Best Smash Burger In Miami? | El Rey De Las Fritas Copycat!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Frita Recipe: Cuban Frita Meat Mix: 1 pound ground beef 4 cloves garlic, mashed and finely minced 1/3 cup onion,grated 3 tablespoons ketchup 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons sweet Spanish paprika 2 teaspoons smoked paprika Salt & pepper cooked patties to taste 6-8 American-style hamburger buns Sauce Recipe: 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste 1 1/2 cups water 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet Spanish paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 cup raw sugar 1/4 cup white vinegar 1 teaspoon salt Mix all of the ingredients together in a two-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil stirring constantly.

[@SmokyRibsBBQ]

Wow 2 years later haha! I hope the people from that restaurant see this video Greg. I'm sure it will put a smile on their faces because It looks like you did indeed do that burger justice! Watched Justin's documentary of this place and it too was a awesome video. Great memories for both of you guys. Cheers!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Justin does such a great job putting together stories... His video was amazing!

[@mikeflorence8655]

Hi Greg, it's Mike Florence and thanks soooo much for this recipe. I REALLY ADMIRE all the research you do for us and I commend you for all the honest credits you give. There's no better channel for burgers than Ballistic. Cheers for now Greg, Mike.

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you, Mike! I really appreciate your always taking the time to watch and comment on my videos. It means a lot, brother!

[@henryi9738]

Try Miami's tostón burger next. It's a beef patty with fried cheese and crema coleslaw on fried plantain "buns". Delicioso ! 😋

[@jameskane6273]

Oh, yeah!!!! Ballistic BBQ and Babyback Maniac combo please!

[@PicSta]

Never had a burger like this Cuban Frita. Looks delicious with an interesting texture. Thanks for sharing this amazing burger recipe with us, Greg.

[@BallisticBurgers]

It is a one of a kind burger for sure. Thank you for watching!

[@nicolasjoseph9446]

Those potatoes turned out perfect. Cheers, Greg!

[@johndavis7944]

Nice burger. I am surprised there's no rum in the sauce. I'd never thought Cuban's have burgers. A totally new experience for me. I'm glad you decided to do this one, Greg. Thanks mate 👍🤤😄🍔

[@EverydayBBQ]

I watched yesterday but got a call when I was typing my comment lol. Outstanding cook and video, brother! I really love the way you approach these burger recreations. NOBODY does it better!

[@BallisticBurgers]

LOL! I watch KZbin videos on my TV, not logged in. I always intend on leaving comments on my laptop, but then the A.D.D. kicks in! Thanks for the comment, Notch!

[@fredericknewman6338]

Thank God for your creations! Love to see a new burger up!

[@danieljames3741]

Can't wait to watch Justin's video! This is exciting!

[@Daniel-zl9im]

Wowzers!

[@jamey89k83]

I have never heard of a frita, but I would crush that!!!

[@mikemarshall2747]

Now you need to shoot a domino video! LOL! Good job, Greg!

[@billy9245]

Fuck YEAH!!! Miami representing!

[@garryhammond3117]

Great to see you and Justin together "In the Wild" - lol I've noticed while vacationing in Cuba that they tend to run their flat top griddles "low and slow" - even in the resorts. The Cuban people are wonderful - warm and charming. - Cheers!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Yes, I think the main reason is when the griddle is loaded up, it's easier to manage. One of my best friends mom was a refugee from Cuba when the revolution was happening. It was always a great time when his Cuban relatives came over for the holidays! The smell of cigar smoke and coffee!

[@BabyBackManiac]

What a great trip! This was one of my fondest youtube memories. Good job on the burger, buddy. Looking forward to getting mine in the mail. lol. (jk)

[@BallisticBurgers]

Until the next adventure, Brother-Justin! Cheers!

[@parker3715]

Great recipe, as usual! Heading over to watch Maniac's video now.

[@BallisticBurgers]

Justin did an amazing job. His editing is the best!

[@jeffhaddox2239]

Looks amazing!

[@ryanrichardson7285]

Another fantastic burger, Greg!

[@DogsLoveTeslas]

Greg bud, I'm in NorCal. I don't have the way to taste an authentic Frita in Miami. But I made this tonight, and it awesome. It's kinda the best of 2 worlds. Smash burger and Sloppy Joe's. Your recipe is very tasty and will be added to my recipe arsenal with no changes. 👏👊🤙. I'm an avid homebrewer, and this will be on the menu when my buddies are over for a brewing session.

[@BallisticBurgers]

Nice! A good home-brewed beer is icing on the cake!

[@jamest484]

Great job on the flip! That burger wanted to scatter!

[@allensmall5448]

Viva Cuba!

[@TROYCOOKS]

I loved getting to see you and Justin hanging out having some fun and doing food research while enjoying some fine eats! That burger looked awesome! I've never heard of Fritas? Guess I need to venture out more often? LOL Cheers to ya Greg! Miss ya brother!!!!!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Miss you too T-Roy! We all need to get together one of these days. Maybe out New Mexico way? Hatch perhaps?

[@TROYCOOKS]

@@BallisticBurgers Sounds great Greg! I've never been to Hatch, but my son was there about a month ago.

[@mikepowell8044]

Maybe not an exact copy, but I'm leaning toward yours. tks!

[@lucasw4766]

I'm just happy to see that you two did a collab! Awesome burger, Greg!

[@BallisticBurgers]

It's been a long time coming!

[@PAPATexas]

I saw Justin's Video, looked like a great place to eat and they were awesome to ya'll. The Cuban Smash burger! Good job Greg. Justin and I have the same Dentist! lol

[@BallisticBurgers]

That's why you both have incredible smiles! Thanks, PAPA!

[@bobbicatton]

Looks fantastic! This was such a great collaboration, and a delicious copycat burger👍😊

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you, Bobbi!

[@tomstestkitchen]

Great collab with you and Justin! I loved his intro/backstory to this video. Another great burger video Greg!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you Tom! Cheers, brother!

[@thegalleryBBQ]

The rain seemed perfect for this video. Interesting ingredients. Looked like an amazing burger. Nice job!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you, Tommy! Justin and I had a blast hanging out together. Cheers, Brother!

[@Sfglutton]

Greg… LOYALIST!!!

[@BallisticBurgers]

LOL! Thanks for watching!

[@Alex-pc2gt]

Not sure about mixing all that stuff in the patty first. Good video.

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you for watching. Normally I would be in your corner, but this burger is in a different category than the typical American burger.

[@DonPandemoniac]

I can see how that is a classic, looks and sounds great. Nice seeing you fondly reliving the memories of that trip!

[@BallisticBurgers]

I've watched Justin's video three times. Such a great time!

[@grayson8414]

Hi Greg, would it be a sin to try this with ground turkey?

[@DeadBrokeBBQ]

Awesome looking burger Greg!! I told Justin that the next time we are in Miami, we are 100% stopping in and grabbing a burger there!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Maybe the gang needs to make a Florida trip? It's within driving range for "Notch?"

[@garyjennings9458]

Just another tasty lookin burger Greg! And Justin is one of my favorites 😋 On the menu now! Thanks brother!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you, Gary! Justin is an awesome guy!

[@ray7419]

Wow!!! This looks beyond amazing. Great job Greg!! 👍

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thanks a bunch, Ray!

[@craigregan1930]

Brother that looks and sounds like one of the best burgers you ever made. That crunch was incredible. I bet it tasted great.!

[@BallisticBurgers]

It is really, really good!

[@craigregan1930]

I’m definitely gonna have to make that especially since I live in Miami for six years!

[@davidandrews-lq6vy]

Nothing takes your mind off the rain like a delicious burger 🍔 👍

[@BallisticBurgers]

Words of wisdom right there.

[@lx2nv]

Man that looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the experience.

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you for watching!

[@ivse9696]

Wonderful Burger recipe - and I‘ve already made some, but I will try your recipe 👍👍👍

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you for watching!

[@dccoletrain]

I watched the movie Chef years ago and tried to recreate the Cuban sandwich in it. One of my favorite to make. I’ll have to try this sometime. I might alter it some but the flavors will be there

[@BallisticBurgers]

I LOVE that movie, Chef! Thanks for stopping by!

[@AndrewIanWeir]

I’m heading to Miami for vacation in February. Might have to hit this place up!! Thanks Greg

[@BallisticBurgers]

Yeah, spend some time in Little Havana. There are some very cool sights around the area!

[@mikebowerstv]

Fantastic Collaboration!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you, Mike! Cheers!

[@erikhoogeveen5294]

That burger looks awesome. I’m going to make that soon! I hit the subscribe and notification bell immediately. 😀 I also like your Primo content. Just bought an Oval XL.

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you for the sub! Primo makes a great ceramic grill!

[@dwaynewladyka577]

A burger that is jam packed with flavour. Looks great. Cheers, Greg! 👍🏻👍🏻✌️🍔

[@BallisticBurgers]

Appreciate your stopping by Dwayne. Yeah, jam packed is right!

[@DogsLoveTeslas]

Looks so tasty you solved what's for dinner tomorrow. Off to the store for buns and raw sugar. I'll post my thoughts on it. Thanks for your great videos.👏🤙

[@BallisticBurgers]

Hope you enjoy

[@ManCaveMeals]

Another awesome burger Greg!

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you John! Cheers, Buddy!

[@PotatoSalad7777]

I’m born and raised in Oklahoma. We are known for the onion burger but there is also another hyper regional burger here called the Theda burger. Have you done a video on it? If not, can you please make one

[@Timbalo0]

I'm generally not a fan of patties with much seasoning and neither am i a fan of crispy potatoe string thingies on a burger. BUT this looks freaking great once you (I) get your head around that this is just not a classical burger. I envy the variety of food culture you got there in the south of the US...

[@BallisticBurgers]

I too am not an advocate of mixing up seasoning and things in a burger. This gets a pass for the history alone! Thanks for stopping in!

[@helenaalicia6987]

I am sorry to have to correct you on one point. The Cubans that "picked up the baton" after Castro were those that left from 1959 thru the 1960's. We do not consider ourselves immigrants but political exiles. We had our ranches, our professions and livelihoods taken away by a communist regime and had to flee or risk incarceration or death. There is a difference.

[@BallisticBurgers]

I misspoke when I used the word when I used the word "immigrated" I do understand there is a difference and growing up knowing a person who escaped Cuba during the Castro takeover, I understand. Thank you for pointing that out.

[@helenaalicia6987]

Thanks for the reply. We love watching. And mostly if people read the comments section they will learn something too, actually about any population that have escaped their home countries and come to the US not for economic purposes but to live free from oppressive or lethal regimes.(at least free-er than many countries). My family never thought they would stay for good. We thought we would be returning and that the US would never let it happen. I grew up being constantly reminded that we were going back, that we weren't American, that we were only here temporarily. Well we are still here. Grandparents died here, Dad and the old guard are long gone, and my children are no longer 100% Cuban. We are all American now. Embraced a country that gave us refuge and we are thankful. All we have now is to keep our culture and language alive within our families as a heritage and adopt what made America Great and fight for it. WWG1WGA@@BallisticBurgers

[@brucesundberg8899]

This looks great Greg, i watched Jason... I mean Justin's 😆 video 1st.

[@BallisticBurgers]

LOL! Jason, I mean Justin did a great job!

[@mamidegena]

Chorizo in the meat mixture it very important for a Cuban frita

[@randomstuff3201]

Have you ever done something like a meatloaf, but in burger form, on a smoker?

[@BallisticBurgers]

I have done meatloaf on a smoker a couple times. I believe I may have an old meatloaf video on Ballistic BBQ.

[@movzhepok3997]

Another great one ! Smart to have potatoes strings instead of cheese I guess, from the economic point of view - without being any less appetizing

[@BallisticBurgers]

Plus, potato strings are sooo good!

[@stevenbryant8445]

Not a fan of Miami, but Little Havana has some great food.

[@lout3921]

I always forget to suggest if you can make a Dominican chimichurri burger or better known as a chimi. It is so delicious. By the way this has nothing to do with Argentinian chimichurri sauce.

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you! I'll have to look that one up. Never heard of it before. Cheers!

[@lout3921]

@@BallisticBurgers just don't make the mistake of preparing the sauce. They just squeeze the ketchup and mayonnaise on top.

[@andreafrescoesapido2459]

❤

[@MrDanbecker]

🙂👍🥂

[@Andrew-ks7zj]

Meh... I'll take a simple American cheeseburger over that.

[@californiabrad]

The sauce in the restaurant is much more yellow and not red. I am guessing theirs is mustard based not ketchup. Is that so?

[@BallisticBurgers]

Yes, this turned into a more "inspired" burger than replica.

[@riccardo9280]

Yours looks better imo

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thank you!

[@TF-cm2pp]

Not truly an authentic “Cuban” Frita burger because like you mentioned it ALWAYS has a blend with Chorizo. It’s an Americanized recipe in Miami with all beef, and a “smash” burger. Which ANY burger saying “smash” seems to automatically make it the best burger in existence right now. So if you are going to Americanize by making it a smash burger you might as well add an egg. Smashing seems to be the latest “cool” thing to do. And the bun 100 percent needs to be Cuban bread. But this is kind of an Americanized modern “Frita Burger Tribute” beef burger. Your sauce was right on. Still looks like a great burger recipe though and thanks for the video.

[@jamey-pl4ez]

Looks great, but American is better.

[@BallisticBurgers]

Choices, Choices! Thank you!

[@reynoldrosa]

As a Cuban I have to declare your attempt to make a frita a fail. You missed one key ingredient. The bun you used isn't the correct kind. I'm not sure if you realized you were using the wrong kind of bread for the bun since you made no mention of it. I think it needs to be pointed out. A frita isn't like other burgers. You can't just use any kind of bun. Honestly, I've never even thought of it as a burger. Fritas have to be made with a Cuban bread style bun. They're probably hard to get where you live, but in Miami, where I live, you can get them at the grocery store or a bakery. However, their scarcity in your area isn't an excuse for the substitution. Using the wrong bun changes the flavor and the texture of the sandwich. Many sandwiches that come from Cuba use Cuban bread as a necessary component that should not be substituted. For example, a Cuban Sandwich isn't a Cuban sandwich if it's made without Cuban bread. I've seen people try to substitute the bread with French bread and hoagy rolls, but it's not the same. Likewise, try making a Media Noche sandwich without a Media Noche sandwich roll. It can't be done. Yes, I know I'm being a stickler about the rules, and I'm being very picky. Nevertheless, in my opinion, using the wrong kind of bread ruins the sandwich.

[@BallisticBurgers]

Well... There are three Cuban restaurants here in San Diego, and none of them have Cuban hamburger buns, so I made due with what I had on hand, kind of like a Cuban would do. "Fail" is a very strong word for not using a Cuban bun. I don't agree with your assessment at all.

[@reynoldrosa]

@@BallisticBurgers I'm surprised that a Cuban restaurant would'nt have Cuban bread. That would've been the only substitute since the buns used for Fritas are nothing more than bun sized loaves of Cuban bread. I disagree with you that it's not a fail. If you're going for authenticity, the bread is an important component. I once saw another KZbinr make his own Cuban bread so he could make authentic Cuban Sandwiches. As you said, Cubans are resourceful. Where there is a will there is a way. Maybe I'm just being too harsh, but that's how I feel.

[@BallisticBurgers]

@@reynoldrosa These restaurants serve the Cubano sandwich but do not serve burgers. I worked with what I had... No fail; you are being too harsh. Cheers

[@reynoldrosa]

@@BallisticBurgers The Cuban Bread used to make Cuban Sandwiches would work. It’s the same thing as the buns the restaurant in Miami used.

[@MrMegaFredZeppelin]

Hey Greg😃Glad you and Justin went to Miami😁We have the same glass thing you have in you patio, same colors tooThat burger looks just like the one you had in MiamiLooks delicious😋A "BIG"👍🏻ROCK ON!!!!!!!🤘🏻🤙🏻✌🏻

[@BallisticBurgers]

Thanks for watching Fred!

[@cooking.n.drinking.with_jeremy]

I would love to see more of the video shot behind the scenes! Especially if you go to the restaurant that is the inspiration of the cook! VLOG style. I want to see it from the source, how they make it! Keep up the good work and great burger cooks. Just a suggestion that I'm sure some will disagree. Thx.

[@BallisticBurgers]

My wife agrees with you 100%. She is always telling me to do vlog type videos like that. Thank you, Jeremy!