After serving the region culinary delights for nearly 20 years, a Gulfport man is opening the city’s first empanaderia this May. Julio Pagan, dubbed “The Empanada King,” is the chef behind Julio’s Empanadas, opening soon at 2201 49th Street South in Gulfport. Pagan has been working on the restaurant for just over a year, and he’s eyeing May 15 as the official grand opening for Julio’s Empanadas inside the converted gas station featuring exterior artwork by Juan Colon. However, you may not have to wait that long to try out the fresh-baked empanadas and deviled crab. Pagan also bought a food truck, and he plans to start doing empanada samples on site as soon next week. Highlights on the empanada list include flat iron steak, fried garlic shrimp, pulled pork Cuban, and loaded meatball and mozz empanadas. Pagan also anticipates the Coco Rico Chicken empanada will become a quick favorite, chicken thigh in a sofrito coconut sauce made with his secret recipe. While the empanadas get the he...