TASTE 2024 miaminewtimes.com 8 TASTE 2024 miaminewtimes.com 8 “So, when I saw it on the mar- ket, I knew I had to own it.” When he took over, Wayside’s stock in trade was fresh local produce and the occasional shake. Tako knew he could do more for the community by expanding its offerings. But there was one thing he wasn’t about to mess with, and that was the market’s archaic system of keeping accounts — even accepting IOUs from chil- dren from time to time. “When I bought the market, they had maybe 50 accounts. Now, I have 400,” he says with a chuckle. “I do it with no scan- ning. I like to keep it old-school. If you change, all markets become the same thing. We have fami- lies that have four or five kids, and they all come. And the kids think they’re getting it for free. The young kid is like, singing, going, ‘Yay!’ It’s so wonderful.” The clientele is primarily locals — parents taking their children to and from school, cy- clists stopping in for a smoothie, passersby in search of a quick lunch. That said, come the weekend, tourists swing by to eat “where the locals do.” As for the shakes, you’re wel- come to go with something basic (Wayside is famous for its strawberry shakes), but the menu’s all over the map, from Miami- inspired flavors like mamey and guava to creative ones that kids gravitate to, like the “Elvis,” a classic mix of banana and peanut butter, or the cookies and cream. Also on of- fer: a variety of smoothies, juices, and prepared foods made fresh weekly. Standouts include the sig- nature curry chicken salad with dried cranberries, the tuna salad, and the chicken cashew salad. The abundance of loyal regulars underscores the old- school approach. Some custom- ers stop by several times a day. Many are former classmates of Tako or attended other or nearby schools and now have children of their own who they bring to Wayside. He’s some- thing of a local celebrity. If you become a regular at Wayside, chances are good that Tako will get to know you. He has a knack for listening to what each customer asks for, and if he doesn’t currently carry it, he’ll likely have it in stock within a few days. Maybe it’s those gluten-free vegan chips by a hip brand like Siete. He recently teamed with a friend to open a coffee bar inside the market. Empanadas and chocolate- chip muffins are on deck, too. “I add new products, but I’ve maintained the charm by adding local goods that you can only find here and vintage products you literally can’t find anywhere else. Every time customers ask me for something, a couple of weeks later, I have it. I even have Wagyu beef now,” he adds with a smile. Pinecrest Wayside Market. 10070 SW 57th Ave., Pinecrest. Open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun- day from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. I’ve maintained the charm by adding local goods that you can only find here. “MIAMI FOOD PORN” D ana Rozansky is the founder of Miami Food Porn, a drool-worthy visual plat- form that showcases delicious food across Miami and beyond. Reaching an audience of half a million across social media, Miami Food Porn has been recognized by media outlets, in- cluding CNN and the Food Network. Rozansky’s goal is to highlight the best culinary experiences in the 305 and around the world through engag- ing visuals and a lighthearted approach, never shying away from a sharp play on words or cheesy pun. Pinecrest Wayside Market (10070 SW 57th Ave., Pinecrest): “The Fruit Stand” is the place to snag fresh, colorful produce, score a homemade juice or smoothie, or stock up on sweet and salty treats. The faces behind the counter are the same ones you’ve been seeing since your af- terschool days. Talk about a gem. Piononos (328 Crandon Blvd., # 217, Key Biscayne): This unassuming spot on Key Bis- cayne offers lots of delicious sweets, but it’s really all about the pavlova. Always a crowd pleaser. Robert Is Here Fruit Stand (19200 SW 344th St., Homestead): If you don’t stop at Rob- ert Is Here on your way to the Keys, you’re doing it wrong. Best known for its iconic milkshakes, with unexpected flavor combinations like straw- berry-key lime, but also fun surprises like a full- blown farm out back. Shorty’s BBQ (9200 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami): Trendier barbecue spots have popped up on the scene, but Shorty’s is the OG. For more than 70 years, South Miami lo- cals have been flocking to this iconic spot for the ultimate comfort food: ribs and curly fries, of course. A.C.’s Icees (2470 S. Bayshore Dr., Miami): For more than 40 years, A.C.’s frosted lemonade has brought smiles and brain freezes that beat the Miami heat. It may be a household name to many, but this iconic truck still qualifies as a hidden gem. Frankie’s Pizza (9118 Bird Rd., Miami): Be- fore square pizza was “a thing,” there was Frankie’s. Conveniently located next to Bird Bowl, this spot has been serving cheesy good- ness since 1955. The best part? They give you a slice on top of your to-go box so you can dive in on the drive home. HIDDEN GEMS Miami_foodporn Miami_foodporn Dana Rozansky Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar Wayside Story from p4 Pinecrest Wayside Market, a hidden gem in South Miami-Dade
