Restaurant Review: Frita Batidos, Ann Arbor

Last weekend, I went to Ann Arbor to visit a friend, and we decided to try out Frita Batidos. I had been there twice before, but my friend, who lives in Ann Arbor, had never been there.

The restaurant is owned and operated by Eve Aronoff, who used to own Eve the Restaurant, also in Ann Arbor, which closed a few years back, and was very renowned. The decor is all white, with white picnic tables, so be prepared to sit next to strangers when you go; however, most people still keep to their own groups that they go with.

I still have yet to try one of their batidas, which is a Cuban milkshake, in various flavors, but I’ve now tried a few of their fritas: the chicken frita, the first time I went there, which was just okay, in my opinion, and the beef frita, which is fantastic. For $8, you can get any of their fritas (chorizo, black bean, chicken, fish, or beef), and the beef version comes with a sweet chili mayo.

I’m usually a “purist” when it comes to sandwiches – I don’t like ketchup or mustard or even lettuce – but their chili mayo is great. I also pay the extra $1 to upgrade to their garlic cilantro shoestring fries; otherwise, you get shoestring (non-garlic) fries.

The restaurant also has a variety of other options if you don’t want a frita – you can come just for appetizers, such as the fried plantains, or order a soup or salad. The specialty sandwich for April was a pulled pork sandwich, and Frita Batidos also serves churros for dessert.

I definitely want to try one of their batidos at some point – I try to go to Ann Arbor fairly often (I’m a UM ’09 alum – Go Blue!), so I’m sure one of these days I will. Their churros and Chocolate Espanol (hot chocolate with cinnamon) also sound delicious.

Make sure to check them out during their happy hour, too (Sundays through Thursdays, 4 to 6 p.m., and the last hour of service each night), for $1 off beer, $2 Cuba Libres, $5 beef fritas, and $1.50 for happy hour fries – either the shoestring or garlic cilantro.

Frita Batidos is located at 117 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor, MI, and can be reached at (734) 761-2882.

Written by: Liz Parker