Pedro & Vanessa Lara
When chef Pedro Lara and his wife, Vanessa, emerged from the pandemic, they never dreamed they’d soon be recognized as one of Miami’s Best Burger. Today they’re equal parts of the creative team behind Miami’s newest “it” burger, Coney Burger.
Coney Burger was born as a pop up at Smorgasburg Miami in March of 2022. Each Saturday, the couple worked through dozens of orders from hungry Smorgasburg guests looking for a taste of one of Miami’s best burgers. The lines kept growing steadily since they took the win at the Smorgasburg Burger Battle on June 11. Soon after that, the brand became popular for their take con Wagyu Beef, and Freshly baked buns! it was all they could have dreamed of.
Despite four years of studying industrial engineering, Pedro has always known his place was in a kitchen. Following graduation from the Mariano Moreno Culinary Institute in 2018, he began earning the title of executive chef at places like Palmar Miami , and most recently at the Michelin recognized, La Natural Miami.
Coney Burger’s recent ascent from a humble pop-up tent at Smorgasburg to a standalone brick-and-mortar restaurant is a testament to how much Miami love it’s received. Pedro and Vaness Lara, the powerhouse couple behind this culinary sensation, emerged from the pandemic eager to showcase their combined creativity in a delectable way — and could satisfy both meat-eaters and plant-based patrons alike. While the standalone location’s menu has expanded to include a smash burger, their pride and joy is still today “The Champ Burger”. For the carnivores, this is a beyond-juicy Wagyu patty procured from a local, a family-run ranch in Florida, seared to perfection, oozing with fatty goodness before it’s topped with a thick-cut slice of tarragon-seasoned pickled green heirloom tomato, a schmear of the chef’s egg yolk-based “happy sauce,” a tangy-sweet housemade yuzu mayo, and a sprinkling of chopped chives. Served on a plant based brioche bun fashioned after Japanese milk bread that’s squishy and buttery, like a brioche bao, making for the perfect end to a near-perfect burger.
The couple hoped for a future where they could serve Coney Burger more than once a week at Smorgasburg. And now that dream has become a reality with Coney Burger’s new spot. On the first year anniversary of Coney Burger, Pedro and Vanessa opened service to the first burger ventanita and sidewalk restaurant in Little Havana serving a menu heavy on American nostalgia with burgers, chili dogs, and mac and cheese.
What makes it different from your average burger stand is that—in addition to the usual meat versions—there are plant-based variations of everything on the menu. It’s all very good too, so this is a great option if you’re with a mixed group of vegans and non-vegans. If you’re not going for something plant-based, focus on the burgers. The thick champ burger is great if you’re kind of sick of smashburgers. If you’re not, their double smash burger is also excellent. The mac and cheese with plant-based pepperoni crumbles is our favorite vegan option. The eponymous vegetarian/vegan “Coney” burger curated for the plant-based crowd, it’s a made-from-scratch mushroom-based patty that combines Japanese maitake and oyster varieties with sweet potato, black beans, carrot, and a special seasoning blend before it’s outfitted with vegan cheese, lettuce, tomato, vegan cilantro aioli and Coney sauce, and “magic” fried onions.
In 2023 Coney Burger has been recognized by the likes of foodies, and writers with features in Infatuation Miami, The Hungry Post, and won the tittle “Best Burger Miami” editors choice by Miami New Times.
Coney Burger is Located at 2298 SW 8th St, Coney Burger offers a few high-top tables outside for you to enjoy one of our favorite burgers in town. With freshly made brioche buns and a variety of burgers that will make you question whether you should go plant-based for life.
