You are sure to find a fuchsia-colored stand with a half moon logo while walking through campus to a class in Dooly or the School of Communication. Half Moon empanadas have been a large part of UM since they opened their first on-campus kiosk in 2011.
Half Moon was founded in 2008 by husband and wife Juan Zivala and Pilar Guzmán Zavala. Their first takeout-centered store opened in Miami Beach where joggers and tourists would grab the popular Miami treat. People loved the food, however the store was not as profitable as they planned it to be.
After attending a street food festival and selling all their empanadas, they knew the kiosk model was the way to go for their business.
Half Moon’s philosophy is to, “nourish the hustle and heart behind every journey.”
“Everything we do is built around our philosophy of ‘grab-and-go greatness,’” Marcella Lissandrelli, Director of Retail Operations at Half Moon said. “Just like our food, our team is all about leveling up, moving forward and being ambitious.”
Half Moon now has 25 kiosk locations nationwide, including spots at major airports like Miami International Airport. It also just opened its first-ever store this past June in South Miami, located at 6625 S. Dixie Hwy.
The University kiosk menu includes a variety of empanada flavors ranging from sweet to savory, as well as a coffee and tea.
The three sweet empanadas are Dulce de Leche, Guava and Cheese and Nutella. The savory empanadas include Beef, Chicken, Ham and Cheese and Bacon Egg and Cheese, with Spicy Chicken being the most popular savory flavor. All empanadas are priced at $4.67.
Half Moon takes pride in its empanadas. Employees dice the meats, make the white sauce for the spinach empanada, cook the bacon, egg and cheese with real omelette-style eggs and slow roast the pork with BBQ sauce and guava.
The drink menu includes espresso, cappuccino, cortadito, a Cuban-style espresso drink, hot tea and even hot chocolate. It even serves organic coffee catered towards fueling college students.
“My favorite drink is an iced latte with almond milk,” UM freshman Gaby Wakszol said. “They have amazing coffee.”
Half Moon also sells empanada and drink combos. Combo one has one empanada and one soda or brewed coffee for $6.81, and Combo two includes two empanadas and one soda or brewed coffee for $9.95.
“A box of empanadas is ideal for a dorm get-together, watching a game or movie with friends, or even tailgating before kickoff,” Lissandrelli said.
Half Moon views Miami as its home and they plan to continue to build here and stay true to their fast, convenient, delicious philosophy. Their vision is to make the empanada as iconic as the burger or taco in America.
You don’t need to be an empanada lover to like something at Half Moon, it has something for everyone.