9 April 2-8, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | 3201 RICKENBACKER CWY, KEY BISCAYNE, FL 33149 305.361.3818 | WWW.THERUSTYPELICAN.COM BE SOCIAL WITH US! /RUSTYPELICANMIAMI Join us for SUNSET HOUR EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY 4PM-6:30PM miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | It’s the first and only U.S. location to earn this designation, which recognizes transparency in animal welfare, provenance, and aging processes. The steak program at Daniel’s, overseen by culi- nary director Daniel Ganem, is built on partnerships with ranches across the world. The program fea- tures premium cuts from producers, including May- ura Station in South Australia and Cape Grim in Tasmania. Additionally, it sources from Rosewood Ranch in Texas and DemKota in South Dakota. Locally, the kitchen sources from Florida ranches, including Suwannee River Wagyu, Providence Cattle, and Arrowhead Beef. One of the restaurant’s key service features is a tableside prime rib cart, available at both Daniel’s locations. Operated by Thomas Angelo and his daugh- ter, Kassidy Angelo of Gioia Hospitality Group, the restaurant took over the former Fiola Miami space in July 2025. This move followed the suc- cess of their first location, Daniel’s A Florida Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale. Their Fort Lau- derdale location was recently named the best steakhouse in Florida by Tasting Table. The space was refurbished to include Daniel’s Bar, a high-end sports bar area with multiple TVs that mirrors the setup at their Fort Lauderdale outpost. Meanwhile, the Gioia team is moving for- ward with La Sponda, an upscale waterfront res- taurant at Vita at Grove Isle. That project is expected to debut later this year. Daniel’s Miami. 1500 San Ignacio Ave., Coral Gables; danielssteak.com/miami. OLEE FOWLER ▼ SOUTH MIAMI PIT CREW Miami’s relationship with barbecue has always been a combination of high hopes and quick closings. However, one of the few major success stories from the pandemic era is finally return- ing to the city. And this one’s got some true Texan flair. On Wednesday, April 15, La Traila Barbecue will officially fire up the pits at its new South Mi- ami home at 5840 SW 71st St. It became so popu- lar during the pandemic that it won New Times’ Best Barbecue in 2021. Austin-born pitmaster Mel Rodriguez is back at the helm, this time partnering with the Re- demption Hospitality team to bring his smoked meats to a new neighborhood. La Traila first blew up in 2020 as a first-come, first-served pandemic pop-up that eventually moved to a brick-and- mortar spot in Miami Lakes. After a brief hiatus, Rodriguez is heading south and leaning even harder into his “Tejano” roots, aiming to provide a version of Texas-style grit that is usually missing from the South Miami suburbs. Fans can expect a kitchen that is anchored by two massive M&M BBQ Company pits that handle the heavy lifting. The menu covers the basics, like authentic Texan brisket, spare ribs, and pulled pork. But it also gets into the “Off the Block” items like a “Smoke Ring Scrap Burger” made from the trim- mings of the daily brisket haul, and a beef cheek barbacoa that skips the usual liquid smoke short- cuts for actual pit time. The most practical addition to the new location is the morning program. Starting at 9 a.m. daily, La Traila will serve Texas-style breakfast tacos. In a city where breakfast tacos are almost nonexistent, he’s taking a cue from his Austin roots and bringing them to the Magic City. Rodriguez is using house-made flour tortillas stuffed with smoked meats, eggs, and crispy potatoes. The new space is designed for 160 people, blending a Texas-industrial aesthetic with an in- door-outdoor layout. They have also added a full bar, and you’ll also find the Mexican Martini on the drink list, an Austin legend that’s served “up” with a kick of olive juice. La Traila Barbecue photo The Porterhouse steak at Daniel’s Miami. Authentic Texas BBQ joint La Traila Barbecue will open in South Miami this month. Taste Test from p8 Photo by The Louis Collection
