The signature frita is a blend of ground beef and pork, pan-fried and topped with sautéed onions and a mountain of crispy, golden shoestring fries on a soft Cuban roll. It's the foundation of their menu and the reason locals make the pilgrimage to this no-frills counter spot.
Tips from diners
This is what people line up for. Order the original first to understand the category, then try the Suprema if you want a variation.
The refined version of the frita that adds two signature toppings: a thick slab of fried white cheese (queso de freír) and sweet plantain chips. It's richer and more indulgent than the original, with the soft plantain balancing the salty cheese. This is what serious frita lovers order on repeat visits.
Tips from diners
The Suprema is more satisfying than the original if you want something filling — the plantains and cheese elevate it significantly.
Sweet, refreshing pressed sugarcane juice served cold with ice. In Miami's heat, it's a traditional pairing with hearty Cuban food, cutting through the richness of fried potatoes and meat. Essential to the full El Rey experience.
Tips from diners
Order guarapo with your sandwich — it's the traditional pairing and costs less than soda while being more refreshing.
Succulent roasted pork is stacked on a Cuban roll with caramelized onions and a generous pile of fried potatoes. It's a classic Cuban sandwich that works as a complete meal. Less celebrated than the fritas but equally satisfying for those seeking slow-cooked pork.
Tips from diners
If you want slow-roasted pork without the beef blend, this is your order. It's equally filling to the fritas.
A Miami-famous sandwich that starts with thinly sliced steak, topped with a soft folded omelette filled with Swiss cheese, tomato, and onions. Served on pressed Cuban bread, it's a more refined take on the frita concept — still loaded with potatoes and onions but with the protein profile of a steak sandwich.
Tips from diners
This is a hidden gem on the menu — less famous than the fritas but equally worth ordering. It's Miami-specific.
Founded in 1979 by the Gonzalez family, El Rey de las Fritas perfected the frita cubana — a dish predating their restaurant but refined by them into an institution. The restaurant offers eight varieties of fritas ranging from the simple original to the Suprema topped with fried cheese and plantains. The menu also includes traditional pan con bistec and other Cuban sandwiches.
This is a counter-service spot with minimal seating. Expect to order at the counter, then grab a table or eat standing up. Cash preferred.
Come before noon to avoid long lines. After 1 PM, especially weekends, the queue can stretch out the door.
El Rey is extremely affordable — a full meal with sandwich and drink runs $10-15 for two people.
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