El Mago de las Fritas Reviews

This place has been my Miami staple for my last five trips there. THAT'S HOW GOOD IT IS. I will go out of my way to stop here and eat a Chicken frita with egg, fried hard and a side of fries. I also grab a cafe con leche and some of there small pearl ice water. The food isn't sitting and waiting for your order, the cook doesn't begin your order until you've made it. EVERY THING is fresh! And the staff are all amazingly sweet. A couple of them recognize me now and remember that I travel to them when I'm in town. It's like s small family there and when you visit, you're home. The location is a little hard to get to and you run a risk of getting towed if there is no immediate parking available in front of the building, but I have never run into any issues while running inside to eat. They offer a wide variety of things on the menu, so there is something for everyone, and did I mention two people can get a frita, fries, coffee and dessert for roughly $20?! Make the trip, you'll enjoy it!

Wow, if you’re looking for a fantastic Cuban Frita, this is the place! Walk in the door and you are greeted with “welcome home”. You are truly treated as though you are family. Take whatever suggestions you’re offered, it is all fantastic. The Fundido was wonderful, everything was hot, the mango shake tasted like it had just been picked from a tree. And the coffee was perfect. Great for lunch or dinner. Exceptional and fast service. We’ll be back!

For generations of Cubans, the "fritas" has been a family favorite. At the "el Mago de las Fritas" you will be greeted by Ortelio (the owner) with a smile and a great service, he has magic hands to cook specially his fritas and the soup of the day.

Tried the place because of the good reviews and it was a good choice. Don’t expect a fancy restaurant but it is very cozy. Their sandwich+fritas were very tasty. The staff was friendly and nice. We recommend to try this place for sure.

Grandparents, parents, and kids all loved the food. There were no bites left. If you're in miami, go here. Take out or eat in, just try it!

Very nice place, reasonable prices, welcoming staff. Unique place in Miami. Try the cuban beer as well.

Stop what you're doing and go here now! My friend and I were able to squeeze this into our Miami visit on the way to the airport, and it was worth the trip (and dragging our baggage with us!) The traditional Fritas was excellent, and kept us wanting more! The staff was so friendly and welcoming. I hope I get to return again soon!

We were looking for authentic Cuban food and we found it at El Mago. We tried a little of everything and shared around the table. The Cuban mango shake was delicious along with Flan 🍮. Homemade aioli sauce went perfect with fries, plantains, fritas, and croquetas. Topped it off with colada coffee. Very smooth with a hint of cocoa.

We picked this place based on reviews on TripAdvisor. It is out of the way, very small (6 4-top tables and about 12 bar seats), and with great food at reasonable prices. We did not regret our choice. Friendly service and very good food. We had the traditional Frita with tostones and beans. All very good. We would go back here.

The food, the staff, everything is great. The traditional fritas and melon juice are delicous. Their cuban coffee is one of the best we have ever had.

The three of us really enjoyed our meal here. Very tasty Cuban fast food. Probably the sweetest staff of any restaurant we have visited in years. They genuinely appreciate your business. Support your local restaurants the best you can in these times. The chains come and go, but places like this are an institution, and they back it up with great food.

We decided to stop here on the way back from the Keys on the way to the airport. So glad we did. Amazing food. We got a tamal, the traditional fritas, a chicken fritas and the flan. Our bill was $21!! Total bargain. We will definitely visit here again when we are in Miami.

Found this place in Trip Advisor looking for local Miami food, and was not disappointed. Everything about this place screamed authentic. Very friendly staff and helped explain what the menu was. We had the regular fritas and the chicken fritas. Both were amazing, with so much flavor. Would def go again if we traveled back to Miami. Oh, don't get a Coke, get the Cuban soda!!!

We found this place on TripAdvisor while heading to the Keys and it lived up to all the reviews! The food and service was over the top!

Had an amazing lunch on our way to the keys. The watermelon juice was so refreshing and the staff was very nice. Can’t wait to return!!

Best place for Fritas in Miami. Cuban alternative for burgers-fritas- are just incredible! Nice atmosphere, great food.

A great place to eat lunch. You feel like you're part of the family and although you may not know anyone.... you feel like you're eating lunch with family & friends!!! The food is authentic & delicious.

Was in Miami today and naturally wanted Cuban Food. Looked at the usual options but noticed the nice reviews for El Mago. It is small, very friendly and absolutely delicious. Not a huge menu, which to me is a plus as they know what they do well. And boy do they know what they are doing. We drove 20 minutes out of our way but would drive an hour or two for their wonderful food.

We found this on trip advisor and glad we did. Very close to UM, so we were weary of finding parking, but we found a parking lot behind the restaurant and just walked around. Great friendly and helpful waitress who spoke English very well. We had the steak sandwich and their famous fritas hamburger. The steak was thinly sliced and full of flavor and the burger was so good. Our waitress gave us a spicy mayo and this elevated the taste even more. Great counter lunch at really reasonable prices. The picture of Obama on the wall was so cool.

I loved this place! The Frita Cubana (Cuban hamburger) with egg was one of the best burgers I have ever had! I also had my first plantains here as well as cuban coffee, both of which was delicious. All in all this place may have been the best bang for my buck I've ever had at a restaurant.

We didn't know what a frita is. At El Mago, it's heaven on a bun. They prepare the burger meat like chorizo and top it with delicious shoestring fries on a Cuban bun. You can also have it with a number of other toppings like cheese, fried egg, or tostone (fried plantains). The Cuban coffee shake was great as was their flan, dulce de leche, and coffee. Barry, one of the owners, is super friendly and told us all about the area, including other great places to eat and to visit. The prices are quite reasonable. This was a highlight of our trip to Miami.

This place is just great: great food and service. Looks like a diner but the food is 1st class. And it’s not expensive. I highly recommended!

really small, really local. driving by you might not want to go in, but these people are super friendly. inexpensive, authentic, and fun. the cuban burgers are great. good milk shakes. it can be crowded but worth the wait...unless you're into American fast food. definitely going again when in Miami

When I want to feel home I always go here cause it reminds me of my childhood , good fast food at a reasonable price an the fritas are delicious .I’ve been going for years and never been dissatisfied. Fritas are the Cuban way of making hamburgers . I highly recommend to try one when in Miami ❤️

I came here after my friend told me about it when he discovered it the day before. As we came in, we were greeted kindly and ordered a few of the burgers and Fritas. The food was outstanding and putting some of their special sauces on them just enhanced the flavor. I definitely recommend this place to be checked out while in Miami.

This little place is an institution in the City of West Miami 8th Street, their personalized services is amazing it through you back in time to the little cafeterias with a bar style seating and a few stools, the quality of the authentic FRITA CUBANA, Cuban style hamburger is amazing, to the variety of BATIDOS DE FRUTAS , fruit milk shakes it will give you a real taste of Cuban Quick bite food, the prices are very competitive for that kind of market. Only problem is the parking spaces there is not parking on 8th street but there are plenty of parking on the side avenues which will just take you a short walk to the cafeteria,, try it you won't regret the visit

I found this place in a "best burgers around the USA" kind of a list ad figured I would give it a shot now that some places are opening up after Covid-19. All staff wore masks and there were hand sanitizer bottles spread out on the counter for customers and staff to use. I ordered the original Frita and was surprised. The burger paddy is NOT chorizo but it taste like it. It is spicy but not too much for my taste. It was moist but not fatty. I also got a side order of fries. I left there full but without feeling nauseous as I sometimes do after eating a burger. The Frita was a good size and not greasy. Will come back and try more from their menu

My wife and I came here for an evening meal at the tail end of a trip around central- southern Florida and a music cruise. We were looking for something Cuban in a family owned, cafe type setting. We found it here. The lovely staff explained that the signature sandwich was a family recipe from Cuba. We each had that plus some fried plantains and a cuban beer (a Mexican coke for me). Simple, but very executed, presented in a family-owned setting. We don’t have enough of this in America anymore where normally what we see is endless chain fast food places or restaurants where the food just gets dumbed down over time. Visit El Mago de las Fritas for a warm welcome and a fine sandwich.

We flew into Miami yesterday, picked up our rental car, and headed directly to El Mago for our favorite fritas in the world. We travel to Miami about once per year and always stop at El Mago immediately after arriving. As usual, I ordered two traditional fritas and my wife ordered one. They were excellent and just like I remembered them. For our family, this is the ideal way to start a trip to Miami.

Loved the tamal and fritas Al Caballo. Staff was great, and I spent a few minutes talking with the owner. Family operated for 3 decades

So much history, so much family, so much caring. The food is authentic and the service is top notch! I had the traditional Fritas with an egg. Very good!

Delicious food, perfect atmosphere to relax and excellent service! Their café con leche was my favorite. If you are looking to taste new Cuban food El Mago de la Frita is a great place to start. You will love it!! Si estas en busca de un lugar tranquilo con un ambiente familiar y amigable este es el lugar perfecto. Excelente servicio al cliente, deliciosa comida y el café con leche es el mejor.

The potato matchsticks were a disappointment. Why not fry them from scratch? Cuban- style bread a great idea to balance spicy (not hot) taste. Appears best along with a milk shake as opposed to a soft drink.

Tiny little diner with american owners and latinoamerican staff, which is a genius combination. Fritas were delicious and completely different from burgers, which is a giant "+". Don't miss homemade watermelon juice ;). Staff was amazing, helpful, everything clean... Will definitely come back if there will be an opportunity :).

I was at a guayabera shop that was around the corner (I’ll review it soon) and they suggested I try this place so I did. I wasn’t disappointed, the wait staff was friendly and attentive, they suggested other food but it has been such a long time since I was in Miami I had to get a pan con bistec and it was very tasty! Everything there looked good a nice place do yourself a favor and get you some!

Very relaxed atmosphere and filling food. The flan is amazing! El Mago de las fritas is a wizard of the fries. Definitely coming back next time we’re in Miami!

Great place. The burger specialty, hot dogs, watermelon juice, plantains, and the people are all 5/5.

This was our first stop after getting off the plane and it was just what we needed, a great introduction to Miami's Cuban food! The Fritas were really tasty, I especially liked the crispy potato sticks - we only got a single, but for a meal I'd get a double patty. We also tried the fish special which was basically a salted fish dish, again very tasty, but maybe not for everyone if they don't like fish. The server actually let us try some just to make sure we liked it first. The family-run atmosphere was very comfortable and we had a nice chat with the father and daughter. Highly recommended for anyone looking for some Cuban bites, especially for a good price.

Unassuming, cozy, warm and welcoming authentic Cuban eatery. Their menu is focused with a variety of what they feature. We tried the traditional fritas, bacalao con boniato and coffee. The fritas is simple, which makes it amazing. The only comment is if you are hungry, you'll want to have the double (or triple) or adding a fried egg. They have specials daily and the cod was delicious! There is nothing that was not totally delicious. The pricing is also really reasonable for a meal/snack. Staff are friendly and happy to tell you about their cuisine. Well worth checking it out for an informal meal.

We usually research places to eat before traveling. If it wasn’t for the high rating and good reviews I would have missed this restaurant completely. The decor is outdated and simple but the food is fantastic! I don’t like beef so I didn’t try their traditional bestselling sandwich but my husband raved about the seasoning and flavour. I had the chicken sandwich which was fresh, and delicious. The fried plantain tasted yummy with the sauces on the table (I liked it more than the fries). The waitress and everyone who works there are welcoming, warm and friendly. She gave us the beef sandwich for free just so the guys could try it and told us all about the restaurant’s history and dishes. The mango smoothie was also fabulous. I will definitely be back.

Very modest looking place but the food is really good. The flan was excellent. We never had Fritas before and they were very tasty. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The place was very clean and they prepare the food in front of you. Limited parking with only a couple spots in front of the restaurant. They were difficult to enter and back out since the lot is adjacent to a very busy street. Overall, this is was a nice experience and I definitely suggest that you give it a try. They have been around for 35 years and show no signs of slowing down.

DELICIOUS, the atmosphere of this place is just great, the food obviously delicious, the service is GREAT and according to prices is mid-range. Worth to try

Go for an Early lunch. it gets busy after 12.30 pm and make sure to ask for their special soups, Good Old Personal service with a flavourful Frita (cuban burger) or thei steak sandwich it's just amazing service

I was trying to eat at "El mago de las fritas" for a very long time because all the TV shows and great reviews. It didn't´t disappoint me. Great different burger that you must try. Another great thing is the attention that gives you the staff. I will come back.

Located close to the Miami Airport (for people craving something other than airport food) and served with a smile, this restaurant was our intro to fritas - a Cuban hamburger, that should make you feel slightly queasy from its description, yet tastes divine and light and somehow... healthy? Definitely go for the extra fries and fried onions - you won't feel a thing and you'll be smacking your lips in enjoyment.

Good Lil joint at shopping strip along busy 8th street with limited and challenging parking. Parking may be found at an adjacent shopping strip. Welcoming staff specially professional server “Maria” who suggested yummy sauces for the star of the show “the Cuban Frita!”. A frita is made of secretive blend of meat and chorizo with tasty spices. I went with the traditional other version are available including with cheese. The frita is served on soft delicious roll filled with lil potato sticks and a tasty red sauce. Honestly ordering one is not enough they are that good - had I not been alone I would had ordered two but was embarrassed to take responsibility for what would appeared as overeating, (lol). Maria offered a small cup of chicken soup to go with frita and I was glad I took her advised while I was enjoying the delicious Cuban hot & fresh chicken soup. They offer traditional Cuban dishes: Friday’s cod fish in creole sauce served with white rice; Saturday Cuban Ajiaco served with fresh chicharrones - ajiaco is a typical Cuban comfort food; stew of delicious root veggies and beef, yum! Bottom line, place offers abundant delicious meal choices. My meal was less than $10 and great! You want home style Cuban fare go here, don’t expect fancy just good food and service. By the way “EL MAGO” himself sat at counter overseeing the operation and talking to a regular about everyday stuff; he’s the owner since the 80’s.

Had a great lunch here. The food was delicious and service was the friendliest we've had in Miami! Would definitely recommend!

I go there for the house specialty Cuban Fritas or Pan con Bistec to wash down with a "batido de fruta" a fruit milk shake

Excellent service food was great! Had the Chicharon, half a steak sandwich and the traditional frita. And of course a wheat milkshake which was from HEAVEN! As a Cuban kid who grew up in Allapatah, this home for me! Say hello to Belkis, daughter of Hortelio el mago himself!

Amazing food with even better service. Real authentic Cuban experience with high quality food in simple location. The chicken soup was outstanding, the plantain even better - but the fritas were the star!! We had the chicken fritas and they were amazing!! If they did Michelin stars for little independent cafe’s - this place would win one! Thanks so much for your hospitality!

Found this after landing at MIA. Ordered fritas for first time. The chorizo seasoning is really good. I had the double that had fried Plantain with it added the in-house aioli. Yum! Finished with the flan—maybe the best I’ve had. Great stop!

You have to go here if you come from or go to the airport. Just locals and some tourist who search for great places. Yes, Obama was here and afterward, we all know why. Sandwich and Fritas are great, amazing meat quality and the homemade bread is marvelous. Do not forget to taste all the homemade sauces. Service is so friendly - my total admiration for your behavior.

The place is simple but clean, the people who serve are friendly, the food is good and it is affordable.

Went from VA Hospital for late bfst. Very welcoming staff. They greeted us saying welcome home. Cuban Coffee was excellent. Croquettes had a good flavor but missing on texture. Fritas were tasty but the patty could have used maybe a couple more ounces. Pan de bistec had a nice flavor with a slightly tangy undertone. Tamales were okay. FLAN!!! WOW!!!!!!' I cant wait to go back for a triple patty fritas w egg. Service was friendly AND EFFICIENT.

Stopped here after visiting our sons doctor. It was our second time here. The place is small, but the food is really good if you like Cuban cuisine.

An explosion of flavors! Un espectáculo que hay que probar. Our son got the Big magic Frita, I had a pork bowl and my fiancé had a Confundida. Everything fresh and the waitress took the time to answer our questions and suggest what to get. A great Cuban flavor and different from other Cuban restaurants.

Amazing frita. Best taste. Awesome service! Done on the spot fresh and best tasting. They look small but fill up !!

It is a small and famous place, visited by great personalities that have photos on the wall! The fries are delicious and they recommend a creamy dressing that goes very well, I could not avoid eating two although the portion is good

My family and I have been eating at El Mago de las Fritas for twenty plus years. The food is great and the service is excellent. You have to have a frita - a Cuban hamburger with grilled onions and crispy potatoes. Mago's are the best! Barack Obama ate here and is picture adorns the wall. It isn't a big place and it gets crowded on Saturdays and is not fancy, but is for sure fun and worth a visit!

The people working here are warm and welcoming and the fritas are really delicious. Eat them. Eat them now.

I discovered this place when looking for a quick, on the run bite, and it has become a favorite. The fritas are fantastic, as is the steak sandwich. You must not miss the Espuma De Cafe shake, which is a pure espresso coffee delight, whipped into a light and heavenly skake.

Fast and friendly service. Options for the gluten free/carb conscious folk. Definitely the tastiest, most juiciest Frita. The double a Caballo is tasty, but I'm going to have to go triple next time. The burger patties aren't big, so don't hesitate on supersizing because you won't regret it. And for the hot, spicy palates: the home made hot sauce is very tasty and hot. The homemade pineapple, mayo sauce is a nice touch, as well. Politics aside, but when "the President" has to stop at El Mago for a Frita, that's the Seal of Approval!

Different and very tasty food, very good service (all friendly and helpful) and quiet environment. It's worth it!

Good food, ambiance was a bit cheap but food compensated this! Especially the papas fritas where great!

Visited here with my family. Good food and fast service. Friendly staff. It's a busy place. Was full during lunch time on a weekday. Was surprised. Recommend for a quick tasty Cuban meal.

Looked into places to eat while in Miami during my recent USA trip. This place popped up as a good budget place to go, and as I had never tried Cuban food before, I convinced my cousin to go. The place is the typical side of the road bar, but when you get in the warmth of the staff is the first thing you notice. Amazing guest service. We quickly got a table (during peak hour nonetheless) and that itself was amazing considering the place has more or less 6 tables. We ordered a couple of fritas (the star dish of course) with some fries on the side. I still got to get around my head why didn't I taste Cuban food before. If that's how good it can be, PLEASE give me more. Amazing fritas, fries were on point also. All in all, a great place to go on a budget (food + drinks + tip I think was $20 for both of us). It can be better location-wise but nonetheless I recommend going there.

Authentic Cuban atmosphere. Prices are very reasonable and you will leave full. We lucked out and got one of the very few parking spaces out front. Ordering would be easier if I spoke Spanish but a lady working the grill was very helpful and pleasant, she may be the owner. Tostones were crispy and not at all greasy. The Fritas was good but more potato sticks than meat. The Cuban bread was fresh and soft.

Not a 5 star restaurant for decor and ambiance,but for amazing authentic cuban food, friendly service and cheap eats, this is your place. This is a family run business with the freshest food in west Miami. They have wine and craft beer also. Must try their Frita A Caballo, to die for~~~ Even President obama has eaten here. Works for me.

Worth all the 5 star reviews from the friendliness of the waitress alone. The Cuban hamburgers were amazing. This place has flan as well. Stop by and experience the magic.

Had to try this locally known as the best fritas in Miami. It was a classic lunch spot with mostly counter seats and a few tables. The staff of course all spoke Spanish but I was lucky enough to get a waitress that spoke enough English to help me order. I took all of her suggestions Chick noodle soup Fritas And dessert The Frita was served the traditional way with beef and egg and of course the thin straw potatoes on top. I was surprised that even with the bun it was actually pretty light. The soup had a unique taste and was very good. The dessert I tried Bc I was still hungry and Again a different taste than what I was expecting but very good. Total bill very reasonable ~ $15 On top of the local ambience there is a pic of Obama on the wall apparently he made a surprise visit in 2010.

Just go here.....don’t think about going....just do it. I had found this on Trip Advisor - good food at a good price was the theme. This was absolutely spot on. My wife, three sons, and I went for dinner while on vacation in Miami. I love little hole in the wall kind of places like this and it did not disappoint. The food and value could not have been better. We had Three sodas, a shake, a beer, five fritas, a basket of fries, and 2 desserts for less then $60. We had a chicken frita, two traditional Fritas, and two Fritas with egg (Frita caballo) and all were sooooooo good. I’d recommend a double meat- the price is not that much more. Not only that, but the service was awesome. Martha, the owner, spent time talking about the restaurant and about our time in Little Havana, checking out what we have done. She even willingly made other suggestions for dining in Little Havana. That is confidence in your place in the restaurant universe.

You really need to give this place a try. We enjoyed lunch here on a Saturday. Cuban owned small restaurant offering wonderful food at reasonable prices. We had the Fritas (seasoned hamburgers). They were absolutely yummy! Try the homemade mayo sauce. Also- they serve Cuban beverages and of corse Cuban coffee. Great atmosphere and very friendly employees. Parking is very limited though. We will definitely return!

Looking for a good spot to eat while doing laundry as this place had great reviews and great pics so let’s try it out and so happy we did, hands down awesome tasting hamburger with a fried egg and julienne fries on top and some kind of good soft buns and fries on the side with a cold Malta, such a great find. Extremely friendly staff and helpful and knowledgeable of the menu and ingredients and its cooked in front of you by grill and you can see how clean the chef is, which I loved. Clean restaurant. Anytime back in Miami we will definitely be coming back here.

We popped by this restaurant as it was close to where we were staying and from the outside it looks a little undistinguished. Once inside, we were given a warm welcome and tables were quickly rearranged to cater for our party of seven. The staff were very friendly and informative re the menu. The food was excellent and there was a good selection of quality beers. The coffee was the best I've ever tasted. Barry, one of the co-owners provided us with some great entertaining craic. A good experience all round. If the food is good enough for a president, then it's good enough for sandancers.

I ordered the traditional Frita with double meat (doble), which is a chorizo burger with shoestring fries on a Cuban bun. I liked it. Nice to try something different. The place is decorated with framed press clippings and photos of celebs who have stopped by, including Barack Obama.

Frita, frita, and more frita’s. Very friendly staff. Was the first place we ate at in Miami and was definitely a great choice. Very close to airport hotels also. Uber’d over for $6 and walked back to hotel.

Stopped in for a quick meal with my wife and our Polish friends. The famous Frita was outstanding. Family own small place was extremely friendly and we had very god time there. If I could have rated the service higher I would have.

I come here when I’m working in Miami - or when I bring out of town guests here to sample the Cuban fritas. Great service and very accommodating to Anglos. Clearly, this is not a place to woo your socialite friends but it’s a great dive, comfort food location just west of Little Havana and close to the interstate. For tourists, this is a great quick lunch spot following a trip to Shark Valley or Coral Gables.

Located since 1984 in strip mall in Little Havana. Cuban sandwich originated in Tampa (not Miami). El Mango de las Fritas, translated Frita Magician. The first fritas were born on Havana's sidewalks in pushcarts (puestos). Immigrants brought the street food to Miami. In 2010 President Obama stopped in and loved the fritas. The decor is a dive, Covid procedures, great staff, parking. Customers are locals 65% male, some women and kids, medium age for men 40yrs old. Menu: Cuban, main item Frita ( beef-pork blend, seasoned w/paprika, cumin & pepper), most get topping cheese & fried egg. Everyone gets ketchup & shoestring potatoes.

Our tour guide took us here on the way back from a trip to the Everglades for lunch. Although I’m unassuming from the outside, it is the real deal. The staff are extremely friendly and the food was absolutely outstanding. I thoroughly recommend almost anything off the menu! Really enjoyed this place and great value for money.

The waitresses were very friendly and helpful. The fritas were delicious! Great experience all around.

The house special was incredible. Perfect size, very tasty and lots of flavour. If you are a “foodie” you will really like this place, it’s charming, traditional with great people.

The food was amazing, and the staff were so great! Anytime we are down in Southern FL, we will make sure to stop by here again.

Saw the reviews and wanted something off the beaten path. This Cuban diner is THE TRUTH!! The Cuban burger was delicious but the flan was OFF THE CHARTS! Not to mention the 2 ladies who waited on me were so incredibly sweet and kind. It felt as if I were visiting their home rather than a restaurant. Do yourself a favor and pay them a visit. You won't be sorry.

I was a bit concerned it would be all dead animals, but there is actually a lovely vegetarian option for the Frita. I would never have thought about putting tiny french fries on top of a burger, vegetarian or otherwise, but it actually works really well. Service was fast and friendly and two burgers, a Coke, a six dollar beer , french fries and a coffee set us back $23. Very laid-back place with simple wooden tables. Don't go there to impress your date, but definitely hang out with friends or family.

My favorite spot for Fritas Cubanas and withing walking distance from El Mago del Ponche...so if you need a flat repaired you can have a nice lunch while you wait, LOL. Whenever family comes from out of town they want to make this their first stop. Last time, we met the owner's daughter who told us the history of the place.

The server was very helpful and knowledgeable. We appreciated her patience with us while we ordered. I had the Frita Bowl with no meat, and a fried crispy onion strips and a fried egg on top. So good. I’m going to be thinking about this dish for a while. I was bringing my nephew to the airport and this place was nearby. What a great find! I’ll be back with my next group of travelers.

If you want to try some really good Cuban burgers come to this place. Very family friendly and the servers are sweet and attentive. The yellow homemade sauce is amazing. 😋

We where there this week. Amazing place, friendly service and fairly good prices. Frita was breath taking! Good work guys!

Loved the fritas. Great shake & delicious flan & wonderful dulce de leche. Very reasonable prices. Fun diner atmosphere.

Great Cuban hamburgers (Fritas), just like I used to have as a kid at Fritas Domino on 12th Ave. and 8th street. Their slogan "fritas domino si te comes una te comes dos". Translation, Domino Fritas if you'll eat one you'll eat two'. Only drawback to eating here is that they only have several parking spaces and they are usually full. Not sure why they would pick this location that has extreme limited parking. Otherwise highly recommend !

I have been eating Fritas for the past 30 years and this is one of the better ones in Miami. It is a small restaurant with both tables and counter seating. They attract a decent size crowd, but we have always been able to find a seat. We stick to the traditional frita without cheese and have never been disappointed. The service is always polite and with a smile. The prices are reasonable. There are a few parking spaces in front, but we have always been able to find parking on the side streets and behind.

Awesome lunch and great service. We stopped for lunch after reading the reviews and it was the best sandwich and fries ever. The lady who served us was so welcoming and helpful. It is a simple place but fantastic food.

First having a Frita. From Canada but had a few days in Miami with my mom. We went here based on the reviews, and I love finding the “hole in the wall” places with fantastic food at a great price it this place did not disappoint. We were in a bit of a hurry, so we only ordered one traditional, which was very good but not enough food if you are hungry. Should have had the dessert or a second frita. I really liked mine, but mom seemed underwhelmed... but she had to order it without cheeze and that could have been the problem.... or she is just tough to please...

Back home we don't have "fritas", so I was really excited to go and was blown away by the delicious albeit very unhealthy meal! I also had a shake, unreal.

This little Cuban burger(Fritas) joint is a must when in South Florida It’s located in the heart of Miami with a friendly yet professional staff. It’s the Best!!

I've been wanting to visit this place for a long time. Loved it! Sat at the counter and ordered the frita with croquetas on a Cuban bread hamburger bun. The frita has the most delicious fried shoestring potatoes topping that provides a crunchy flavor explosion. Add a little hot sauce, and, you have a real tasty treat. The experience was fabulous. The servers come and talk to you as you eat at the counter, making you feel right at home. We also ordered a red bean soup and a mamey milk shake. This looks like a little hole in the wall, but, it has its own rustic ambience. Not to be missed while in Miami. Prices are beyond reasonable! Will return.

This place is amazing for two reasons: the food and the service. The ladies at El Mago really take care of you from the time you walk in the door to the time you leave full. We had the Traditional Frita and the Frita Caballo (with egg) and they were more than delicious, especially once you add the special sauce. After dinner, we had a couple of the Cuban coffees and you don't need to add anything to them, they're perfect how they're served. Overall, we were super happy with everything and now we have our go-to spot in Miami whenever we're in town.

We travelled from Naples Florida on our holiday to eat here and we were not disappointed. The vibe is so chilled, the staff are friendly and the food is fabulous. We had the classic Frita, fries, chocolate milkshake and a flan for dessert- I definitely recommend this place!

Great experience. Had the frita with tostones. The service was friendly. The food was outstanding. The atmosphere was basic old.school diner. I will go again, when in Miami!

Lovely family owned restaurant that is known for traditional cuban burgers with fritos chips. Staff members happily chat away with you as if they have known you forever. They also speak English. This is a place to go when in Miami!

I reserve 5 stars for special situations, el mago is such a place. Staff immediately greets you when you walk in. English or Spanish not an issue. Staff will walk you through the menu and make suggestions. Nothing they recommended was wrong. Had to try the frita which was very good. Also since it was Saturday had to get an order of chicharrones, oh my gosh, were they good. Finished the meal with some cafes and a flan. 5 stars all around, staff, food, maybe the only drawback is limited parking. If you are in Miami, work your way over to el mago. If you are flying out, take an extra 45 minutes and drop by el magi for a frita, flan and cafe of your choice. You will be glad you did.

I was expecting a flavor full sandwhich and was quite disappointed. The prices for the quality of the food were expensive.

The food and service were both great. The staff were super friendly and helpful in making recommendations. Small, local restaurant. The fritas and fries were delicious.

The food was excellent! The Fritas were yummy but the best thing we had was the garbanzo beans! You must get them. They were unreal!! Also the owners and wait staff were very friendly and helpful. They gave us many other recommendations of things to do and good food in Miami

The frita and the chicken soup was delicious!! Twenty-five from miami beach. Cheap price! Very recconmend!

Delicious stop for Cuban food. Loved it! Don’t leave without a mango shake and some flan! The service was the best we’ve had yet Miami. The daughter of the restaurant owner took great care to explain the menu to and help us choose things that our kids would like. Wonderful experience all around.

The one word to describe the frita burgers at El Mago De Las Fritas is addictive! I visited the restaurant for the first time a few weeks ago and became an immediate fan. I had two Frita Traditionals. The meat was full of chorizo flavor and savory seasonings and topped with crisp shoestring potatoes and melty cheese. The buns were nicely soft. I also had some flan to finish the meal. The flan was good but basically what you would find in a Latin grocery store. Next time I’m in Miami, I plan to go out of my way to have more of these delicious fritas.

What can I say, this place oozes Cuban culture. This is a must place to come and try his famous frita Cubana! Come over! Your taste buds will thank you & beg you to take one for the road. I’ve been coming here for almost 40 years and it’s never disappointing.

Frita a caballo was amazing, especially with cheese. Flan de caramelo was the best I've tasted. Very familiar and friendly staff, can't wait to come back.

Visiting this place was an amazing experience. People there were so friendly and as we did not know most of the food names meaning, the waitress kindly explained these to us... and the food was really delicious! Thank you!

We always research places to eat before traveling. If it wasn’t for the high rating & good reviews i would have missed this restaurant completely.The decor is outdated and simple but the food is fantastic. The place is a little small but comfortable. Without doubt a stop worth your time. Friendly, warm and helpful staff. Be prepared for long wait for food- about 45 min but everything is made from scratch and fresh. Definitely worth being patient!!! Their Cuban coffee is one of the best I have ever had. It goes without saying that we will be back when visiting Miami..

This IS the biggest hidden gem I found in Miami. I can’t begin to describe how good it was. Just order LA CONFUNDIDA and than me after your mouth orgasm.

Yes this food is an experience Tony little diner type place in Little Havana Felt 100% safe in the area The staff was warm friendly and helpful Fritas were Amazing!! Best risk I ever took Don’t care what was in it it was delicious and their sodvial sauce was incredible The Julianne potatoes were basically home made potato sticks I already want to go back and take everyone I know

It is not really a hamburger, but it looks like one... and it has a very special taste. In Miami, with a big population of Cuban families, they are very popular. They are usually prepared with very thin potato chips, and onion. Yes, EL MAGO DE LAS FRITAS is the best place to try one of this hamburgers. By the way, President Barack Obama, when he visited Mimi, he had a "frita cubana" with the MAGO... and elderly man that have been preparing them for many years. I highly recommend you to try it... and mail your evaluation to trip advisor.

We felt welcome from the moment we walked in. Everyone was happy. El Mago was in the back laughing and cooking. The fritas we ordered were delicious and perfectly cooked. They offer Cuban coffee and chicharrones as we.

The Cuban Burger place. Outstanding care by the staff, you will never go back to a chain burger restaurant. The guanabana shake is an experience to remember forever.

We found the location while stealing through little Havana. Amazing place for food with grate value for money. For a drink is recommend to move a few blocks further down the street to some authentic bars

Was in Miami today and stopped for lunch at a small Cuban cafe called El Mago de las Fritas. It didn't look like much from the outside, but inside was decent and the food was excellent. I had a chicken frita and my friend had the beef frita. They were both outstanding. The chicharrones are only made on Saturdays, so we got lucky today and had some. OMG!!! Nothing like homemade chicharrones. The waitresses, the cook and the Dad who worked behind the counter were all so personable, they added to the pleasant experience. I've gotta go back.

We stopped here right when we got to Miami and the staff were so friendly and accommodating. As we arrived near closing, we stayed past their 8pm closing time and we were never rushed nor kicked out. One of the owners? spoke great English and chatted with us about the area. Food itself was delicious and very reasonably priced. Will come again if I'm ever in the Miami area.

We left the Miami airport on our way to Key Largo, and decided to give this place a shot based on TripAdvisor reviews. It was, by far, an awesome beginning to what looks to be a great vacation. Everyone in there was so friendly. We sat and had the signature Frita with a side of plantains while sitting next to the owner/founder and being served by his daughter. The conversation was fantastic and the food matched. We can’t wait to eat here on our way back to the airport. She shared a great deal of information about her family history and how this place and those amazing Fritas came to be and are still standing. The restaurant was impeccably clean, and the staff were obviously happy to be at work and taking great care of the patrons. It is a “must-do”.

Must visit. Wonderful people and amazing food! Got the traditional and loved it. Such a friendly vibe.

We had flown into Miami for our first visit and wanted to sample authentic Cuban food from the get go. Found this little diner/ counter restaurant by great fortune. The food was delicious and the service was beyond impeccable. The owner's adult daughter reached out to us and shared her story and that of her 80s father and original founder of the restaurant. After she made sure we were well taken care of us, she offered for us to call her with any needs during our stay in her hometown. What a breath of fresh air in this world. She was truly caring and the food was spectacular. Thank you so much. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Of course is not an elegant restaurant but the food is amazing. We tasted the meat with a very good sauce on the top. I will came back for sure.

The atmosphere and servers are very friendly . The owner cooks one Cuban traditional dish each day that it is awesome. The fritas are genuine and fresh. A little tricky to park but there's a technical school next door that you can park at.

Was in Miami for some business and use TripAdvisor to look up a good place for Cuban food and this place rated number one for Cuban food and number 12 for restaurants in Miami. I was not disappointed by the recommendation. The service was very nice & friendly. By Freda was excellent! It was topped with a plethora of potatoes cut Haystack style, and I topped mine with some really good homemade hot sauce. It's a good thing I don't live nearby or I could eat here regularly and gained a couple hundred more pounds. LOL. If ever in Miami check the place out. It's in a little mall and not much to look at from the outside but the interior is quaint and the food is worth the trip.

Kept hearing about it and not being Cuban, I didn't know what to think. Once tasted those little jewels with cheese, I got hooked. Every trip I make from NJ to Miami, which is monthly, I have to hit the joint. My favorite place in all Miami for cheap eats.

The service was fantastic and the food was just as good. The staff were all friendly and helpful with the menu. We will definitely visit again.

These type of family owned restaurants are special. When the owner comes and asks how things are and makes recommendations. I overheard(Cuban Chisme) her speaking to some clients of how they came to start selling one of the beers they have available. This type of service is hard to find nowadays and makes your experience sooo much better when you find it. The fritas where spectacular!! Warm fresh cuban bread buns and crunchy shaved fries were key! You can eat two easily. I wanted a third but luckily opted to save space for the flan de caramelo. Tasted like Grandmas. I actually got a chance to shake the "Mago's" hand.

The best fritas and gorgeous fruit juices too. Cooked and served by Cuban staff, what a find, cannot wait to return for more!

Welcoming family owned restaurant with fast service and tasty Cuban food. Staff was friendly and helpful in answering any questions. We ordered ham croquetas and 2 fritas with papaya smoothies and it was all delicious!!! Will definitely return whenever back in Miami

What a service!!! Everyone treated us like family. The food was so tasteful. My wife and I loved the Fritas Europa burger. Although, I had it "A caballo" (with fried egg). My son had the original Fritas with lettuce, tomatoes and Swiss cheese. My daughter had the Choripan. Reasonably priced.

We have never had Cuban food and decided to stop here on our way to Key West. It was a bit out of our way, but completely worth it. Some of the best food I have ever had.

This is definitely a hidden gem. Family business at its best. The place is cozy but the staff will make you feel you are part of the family. The prices are fair and the food delicious. A good meal for 2 can be around $25.00.

My family and I were in Miami this past weekend and my teenage son asked if we could have lunch at El Mango de las Fritas to try a frita. Since it was on our way to the airport, we thought we'd give it a try. Woah...this place did not disappoint. The staff was super friendly and they helped us with our selections from the menu. If you are in Miami, I highly recommend. The food and staff were awesome. :)

One of the best burgers i have ever tasted. The restaurant is nice and the price is very good. The service is very nice too. Thank u!!

One of the best places I've been so far . Burgers are just great and the environmental emotion of been there around in Miami is just great

This place was stellar! Great service, great recommendations and most important, phenomenal food! We started with a tamal and a guaynabana shake for me, papaya shake for him. We each had the Fritas with an egg and ordered some chicharrones. We wanted to continue our Cuban food adventure with flan and a guava empanada. Start to finish 10/10. Oh, be sure to have a Cuban coffee too!

Amazing experience, i loved the food and the service was really great too. Tastes amazing, go for the classic cabelo option! Recommended!!

I must admit if driving around I'd never stop to eat here. But, we came here on purpose due to great TA reviews. While parking in front, my kids asked if I'm sure this is a good place to eat. It's a pretty simple with no attractive ambiance place to eat, but a kind and smiling waitress warmed our hearts recommending us what to order. As the first comers we ordered regular frittas burgers and were pretty amazed with its taste. My son even ordered na extra one. Also, the sweet plantains were great as a starter. We were lucky to meet the owner, an elderly man who's a local icon, very long in business and who even had a chance to serve president Obama.

Enjoying a Cuban burger at El Mago de las Fritas is an experience which I highly recommend! The burger patty is uniquely delicious. I ordered the Fritas with the fried egg in a bowl which was perfect because I am sensitive to gluten. One of us has a dairy allergy and the servers made sure there was no cheese on the burger. We finished with Cuban espresso and flan. Martha hung out with us at our table and shared a wonderful story about how her father came up with the spicy sauce (which I loved) for his customers! It was truly a memorable experience!

Staff is friendly and helpful. Definitely made us felt welcome. Just a wonderful local restaurant. Must try! We order the famous burger and mango smoothie. Food is delicious.

Liked the food, enjoyed the experience. Definitely a good value and without doubt within the cheap eats category.

The food is incredible. The owners company is better. Absolute must try. They treat guests like family. Eh gringo? Love it!!

Great family place. Friendly staff. Home made fresh food prepared to order. Simple but good menu. Try the Pan con Bistec or the Fritas

This place has been around forever! And it's because they have great fritas! If you're in the area, you need to experience this Cuban hamburger.

Really good Pan con Bistec y Frita. Very nice very cold Spanish beer. Great chicharrón too. A must come back. They did not have the Pudin de Pan today. So we must come back for it.

Miami has a numerous amount of small "cafeterias" which serve good local food. However, this one not only serves delicious delightful cuban food, but you actually sit there and really enjoy a cuban family setting. The owner is always there either cooking or supervising the cooks. The waitresses treat you like family and all of the staff have been there for many years. The staff always acknowledges your presence if you are a regular and if you are new, they soon make you a regular and you will be coming back for more and more. Everyone speaks English (at least the food language) and the menu is in English as well. Whether you are a local or visiting Miami, do not miss this "home" very casual but very authentic cuban cuisine!

This was a nice little “hole in the wall” with nice people. Although this was my first Cuban burger and not really my personal favorite, it was well prepared and flavorful.

Never tasted such amazing fritas. You can taste the original or other versions all of them are fantastic. Also really nice stuff to take care about you.

Aside from the exceptional fritas, our server was attentive and friendly. One of the owners, Martha, came over to check on us and was very hospitable. We will be back for some of the best fritas in Miami!

Such amazingly friendly service! Surrounded by bustling staff conversing with patrons (almost exclusively in Spanish; but our waiter spoke English fluently as well). They guides us through the new to us foods and everything was delicious. Got the fritas, watermelon juice, tamale, and flan with a Cuban coffee for desert!

Delicious Fritas(Traditional) and all the milkshakes were very good. Nice staff too. Would come again.

we stopped in this place for a refreshment break and we had a very good time, the sandwiches were excellent and the vegetables were plentiful

Stopped in for the famous Frita. I got the standard, but probably recommend the double. Too much bun to sandwich ratio on the standard for me. None the less a good sandwich and worth the experience. The staff was very pleasant and helpful. Much smaller store front than what I was expecting, easy to miss. Arrived at 1130 and set at the bar and was in and out in 20 minutes, only ordering a frita and water.

I had heard about this place but never visited. We ordered the fritas and they were tasty and juicy. Based on other places in town, I’d have to say these had the best taste.

For years this place has been here! Never fails to serve the best Cuban hamburgers, we call fritas! A great way to taste something authentically Cuban. Don't forget dessert afterwards...dulce de leche! Yummy!

The fritas are fabulous. It's a Cuban hamburger but that really doesn't do it justice. Use the homemade sauce. It would make styrofoam taste good.

Delicious food, Very good staff, service and good prices My overall experience totally exceeds my expectations.

The food and the people in this small establishment were over the top!! Excellent custom service!! Excellent food ! Will definitely come back. Worth the trip to Miami!! A must go for everyone!

I rarely give 5-star ratings and only give them when the overall experience totally exceeds my expectations. This was absolutely the case during my family's two lunches at El Mago during a recent trip to Miami. The staff were great during both of our visits. They clearly described the menu and offered recommendations for our 6 children. Most of us ordered the Traditional Fritas and a few of the kids ordered hot dogs. This was our first time eating fritas and we were not disappointed. The sandwich comes on a classic Cuban roll that is light and fresh. The meat is extremely flavorful and seems to be prepared with hamburger and chorizo. The fritas is finished with a tasty sauce and small strips of crispy potato. They also bring bottles of a "special" sauce and hot sauce to the table for the fritas. We put the "special" sauce on everything that we ordered because it was so good. If you are looking for an amazing, casual lunch in Miami then I would highly recommend El Mago de las Fritas. I'm already looking forward to our next trip to Miami. I can assure you that our first stop will be at El Mago for lunch.

Eating at this restaurant was such a tasty experience, the stuff is amazing! And the food is really top quality! I would recommend this restaurant to everyone!

Honestly if you come to Miami you have to come here or your trip will not be complete! We had the traditional frita and I almost passed out on the first bite. The service is amazing and I spend about $30 but every penny is worth it.We ordered 2 traditional fritas, a double beef frita, chicken grits, a smoothie and 3 sodas. Also, the sodas are to die for.

We where in Miami for a cruise. We wanted to try real authentic Cuban food. This place was the bomb. Great papaya shake. Great Cuban soda. Great Food. And great customer service. We are white people from the Midwest and the owners daughter and staff treated us like long lost cousins. I would highly recommend and tourist to try this wonderful family run business. Kevin & paige

Very tasty and interesting. Never had anything like this before. It was a small place and crowded but the food came out really fast. Different types of fritas to order, all were amazing! We tried 5 different ones