little limited, but they will be adding to it- and when I bit into the flank steak plantain empanada, I was honestly shocked at the flavor. I could taste so many fresh flavors- and happily I did not taste plantains- but wowwww- the first time I ordered the large empanada, they had only been open 4 days, my empanada was a little skinny. But the next time was New Year’s Eve and wow. The steak plantain and the vegetable empanada were phenomenal, but my family said even the chicken and the beef were really fresh and tasty. Soooo five days later I decided to throw red beans and rice on the stove and two empanadas from New Year’s Eve in the air fryer. I swear they were better almost a week later than the first day, and we don’t even eat leftovers. I know I’m goin on and on, we did wait quite a while for our large order on New Year’s Eve- I’m giving them time. They are kind, the prices are decent and the food really is the best Latin food around. Julio is also easy on the eyes and pretty friendly. Can’t wait to eat there again and again. Thank you!

The girl in the...

All I’m going to say is LOCATION,PRICES and MANNERS…After being overseas for many years and with Hispanic descendant family … I was so happy to see a place dedicated to the island food cuisine and the pleasure it gives you when you eat it and it transport you to that special time in life.

NOT here from the moment I walked in I was impressed with how clean it is that’s a plus but at the same time I was shocked as the lack of establishment manners that were received was surprised as one of the workers was on their cell phone and didn’t bother to turn around to greet us, I was like ok, but Let’s talk about prices the Kola Champagne was 3.50 for one can when you can buy a SIX pack at the store for 3.39, we had 2 ( two bite empanadas size )and two kola champagne cans, with a crab empanada almost 40 dollars. Thou the quality was good the prices were like the ones you find for a snack in south beach drive in Miami. I would personally will not stop again here and definitely will recommend the place as a last recommendation for a taste of this type of food. Good luck...