Tucked away on a bustling stretch of Calle Ocho in Miami’s vibrant Little Havana neighborhood sits El Mago De Las Fritas, an unassuming culinary treasure that locals protect with the fervor of people guarding a winning lottery ticket.
While tourists flock to glitzy South Beach eateries, in-the-know Floridians make pilgrimages across county lines for what many swear are the most sublime croquetas in the Sunshine State.
The modest storefront might not catch your eye as you drive past.
No flashy neon, no valet parking, no celebrity chef endorsements plastered on the windows…