Morro Castle in Hialeah isn’t just another Cuban restaurant—it’s a cornerstone of the community, slinging Fritas and churros since 1966. If you’re local, you know. If you’re not, consider this your official invitation.
Let’s clarify a bit of Frita history while we’re at it: the Morro Castle in Hialeah (1201 W 44th Place) and the now-closed one in Little Havana were once part of the same family. The same person owned both, though the Hialeah location is still going strong.
This particular Morro Castle means a lot to me. It’s where I tried my first Frita Cubana, courtesy of my dad. He called it a “Cuban Hamburger,” which was clever—he knew I’d be down for a burger but maybe not something unfamiliar-sounding like a frita. Spoiler alert: It worked.
Even though fritas felt foreign to me back then, I find it strange nowadays when someone tells me they’ve never had one. It’s such a cultural staple—especially in places like this.
My Return to Morro Castle
The place is still cash-only (don’t worry, there’s an ATM inside), and while there are a few tables, I chose the counter. Always the counter. That’s where I sat as a kid, wide-eyed, waiting to see what this Cuban Hamburger business was about.
Of course, I ordered a frita. What else were you expecting?
As I took my first bite, I closed my eyes. I could see my dad again, watching closely to see if I’d like it. He smiled so big when I did. That moment was the start of something—my lifelong love affair with fritas.
I blinked, and the frita was gone. It was that good. Naturally, I took a few to go. On my way out, I called my dad and told him where I was. “You had your first frita there,” he said. Of course, I did. Who could forget a thing like that?
Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the churros. They’re the perfect sweet ending.
