Detroit’s Frita Batidos

Next year the Cuban-inspired restaurant, Frita Batidos, will expand to downtown Detroit on Columbia Street, near the Fox Theatre and the new Little Caesars World Headquarters. For owner Eve Aronoff, this is a long time coming. Aronoff, who originally gained fame for her high-end gourmet restaurant Eve, in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown, switched her focus to Frita Batidos, which is her interpretation of Cuban street food. Fritas are traditional Cuban burgers; batidos are tropical milkshakes. Aronoff has been actively searching for a space to put the second restaurant – the original Frita Batidos is currently in Ann Arbor – for the last few years. Aronoff said the essence will be same, as will most of the menu. There will be a few changes though, such as their Burger Battle-winning burgers being on the menu, and some grab-and-go style options. Before the brick-and-mortar restaurant opens, which will be around the beginning of next year’s baseball season, they plan on opening an Airstream food truck, perhaps even as early as January. Hours haven’t been set yet, but if there’s good support Aronoff sees them being open the same hours as the restaurant. “We’ll be open whenever people want to eat Frita,” she said. “It’s going to be a really big, fun party fiesta out there.” The food truck will primarily be serving frita and their most popular batidos.