Axios Miami

November 20, 2025
๐ Happy Thursday! We're a week away from Thanksgiving.
โ๏ธ Weather: Sunny, high near 81. Low of 74.
โ๏ธ Sounds like: "Leaving On A Jet Plane," by John Denver.
Today's newsletter is 1,086 words โ a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: โ๏ธ Thanksgiving travel surge
Buckle up, Thanksgiving travelers. Miami International Airport expects to set a new holiday travel record with 1.96 million fliers between Friday and Dec. 2.
Why it matters: AAA predicts a record-breaking 81.8 million Americans will leave town for Thanksgiving this year, and that Florida will be the most popular domestic travel destination.
- At least 73 million people โ 90% of all Thanksgiving travelers โ will go by car.
Yes, but: Don't expect empty airports.
- The FAA has lifted the flight restrictions imposed during the shutdown, and more than 6 million Americans are expected to fly domestically for Thanksgiving โ more than last year.
Zoom in: MIA expects to see a 4% increase in Thanksgiving travel compared to last year, spokesperson Greg Chin tells Axios.
โ๏ธ Pro tips for fliers: The busiest days at MIA are projected to be Nov. 21-22 and Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Chin says.
- Parking may reach capacity because of high travel demand on the weekends. You can pre-pay for reserved parking inside the Flamingo or Dolphin garages.
- Discounted parking is available at the Economy Park and Ride lot, which requires you to take a shuttle to MIA.
- Valet Parking is located across from MIA's check-in area at doors 2 and 20 in the Dolphin and Flamingo garages.
- You can also get there by ride app, taxi, the Metrorail, Metrobus or the Tri-Rail.
- To get through security faster, MIA also offers real-time updates on checkpoint wait times online.
By the numbers: Compared to last year, there is a 21% increase in searches for flights out of MIA this Turkey Day, according to Kayak.
๐ Pro tips for drivers: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami are going to be the top domestic travel destinations this Thanksgiving, per AAA.
- Nationally, the worst times to hit the road will be Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before Thanksgiving and the following Sunday, says INRIX.
- The best travel day: Thanksgiving.
Axios' Mimi Montgomery contributed to this report.
2. Where to order Thanksgiving takeout
Thanksgiving is a week away and you just realized that cooking a turkey is way too much work for what often ends up becoming the night's most forgettable dish.
- Luckily, there are tons of South Florida restaurants that can expertly cook you a holiday feast.
- OpenTable has a long list of restaurants offering Thanksgiving specials.
Yes, but: If you don't have Thanksgiving plans yet, you're cutting it close.
- Reservations are limited, and if you plan on ordering carryout, you will need to place your orders soon.
Here is a bite-sized sampling of some Thanksgiving options for the kitchen-averse among us.
Carry-out
๐ฌ๐ท The Greek Joint Kitchen and Bar: Their Davie location is offering a Thanksgiving takeout package with turkey and sides.
- Prices range from $58 for two people to $312 for a 12-person package.
- Place orders by Nov. 22.
๐ฅ Apocalypse BBQ: The Kendall favorite is selling two takeout packages with smoked turkey breast, mac and cheese, baked beans, cornbread, cookies and more.
- The Family Dinner โ which includes four pounds of turkey, feeding up to six people โ costs $250.
- The Family Feast โ eight pounds of turkey, which feeds up to 12 people โ is $600.
- Place your orders before Nov. 24, according to the Hungry Post, which also has a great Thanksgiving takeout guide.
๐ฅ Hometown Barbecue: The Allapattah BBQ joint also has two takeout packages with smoked turkey, sides and veggies.
- The $315 option feeds 4-6 people. The $605 option feeds 8โ12 people.
๐ป๐ณ Phuc Yea: If your holiday table is almost set, maybe you want to pick up some buttermilk biscuits, ube coquito or boozy Vietnamese coffee from the MiMo restaurant.
- A nine-pack of biscuits ($39) comes with two smears. The coquito and boozy coffee are also each $39 per quart.
Dine-in
๐ Red Rooster Overtown: Chef Marcus Samuelsson's restaurant is offering both takeout and dine-in Thanksgiving meals.
- The dine-in menu ($98 each for adults) includes cornbread and your choice of smoked jerk turkey, pomegranate-glazed salmon or slow-smoked brisket, among other options.
- For catering, Red Rooster offers half pans of its starters and sides that can feed 8-10 people each. For example, the whole jerk turkey with gravy will run you $90.
- Place takeout orders by Nov. 22 at 5pm.
๐งก Mom's Kitchen: This Oakland Park restaurant is hosting a Thanksgiving buffet starting at $46 per person.
- Service runs from 11am to 7:30pm.
- The menu includes turkey, prime rib, ham, sides and desserts.
3. Cafecito: ๐จ Congresswoman faces charges
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) was indicted on charges of stealing disaster relief funds and using the money to support her 2021 political campaign, the U.S. Department of Justice announced yesterday. (Local 10)
๐ Donald Trump's presidential library foundation plans to raise $950 million over the next two years to build and operate his future library in downtown Miami. (Miami Herald)
- The foundation plans to spend up to five years on site acquisition, design, fundraising, construction and "cataloging of artifacts," the newspaper reports.
- The future presidential library is located on land transferred by Miami Dade College to the state of Florida, which then deeded it to the foundation.
- A judge temporarily blocked the transfer in October, arguing the college did not provide sufficient public notice.
๐ A new restaurant and cocktail bar opened in Coconut Grove this week โ with a third spot opening soon, courtesy of Mae's Group and Ariete Hospitality Group. (Press release)
- Chuggie's opened Monday, Mae's Room opened Tuesday and Drinking Pig BBQ opens next Wednesday.
4. ๐ Panthers unveil Winter Classic jerseys
The Florida Panthers yesterday unveiled the jerseys they will wear during January's NHL Winter Classic โ a special outdoor game to be played at loanDepot Park.
Zoom in: The red, blue and yellow-striped uniforms include a "vintage take" on the team's original leaping panther logo and a "contemporary approach" to traditional striped hockey sweaters, according to the team.

Friction point: Fans on social media were split on the new threads.
- "I like the jersey but the pants take a lot away from what could have been a really nice look," one Instagram user wrote.
- "I LOVE THIS!! And the pants - I love the vintage feel," another user said.
๐ฌ What do you think? Take our survey.
What's next: The jerseys and other Winter Classic merchandise will be available for purchase beginning today, both online and at Panthers team stores.
- Tickets to the Jan. 2 game begin at $225.
๐ Martin is wishing his lovely wife a happy anniversary.
โ๏ธ Sommer is on vacation!
This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
Sign up for Axios Miami






