After serving the region culinary delights for nearly 20 years, a Gulfport man is opening the city’s first empanaderia this May. Julio Pagan, dubbed “The Empanada King,” is the chef behind Julio’s Empanadas, opening soon at 2201 49th Street South in Gulfport. They also just announced they’re opening another location in the Tyrone area of St. Pete at 7815 38th Ave N.

Pagan has been working on the restaurant for just over a year, and he’s eyeing May 15 as the official grand opening for Julio’s Empanadas inside the converted gas station featuring exterior artwork by Juan Colon. However, you may not have to wait that long to try out the fresh-baked empanadas and deviled crab. Pagan also bought a food truck, and he plans to start doing empanada samples on site as soon next week.

While the empanadas get the headline, deviled crab is the specialty at Julio’s Empanadas, available in platters on its own or in burger form on each of the restaurant’s tortas. We’re already eyeing their take on the classic Cuban sandwich – the Dagwood, a brioche bun filled with pulled pork, sliced ham, pickle, sweet pickle salsa, avocado aioli, and a deviled crab burger.

The menu will feature gluten-free and vegan options

Julio’s Empanadas will have several gluten-free options on the menu, and Pagan says nearly every item on the menu will be available in a gluten-free version to help those with allergies. Highlights on the empanada list include flat iron steak, fried garlic shrimp, pulled pork Cuban, and loaded meatball and mozz empanadas. Pagan also anticipates the Coco Rico Chicken empanada will become a quick favorite, chicken thigh in a sofrito coconut sauce made with his secret recipe.

There will also be several vegan and vegetarian options. Additionally, Julio’s Empanadas will have rotating specialty empanadas. The restaurant will also have several rice, bean and protein bowl options. Through it all, the restaurant is promising “art on the plate” to those who come inside.

Julio’s Empanadas will become a staple

Pagan himself has been working for nearly two decades in the Tampa Bay area, running restaurants in Brandon, doing catering in Tampa, and working with entities such as St. Jude and others in the area to help feed people throughout the region. In fact, Julio’s Empanada’s will be Pagan’s 11th restaurant to open.

However, it won’t be his last. Pagan said he hopes this restaurant in his home community of Gulfport can serve as proof of concept and allow him to open several more empanaderias throughout the area. The key to his plans is a desire to make everything fresh, unique, and flavorful. From a variety of homemade sauces for the empanadas, to fresh-squeezed lemonade and options for all diets, Pagan is putting quality and approachability at the top.

“We want to do everything right,” he said.

Stay tuned to I Love the Burg for more updates on the opening day for Julio’s Empanadas.

What to read next:

• WADA unveils new outdoor theater
• Wild Child debuts all new menu on Central Avenue
• Teriyaki Madness opens in Pinellas Park
• Italian Brunch arrives in downtown St. Pete