Burger Beast Announces Frita Feast Pop-Up Dinner

May may be National Hamburger Month, but Burger Beast Sef Gonzalez doesn’t want the burger’s Latina cousin to be forgotten amidst all the meaty hoopla.

New York may have a White Castle obsession and Minneapolis might be manic about their Juicy Lucy, but we have our fritas. The frita, a seasoned burger (sometimes mixed with chorizo), cradled on Cuban bread and topped with shoestring potatoes, is a hybrid of Latino and American culture — much like most of Miami.

Gonzalez is celebrating the frita at his “Late Night Frita Feast” pop-up dinner. He told Short Order, “With the increasing popularity of fritas, I thought it was time to celebrate.”

His choice of location is a nod to the home base of popular El Rey de las Fritas, which made a recent appearance on Travel Channel’s Burger Land.

The frita fete takes place on Monday, May 6, at the Little Havana El Rey de las Fritas (1821 SW Eighth Street, Miami) from 9 p.m. to midnight and the participating restaurants include a frita staple, a trendy SoBe spot, and a neighbor from the Florida Keys.

El Rey de las Fritas, being the host restaurant and (literally) the king, is holding court with an original frita slider with a side of corn fritters.

M.E.A.T. Eatery & Taproom in Islamorada is making the trip up the Overseas Highway to present a housemade chorizo patty with chimichurri aioli, served with a side of truffled yucca frites with rosemary and parmesan.

Pubbelly partner Jose Mendin will present a frita Cubana with chorizo, cheddar bechamel, and special sauce; served with a side of frites.

Dinner also includes a special ice cream creation made with Materva from Azucar Ice Cream Company and a beverage of your choice (soft drink or batido).

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased through paypal.

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