12 August 7-13, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | International University’s Caplin News in 2021. When the pandemic shuttered dozens of small businesses, Grabiel made sure Wall’s didn’t become another statistic. He added a walk-up window and expanded outdoor seating to keep the scoops flowing safely. “I’m happy we’re still here and we never had to shut down,” he told the media outlet. The walk-up window is absolutely adorable. With a giant hand-painted “Ice Cream & Shakes” sign and a mural of vintage ‘50s cars parked out- side a movie theatre, the shop can truly transport customers to a bygone era of American culture. Plus, there’s plenty of seating in its front patio and inside the scoop shop. The new location carries on its legacy with the same classic charm. Although smaller and lo- cated in a shopping plaza, the interior has those iconic red and white striped walls and its signa- ture logo outside. Here, you can find all of the classic flavors, like cookie dough, “Cookies n’ Cream,” dulce de leche, “Mint Flake,” and “Oreo Heath Bar,” in addi- tion to its legendary “Great Wall Challenge,” a six- pound mountain of ice cream, bananas, brownies, and toppings. Conquer it, and your photo earns a place on the “Wall of Fame.” Whether you visit the original South Miami lo- cation or drive to its new digs, Wall’s has always been more than just a dessert shop. Wall’s is the kind of neighborhood ice cream parlor where lo- cals gather during hurricanes, holidays, and even hard times. It’s even open every day of the year except Thanksgiving. “This is more than just an ice cream shop,” Grabiel told Caplin News. “It’s part of the family.” With its expansion, Wall’s is serving more than scoops — it’s serving up sweet memories, one cone at a time. Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream - Sunset Drive. 9521 Sunset Dr.; wallsicecreamfl.com. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ DESIGN DISTRICT ITAMAE AO HAS CLOSED Following weeks of industry whispers, Itamae AO, chef-owner Nando Chang’s acclaimed 10-seat omakase counter, offered its final dinner service on August 2. The announcement follows the July 5 closure of Maty’s, the award-winning restaurant run by Chang’s sister, Valerie, whose departure set the stage for Itamae AO’s inevitable move. In a statement shared with New Times days before the closure, a representative for Itamae AO confirmed the closure, citing the restaurant’s current location — physically accessed through the now-shuttered Maty’s — as the primary rea- son for the decision. “Itamae AO has always been closely tied to Maty’s — not just because my sister was its chef but because it literally serves as the entrance to our restaurant,” Nando says. “When she stepped away, we knew it would soon be time for us to move on as well.” The closure caps off a milestone year for Nando and his team. He had just opened Itamae AO in May 2024, his first solo venture after running the former Itamae as a food hall spot with his family in the Design District and B-Side Sushi in Wynwood. This was his first major break into the scene as a solo chef, and his ambitions paid off. “While I’ve been cooking professionally for some time now, it was only in the last few years that I’ve fully come to understand who I am as a chef and my culinary identity, one that can blend seamlessly with my family’s point of view while also standing out on my own,” Nando told New Times in a May 2024 interview. “The journey Ita- mae has been on since it first opened in a food hall has been nothing less than amazing, and I’m looking forward to showing off this latest version as Itamae AO and for Miami to enjoy our food once again, this time in the form of the Nikkei ex- perience.” Less than a year later, in April 2025, Itamae AO received its first Michelin star, cementing its status as one of Miami’s most coveted dining ex- periences. It was a major career milestone for Nando, who was named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs back in September 2023. A restaurant within a restaurant, the 10- seat omakase coun- ter featured inventive Peruvian Nikkei cui- sine with Japanese influences. The way he reworked, reimag- ined, and refined those Peruvian-Japanese dishes made a na- tional impact. Just weeks later, Nando was honored with the 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef: South. Despite this momentum, the logistical challenge of operating in a space bound to Maty’s proved unsustainable. While the current chapter of Itamae AO is coming to a close, Nando made it clear that the restaurant is not disappearing for good, even posting on Instagram, “Itamae AO isn’t going away. We’re excited to find our new home.” He’s actively scouting new locations, both in Miami and beyond, with plans to reopen once the right space is secured. In the meantime, he’s personally assisted his team in finding new roles to ensure a smooth transition. This summer, Nando will bring his celebrated Nikkei cuisine on the road, hosting pop-ups at Birch in Milwaukee (August 15-16), Penny in New York City (August 26), and Massara, also in New York (September 17). Additional dates will be an- nounced via Itamae AO’s social channels. “I’m incredibly grateful for the great run we’ve had in this special space and so proud of the year we’ve had,” Nando says. “Itamae AO isn’t going away — I’m excited to find our new home.” NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ HIALEAH THIS OLD-SCHOOL DELI SERVES THE BEST SANDWICH IN U.S. You’d think the best, meatiest, most mouthwater- ing sandwich shop in America would be tucked somewhere in Brooklyn, New York, San Francisco, California, or Austin, Texas, or maybe a hole-in- the-wall in Hoboken, New Jersey. But nope — the crown has landed all the way down in Miami, Florida. And not on South Beach, not in Brickell, not even in Wynwood. We’re talking Hialeah, baby! A Cuban stronghold where the bread is al- ways toasted just right, the meats are stacked sky-high, and the vibe feels like your abuelo’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon. According to Yelp, the best sandwich shop in the U.S. is Franky’s Deli Warehouse in Hialeah, Florida. Founded in 1999 by husband-and-wife duo Franky and Nanette Diaz, Franky’s has been a neighborhood staple for decades. It’s beloved for its made-to-order sandwiches and old-school, no-frills charm. The sandwich shop even won New Times’ Best Sandwich Shop 2023 award. With more than 700 reviews averaging a near- perfect 4.9 stars (just a smidge away from 5 stars), the family-owned shop has officially out- shone every other deli in America on Yelp’s rank- ings this year. And while the recognition may be new, Hialeah regulars have been singing Franky’s praises for decades. The story of Franky’s Deli is one built on Cu- ban grit and good old-fashioned hard work. Be- fore opening his namesake deli, Franky honed his skills working for Subway Corp., training franchise owners in the art of sandwich-making, while Na- nette gained her customer service chops during more than a decade at UPS. When they com- bined their talents 25 years ago, they had one goal: to create a deli where great food and even better hospitality came standard. And it’s working. Walk into Franky’s on any given day and you’ll likely be greeted by name — even if it’s only your second visit. “When I walked in, I immediately knew I would love this place — the owners were greeting all their regulars like family and even recognized second- time customers!” writes Yelp reviewer Joy R. That same warmth has earned Franky’s a spot not just on Yelp’s list of top delis nationwide, but also on its “Best Sandwich in Every State” roundup for Florida. Of course, the accolades wouldn’t mean much if the sandwiches didn’t deliver, but they do. The “Famous Italian,” piled high with ham, capicola, salami, and provolone, is the undis- puted fan favorite, best enjoyed hot off the grill as the flavors meld into perfect harmony. The “Philly Cheesesteak,” slathered in a secret sauce and topped with melted smoked provolone, is another cult classic, while the tuna sub has in- spired shockingly passionate reviews (“A tuna sub has no business tasting this good,” quips one Yelp Elite member). For Franky and Nanette, the recognition is just the cherry on top of what they’ve been building for a quarter-century. “We just wanted a place where people felt at home and could count on a really good sandwich,” Nanette says. Hialeah lo- cals will tell you: mission accomplished — and now, the rest of America knows it too. Franky’s Deli Warehouse. 2596 W. 84th St, Hialeah; 305-827-5366; frankysdeli.com. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR Photo by Michael Cedeño Chef Nando Chang took center stage with his first solo restaurant, Itamae AO, which will serve its last dinner service on August 2. NANDO MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE RESTAURANT IS NOT DISAPPEARING FOR GOOD.
