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Welcome To Julio's Empanadas
Julio's Empanadas, located in Gulfport, FL, is a cherished destination for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. This family-run gem delights patrons with its freshly made empanadas, flavorful dishes, and home-cooked comfort food. Customers rave about the variety, from traditional beef and jalapeño empanadas to succulent mofongo and crispy chicharrones. Each dish is crafted with passion, ensuring a delightful experience with every bite. The vibrant atmosphere and attentive service enhance the dining experience, making Julio’s a must-visit for anyone craving genuine Latin flavors. This hidden gem truly embodies the spirit of community and love for good food.
About
Julio's Empanadas
Welcome to Julio's Empanadas, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Gulfport, Florida, at 2201 49th St S. If you’re in search of authentic Puerto Rican flavors, you’ve stumbled upon the right spot. As a food reviewer for Foodjoyy, I've had the pleasure of indulging in the vibrant offerings of this family-run establishment, and I can confidently say that it is a true haven of Latin comfort food.
From the moment you step inside Julio's Empanadas, you're welcomed by a warm and inviting atmosphere. The aroma of freshly cooked empanadas fills the air, setting the stage for a delightful gastronomic experience. The menu, laden with a variety of empanadas including traditional beef, spicy steak and jalapeño, and savory chorizo, is just the beginning. Customers rave about the perfectly crisp yet light pastries, capturing the essence of what a great empanada should be—flavor-packed and satisfying.
One standout feature of Julio’s is the commitment to freshness. Each dish is crafted with care, and it shows; as customer Tristan Y noted, the veggie plate and empanadas she tried were “fresh and delicious,” a sentiment echoed throughout the reviews. The magic doesn’t stop at empanadas, though. The entrees, like the coco rico chicken and mojo pork plate, offer a journey through Puerto Rican culinary traditions, with sides of rice and beans that are cooked with passion and skill.
B. Brooks, another satisfied patron, praised the cooking as “next level deliciousness,” highlighting the attention to detail that chef Julio infuses into every dish. The lush flavors of the fried pork, known as chicharrones de cerdo, and the exquisitely seasoned mofongo evoke a comforting, home-cooked meal feel. Even if you’re hesitant about empanadas, like customer Daniel Velez, be prepared to be won over by their juicy fillings and perfect cooking.
The service at Julio's is as warm and welcoming as the food itself. Each interaction feels personal, and it's clear that the team cares about providing both great eats and good vibes, creating an atmosphere that feels like dining with family. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Julio's Empanadas is an experience not to be missed—full of flavor, heritage, and heart. Don't forget to save room for dessert; the tres leches cake, especially the chocolate version, is not to be overlooked!
In a world that often prioritizes speed over quality, Julio's Empanadas stands as a refreshing reminder of what true culinary craftsmanship looks like. I highly recommend making this gem a staple in your dining routine. Visit them at +1 727-235-0350 for an unforgettable meal that feels like home.
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“ Fresh and delicious! I got the veggie plate and different empenadas - everything was so good and freshly made. I really enjoyed it and will be back. Highly recommended! ”
“ Absolutely love Julio’s Empanadas! The food is always fresh and full of flavor—true Latin comfort food. Amazing service every time, and you can feel the love from this family-run spot. We've teamed up for events, and they’re always a hit! Highly recommend for great eats and good vibes! ”
“ Best food place to happen to Gulfport in a LONG time. I ordered the traditional beef, steak and jalapeno, and chorizo empanadas as well as the coco rico chicken, the mojo pork plate, and a bottle of their hot sauce (cause when I tasted it I wanted to drink it from the ramekin). Not a single item has disappointed. Perfectly crisp and light empanadas stuffed with flavored packed ingredients. The entree/plates were next level deliciousness; even the two different rice and beans sides were clearly cooked with passion and skill. It will take me days to eat all of this food but once it’s gone I’ll be right back! So glad they’re in the neighborhood!! PS. Forgot to add that I grabbed a chocolate and regular tres leche dessert. Have only tried the chocolate one so far but...YUMMY! ”
“ My friend Daniel and I were looking for Authentic Puerto Rican food. Almost immediately the beef empanada was the best we ever had. I drove all the way to Riverview to eat at Julio's Empanada in GulfPort. The fried pork wasn't that oily or fatty and was delicious. The Mofongo was nice and moist and not dry. The Coco Rico chicken was my favorite. I highly recommend Julio's Empanada for those looking for a home cooked Puerto Rican meal. ”
“ A Hidden Puerto Rican Gem! Recently checked out Julio’s Empanadas, and I have to say — this spot is a must-visit! Julio is a friend of a friend, and now my friend has quite the authentic little Puerto Rican food haven just minutes from my house. I’m super picky when it comes to food, but Julio definitely earned my seal of approval. I ordered the rice and beans, fried pork chunks (chicharrones de cerdo), and mofongo — and wow, the flavors were spot-on. The pork was crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful on the inside. The mofongo was perfectly seasoned, and the rice and beans were classic comfort food done right. Now here’s the twist: I’m not even a fan of empanadas... but I tried the beef empanada and was honestly blown away. Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked — I might be an empanada convert now. I’ll definitely be coming back frequently. If you’re looking for authentic Puerto Rican flavor and home-cooked vibes, this is the place! ”
“ Food here is very good, very authentic. I'm married to a Puerto Rican man so he knows. Empanadas are very juicy, everything has a rich flavor and they're made in house Empanada sauce is incredible. The devil crab ball was delicious and tostones were perfectly seasoned. I would highly recommend their stewed chicken. The owner Julio was super nice and everyone eating there seem to be in such a happy mood they were all dancing and smiling the energy there is really fun. And they also have shaved ice! ”
“ First experience in Julio's was great. I am new to the empanada scene. Definitely had a wide variety of food, not just empanadas. I came later in the day, so there weren't as many flavor choices available but was able to still get a few. Not sure if these are made fresh in-house every day or if they are made a couple times a week and then cooked day of. These were a little bit larger than ones I have had other places, and there were two different size options as well. They were a little bit more expensive than ones I have gotten other places, but they were worth the price. They also had a large stand up fridge with fresh desserts and also lots of different drink choices. Place was rather large, seems like a good. Definitely accommodate a lot of people during a busy rush. Plenty of parking in and around the area as well. Will come back again, as it's the closest empanada place to my house and the service was good. ”
“ I ordered food to go and was very pleased with the meal. We got the chicken and beef regular empanadas. The chicken was very tasty. The 2 empanada plate comes with rice and beans, either black or red beans and yellow or cilantro rice. We also tried the specialty empanadas, steak and plantains and osso bucco. The rice and beans were a little salty for my tastes, but still good. Lots of interesting flavored international sodas. The portions were really big, offering good value for the price. They had a gluten free empanada, but I didn’t try it. ”