Tampa Bay Times
"New restaurant opens in St. Petersburg's Tyrone area: Julio's Latin Twist"
Read on tampabay.com
Gulfport · Florida
One Bite — Change Your Life.
Hand-folded empanadas, bowls, and Latin plates from Chef Julio. Served hot in Gulfport since 2024.
As Seen In
St. Petersburg Foodies
"Gulfport Just Got a Little Tastier with Julio's Empanadas"
Read on stpetersburgfoodies.com
Meet Julio
My name is Julio. — This is my restaurant.
I opened my first place in the Tyrone area of St. Petersburg in 2023, under the name Julio's Latin Twist. In January 2024 we moved to Gulfport and became Julio's Empanadas. The name changed. The recipes didn't.
I cook the food I grew up on. I name it after the people I grew up with. The empanadas are folded by hand every morning, the signature sweet onion sauce is mine, and the Cuban sandwich is the one people drive across town for.
Come in. Ask me what to order. I'll be the one in the black shirt.
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The Food
Folded by hand — every morning.
Signature
The Traditional Beef Empanada
Hand-folded golden crust, slow-cooked beef, and the sweet onion sauce we're known for.
Shrimp Bowl
Rice, beans, garlic shrimp, and pico.
Julio's Cheeseburger
Brioche, two potato balls, crispy cheese.
Special Empanadas
Deviled crab, jalapeño steak, plantain steak — rotating.
Recognition
The trophies, on the wall.
World's Best Popular Empanada
Taste Latino · Hard Rock Tampa · Hillsborough County · 2025
Best of BusinessRate 2024
Gulfport Restaurant of the Year
Come Find Us
Come find us in Gulfport.
2201 49th Street South · Tuesday through Sunday.
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The Sauces, Too.
Take the heat home.
The signature sweet onion sauce that comes with every empanada is bottled and ready to go. Pick up a small at the counter, or a large for the table.
Small
$5
Large
$10
