Archive for Frita
The Burger Beast’s Cuban Frita aka Cuban Hamburger Recipe
Posted by: | Comments The Burger Beast’s Cuban Frita Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. of ground beef (I’d go with an 80/20 mix)
- 1/4 cup milk (don’t even think about skim milk, if you are, go eat a veggie burger)
- 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 small onion to be minced, and one to be diced for topping the fritas
- 2 potatoes or canned potato sticks if you’re feeling lazy
- 6 Cuban rolls (they might not be readily available where you live but this adds.)
Directions:
Step 1: Dump the breadcrumbs into the milk and let them sit while you prepare the ground beef.
We’re looking for the breadcrumbs to absorb the milk.
Step 2: This step can be skipped over if you’re going to used canned potato sticks. For authenticity you need to get the potatoes and julienne cut them but really tiny. A mandolin slicer might be your best bet for achieving this unless you’re a master with your blade. Once chopped up, fry them up like you would french fries. You don’t need to salt them but you might want to make extra to serve as a side dish.
Step 3: You’re gonna need a large bowl for this. You want to start by beating the egg. Toss in the ground beef, minced onions, salt, pepper, paprika and the breadcrumb/milk mixture. Mix this puppy up, using your hands would probably be best.
Step 4: Once combined, you should make 6 meatballs, then cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours. We need the flavors to gel.
Step 5: Heat up your pan to right between medium and high (really depends on your stove so you should know best). You’re going to want to use very little oil but they may stick so keep a watchful eye. Once you get the meatballs on there, you’ll need to pound them down into patty form. Ridiculous but true. They have to be cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
Step 6: While they’re being cooked slice your Cuban rolls in half and prepare for the arrival of the Frita.
Step 7: Some people like going with the diced onions under the Frita and some over, it’s your choice. I like to have the diced onions right on the Frita followed by ketchup and then the julienne potatoes, in that order. I didn’t mention ketchup in the ingredients portion but I figure everyone has some.
Step 8: Don’t be a poseur and add cheese. OK, add cheese, it tastes pretty good but appreciate the original.
Fritas Domino La Original – West Miami, Florida
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Fritas Domino La Original has been around since 1961, but not at this particular location. It used be somewhere in Little Havana. The decor and seating have a very 1970s skating rink feel to it. The oddest thing was that after I placed my order and went to fill my cup with Coke, (it tasted absolutely horrendous) there was a group of older people who were seated having a very Que Pasa USA? ( a Miami TV show which was in Spanglish) conversation.
Fritas Domino in the Miami Herald
Fritas Domino in El Nuevo Herald
Fritas Domino in El Nuevo Herald
This one guy was speaking in perfect English, the little old lady was responding in cliche ridden Spanish and the other fellow was just silent. They were discussing Cuba. I know, what a shock, discussing Cuba in a Frita joint. Anyway, so I order a Frita (generally a mixture of some ground Meat and/or Pork with Chorizo and Paprika), a Perro Enrollado (Hot Dog wrapped in Bacon) and an order of Fries and the previously mentioned horrible Coke which I dumped in its entirety.
Perro Enrollado
The fries were bad and tasted like oil. The Perro Enrollado while a great idea, was flawed in execution. The Hot Dog was some cheapy dog split in half, with American cheese in the middle and then wrapped in Bacon. It was served on Cuban bread and topped with the Julienne Potatoes with some Ketchup layering the bottom. The center was cold and somehow the cheese was not even melted.
Fritas Domino's Frita
An Almost Gone Frita from Fritas Domino
The Frita (with Julienne Potatoes, Ketchup and diced Onions) was pretty good. I was disappointed that a regular Hamburger roll was used instead of a Cuban bread roll. It did have a Chorizo flavor and there was a slight sweetness to it. If you check out Fritas Domino, I’d stick to a Frita with a glass bottle of Coke & you’ll be good.
Fritas Domino La Original
936 SW 67th Avenue Miami, Fl 33144
305-266-8477
Sergio’s – Coral Gables, Florida
Posted by: | CommentsI remember the first time I heard of Sergio’s. It was the early ’90s and my sister & her friends would go there late at night on the weekend to get Cafe con Leche (Cuban coffee with steamed milk). I had already made it out in my head to be this place where all these hipster kids would hang late and talk about how bad they had it but I was the one who had it wrong. I ate there with her one time and I was hooked.
Sergio’s is a restaurant that serves Cuban comfort food and in rather generous portions. There are 2 reasons I eat here: the Croquetas and the Pan con Tortilla (Omelette Sandwich with Onions, Ham and Swiss Cheese).
Croquetas
Pan con Tortilla
If you’re into Croquetas, these are one of my favorites in Miami. The Pan con Tortilla is massive and enough to share. This is as good of an Omelette Sandwich as you’re ever gonna have.
There is a Frita on Sergio’s menu and it’s a bit of a let down. It pains me to say that because I love this place. All the right toppings were there: Onions, Ketchup and wait a second….canned Potato Sticks. Yeah, that’s a big no-no, either you go the fresh julienne potatoes route or go home. It just did not add up to a good Frita. I just didn’t like the seasoning of the meat either. It could be a good thing though which means I’ll always get the Pan con Tortilla whenever I eat there.
Cafecito
And don’t forget to get a shot of Cuban coffee on your way out.
Sergio’s
3252 Coral Way Coral Gables, Fl
305-529-0047
Morro Castle – Little Havana, Florida
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If you’re not into the open air type of thing, then this is not the place for you. Morro Castle, located in Little Havana is one of those places you probably drive by and say to yourself, I’m going to stop there one day to get something to eat but never do. It’s not too far from where I live, so I decided to drop in (this Morro Castle has no relation to the one in Hialeah).
There were a couple of people being very loud when I walked in. This was just confirmation to me that I was in Little Havana. I go to the counter to order, and the two servers were moving so slow I thought that maybe what they needed was some Cuban Coffee. After having spent some time there, now I think what they needed was air conditioning.
I’m also ordering for my sister and father. I order a few Fritas, a Grilled Cheeseburger, some Churros, a couple order of Papitas Fritas (fries) and a couple of Flans. There’s one thing the Grilled Cheeseburger isn’t, and that’s grilled. It tasted OK and had that processed rubbery American Cheese that your intestines will not be able to get rid of for a few weeks (I’m sickly in love with this type of Cheese for reasons I can’t explain).
As per my sis, the Churros were probably better than La Palma, and I thought so too. The Flan was OK, it was creamy but it had a hint of coconut flavor, and that’s not my thing.
The Papita Fritas aka french fries were delicious if you like the flavor of cooking oil. I’ve had them before and they were just fine. I guess someone couldn’t wait to drop them in the oil. Now, the Frita was good. Raw onions, Ketchup and their homemade tiny Potatoes (julienne cut), some real good stuff. This Frita probably has the most pronounced Chorizo flavor of all the Fritas I’ve ever had. A few points were lost for not using a Cuban Roll though.
Morro Castle Little Havana's Frita
So if you’re ever in Little Havana, stop by and try their Fritas and make sure you have on some ear plugs.
Morro Castle:
2500 NW 7th St, Miami, Fl
305-642-4747
La Palma – West Miami, Florida
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Eating at La Palma is a family tradition. I can recall many moments, joyous or otherwise where we ate their Churros (fried dough with sugar) and Hot Chocolate . La Palma is also known for their Croquetas and Fritas (Cuban Hamburger). As far as the Croquetas go, they’re ok and the seasoning is more overpowering than the actual ham in it.
Croquetas
When I first ate a Frita as a kid via a place called Morro Castle in Hialeah, I was little apprehensive about it. I had never seen or heard of a Frita before. My father tells me that it’s “The Cuban Hamburger” but that certainly didn’t seem like any hamburger I’d seen before. So, I’m served this thing and I of course open the lid to see what’s going on. I see these little tiny Potatoes (some places serve them with canned potato sticks unfortunately), Onions (generally served raw), Ketchup (sometimes) and Cheese of course if you request it. When I took a look at the patty itself I didn’t know what to think but dog food certainly came to mind. My dad said it was good and I felt like I would be letting him down if I didn’t at least try it. So I did, and that brings us back to speed and La Palma.
La Palma's Frita
I like La Palma’s Frita although it is more of an actual patty and not some smashed meat on the griddle. They also make their own julienne potatoes, which is always a good thing. And the best thing about La Palma? Their walk up window is open 24 hours.
Hungry at all times:
La Palma
6091 SW 8th Street, Miami, Fl
305-261-1113
Hours: Open 24 Hours
El Mago De Las Fritas – West Miami, Florida
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El Mago De Las Fritas is located on 8th street in Miami. It’s not the only frita place on 8th street though. Approximately 10 years ago on my way home from my parent’s house I came across El Mago De Las Fritas . The first few times I attempted to stop here, there were no parking spaces available (there are only 3 spots). One day I was finally able to find a parking space and taste their Frita. I regret not having made the effort to find parking sooner elsewhere.
Do not park in one of the 3 reserved spots unless of course you are eating there. If you do, you might witness El Mago (yes, the owner is really referred to as this, it means “Magician”) going outside and screaming at them to move their cars with spatula in hand. He’s too awesome. You must of course order the Frita.
Frita Original
A Frita or Cuban Hamburger is usually a combination of ground Beef, Chorizo and spices topped with Onions, homemade Julienne Potatoes, and Ketchup (not always) on a Cuban Bread Roll. El Mago claims there is no Chorizo in his frita but I don’t believe him. The Frita has a very distinct flavor and will cause a flavor explosion in your mouth. There is no burger that tastes anything like this. And don’t get your Frita with cheese, unless you want to look like a tourist.
Frita w/Cheese
I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you the Frita with cheese is good but nothing beats the original. You can also order a Frita Doble (double meat) or Frita a Caballo (with a fried egg).
Frita Doble
Frita a Caballo
They’re all delicious. You must also make sure to order the fries at El Mago de las Fritas, there’s something very high school about them.
The Magical Fries w/Ketchup pond
Fritas aren’t the only thing on the menu here. El Mago makes a mean Pan con Bistec (Steak Sandwich) with the julienne Potatoes & Onions. The Pan con Tortilla (Omelet Sandwich) with Ham, julienne Potatoes and Onions is another winner.
Pan Con Bistec
Pan Con Tortilla
On Saturdays he makes Chicharrones (fried Pork Rinds). His homemade Flan is also great but don’t get ahead of yourself. Start with a Frita because this is the best Frita in town hands down!
All Hail El Mago:
El Mago De Las Fritas
5828 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL
305-266-8486
All About The Frita Cubana AKA The Cuban Hamburger
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La Palma's Frita
I’m a giant fan of Fritas (pronounced free-tahs), better known to some as the Cuban Hamburger. It’s a mix of ground beef (sometimes Chorizo or pork is added) , seasonings (paprika for sure), julienne cut potatoes or potato sticks, diced raw onions and ketchup (rumored to be tomato paste not ketchup in Cuba) on a Cuban roll. It’s cooked on a flat top and not grilled over an open flame.
The Frita is mostly found in South Florida but its origins are from 1930s Cuba where it was street food. Carts with propane fueled stoves lined the street selling Fritas to customers. At least one of the Rey De Las Fritas in Miami has a picture of a Frita cart in Cuba. Dagoberto Estevil is believed to have brought the Frita to Miami in 1961 when he brought it to Little Havana (8th Street & 12th). He named his restaurant Fritas Domino. That location is no longer open but a Fritas Domino does exist on 8th Street and 67th Avenue in Miami which was opened by one of Estevil’s children in the late 1980′s.
Fritas can be found in most Cuban restaurants in South Florida but the good ones are hard to find. El Rey De Las Fritas is a chain of restaurants in South Florida known for its Fritas. The original location in Little Havana burned down a few years but has since re-opened. The restaurants known to have the “Best” Frita in Miami are El Mago De Las Fritas, El Rey De Las Fritas, Fritas Domino, La Palma & Morro Castle.
If this wasn’t enough Frita info for you I also wrote a story entitled “Let me tell you about the Frita” for edible South Florida. You can see it below. Just click on it to enlarge for reading.
edible South Florida Frita Fever Cover
Frita Story Pages 1 - 2
Frita Story Page 3
Or check out when Hamburger expert George Motz came to Miami on his Frita crawl:
- El Palacio De Los Jugos
- Islas Canarias and their CUBANCUBE Food Truck
- Montes De Oca
- Polo Norte
- Rey’s Pizza
Great Stories about Fritas
Los Puestos de Frita – mariaargeliavizcaino.com
Ni hamburguesa ni “sandwich”: frita cubana - Terra
The Miami Frita An Amazing Burger Experience – Hamburger America
When it Comes to Fritas (Cuban Hamburgers), El Mago is Best – Miami Beach 411
