Azucar Ice Cream, Latin House to Open Near FIU

It’s fitting that Azucar Ice Cream Company’s second store would be close to SW Eighth Street, where the original opened in 2011. Since then, it has cemented its position as Miami's favorite place for ice cream and has become a can’t-miss tourist stop alongside the Tower Theater and Domino Park.

The second Azucar will be located on the ground floor of the Fourth Street Commons, an apartment building at SW 109th Avenue and Fourth Street that primarily houses Florida International University students.

Also joining will be Latin House Grill’s second Miami location, according to a building spokesman. The two should be open sometime in early 2016.

Azucar owner Suzy Batlle said the plan is to continue to offer more than 100 rotating flavors, as has been the tradition at the Little Havana shop.

“At some point, we’ll also have some kind of nighttime delivery,” she added.

The past year has been a big one for the little ice-cream shop that could. Six months ago, Batlle opened a warehouse and production space that has more than tripled her output. Her flavors — which include everything from local mamey and avocados to Cuban coffee and plantains — are regularly featured around town. Flecks of Miami Smokers’ bacon can be found hiding in many frozen scoops.

“This month we’re doing a lot with bourbon,” she said. “Next month I’m thinking of doing some kind of Jameson pumpkin ice cream.”

The forthcoming pair of eateries is yet another example of restaurateurs looking west for opportunities as citizens' Mad Max-esque shlepping from the sprawling suburbs to the eastern side of town continues to slow. The group behind Coral Gables tapas spot Bulla Gastrobar is setting up an outpost in Doral, and Finka Table & Tap long ago proved the viability of opening better concepts out west. Habit Burger, yet another wildly popular burger chain, opened recently, and not far off, on Flagler Street, sits standout Chinese spot Dragon 1. The burbs seem to get a bit better every day. 

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