As of last week Chef Alberto Cabrera is no longer considering the Gables his 'hood. "I have decided to leave The Local," Cabrera wrote in an email.
"My partners and I cannot agree on the direction of the restaurant or an adequate compensation for my continued involvement. I have to this point sacrificed a lot on a personal and monetary level to see The Local succeed and I am proud of what I created."
After bringing the gastropub into the limelight -- and helping it garner not only numerous local awards for its eats but also recognition in the December issue of Esquire magazine as one of America's Top 10 Best Beer Menus -- Cabrera is going off on his own to open Frita Shop, a fast food concept he refers to as a "Cuban burger joint.
Don't expect rubbery patties and frostbitten sundaes. The chef promises burgers made with chorizo, croquettes and café con leche, and liquid nitrogen shakes, all created in front customers' eyes. He'll be retrofitting some iconic retail drive-through structures (we can't tell you what they are, but chances are you'll recognize the layout) with lots of glass so diners will be able to see the chefs at work.
"They'll be the first fast food joints with show kitchens," Cabrera states.
His first spots are slated for Kendall Drive near Baptist Hospital and Bird Road and 87th Avenue.
Also look for strong branding statements made by way of vintage tees with Cuban sayings and caricatures to be released soon.
We're pretty sure there's one we won't see: "A donde te quieren mucho no vengas a menudo." (A constant guest is never welcome.)
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