Photo by Burger Beast
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On October 1, one of Miami’s longest-running Cuban restaurants, Sergio’s, will celebrate 50 years in business. That’s half a century of cafecito, croquetas, and Cuban comfort food served to generations of hungry Miamians. Around here, Sergio’s isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a cultural landmark, a family living room with better air conditioning, and a keeper of Cuban-American culinary traditions.
What began as a modest sandwich shop in 1975 has evolved into one of South Florida’s most recognizable restaurant brands — even winning New Times‘ Best Cuban Restaurant 2024. And the best part? The restaurant has remained true to its roots. Sergio’s was born when Blanca Cabrera and her mother, Elsa Rodrigue, took over the El Tropical cafeteria, one of the many names the restaurant had gone by before settling on Sergio’s. Elsa’s philosophy, “Menos es más” (less is more), still guides everything on the menu. Blanca always says, “This is your mom’s home cooking.” And she isn’t kidding.
From day one, classics like pan con tortilla and pan con bistec have been steady sellers. And if you’ve ever walked in on a Monday, you know “Rabo Encendido” has been the daily special for more than 30 years. That’s the consistency that longtime customers love.
Growing Pains (and Payoffs)
After years of steady growth, Sergio’s opened a second location on Coral Way in 1992. Housed in a former Ranch House building, it was an immediate success and cemented the restaurant’s reputation beyond its original Bird Road outpost. The third location, in Hialeah, would prove equally influential, as it was there that the family spent two years perfecting Sergio’s now-famous croqueta recipe.
Today, Sergio’s has sold more than 25 million croquetas. To put it another way: if croquetas were votes, Sergio’s would’ve won every election since 1975. It’s no wonder that when Blanca suggested October 1 as “National Croqueta Day,” it now also doubles as Sergio’s anniversary date.
Sergio’s hasn’t shied away from playfulness in its branding, either. Over the years, slogans like “Simple, fresh and homemade,” “A Cuban-American Story Since 1975,” “Home of the World’s Longest Croqueta,” and the cheeky “Get Your Hands Off My Croquetas” have reinforced Sergio’s as both a serious food destination and a place with a sense of humor.
Photo by Burger Beast
From Law Books to ‘La Flaca‘
In 2007, Carlos Gazitua, Blanca’s son, graduated from law school and joined the family business. His leadership brought fresh perspective and innovation, keeping Sergio’s relevant for younger generations without abandoning its old-school soul. One major shift came in 2009 with the introduction of the “La Flaca” menu, a lighter lineup designed for health-conscious diners. It was a bold move in a city where tradition reigns supreme, but it showed that Sergio’s was willing to adapt to changing tastes while still keeping Cuban flavors at the forefront.
Sergio’s longevity is also due to its people, employees who have grown up with the restaurant just as much as its customers. Take Maria Cabrera, who has worked at the Bird Road location for 40 years. When asked about change, she points to the addition of a food robot that now helps deliver meals to tables. Far from being a gimmick, she says it frees up servers to focus on hospitality. Maria even jokes about the robot as if it’s part of the team: “Her name is Esperancita.” Sure enough, the touchscreen confirms it. It’s a quirky example of how Sergio’s blends tradition with innovation, always finding ways to make service more personal.
Photo by Burger Beast
A Golden Celebration
So, what’s planned for the 50th? Plenty. On October 1, Sergio’s is rolling out “throwback pricing” at all its full-service locations. That means menu items at their 1975 prices. Imagine a frita Cubana for $1.38 or a medianoche for $2.60. The one-day-only deal is a thank-you to the community that has supported Sergio’s for half a century.
Meanwhile, at the Coral Way flagship, Sergio’s is teaming up with Only in Dade for a rooftop party. From 5 to 8 p.m., local influencers, celebrities, and media will gather for croqueta tastings and craft cocktails, paying tribute to Miami’s culinary heritage. The milestone is also backed by major sponsors, including Bacardi, Pepsi, Hatuey, Celsius, and Uber Eats, reflecting how Sergio’s has grown into both a local institution and a brand with national reach.
As part of the anniversary, Sergio’s has launched the “You Got Miami” campaign. Billboards across the city feature locals enjoying cafecito and croquetas, accompanied by the tagline: “Fueling Dreams Since 1975.” More than an ad campaign, it’s a love letter to the people who made Sergio’s possible and a recognition of the role Cuban-American traditions play in defining Miami itself.
Sergio’s is also asking Miamians to join the story and share memories from over the years. First dates, late-night sandwich runs, family dinners — if you’ve lived in Miami, you’ve probably had a Sergio’s moment.
Photo by Burger Beast
50 Years and Counting
Few restaurants reach 50 years, and even fewer manage to remain both relevant and authentic (Sergio’s just went viral over the summer for its iced cortaditos and cafecitos). Sergio’s has done it by balancing tradition with innovation, family roots with modern growth, and heartfelt service with playful branding. As Miami continues to change, Sergio’s stands as proof that some flavors never go out of style. From the first bite of a pan con bistec to the latest croqueta innovation, Sergio’s remains, as always, “your mom’s homecooking.
Fifty years down, another 50 to go. And if the first 25 million croquetas are any sign, the city’s going to need a bigger fryer.
Sergio’s. Multiple area locations; sergios.com.
