Sunday's Eatery — The Heart and Soul of Miami Gardens
Every day at Sunday’s Eatery feels like the weekend. This fast-casual restaurant in the heart of Miami Gardens — just a 5-minute drive from Hard Rock Stadium — provides that feel-good environment reminiscent of sitting around the dinner table with your closest family and friends. The restaurant opened its doors in 2019 after a delay due to Hurricane Dorian and swiftly outgrew its initial location thanks to overwhelming support from the community. They found a permanent home at 18367 N.W. 27th Avenue where patrons can revel in their hospitality every day, except Tuesdays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday’s Eatery is the brainchild of Latosia Colvin, the co-owner, affectionately dubbed the “culinary queen.” Her beloved grandmother, Velma, was the inspiration for the restaurant’s ambiance and name, evoking the soul-nourishing spirit of her own family’s unforgettable Sunday gatherings.
Though they were friends for several years, an unexpected twist of fate brought Colvin together with the renowned rapper Trick Daddy, who is a partner and co-owner in the business, and their shared passion for the flavors of southern-style cooking infused the menu with even more culinary magic.
Sunday’s puts a contemporary twist on traditional African-American soul food, serving up southern dishes like chicken wings, macaroni and cheese, and ribs, but with a spin. For instance, “Sunday’s Fried Ribs” is Trick’s ingenious fusion of two classics — fried pork chops and ribs — and is an absolute fan favorite. Likewise, Colvin’s Baked Turkey Wings are celebrated for their unbeatable flavor. Sunday’s Blue Paradise, a unique take on a classic lemonade and iced tea, is currently the restaurant’s colorful calling card.
Ingredients are thoughtfully sourced from local suppliers in Miami Gardens and the greater Miami-Dade area, fostering a strong connection with the community. Moreover, the restaurant actively creates opportunities for young people to gain valuable skills in the restaurant industry, setting them on a path to brighter futures. “We consider Sunday’s a ‘cultural necessity’ and a ‘space of inclusion.’ We’re hiring staff members from varying backgrounds with social challenges and others with legal hardships,” a Sunday’s representative proudly shared.
In times of adversity, Sunday’s Eatery stands with its community. During the challenging months of the COVID-19 pandemic, they provided free breakfasts to Miami Gardens public servants, and their commitment continues through ongoing efforts to assist and nourish families facing hardship.
The restaurant has hosted major celebrities, including Snoop Dog, Miami Garden’s own Rick Ross, State Representative Frederica Wilson, celebrity chef Carla Hall, and even Rihanna, who declared it the “best meal in Miami.”
Plans for locations in Broward County and other major cities are already in motion. At the end of the day, it’s not just a meal — it’s an experience that captures the heart and soul of Miami Gardens.
ToppCuttaz: “Shearing” Good Vibes, One Trim at a Time
In the era of chain salons and impersonal “in-and-out” services, ToppCuttaz — a small, family-oriented personal care business — embraces both craftsmanship and community.
With a passion for personalized service, owner Michael Stephens says ToppCuttaz was “a concept based on a necessity.” Stephens envisioned a one-stop-shop that would encompass all the services offered at other grooming facilities: the typical separate hair salon, barber shop, spa, and nail bar. In 2013 he established an operation to fulfill all these needs. The brand he founded has now grown to two locations: the original shop located at 19874 N.W. 27th Avenue and ToppCuttaz 2.0 at 17227 on the same street.
"Mom, Dad, children, and even the grandparents can get their beauty fix here," he said. The shops offer a myriad of services ranging from unisex mani-pedis, men's and women’s cuts, facials, expert braiding, natural hair and loc services, fades, tapers, hi-def designs, and more.
Aside from the skilled hands that care for your hair, ToppCuttaz also offers a haven where every client becomes part of a close-knit community. From offering a stack of free takeaway books at both locations to incentivizing academic success in exchange for discounted or even free services, ToppCuttaz has established a commitment to supporting Miami Gardens' youngest residents. The shop hosts annual book bag giveaways at the start of the school year and mentoring programs to support the academic and personal development of the City's youth.
Stephens and his team also sponsor, arrange and/or host other community efforts, like financial literacy seminars and organized voter registrations. They are also avid proponents of mental health awareness, advocating for and organizing events to provide information and resources to those in need. "We are committed to elevating our community," Stephens proudly boasts.
Looking to the future, Stephens is excited to introduce “The University of ToppCuttaz,” a comprehensive beauty and barber institute that will offer vocational training for at-risk youth and people re-entering society after incarceration. In its 10 years of operation, ToppCuttaz has become a pillar of the Miami Gardens community, and the impact they create reaches far beyond its salon walls.
PowerFuel Smoothie Shop II: Power Up with Health and Flavor
In a world where unhealthy fast food is often the most convenient choice, a spot that caters to both health and good taste is valuable for those seeking to live a healthier life and feed their families with care. Head east on Miami Gardens Drive, and you'll find PowerFuel Smoothie Shop II, a local business that offers a diverse menu that is as wholesome as it is delicious.
Food That Feeds the Soul
Since its opening in January 2021, this family-owned business has been serving a variety of healthy options, ranging from smoothies and fresh vegetable juices to wraps, quesadillas, salads, açai, and fruit bowls, even offering a vegan menu. Fanny Maidana, the passionate owner of the brand, explains that the eatery was inspired by a need that she observed. "My restaurants allowed me to create a business where I feel I'm helping my community by providing them with a healthy alternative when lunchtime arrives."
What sets PowerFuel apart from the crowd is their commitment to food quality and personalized nutrition. Their menu boasts only the best locally sourced produce, protein powder, and yogurt, and they carry more than 30 different supplements — from natural vitamins to seeds and veggies — that you can add to boost your meal. "There's so much junk food around that makes people sick," Maidana says. "We bring fresh ingredients with an honest menu that we can customize to fit everyone's dietary needs."
Community Connection
Fresh and natural ingredients are the name of the game, with a little bit of home added in. The baked empanadas, a lunchtime favorite, are a family recipe passed down from Maidana's mother. Patrons can often be seen sipping on the Tropical Twist, the most popular smoothie, made with pineapple, mango and passion fruit. For bites, the Spicy Chicken Wrap with juicy chicken breast, cheddar cheese, fresh vegetables, and homemade spicy Caesar dressing is a popular order. And the shop's rewards program, beloved by regulars, further sweetens the deal, allowing patrons to earn free treats from points collected at every purchase.
But it's not just about the food. Gratefully, Maidana says, "The community in Miami Gardens changed our life. I've owned restaurants in other cities, but there's something special here."
Customer testimonials echo the sentiment, praising the shop for its freshness, flavor, and affordability. From headaches relieved by natural juices to energy boosts from nutrient-packed smoothies, the benefits of PowerFuel are becoming essential for many residents.
As PowerFuel Smoothie Shop expands its reach, Maidana remains focused on giving back. "We offer large discounts to non-profit organizations and have a discount program for all law enforcement and firefighters," she shares.
Looking ahead, Maidana envisions further growth and outreach, with plans to explore franchising opportunities. Still, one thing remains constant: a deep-rooted love for Miami Gardens and its residents. "We love Miami Gardens, and we are here to stay," she says.
PowerFuel Smoothie Shop II is located at 57 N.W. 183 St and operates seven days a week with the following hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Moonflower Essentials
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that self-care is vital. Entrepreneur May Reign is dedicated to nurturing that mindset with wellness at the forefront of her business, Moonflower Essentials. Located off N.W. 27th Avenue in the Gardens Promenade, the boutique has quickly become a staple for wellness resources in Miami Gardens.
Here you can get homemade goods, like moisturizers made from the highest quality butter and oils. Patrons may also participate in invigorating experiences like unique candle-making classes focused on relaxing the mind and body and encouraging positive mental health. "Candle-making was not only aromatherapeutic," she said, "it also stimulated a relaxation response that was good for the heart and soul!"
Reign started this venture after using candle-making in her personal life as an escape from the mundane. "I was a single mother when I started this company. I was both broke and broken," she said. "A Moonflower blooms in the darkness, thus the name of my company." It soon became a profitable side-hustle, but when she began incorporating other products into her lineup, Reign discovered how beneficial natural wellness is and wanted to bring this game-changing lifestyle to the community more substantially.
The business is the first Black-owned candle bar in the City. "There are candle bars in many affluent neighborhoods, such as Miami Beach and Wynwood. I wanted to create the same experience in my community," Reign said. Since opening the brick-and-mortar location in July of 2022, Moonflower Essentials has provided Miami Gardens residents, particularly women, with exceptional service and products. Reign herself has also been a stalwart community advocate. Through the business, she has facilitated a team-building candle workshop for Miami Norland's girls' basketball team and a Broward College workshop for 52 students that Student Life Advisors said was excellent for the group's mental health. She is now looking to bring the same experience to seniors as well.
The community can't get enough of Moonflower Essentials, with one client sharing that the new location functions as a relaxing, safe space to decompress. This client also loved creating a unique fragrance blend during a workshop and attaching her own affirmation to the candle's label. "Taking time to replenish and relax determines how you show up in the world, which is why I am inspired to introduce women to wellness and self-care," said Reign. "It is the greatest form of women's empowerment."
Reign also hosts a community open mic poetry event called Ink Therapy. The platform went virtual online during the COVID-19 shutdown but is slated for an in-person relaunch, starting with intimate live shows at Moonflower Essentials in November.
Moonflower Essentials is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The store is also a community vendor and can be spotted as a popup at various events throughout the City. For more information on the boutique or to purchase your products, visit mayreign.com.