The Cattle Call – Interview with Barry Hennessey, from El Mago de las Fritas

The Cattle Call – All the beef that’s behind the people who make & connect us to the Burgerverse.

El Mago De Las Fritas is a family owned and operated restaurant in Miami that serves authentic and amazing Cuban comfort food. They are incredibly well known for their Frita Cubana, better known to some as the Cuban Hamburger.  It’s a mix of ground beef and seasonings (sometimes chorizo) that’s topped with julienne cut potatoes, diced raw onions and sauce served on a Cuban Roll. 

You can read more about Fritas and the Miami food scene in this blog post by Burger Beast.

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BIO:

Try to refer to this 76 year old Miami staple for 30 years as a Chef he quickly says “No, soy cocinero” (No I’m a cook) “I cook for friends only and everyone who eats my food is a friend”. Ask his customers what makes him the Magician they will tell you it’s the Magic in his sauces.

Whether his frita salsa, mojo, hot dog salsa, beans or soups it’s all magical. Mago says “It’s more then just food it’s the relationships built on a shared passion for food” “If you aren’t there to share the passion it’s just food”.

Mago’s way is not modern , it’s not pretty, it’s definitely not Vegan or gluten free it’s just good traditional Cuban Food with the flare of simplicity. Where historic meets contemporary without offending.

Name: Barry Hennessey

Website: http://www.magosabe.com

Where do you live: Miami, FL

Favorite style of Burger: A Frita, of course.

Favorite Childhood Burger: Burger Chef.

Burger that haunts your dreams at night: Jefe’s Burger – simple and I love it!

What is the one Burger you’ve always wanted to try but still have not: B Spot Yo! Burger.

The secret to making a great Burger: Bread to Meat proportion but also the quality of bread and meat.

Under no circumstances whatsoever, what should NEVER be put on a Burger: Salads!!!

If you could have a Burger with anyone alive, or dead, fictional or real, who would it be and where would you take them: Chef Michael Symon at El Mago de las Fritas.

Please use this space to talk about or plug anything else you want: Being that you provide this space for random thoughts I want to invite everyone to come eat a Frita with us at El Mago de las Fritas #magosabe. Try to come Saturday mornings where you can enjoy Chicharrones and a cuban stew called Ajiaco! We love to make our family larger and we hope you are next!

Much Love from the Mago Family

EAT A FRITA!

If you live in or near South Florida, do not miss the Burger Beast’s Frita Showdown.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Magic City Casino
450 NW 37th Ave, Miami, FL
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Burger Beast has called upon 6 of the best Frita Cubana makers in South Florida and is pitting them in battle to find out who has the best Frita in all the world. Among them is the Pincho Factory, Bongo’s Cuban Cafe and El Mago.

Tickets are only $25 and that includes a taste of all 6 Fritas as well as some other snacks and drinks.

Click here for more info and to buy your ticket now.

While you’re there, make sure to introduce yourself to Barry and the entire El Mago family!