Tyrone. — Where it started.
In July 2023, Julio opened a small counter-service restaurant in the Tyrone area of St. Petersburg. He called it Julio's Latin Twist. The concept was simple: the food he grew up cooking, served fast, served hot, priced so people could come twice a week.
The Tampa Bay Times showed up a few weeks in. So did the neighbors. The line, most days, went out the door.
But the building wasn't the right building. The kitchen wasn't the right kitchen. And when the lease came up, Julio and the team started looking for somewhere that felt more like home.
Gulfport. — The name changed.
In January 2024 we moved to Gulfport and rebranded as Julio's Empanadas. The name changed because the empanadas were always the thing people drove across town for — it felt right to put them on the sign.
The recipes didn't change. The Cuban sandwich didn't change. The sweet onion sauce didn't change. The building did — we finally had a real kitchen, a patio, and a wall big enough to paint a mural.
St. Petersburg Foodies came by that first week and called us "a little tastier." A year later, Gulfport voted us their restaurant of the year.
The team — runs the room.
A restaurant is not one person. Here's who you'll meet when you walk in the door.
Julio — Owner & Executive Chef
The recipes, the sauces, the sandwiches are his. If you see the mural, the guy in the mural is also the guy in the black shirt at the pass.
Anthony — Sous Chef
Runs the line with Julio and keeps the empanada trays moving. The one most likely to be caught sipping a drink through a straw between rushes.
Rena — Event & Catering Coordinator
If you want us at your party, you want Rena. Usually holding court at the patio table working through the week's bookings.
Out in the — neighborhood.
We're not only at 2201 49th Street South. If there's a festival, a block party, a farmers market, or a Tampa Bay event going on — there's a decent chance the Julio's truck is there too.
Watch our Instagram for where we'll be this weekend, or book the truck for your event on our catering page. And if you see us rolling through Gulfport, wave.
Follow @jempanadaslatintwist
The story's better — over a plate.
Walk in any day we're open. Chef Julio will probably be the one who takes your order.