When you walk into Hole in the Wall in Kings Bay Shopping Center in Palmetto Bay, chances are you’ll run into a friend, neighbor or an old classmate. These impromptu reunions are music to pub owner Sam Diedrick’s ears.
“This area really needed a neighborhood tavern,” Diedrick said. “I was born on this street [SW 144th Street] and have been coming to the businesses in this center for the past 40 years. It’s a dream to own a place in the neighborhood that you grew up in.”
Diedrick and his partner, Craig Erickson, opened Hole in the Wall on New Year’s Day 2010. Tucked in the southeast corner of the center, this neighborhood secret has a hometown vibe, complete with a friendly back-door entrance and its own convenient parking.
“New customers will come in through the front door, but when they come back, they come through the back door,” Diedrick said. “When some people discover us, they say ‘I’ve been looking for you all year.’ There’s really a great feeling in here.”
The secret is out and on game days the pub is packed. There are plenty of flat screens inside to watch the ball games and one on the front patio. Be warned, when you come to Hole in the Wall, you’re entering Canes territory. Diedrick has even taken a Hole in the Wall fan bus to a recent Hurricanes home football game and has plans to do more.
“Twenty five dollars gets you to and from the game and a great tailgating party with friends, beer and burgers,” Diedrick added.
Both Diedrick and Erickson attended the University of Miami. Many will recognize Erickson from his football career with the Canes and the NFL. He was the starting quarterback of Miami’s 1989 national championship team and played in the NFL for seven years as quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears.
Many also will recognize Diedrick, because he has been in the restaurant business in Miami since he was 19 and spent 18 years serving locals at Keg South in Pinecrest.
Hole in the Wall offers 12 beers on tap, $6 domestic pitchers during the Hurricanes and Dolphins’ games and $1 domestic drafts Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The pub’s menu features game day favorites like burgers, fries, dolphin sandwiches and wings, as well as healthy salad options. Diedrick’s famous grilled wings come mild, medium and hot in flavors such as barbecue, honey, garlic.
“The wings are definitely a crowd favorite,” Diedrick said. “We fill large to-go orders for parties, events and tailgating every weekend.”
Hole in the Wall also is taking its menu “on the road” to cater upcoming elementary school festivals at Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay schools. As a hometown boy and sports fan, Diedrick said it’s important to him to support the local school events and sports programs such as Palmetto softball, volleyball and baseball teams; South Dade High School baseball and Howard Palmetto baseball.
Hole in the Wall is now open for lunch, Monday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sundays at noon and remains open until “last call” each night. The grill keeps cooking each evening until 11 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Hole in the Wall is located at 14421 S. Dixie Hwy. in the southeast corner of Kings Bay Shopping Center and the phone number is 786-227-6058. For more info, go online to Facebook/HoleintheWall.
