Unique restaurant closing in Biloxi, but another city’s location remains open
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Empanola Biloxi and Pisano’s on Howard Avenue close Sunday as owners simplify.
- Owners retain Empanola Ocean Springs, Pisano’s Promenade Parkway and Tony’s Gulfport.
- Empanola opened on the Coast in early 2023, offers about 20 empanada fillings.
Empanola Biloxi, a restaurant and coffee bar on Howard Avenue, is closing Sunday, the city’s second location to be shuttered.
A second restaurant operating out of its Biloxi building, Pisano’s Pizzeria, also will be shutting down. Empanola Ocean Springs on Bienville Boulevard and Pisano’s Pizzeria on Promenade Parkway are still operating. Online delivery is also an option for both restaurants.
The restaurants are owned by Frank and Tim Lombardi-Benson of Biloxi, who bought their Empanola franchise from the New Orleans-based company.
“We just want to simplify life, that’s all,“ said Frank Lombardi-Benson, who noted that the couple also owns Tony’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in downtown Gulfport, which also serves Italian dishes.
Empanadas gave Empanola its name
At Empanola, empanadas are the main attraction. The stuffed pastry turnover has South American roots. Lombardi-Benson said he hopes Biloxi customers will patronize the Ocean Springs location after the Biloxi restaurant closes Sunday.
Empanada offers about 20 fillings, with meat, vegetarian and vegan options. The restaurant also offers fresh-baked goods.
Empanola’s Biloxi locations were the first to open in 2023, followed by the Ocean Springs location. Biloxi’s Popp’s Ferry and Pass road location previously closed.
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Pisano’s started offering pizza at the Howard Avenue restaurant after a pizza shop opened around the corner on Porter Avenue, quickly became a popular spot, then abruptly closed.
The Lombardi-Bensons took over the business, remodeling the Porter Avenue building and reopening the pizza restaurant as Pisano’s, but it didn’t last long. They then moved Pisano’s to the Empanola on Howard.
Frank Lombardi-Benson said the couple is closing the Biloxi shop in hopes of slowing down a bit. They plan to remain in Biloxi, where they bought and renovated to perfection the historic Glenn Swetman house.
This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 11:53 AM.
