Cuban flavors and a Celia mural: The most Miami ice cream shop opens near Kendall

There’s a new place to get your fill of Burn in Hell Fidel.

Azucar, the gourmet ice cream company that specializes in Cuban-and-Miami-friendly flavors (hence Burn in Hell Fidel), has opened a new shop at the Suniland Shopping Center in Pinecrest.

Creator Suzy Batlle, who opened the original store in Little Havana near Domino Park, says that the Pinecrest location is perfect for her. A native South Floridian, she appreciates a short commute when she gets one.

“It takes me three minutes to get to the store,” she says happily.

Batlle had previously opened a pop-up in Downtown Dadeland (now closed permanently) to see if there was a market in South Dade. As it turns out, there was.

“I actually have lived in this neighborhood all my life,” she says. “For me, it’s a hometown.”

There’s also a little bit of good-natured revenge taking place, she says. The new Azucar is in the former space of the chain spot Tutti Frutti Pinecrest Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream (it also shares the plaza with Books & Books and that baby-back-rib giant, Flanigan’s).

“My kids used to cheat on me all the time and go to Tutti Frutti,” she jokes. “Now it comes full circle. It’s only fair that I move in.”

The new shop is a replica of the Little Havana Azucar, with the same sort of tile floors, even the same most popular flavor (Abuela Maria, with guava, cream cheese and Maria cookies). A giant, eye-catching mural of Celia Cruz by graffiti artist Diana “Didi Rok” Contreras adorns one wall. Batlle has longed used the work of local artists in the carts she uses for catering.

Other Azucar flavors include Domino (Oreo cookies and cream, for obvious reasons) and Willy Cherino (bourbon ice cream with dark cherries). Batlle says the shops are creating new flavors, too, including two based on the Girl Scout cookies Thin Mints and Samoas, plus rose ice cream with real rose petals and rose water for Valentine’s Day.

For the 10th year, the shop will participate in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Family Ice Cream Social at the Loew’s Hotel. The event is so popular it’s already sold out.

But don’t worry. You can still order Burn in Hell Fidel, chocolate ice cream with cayenne pepper, at the new store. It’s still a hit here and at Batlle’s shop in Dallas.

“They love it there,” she says. “They’re used to eating spicy chocolate.”

Azucar

Where: 11429 Dixie Highway, Pinecrest

More information: www.azucaricecream.com