Miami’s Pandemic Pie Guy Finds New Home in Coconut Grove

In Miami’s West Coconut Grove neighborhood, former television producer Joshua Abril has found a permanent home for Fookem’s Fabulous, his popular Key lime pie pop-up. The dessert shop focuses solely on variations of the South Florida classic and marks a major step for the company that began as a home-based pie stand in 2020 during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new storefront features Abril’s popular sea salt graham cracker pie crust in every dish. The menu includes whole pies in varieties like classic Key lime and Key lime-guava (known as “The Station 8” and popular among local firefighters). A Key lime-espresso version incorporates coffee from local roaster Café Vidita, while a tropical blend combines Key lime with coconut. Daily rotating mini pies include these staples alongside seasonal offerings like pineapple or tahini options.

Abril, who lost his television production job in 2020, started baking and selling Key lime pies from his house to make ends meet. What began as a pandemic pivot has since grown into a wholesale operation supplying pies to five Miami restaurants, two markets, and the Downtown Miami food hall Julia & Henry’s.

“Miami has really gone under the knife over the last few years. There was a drift-woody coziness that’s become hard to find. I still get that feeling in West Grove,” Abril said. “Big cosmetic changes are working their way here quickly, and I like the idea that Fookem’s Fabulous’ being here might ease the transition.”

The Key lime pie company even received an unexpected boost this year when Florida Panthers goaltending coach Rob Tallas requested one of Abril’s pies to eat from the Stanley Cup following the team’s 2024 NHL championship victory — and apparently marks the first time a Key lime pie has been served from the trophy.

Fookem’s Fabulous is open daily from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 3606 Grand Avenue.