A pandemic pop-up that enticed diners with huge slabs of slow-smoked brisket, spare ribs and sausage is making a comeback.
La Traila Barbecue, which popped up around South Florida in 2020 at spots like Unbranded Brewing in Hialeah, is opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant in South Miami. The restaurant is scheduled to open April 15.
This isn’t the first brick-and-mortar for the brand, led by Austin-born Mel Rodriguez. He and NFL player Isaiah McKenzie, a former star at American Heritage, opened the first La Traila in Miami Lakes in 2021, wowing customers with their brisket, pulled pork, smoked ribs and jalapeño sausage.
That spot closed after a couple of years, but Rodriguez never stopped thinking about barbecue.
Mel Rodriguez slow-smokes the meat in an M&M BBQ Company pit.
(Binson Renda)
“For me, this time it’s personal,” he said of the new restaurant opening. “It’s Texas metal, Miami energy and every lesson I’ve learned on one plate. We’re not repeating. We’re raising the standard and pushing the boundaries of what barbecue means in a city that’s finally becoming a true culinary destination.”
Located in the former space of Kalimera, a Mediterranean restaurant that specialized in Greek and Lebanese food, the new La Traila seats 160 diners inside and out, with picnic-style seating. Outside, two M&M BBQ Company pits smoke brisket and ribs throughout the day.
Erik Velasquez, Mel Rodriguez and Jerry Pasantes at La Traila Barbecue in South Miami.
(Binson Renda)
The menu makes use of the Tex-Mex background of Rodriguez, who has partnered with Erik Velasquez and Jerry Pasantes of Redemption Hospitality this time around. You’ll find the evidence in smoked Tejano churrasco skillet and the smoked beef cheek barbacoa, in the Tejas tacos, brisket burnt ends queso fundido and a smoke-ring scrap burger.
The restaurant will also serve Texas-style breakfast tacos every morning, homemade tortillas with smoked meat, eggs, potatoes and salsa. Rodriguez calls them “breakfast tacos the way Texas intended,” adding that they are “something Miami should’ve had a long time ago.”
Mel Rodriguez removes meat from the smokers at La Traila Barbecue.
(Binson Renda)
La Traila will have a full bar, serving drinks Rodriguez has paired to the meat-heavy menu, like a Sweet Tea Old Fashioned and the Mexican Martini, an Austin favorite.
It’s that sort of Texas authenticity that sets La Traila apart, Rodriguez believes.
“Guests know they’re getting something real,” he said. “The kind of barbecue you crave when you want an honest, soulful barbecue experience.
Brisket, sausage, ribs and sides from La Traila Barbecue, which is opening in South Miami.
La Traila Barbecue
Where: 5840 SW 71st St., South Miami
Opening: April 15
Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
More information: latraila-bbq.com