El Rey De Las Fritas — Restaurant in South Miami

Decent food with subpar, rude management. Our family wouldn't return here if someone paid us unless the manager is fired. We were frequent customers of the establishment for quite some time prior to the following incident:

My mother ordered an orange juice and for whatever reason it tasted peculiar to her that day. She politely requested the orange juice be exchanged for a V8 and the lady attending them was more than happy to help. However, the server returned shortly after to let my parents know that the manager was notified of the incident. The manager stated that she would not be offering a credit for the orange juice. Despite the manager's obvious lack of understanding for how customer service works, my mother did not refute or object. She simply stated she was not interested in the credit and just wanted the item exchanged.

Sometime later, the manager (a short blonde lady) walked over and plainly declared my mother is the only one who has complained about the orange juice all day and that she will not be receiving a refund for it (Ok?). It is also worth adding the manager did this not only in front of other employees, but other customers. Not sure if this was an effort to humiliate or prove a point, but either way, it was extremely unprofessional and unbecoming of someone who is clearly unaware how many other places in Miami offer great food for a reasonable price.

As a result, we will be taking our hard-earned money elsewhere. Being of Cuban descent, it was gross how poorly this lady conducted herself and to know that we even share the same heritage. If she is still working there, she ought to be terminated effective immediately as a reminder that you get further in life with niceness and understanding as opposed to demonstrated your perceive superiority and imposing your power on others--especially when they are the ones who are paying...

Update November 2024

I have been coming here for decades. Loved this place. Look at my last review. Something changed. I sent my son who speaks limited English to pick up an order which I called in and ordered in Spanish. They had missed two drinks. My son tried to explain but the server said "dont speak English" and practically threw the bag of food at him. She didn't attempt to understand or ask someone else for help. The paying customer was treated horribly. I am a native Cuban and can't believe the kind of disrespect and entitlement displayed here. If you live here, at least attempt to learn the english language. And if you don't, then don't be rude to those that do! No excuse. Miami is becoming a haven for rude people. I may think twice before returning here. Im so very sad.

From 2022- The best Cuban fritas ever. Very local, no frills, counter service and takeout. All Cubans come here. Spanish is a must, or at least do some research and know what you want to order ahead of time so you don't...

The last time I visited El Rey de Las Fritas was exactly 2 years ago. It was great then. Not so much this time around. I consider myself somewhat of a frita expert, having started with the roadside carts in Havana back in the '50s, then in the exile to a plethora of frita places, starting with Fritas Domino, but I digress.

What my wife and I ate today were not "fritas", it was something that looked like a frita but fell way short of the real thing. They had a weird taste and texture. The meat patty looked like a McDonald's burger with folds; it was gray, bland, no chopped onions, no seasoning, no frita sauce at all. It tasted, frankly, terrible. The string potatoes, while abundant, were stale. If it wasn't for the great, cordial service, I'd give it 1-star.

The original owners, Benito and his lovely wife, La Gallega, would be beyond shocked by what has happened to their great creation. Worst frita...