El Mago De Las Fritas

• Cuisine(s): Burgers, Cuban
  Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-7pm
  Price: $ $
• Payment Types: MasterCard, Visa, cash
  Features: Kid Friendly, Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible
  Serving: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
• Alcohol: Beer/Wine
  Reservations: Not Necessary
  Parking: Lot Available

Description

There is a lot of bickering over who makes the best fritas, or Cuban hamburgers, in Miami. It usually comes down to a matter of personal taste or nostalgia. However, El Mago de las Fritas is always in contention for the number one spot owing to the majestic flavor of its glorious orange-hued beef/chorizo patties on soft Cuban rolls. Although El Mago serves a variety of sandwiches (and even some nonsandwich stuff), people from all walks of life, including American presidents, come here for that perfect handheld meal. A basic, or original, frita ($3.25) consists of the aforementioned patty, diced white onions, handmade potato sticks, and sauce. There are variations, of course, such as the double frita with cheese ($5.45) and the ($4.25), an original frita topped with a fried egg. As popular as the fritas are, the ($7.95) could easily be called the first runnerup in the Miss Miami Sandwich competition; the thin steak with grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and those adorably delicious potato sticks makes a heartier meal than a frita. El Mago resembles an old-school cafeteria, with vinyl booths and Formica countertops. Also, if you don't speak Spanish, you might have trouble communicating.