Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar
Audio By Carbonatix
For more than 20 years, Sergio’s has wanted to open in Pinecrest. Zoning challenges, limited parking availability, and shopping plazas built in an era that left little room for modern restaurant amenities repeatedly stood in the way. This week, the wait finally came to an end. On Monday, December 15, Sergio’s opened its long-anticipated Pinecrest location, marking not only the seventh full-service restaurant for the local group but a full-circle moment for one of Miami’s most enduring family-run institutions.
Founded in the 1970s by the grandmother of its current owner, Carlos Gazitua, Sergio’s expanded in the 1980s under the leadership of Gazitua’s mother, Blanca Cabrera, who still runs the business alongside her son today. Now a woman-founded, third-generation, family-owned institution, Sergio’s is rooted in family, culture, and the pursuit of the American Dream. The Pinecrest opening coincides with the restaurant’s 50th anniversary, celebrated on October 1, and offers a moment of reflection on how much can change while the heart of a business remains the same.
Sergio’s photo
A Women-Founded Legacy in a City That Constantly Reinvents Itself
What began as a modest hut serving sandwiches and shakes on Bird Road in the 1950s has evolved into a South Florida staple, with seven full-service locations and multiple Sergio’s GO outposts, including Florida International University’s campus and area airports. The concept has always been simple: food that is fast, but never fast food.
For the Cabrera family, the American Dream was never abstract; it was a tangible reality. It meant a place where families could gather for a satisfying meal and still have time to catch a movie afterward. From the very beginning, Sergio’s positioned itself as a community restaurant, welcoming everyone and making that everyday version of the American Dream accessible.
Stepping into the role of third-generation owner comes with its own pressures. For Gazitua, leadership means advancing the brand without erasing its foundation. Miami’s dining scene evolves quickly, and Sergio’s has adapted alongside it, but never at the expense of identity. The result is an evolution that feels deliberate rather than trendy, allowing the restaurant to modernize while preserving the emotional connection that longtime guests have come to expect.
Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar
Built for the Neighborhood
Although Pinecrest had been part of the family’s long-term vision for two decades, the current location has been in active development for more than a year. Cabrera worked closely with the City of Pinecrest, the property’s landlord, and planners to reimagine what the space could offer the neighborhood.
The result is one of Pinecrest’s first approved outdoor terraces: a shaded, oak-lined gathering space designed to meet the needs of the community. It is dog-friendly, includes a bike rack for cyclists, and invites guests to linger, connect, and return. In a village largely built in the 1950s, the project required collaboration between local government and private business, creating a model that could shape future development in Pinecrest.
“It’s about time,” says Cabrera, referencing not only Sergio’s long-awaited arrival but also the opportunity for Pinecrest and neighboring communities to enjoy fast-casual dining in a setting that feels truly integrated into the neighborhood. The goal, he says, is to offer a welcoming space paired with a menu that celebrates Cuban-American cuisine in a way that feels both familiar and forward-looking.
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Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar
Reinventing Cuban Culture Without Losing It
Inside and out, Sergio’s Pinecrest feels rooted yet current. It is designed to be part of daily life, not just a destination for a single meal. Guests can stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, grab coffee at the ventanita window, refill a water bottle, or take advantage of ample parking, all small details that reflect Miami’s everyday rhythms.
The Pinecrest location also introduces a progressive approach to Cuban food culture without abandoning tradition. During the day, guests can order “beauty lattes,” Cuban coffee topped with collagen-infused cold foam flavored with turmeric or lavender. It is a distinctly Miami fusion of cafecito culture and modern wellness trends. The foam can also be paired with Sergio’s signature pastelitos, and the concept has proven popular enough that the team plans to roll it out across additional locations in early 2026.
As evening approaches, the menu takes on a playful tone. Sergio’s Pinecrest has launched a croqueta bar featuring location-exclusive flavors, including Caesar salad with anchovy, guava and goat cheese with mint, jamón serrano with garlic aioli, bacalao al pil pil, and hot honey with chorizo. Available during happy hour, the offerings are inventive yet stay true to the brand’s core identity, reinforcing that innovation and tradition can coexist.
Sergio’s photo
What’s Next for Sergio’s?
The Pinecrest location is still awaiting its full liquor license, which Cabrera confirmed is expected to be approved on January 20. While the restaurant is currently unable to sell alcohol, guests are welcome to bring their own without a corkage fee, and the team has been offering complimentary drinks in the interim. Looking ahead, the group is also developing a rooftop culinary concept on Coral Way, signaling that Sergio’s next chapter is unfolding with intention rather than haste.
As the restaurant marks its 50th anniversary, the Pinecrest opening feels more like a statement than an expansion. For Cabrera, it represents “Cuban roots with the spirit of Miami,” something he calls a privilege. In a city where restaurants often chase trends and experience constant turnover, Sergio’s remains anchored in heritage. By evolving thoughtfully, integrating into the community, and staying attuned to the needs of families, Sergio’s continues to prove its staying power.
After 20 years of trying, Pinecrest is finally ready for Sergio’s. And Sergio’s is exactly where it belongs.
Sergio’s Pinecrest. 11927 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami; 305-964-7322; sergios.com.
