In West Kendall, there’s a one-two punch that tells you numerous about how Miami meals works. Empanada Harry’s handles the Latin consolation meals facet of issues whereas Smoke and Dough BBQ, just some steps away, tackles barbecue by a Miami lens. Each eating places are run by husband-and-wife crew Harry and Michelle Coleman, who’ve quietly constructed one of the fascinating meals pairings within the metropolis.
Harry grew up round meals. His father, Philip Coleman, opened Moises Bakery in Miami Seaside again in 1991, a longtime Venezuelan bakery that helped introduce generations of Miami diners to Latin pastries and baked items. That background exhibits up throughout Empanada Harry’s menu, the place conventional Latin American recipes combine with Miami creativity.
Michelle, whom Harry met at FIU, turned his accomplice in each life and enterprise. Collectively, they’ve created neighboring eating places that really feel totally different from each other however nonetheless make excellent sense facet by facet.
Michelle handles the entrance of the home whereas Harry runs the kitchen. The result’s a restaurant that feels private, not company. Empanada Harry’s opened first, serving empanadas, sandwiches, and baked items influenced by the Latin American cultures that make up Miami. A few years later, the pair expanded the idea subsequent door with Smoke and Dough BBQ, bringing slow-smoked meats into the combo whereas nonetheless retaining the identical Miami persona.
Consider it this manner: Empanada Harry’s feeds your Latin consolation meals cravings, and Smoke and Dough feeds your barbecue cravings. When you’re doing it proper, you’ll hit each spots in the identical go to.
Initially printed on June 16, 2019. Up to date March 2026.
Empanada Harry’s in Miami, Florida
I had my eyes on Empanada Harry’s Instagram account for a couple of weeks in April 2017. Then I lastly made my first go to the next month.
My first thought after trying round was that somebody had clearly hung out on the main points. Empanada Harry’s felt private. It had character. It was the precise reverse of a type of soulless locations that appear designed solely to separate you out of your pockets. I felt proper at residence.
That feeling is sensible as soon as you understand the backstory. Harry and Michelle Coleman personal Empanada Harry’s and Smoke and Dough subsequent door. Harry’s father, Philip Coleman, has owned Moises Bakery in Miami Seaside since 1991, and the affect of that conventional Venezuelan bakery background is throughout Empanada Harry’s.
Harry grew up within the enterprise, and his father handed alongside that love of baking and luxury meals. Greater than 15 years after Harry and Michelle met at FIU, he runs the again of the home whereas Michelle works the entrance, greeting company and retaining issues transferring.
Why is Empanada Harry’s totally different?
Empanada Harry’s is Miami by and thru. The empanada kinds run the gamut from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, and Venezuela. It seems like a snapshot of town’s urge for food in pastry type.
Nobody can beat their each day collection of empanadas. Ask in regards to the month-to-month particular, too. My spouse Marcela lives for his or her Vegan Empanada, which tells you loads since I don’t normally make a fuss over vegan something.
My private favourite is the Chipotle Rooster. There hasn’t been a awful empanada within the bunch, however that one is the order I maintain circling again to.
I may go on eternally in regards to the menu, however the smarter transfer is to scroll by the show, see what’s calling your identify, and order accordingly.
I additionally love the sizzling ham and cheese sandwich, though Harry would in all probability want I department out just a little extra. When my sandwich arrived, he tried to guilt journey me for not ordering one thing else.
Despite the fact that they’re about thirty minutes away from me, I spend the drive there occupied with what I’m going to purchase. On the best way again, I’ve normally received a highway empanada.
What’s a highway empanada? It’s the one you purchase particularly to eat on the drive residence. No rationalization must be needed.
Empanada Harry’s – Fast Information
Empanada Harry’s
📍 4009 SW 152nd Avenue, Miami, FL
📞 (786) 313-3888
🌐 empanadaharrys.com
📸 Instagram | Fb
Burger Beast’s SUGAPIE 2018 Champs
In 2018, I hosted my second SugaPie dessert occasion to search out the very best dessert in Miami. Empanada Harry’s received the competitors with their Ganache Flor de Caña Tres Leches.
Smoke and Dough Is Miami-Model BBQ
Harry and Michelle formally launched into their newest culinary journey on June 16, 2019, simply steps away from Empanada Harry’s. Smoke and Dough BBQ takes the identical consolation meals mindset and factors it towards smoked meats, sandwiches, and barbecue with a heavy Miami accent.
A Sneak Peek Earlier than the Grand Opening
Earlier than Smoke and Dough formally launched, Harry and Michelle teased everybody by including smoked meats to the Empanada Harry’s menu. It was a sensible preview of what was coming and proof that they already understood the right way to layer smoke, seasoning, and luxury meals into one thing unmistakably theirs.
Now, with a devoted area of its personal, Smoke and Dough BBQ has turn into one of many extra distinctive barbecue spots in Miami as a result of it doesn’t faux to be from Texas, Kansas Metropolis, or the Carolinas. It is aware of precisely what it’s.
Should-Strive Starters at Smoke and Dough
Kick issues off with the starters. That is the place the restaurant’s Miami persona exhibits up quick. The Pastrami Tequeños bridge deli flavors and fried consolation meals, whereas the Yucas Bravas carry one other Latin contact earlier than the smoked meats take over the desk.
The Star of the Present: Smoked Meats & Sandwiches
If you need the complete image, begin with the platter. It provides you just a little little bit of the whole lot and makes it clear that Smoke and Dough is critical about its barbecue, even when it expresses that seriousness in a really Miami approach.
The guts of Smoke and Dough lies in its smoked meats and sandwiches. When you’re visiting for the primary time, these are the dishes I’d level you towards:
- Sluggish-Smoked Brisket – Tender, smoky, and precisely what you need from a barbecue joint that is aware of what it’s doing.
- Blue Cheese Brisket Sausage – A home specialty that proves they’re not fascinated about taking part in it protected.
- Smoked Pastrami Sandwich – One of many strongest sandwiches on the menu and another reminder that they perceive smoke in addition to they perceive deli meats.
- Honey Cornbread with whipped honey brown butter – As a result of a barbecue plate with out good cornbread is lacking one thing.
Then there’s the smoked brisket burger, which exhibits up commonly on my Finest Burgers in Miami record. That’s not a throwaway praise. It earns its spot. When you catch it on the appropriate day, order it.
The Final Sandwich: The BEAST Croqueta Preparada
One of many extra private gadgets on the menu is the BEAST Croqueta Preparada. Named after me, it combines the very best elements of Empanada Harry’s ham and cheese sandwich with the croqueta know-how from Smoke and Dough. Add my Guava Sriracha Ketchup into the combo and also you’ve received a sandwich that lands someplace between smoky, salty, candy, and ridiculous in the absolute best approach.
Save Room for Dessert: Smoked Flan
No matter you do, don’t go away with out making an attempt the smoked flan. It’s creamy, caramelized, and simply totally different sufficient to stay in your head. That delicate smokiness sounds gimmicky on paper, however it works.
Smoke and Dough BBQ – Fast Information
Smoke and Dough BBQ
📍 4013 SW 152nd Avenue, Miami, FL
📞 (786) 362-5698
🌐 smokeanddough.com
📸 Instagram | Fb
Remaining Ideas
Empanada Harry’s and Smoke and Dough BBQ work as a result of they really feel linked with out feeling duplicated. One leans bakery and Latin consolation meals. The opposite leans smoke, meat, and Miami-style barbecue. Collectively, they make a robust case for Harry and Michelle Coleman as one of many extra fascinating husband-and-wife groups in South Florida meals.
When you’re headed to West Kendall, the sensible transfer is straightforward: begin at Empanada Harry’s, save room for Smoke and Dough, and don’t faux you’re solely taking one factor residence.