FRITA BATIDOS: Downtown’s Hottest Cuban Bite—Pickle Sandwich

Tucked in Ann Arbor’s Downtown, FRITA BATIDOS is a Cuban spot so popular, the line wraps halfway around the block on weekends. Even with a 20-minute wait, it’s got a few gems worth trying—though one "scam-level" dud had me fired up. Here’s the lowdown on whether it’s worth your time. 📍 Pro Tip: Grab a Menu Before You Line Up! The drill: line up to order first, then find a seat. Grab a small menu from the counter while waiting (otherwise you’ll stare at the menu board, stressed, as people behind you hurry). The line looks intimidating, but it moves fast. Pro move: go with a friend—one waits in line, the other nabs a table. Indoor seating is chaos-loud (like a market), so opt for outdoor tables with umbrellas if the weather’s nice—eating with a breeze is way better. 🍴 Food Breakdown: What to Get (and What to Run From!) ✅ The Hits Inspired Cuban $13: The MVP! It looks like a thick sandwich, stuffed with tender, charred meat (couldn’t tell if pork or beef, but so juicy), melted cheese oozing out the sides, and pickles hiding in between. One bite: meaty, cheesy, with that bright pickle crunch—layers that hit all the right notes. Carbo lovers, you’ll want more. The Best Snack Ever $7.5: Bold name, but it delivers! Coconut-ginger rice with a subtle sweetness, paired with a creamy, cheesy mashed potato-like blob, topped with a salsa of cilantro, tomato, and kaffir lime. Cilantro fans, rejoice—it’s salty, fresh, and zesty, totally hitting that Chinese palate sweet spot. ❌ The Misses Frita Burger $10 + $2.5 add-ons: A burger with fries inside (yes, really). Patties come in beef, chicken, fish, black bean, or chorizo (a pork sausage). I went with beef + egg, and… yikes. The patty was dry, the egg rubbery, and the fries inside were limp. Worse than McDonald’s, honestly. Extra toppings cost more—low value, skip unless you’re curious. Shoestring Fries $5: Yelp lied! Reviews raved they’re "life-changing," but they’re just greasy, borderline bitter shoestring fries. The sauce tastes like watered-down ketchup, and they get gross once cold. The burger already comes with fries—do not order these separately. Total waste of cash. 🥤 Drinks: Share It to Avoid the Sugar Crash Passion Fruit Batido $5.5: Their signature smoothie. First sip: icy, slushy, and packed with passion fruit—delicious. But once the ice melts? It turns into a syrupy mess, so sweet it burns. Share a cup with 2-3 people for a taste—no one needs a full glass. 🌿 Vibe: Indoor = Chaos, Outdoor = Chill Inside, the music’s blaring, and you’ll shout to talk—your throat will ache. Outdoor seating, though? A breath of fresh air. Eating that Cuban sandwich with a breeze? The pickle’s crispness even tastes better. Weather permitting, always sit outside. 🌟 Verdict: Worth a Try, But Don’t Overhype It Overall, "not bad." The Inspired Cuban and The Best Snack Ever justify the line, but skip the fries and Frita burger. Next time, I’m trying the Churros Espanol (looks like chocolate-drizzled churros)—will report back. UMich students craving a change? Give it a go, but hit it off-peak. #UniversityOfMichigan #AnnArbor #AnnArborFood #AnnArborEats #UMich #CubanFood #FRITABATIDOS