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Discover / Regional American

Cuban Frita

Joshua Weissman · also George Motz
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A thin patty spiced with cumin and smoked paprika, piled with crisp shoestring potato sticks on a Cuban bun.

BeefGriddle & skilletOld-school · since 1930s
The recipe

How to make it

1 serving
Makes1Time30 minSourceJoshua Weissman · also George Motz

Ingredients

Patty

  • 4 oz 75/25 ground beef
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced and sweated
  • ¼ yellow onion, finely diced and sweated

Potato sticks

  • 1 potato
  • 1 quart vegetable oil, for frying
  • Kosher salt

To finish

  • Ketchup
  • 1 Cuban pan hamburger bun

Method

  1. Mix the beef with the onion, garlic, spices, salt and pepper, and shape a thin patty about ¼ in thick.
  2. Cut the potato into ⅛ in slices on a mandoline, then into ⅛ in sticks. Hold them in water.
  3. Heat the oil to 350°F. Dry the sticks and fry until golden. Drain and salt.
  4. Cook the patty in a hot grill pan or skillet, 4–5 minutes a side.
  5. Toast the bun. Add the patty, a heap of potato sticks and ketchup.

Quantities come from the source. The method is written in our own words. See the original ↗

Video

Watch the Masters Cook It

Learn from the chefs who know this burger best. We link out to their own channels; we don’t host or edit anyone’s videos.

AI illustration of this burger, made from its recipe description YouTubeTraditional George MotzGeorge Motz

How to Cook Miami’s Legendary Cuban Burger with George Motz | Burger Scholar Sessions

The Little Havana frita: chorizo-spiced patty, red sauce and crispy potato sticks on a Cuban roll.

Watch on YouTube ↗Not yet watched end to end by us
Guide: Cast iron, griddle or grill? →
Background

Where it comes from

Since 1930s · Havana, Cuba · Source ↗

Sold as street food in Havana from the 1930s and revived by Cuban cooks in Miami from the 1960s.

Eat the original

Where to try it

  • El Rey de las Fritas1821 SW 8th St (Calle Ocho), Miami, FL

    The frita started in Havana; Little Havana is where to eat it in the US.

    Map ↗Source ↗

Checked October 2026. Opening hours change, so check before you travel. See it on the Burger Atlas →

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