for every oneRelish Magazine’s “10 Outrageously Good Burgers Across America” mentions not only PB Steak but also the recently opened Umami Burger. The article has some greats pics from Burger Joints you may want to add to your Burger Bucket List and there’s a quote from me too, so what’s not to like about it?
Ever wondered what it takes to prep for a gigantic event like the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Trucks On Midtown’s Tracks Event? Watch this great video made by Chef Kevin Dreifuss of the Pescados Unidos Truck and the see the work that went into creating your Fish Sausage dish. As an added bonus, if you attended the event try to find yourself in the end segment.
And Fish For All:
Pescados Unidos
Facebook: Pescados Unidos
Twitter: @PescadosUnidos
Instagram: PescadosUnidos
When my friend Matt Meltzer asked me what I thought about doing a Frita Cubana Crawl with Thrillist Miami I said yes without any hesitation. I had done two Frita Crawls, one near the beginning of the Burger Beast Blog in 2009 with Miami New Times & Carlos Miller and one a few years later with Travel Channel’s George Motz. I thought this one needed to be different so I called up my pals at Magic City Casino who graciously allowed us to use one of their shuttle buses for the Frita Crawl. After a few more phone calls here and there we had Luis Galindo’s Latin American, El Mago De Las Fritas, and El Rey De Las Fritas lined up as stops. It didn’t end there. We capped off the Frita Crawl at Azucar Ice Cream Company. Plus everyone also received a “Free Frita” coupon courtesy of Cuban Guys in Hialeah. A great but filling Frita Crawl for all!
How exactly do you get invited to something like this? Twitter. Both Thrillist Miami and I tweeted that we were looking for some folks to be a part of a Frita Crawl a fews days before. We also reached out to some folks and others wrote us once they saw what was going on. The lesson learned is it pays to be vigilant in Social Media.
Our Frita Crawl Ride Arrives Courtesy of Magic City Casino
Melissa Elias, Owner of Luis Galindo’s Latin American Tells Us About Their 14 Year Old Family Owned Business
A Croqueta Snack At Luis Galindo’s Latin American
@LizaWalton, Oh No You Didn’t!
Carlos and Jackie Enjoying The Croquetas
Luis Galindo’s Latin American’s Chef Alberto Frita
@MiaTown Snapping A Picture While Carlos Eggs Him On
El Mago De Las Fritas
Frita Crawl Crew In El Mago De Las Fritas
@Cuban_Bee_71 Taking A Shot
Martha Cardenas aka “Magita” Showing Off The Frita & A Batido De Guanabana
El Mago De Las Fritas’ Mini Frita
Inside Of El Mago’s Frita
El Mago De Las Frita’s Mango Shake
@LizaWalton And Her New Look At El Rey De Las Fritas
Part Of The Frita Crawl Crew At The Counter At El Rey De Las Fritas
Gino & Mercy, Owners Of El Rey De Las Fritas Showing Off What Made Them Famous
El Rey De Las Fritas’ Frita Original
Last Stop At Azucar Ice Cream Company
@MiaTown Says Azucar!
Do Your Own Crawl:
Luis Galindo’s Latin American
898 SW 57th Ave, West Miami, FL
305-267-9995
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El Mago de las Fritas
5828 SW 8th Street, West Miami, FL
305-266-8486
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El Rey De Las Fritas
1821 SW 8th St, Little Havana, FL
305-858-4223
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Azucar Ice Cream Company
1503 SW 8th Street Little Havana, FL
305-381-0369
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Cuban Guys
3174 West 76 Street Hialeah, FL
786-507-4494
Tonight, come out to the Miami Beach Food Truck and Music Fest and get some “Free Chow” from Ms. Cheezious between 7 & 8pm. They have teamed up with Warner Brothers for a promotion involving the Hangover III (out this Thursday). Freeing Chow (played by Ken Jeong) is the main premise of the film so Ms. Cheezious will be giving out free meals to everyone. There will also be a bunch of swag giveaways. I’d make sure not to be on Cuban time if I were you.
Remember, the Miami Food Trucks will be at their monthly event in Miami Beach. Check out the line-up:
Ms Cheezious
Arepa Box
Catered Bliss
Che Grill
Daddy’s Grill
Dolci Peccati
gastroPod
Health Nut on Wheels
HipPOPs Handcrafted Gelato Bars
Latin Burger & Taco
Marlie’s Delights
The MexZican Gourmet
Moty’s Grill
Mr. Good Stuff
Sakaya Kitchen
Sugar Yummy Mama
Taco Fresh
The Details:
Miami Beach Food Truck & Music Fest
at North Shore Bandshell
Date: Wednesday May 22nd
Time: 5-10PM
Location: 7275 Collins Avenue Miami Beach,FL 33141
(click to enlarge)
I’m always digging through archives trying to find information about not only old Burger Joints but the Frita Cubana. One of the mysteries of the Frita Cubana is when exactly did it disappear from Cuba? I found this El Nuevo Herald article (Vuelven a saborearse en La Habana las inolvidables fritas by Wilfredo Cancio Isla) from Wednesday August 13 of 2008 which not only answers that question but also mentions they they’re back on the island. As of June of 2008 the Frita Cubana was again available at the cafeteria attached to Restaurante Puerto de Sagua in La Habana Vieja. They are served traditional style with soft bread and julienned Malanga (not Potatoes like you find in Miami). It’s not the first time I hear of Malanga or even Sweet Potato being used in place of regular Potatoes. I have not been able to find out if this was just regional thing throughout Cuba or just because of scarcity of product. The current cost for a Frita Cubana is $1 US (24 Cuban Pesos) but this was 5 years ago so don’t hold me to that.
In March of 1968 all Frita Cubana Stands or “Puestos de Frita” as they are referred to disappeared. Polarizing Cuban journalist Max Lesnik is the man behind the Frita Cubana’s reappearance in Cuba. He somehow secured the original recipe that famed Fritero Sebastián Carro Seijido of the Puerto de Sagua cafeteria used. The recipes calls for 60% Beef and 30% Pork mixed with old Bread soaked in Milk, Sweet Paprika (a Mild Spanish Paprika), Diced Onions, Garlic and as previously mentioned, julienned Malanga. Well? Now that you got the recipe, who’s gonna invite me over?
The great folks at Shake Shack have put together this great contest exclusively on Burger Beast celebrating National Hamburger Month. Starting today Monday May 20th through Friday May 31st at 12PM you have an opportunity to show the world why you are the “Biggest Shake Shack Fan”. The contest is open to everyone in the United States so I’m not playing South Florida favorites here.
How do you prove you are the “Biggest Shake Shack Fan”?
Simple. Go on Instagram and post a picture of yourself: Maybe it’s a picture of you enjoying a Shack Burger? Or you posing in front of your favorite Shake Shack location? Or maybe you just holding up a sign that says “Will Work For Shack Burger”. It’s up to you but the most creative picture will win the Grand Prize. And just to show you the kind of people Shake Shack are, there will be 3 runner up prizes too!
Make sure to tag @ShakeShack and @BurgerBeast on the Instagram picture and use the hash tag #ShakeShackBiggestFan
If I really wanted to, I could probably win the “Biggest Shake Shack Fan” Contest. I’m that big of a fan. But this one’s all you guys!
Good Luck!
Last night was the 3rd Annual National Hamburger Month edition of the Wheelin’ Dealin’ Street Food Festival at Magic City Casino. All the Food Trucks attending were given the task of coming up with a Burger for the event. The Dessert Trucks were not off the hook either as they had to come up with a Themed Dessert. And yes this was a competition to see who has the “Best Burger” and “Best Themed Dessert”! Two notes that were important to point out: Purple People Eatery plated their Burger beautifully and you gotta give Pescado’s Unidos some extra credit for even attempting to make a Beef Burger from their Seafood only Food Truck.
Bite Gastrotruck won “Best Burger” with their BAMF Burger and HipPOPs Handcrafted Gelato Bars took home the “Best Themed Dessert” title with their HGB Burger. I did not judge the event but the Best Burger I tried was Friar Tuck’s Angry Scotsman (yes, that means you must try it!). A special thanks to judges Chef Danny Serfer of Blue Collar, The Chowfather & Trina Sargalski of Miami Dish who sampled every single one of the Burgers and Desserts. You may not believe it but the job is more difficult than it sounds.
The pictures below were taken by my wife Marcela while she was roaming the event or at the Judge’s Table by me. See you at next year’s 4th Annual National Hamburger Month Food Truck Competition!
Burgers:
2 Jive Turkeys: Hula Burger – Our original Deep Fried Turkey Burger with a Grilled Slice of Pineapple, Smoked Applewood Bacon, Topped with our own Blended BBQ Polynesian Sauce made with Pineapple & Papaya, served between a Butter Toasted Bun.
2 Jive Turkeys’ Hula Burger
BITE Gastrotruck: BAMF – Burger with American Cheese, Bacon Jam, Chipotle Mayo and for Dessert an Apple-Bacon Milkshake with Bacon Streusel Topping.
Winner For Best Burger – BITE Gastrotruck’s BAMF
Che Grill: Gaucho Burger – 8 oz. Beef Burger topped with Mozzarella Cheese, Ham, Egg, and Bacon on a Fresh Bun.
Owner of Che Grill Damian
Che Grill’s Gaucho Burger
Cheeseburger Baby: Bacon-Egginator – A lightly toasted Buttered Bun stuffed with our crispy Honey Smoked Bacon, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, a certified Angus Beef 1/2lb Burger cooked to a juicy Medium and lovingly sprinkled with Baby’s Secret Seasoning Salt, a Fried Egg, and Grilled Yellow Onions.
Cheeseburger Baby’s Bacon Egginator
Da Burger Shack: Bomb Burger
Da Burger Shack’s Bomb Burger
Daddy’s Grill: Bono Bacon Cheese Burger – A Juicy Fresh Ground Beef Burger with Provolone Chesse and Bacon on Pan de Bono.
Daddy’s Grill Pan de Bono Bacon Cheeseburger
El Rey De Las Fritas: Frita La Criolla – It’s an Original Frita a Caballo with a Sweet Tostone
El Rey de las Fritas’ Owner Mercy
El Rey de las Fritas’ Frita Criolla
Friar Tuck’s: The Angry Scotsman – Sweet + Spicy Chorizo Cheeseburger, Crispy Bacon and an Angrily Fried Egg
Friar Tuck’s Angry Scotsman
Grill Master Cafe: Deep Fried Burger – Black Angus Ground Beef seasoned with our Special Seasoning, Deep Fried then topped with Maple Wood Bacon, Cheddar Cheese and Special Sauce.
Grill Master Cafe’s Deep Fried Burger
Jefe’s Original Fish Taco & Burgers: Pinche Cholo – Grilled Angus Beef Patty with Deli Style American Cheese smothered with Slow Roasted Pork Carnitas, Pepper Jack Cheese, Grilled Onions, Stacked with Seared Thick Cut Pastrami, Snef Yellow Mustard, Chipotle Tamarind Ketchup & Tangy Pickles a Buttered Toasted Bun!
Jefe’s Pinche Cholo
Monster Burgers: Monster Burger – 8 oz. Beef Burger with Lettuce, Tomatoes, Crushed Potato Chips, Crispy Bacon, Extra Mozzarella Cheese, Onions and Monster Sauces.
Monster Burgers’ Monster Burger
Ms. Cheezious: The Southern Belle – Organic Tempeh Burger, Fried Green Tomatoes & House-Made Pimento Cheese on Toasted Bun.
Ms. Cheezious’ Southern Belle
Mr. Good Stuff: The Godfather – Italian Sausage & Black Angus Patties STUFFED with Mozzarella & Basil then smothered with Provolone Cheese and topped with Fresh Bruschetta on a Brioche Bun.
Mr. Good Stuff’s Owner Alfredo
Mr. Good Stuff’s The Godfather
Pescados Unidos: El Chupacabra – 12 oz Sirloin/Chuck Blend, Peppered Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Roasted Poblano Pepper, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Chive Aioli on a Brioche Bun
Pescados Unidos’ Owner Kevin
Pescados Unidos’ Chupacabra Burger
Pescados Unidos’ Chupacabra Burger Half
Purple People Eatery: The Succubus – Kobe Beef Burger with Foie Gras, Caramelized Shallots, Fried Quail Egg, Cave Aged Cabot Clothbound Cheddar and Truffle Aioli on a Honey Wheat Oat Bun.
Purple People Eatery’s Succubus
The Rolling Stove: Chipotle Bacon Burger – Burger with Crispy Fried Onions, Pepper Jack Cheese and Jalapeño Jelly.
The Rolling Stove’s Chipotle Bacon Burger
Taco Fresh: Santo Burger – Sizzling Grilled Burger with a Slice of Queso Chihuahua, Topped with Salsa Borracha (No Spice, Made with Tomatoes, Onion and Bacon cooked in Corona Beer) on a Soft Mexican Bun and a slice of Avocado for decoration; Optional Toppings: Lettuce, Vinegar Carrots and/or Jalapeños
Taco Fresh’s Owner Alex
Taco Fresh’s Santo Burger
Top Fries: Burger Bites over Fries with our Signature Pink Sauce.
Top Fries’ Owner Manny
Top Fries’ Burger Bites
Desserts:
Alisa’s Cupcakery: The Sweetest Burger in Town Cupcake
Alisa’s Cupcakery’s The Sweetest Burger in Town Cupcake 4 Pack
Alisa’s Cupcakery’s The Sweetest Burger in Town Cupcake
Cold Stone Creamery: Classic Banana Split
Cold Stone Creamery’s Honey Bun Burger
Fireman Derek’s World Famous Pies: Root Beer Float Pie
Fireman Derek’s Root Beer Float Pie
HipPOP’s Handcrafted Gelato Bars: HGB (HipPOPs Gelato Burger) – Gelato Burger Patty with Strawberry “Tomato” on a Macaroon Bun.
Winner for Best Themed Dessert – HipPOP’s HGB w/Vanilla Gelato Fries
Marlie’s Delights: Sugar Slider – Red Velvet and Brownie Sliders with Cinnamon French Fries
Marlie’s Delights’ Sugar Slider w/Cinnamon French Fries
Sweet Sensations: Monte Cristo – Sandwich with Sweet Honey Ham, Havarti Cheese, Cream Cheese on Martin’s Bread which is battered then fried and topped with Powdered Sugar.
Sweet Sensations’ Monte Cristo
Sweet Sensations’ Monte Cristo Halves
Don’t cry if you missed this event, we’re also having a similar event in Wellington for this Thursday’s Food Truck Invasion!
