Pincho Factory Opening at AAA: Croquetesa and Wynwood Brewing Beer

There's one more reason to score your Heat tickets early this year.

American Airlines Arena has announced its newest food and drink options available during Miami Heat games, and one of them is hometown favorite Pincho Factory.

The burger and pincho restaurant with locations in Coral Gables and on Bird Road, has been planning an expansion into Hialeah, as well as franchise opportunities, but this latest turn at AAA was a surprise move by partners Nedal Ahmad, Otto Othman, and Nizar Ahmad.  “We are extremely excited to work with our amazing home team and to serve our fellow Heat fans at the games,” said Nedal Ahmad.

The really big news is that the AAA outpost, located in section 325, will serve the restaurant's burger that won the People's Choice award at the 2015 South Beach Wine and Food Festival's Burger Bash, the croquetesa. This monster consists of a three meat blend patty breaded and fried, basically turning the meat into a giant croqueta. The patty is then topped with Swiss cheese, pickled, mustard, and mayo, and presented on a brioche roll. Fans of the mondo-burger/croqueta hybrid clamor for the sandwich that's normally only available twice a year.

Rounding out the menu are tostones, fries, sweet potato tots, and steak and chicken pinchos. The pinchos, by the way, can also be converted into salads or subs. Arena prices are not available at this time.

In addition to chow, Pincho Factory at the AAA will offer 627 Ale, brewed exclusively for Pincho Factory by Wynwood Brewing Company.  The beer, named the balance of Nedal Ahmad's bank account after he opened the flagship restaurant, $6.27, is a farmhouse ale/saison, brewed with key lime peel and coriander. 

In case there are any people in Hialeah wondering just when that promised Pincho Factory at 4950 West 12th Ave., in the former Koki's BBQ space, will finally put out the welcome sign, the Pincho partners are planning on a fall 2015 opening. “Opening in Hialeah is a definite homecoming for us,” says founder Nedal Ahmad.  The partners also plan on going forward with franchising their business. Although no locations have been announced, the franchises will double the store count by the end of 2015, according to partner Otto Othman. "“We had franchise operations in place before Burger Bash, but the win changed things for us."

If you find yourself in New York in the fall, the boys will be showcasing their burgers at the New York City Wine & Food Festival's Blue Moon Burger Bash on Friday, October 16, to melt the hearts of Manhattanites and take the trophy home to Miami!