Frankie & Wally’s, the lasagna pop-up turned food-truck favorite, is finally putting down permanent roots in Coral Gables. The duo behind the brand is opening Frankie & Wally’s Gourmet Market & Deli on Palermo Avenue, with a preview event running today (Saturday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a soft opening scheduled for next Wednesday, Feb. 18. The compact spot is set up as a New York-style deli counter meets Italian grocery, with a covered outdoor patio where customers can linger over sandwiches and coffee.
From lasagna deliveries to a brick-and-mortar
The story started in the lockdown era, when Frankie & Wally’s was simply a lasagna delivery project shuttling trays to hungry locals. That operation evolved into a food truck parked outside Superblue in Allapattah, building a following for the brand’s layered specialty. The chefs, who met in culinary school, have been working toward a permanent home at 216 Palermo Ave. after months of construction and delays, according to Miami New Times.
What they'll serve and sell
The new Coral Gables shop keeps Frankie & Wally’s signature lasagna front and center and builds out a full deli lineup. New York-style sandwiches will include The Wally, made with golden-roasted turkey and Muenster; The Frankie, stacked with ham, salami and white American; and the Il Padrino, featuring mortadella. Shelves in the market will be stocked with specialty groceries imported from Italy and Spain alongside local Miami brands. A specialty coffee bar, pastries, rotisserie chicken and salads will round out the offerings, according to Frankie & Wally's.
When to stop by
For anyone eager to get an early bite, the preview runs today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the soft opening slated for Wednesday, Feb. 18. The storefront at 216 Palermo Ave. includes a covered patio and outdoor seating. Local coverage and filings note operating hours and seating details, as reported by Business Debut.
Gables context
The arrival of a neighborhood market and deli lands in the middle of a broader shuffle of openings and closures around Miracle Mile and Ponce Circle Park, as operators experiment with concepts and respond to rising costs and changing foot traffic patterns. That churn includes recent high-profile exits, such as the end-of-an-era Lotus Garden closure, a reminder of why a hybrid deli-and-grocery model could appeal to both morning coffee regulars and lunchtime office crowds.
Where to follow
Frankie & Wally’s is listing full menu details and contact information on its website, and the owners have been sharing updates on social media in the lead-up to opening. For more information and future hours, visit Frankie & Wally's.
