The Cuban Frita

The principle industry in Miami is tourism. Most people find their way to the warm weather during the winter months and don’t give much thought to life in Miami beyond the beaches. For those smart enough to get off the sand and into the diverse and vibrant culture of Miami, one reward comes in the form of the Cuban frita.

In 1959, Cubans began to flee their country following the Cuban Revolution, and many settled in Miami, only about two hundred miles away. The frita was one of the culinary survivors of the exodus. Sharing the same DNA as the American hamburger, the frita was served from street carts in Havana before Fidel Castro seized control of the country. Chorizo spices such as paprika and garlic were mixed into the patty, and it was served on a soft roll with sautéed onions and a nest of fried potatoes on top.