Miguel Cardona: The Architect of Burgers and Bold Ideas

Do you hear that? The sharp hiss of patties hitting a hot griddle — a sound that signals something amazing is cooking. Do you smell that? The sweet, tangy aroma of DJ’s Sauce wafting through the air. And do you see that? The most passionate duo, Miguel and Jose, work side by side, their hands moving with practiced precision as they bring their vision to life in the kitchen. Today, we’re taking a closer look at one-half of this dynamic duo: Miguel’s unique journey from his early adventures to the sizzling success of co-founding DJ’s. Let’s dive into the story behind the burgers!

Background and inspirations 

Miguel Cardona's journey to becoming one-half of Gainesville’s favorite burger duo is as rich and layered as the burgers themselves. Born in Miami and raised in Colombia, Miguel’s life has been an endless adventure, exploring everything from the lush jungles of the Amazon to cozy cabins and bustling cities. At age 8, his family moved back to Florida, settling in Ocala. The pivotal moment? Third grade, when Miguel met his future business partner, Jose, on the first day of school. From childhood buddies to high school graduates, the duo eventually parted ways for college — Miguel heading to the University of Florida to study Architecture and Design, and Jose pursuing culinary arts at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York. Although they forged separate paths, they always had the idea of reuniting to start a business. After graduating, they fought to achieve their collective dream, building something together, launching a bottled cold brew coffee company called Brio! in 2018. From local supermarkets to Whole Foods shelves across Florida, Brio! quickly gained traction, especially with the sudden market surge during COVID-19. But to keep up with demand, they needed capital — enter DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers. What began as a concept devised by Jose and his culinary school roommate Dan quickly turned into fruition. Originally a weekend popup to fund Brio! eventually, the joint was soon a runaway hit. With Jose’s culinary expertise and Miguel’s eye for design and branding, both businesses were a huge success. However, as DJ's started racking up its own expenses and Brio! still needed funding, they had to make a choice: it was time to go all in on one. The pair transitioned their focus entirely to DJ, and the rest is history. 

“It has not been easy but we have maintained our focus on providing a good product and a good experience for our customers,” Miguel shared.

Challenges and Milestones

No great entrepreneurial journey comes without challenges, and DJ’s opening day was one of the biggest obstacles they faced. Picture this: a massive line of hungry customers, orders flying, and… a malfunctioning grill. Instead of their usual six cast iron planks, only one was burger-flipping ready, forcing them to shut down early. 

“It was the most stressful sort of opening you could’ve imagined,” Miguel admitted.

There were many moments when they felt like throwing in the towel, but that one stood out the most, he added. DJ’s rocky start continued well past opening day, as bills piled up and repairs forced their doors closed. The pair began to find their stride in the midst of the madness,  becoming a Gainesville staple in recent years. Earning features in publications like VisitFlorida.com for their burgers and a top ranking as one of Florida's best burger joints in other newspapers stand out to Miguel.

“It all happens organically,” Miguel said, “we don’t really reach out to them,”.

But for him, the experiences and relationships with customers make the journey worthwhile. The positive reviews hype Miguel up, making the struggles seem small. One DJ’s super fan even went so far as to get the burger mascot tattooed on them. It’s that kind of cult-like loyalty that fills Miguel with pride and love. This strong sense of community has turned every challenge into just another chapter of their success story. 

Future Goals: 

DJ’s has high hopes for the future, aiming to be recognized as the Florida Burger destination in 5 to 10 years. Think drive-thru locations in every major city, trucks cruising down highways — the In-N-Out of the south. Miguel and Jose have already started this process by trying to open up their flagship brick-and-mortar restaurant. While finding the perfect location in Gainesville has been a challenge due to limited real estate and drive-thru options, Miguel remains optimistic. Recently, they met someone with an opportunity that could be a great first step toward expansion. Throughout it all, Miguel says he’s “just trying to stay patient with the whole process”. As DJ’s continues to grow, Miguel is grateful for the journey. 

“I’m so glad to be on the journey so far and blessed to be able to keep pushing,” said Miguel

Why Miguel’s Story Matters:

Miguel’s story is more than just burgers and business, it’s about friendship, resilience, and the drive to create something meaningful. From childhood dreams to the sizzling sounds of cast iron, Miguel and Jose have turned their vision into a reality that’s as delicious as it is inspiring. So, next time you bite into a DJ’s burger, remember you’re tasting more than just beef, pickles, and sauce. You’re savoring a story of determination, creativity, and the joy of building something unforgettable.