Why Nicaraguan Fritangas Are Taking Over the US

In cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and Houston, a new culinary trend is rising: the Fritanga. These cafeteria-style restaurants offer a taste of Nicaragua that is fast, affordable, and incredibly delicious.

What is a Fritanga?

A Fritanga is essentially a barbecue station. In Nicaragua, they are often street stalls that open in the evening. In the US, they have evolved into brick-and-mortar restaurants where customers move down a line, choosing their base (usually Gallo Pinto) and their meat.

The Fritanga Experience

The star of the show is usually the Carne Asada—thinly sliced beef marinated in sour orange and onions, then grilled over charcoal. But the sides are just as important. You can choose from fried cheese, sweet plantains (maduros), green plantains (tostones), sausages, and tacos.

A Taste of Home Abroad

For the Nicaraguan diaspora, Fritangas are a lifeline to their culture. They are places where the community gathers, where the food tastes like their grandmother’s cooking, and where the spirit of Nicaragua is kept alive.