Carlos Frías
@carlosfrias305.bsky.social
Writer, reader, eater, sleeper | 2x James Beard Award | Simon & Schuster author “Take Me With You” | Miami Herald alum | Food writer | Miami arts & culture | “Sandwich freak” | carlosfrias.com
Before he opened Banh sandwich and boba tea shop inside Books & Books in Coconut Grove, Aidan Friedson feared he was done with restaurants.
It was chef Marcus Samuelsson who got him to love cooking again. They met when Friedson won “Chopped Junior” twice. www.instagram.com/p/DQmXDPgka4...
It was chef Marcus Samuelsson who got him to love cooking again. They met when Friedson won “Chopped Junior” twice. www.instagram.com/p/DQmXDPgka4...
November 3, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Before he opened Banh sandwich and boba tea shop inside Books & Books in Coconut Grove, Aidan Friedson feared he was done with restaurants.
It was chef Marcus Samuelsson who got him to love cooking again. They met when Friedson won “Chopped Junior” twice. www.instagram.com/p/DQmXDPgka4...
It was chef Marcus Samuelsson who got him to love cooking again. They met when Friedson won “Chopped Junior” twice. www.instagram.com/p/DQmXDPgka4...
There are many Miami’s. And many ways to see it.
The New York Times asked me to map out one way to spend 36 Hours in Miami
I wanted to balance an insider’s guide with some things a first-timer might enjoy.
Free gift link to the guide here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The New York Times asked me to map out one way to spend 36 Hours in Miami
I wanted to balance an insider’s guide with some things a first-timer might enjoy.
Free gift link to the guide here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
October 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
There are many Miami’s. And many ways to see it.
The New York Times asked me to map out one way to spend 36 Hours in Miami
I wanted to balance an insider’s guide with some things a first-timer might enjoy.
Free gift link to the guide here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The New York Times asked me to map out one way to spend 36 Hours in Miami
I wanted to balance an insider’s guide with some things a first-timer might enjoy.
Free gift link to the guide here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Turn a corner in the new exhibit, “Libertad,” at the reopened Freedom Tower, and suddenly your breath catches.
The moment varies for each person.
For me it was seeing a Singer sewing machine like the one my mother used to make a living in this country. Exhibit opens Friday.
The moment varies for each person.
For me it was seeing a Singer sewing machine like the one my mother used to make a living in this country. Exhibit opens Friday.
September 16, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Turn a corner in the new exhibit, “Libertad,” at the reopened Freedom Tower, and suddenly your breath catches.
The moment varies for each person.
For me it was seeing a Singer sewing machine like the one my mother used to make a living in this country. Exhibit opens Friday.
The moment varies for each person.
For me it was seeing a Singer sewing machine like the one my mother used to make a living in this country. Exhibit opens Friday.
I was among those who won the shoes, and along the way I earned something else: permission to create art every day, to rediscover a hobby and passion. That beats standing in a line for a sneaker drop.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/s...
September 13, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I was among those who won the shoes, and along the way I earned something else: permission to create art every day, to rediscover a hobby and passion. That beats standing in a line for a sneaker drop.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/s...
I felt Marc’s Artisanal Pizza was going to be special when I saw the Bianco DiNapoli tomato cans lining the walls.
The perfectly charred crust crackles. Chewy dough pulls apart. The freshness of the sauce comes through in every bite. More: www.instagram.com/p/DObOfAJDrv...
The perfectly charred crust crackles. Chewy dough pulls apart. The freshness of the sauce comes through in every bite. More: www.instagram.com/p/DObOfAJDrv...
September 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I felt Marc’s Artisanal Pizza was going to be special when I saw the Bianco DiNapoli tomato cans lining the walls.
The perfectly charred crust crackles. Chewy dough pulls apart. The freshness of the sauce comes through in every bite. More: www.instagram.com/p/DObOfAJDrv...
The perfectly charred crust crackles. Chewy dough pulls apart. The freshness of the sauce comes through in every bite. More: www.instagram.com/p/DObOfAJDrv...
Doral’s liveliest food scene comes on at night.
Past the curated food halls, Venezuelan food trucks light up the night.
Arepas grilling. Venezuelan-style shawarma sizzling. Pepito sandwiches are piled high, like open-faced cheesesteaks.
Same energy as Wynwood trucks, 2010.
Past the curated food halls, Venezuelan food trucks light up the night.
Arepas grilling. Venezuelan-style shawarma sizzling. Pepito sandwiches are piled high, like open-faced cheesesteaks.
Same energy as Wynwood trucks, 2010.
September 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Doral’s liveliest food scene comes on at night.
Past the curated food halls, Venezuelan food trucks light up the night.
Arepas grilling. Venezuelan-style shawarma sizzling. Pepito sandwiches are piled high, like open-faced cheesesteaks.
Same energy as Wynwood trucks, 2010.
Past the curated food halls, Venezuelan food trucks light up the night.
Arepas grilling. Venezuelan-style shawarma sizzling. Pepito sandwiches are piled high, like open-faced cheesesteaks.
Same energy as Wynwood trucks, 2010.
I’d been buying Great Circle Coffee for more than five years before I decided to stop by their roaster in Little Haiti today to pick up my order for the first time.
Sergio Boppel, whose family has been farming coffee in Guatemala for four generations, surprised me by giving me an impromptu tour.
Sergio Boppel, whose family has been farming coffee in Guatemala for four generations, surprised me by giving me an impromptu tour.
August 12, 2025 at 11:26 PM
I’d been buying Great Circle Coffee for more than five years before I decided to stop by their roaster in Little Haiti today to pick up my order for the first time.
Sergio Boppel, whose family has been farming coffee in Guatemala for four generations, surprised me by giving me an impromptu tour.
Sergio Boppel, whose family has been farming coffee in Guatemala for four generations, surprised me by giving me an impromptu tour.
Miami has seen a rash of restaurant closings, such that five wonderful places we highlighted last summer on our list of Miami’s 25 Best Restaurants are now gone.
Yet as a Miami native, I never tire of watching local owners fight. This made it easy to fill those five spots on our updated list below:
Yet as a Miami native, I never tire of watching local owners fight. This made it easy to fill those five spots on our updated list below:
August 4, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Miami has seen a rash of restaurant closings, such that five wonderful places we highlighted last summer on our list of Miami’s 25 Best Restaurants are now gone.
Yet as a Miami native, I never tire of watching local owners fight. This made it easy to fill those five spots on our updated list below:
Yet as a Miami native, I never tire of watching local owners fight. This made it easy to fill those five spots on our updated list below:
Itamae AO, the Peruvian Nikkei sushi counter where Nando Chang won a James Beard Award and earned a Michelin star, will close Aug. 2, his PR rep just told me. It's part of a brutal economic situation in South Florida, with restaurants closing by the literal dozens.
July 29, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Itamae AO, the Peruvian Nikkei sushi counter where Nando Chang won a James Beard Award and earned a Michelin star, will close Aug. 2, his PR rep just told me. It's part of a brutal economic situation in South Florida, with restaurants closing by the literal dozens.
For 12 years, I shared jokes and offices with my friend and colleague Leslie Gray Streeter at The Palm Beach Post.
We're meeting up to discusses her first novel "Family and Other Calamities" at @booksandbooks.bsky.social July 10 at 7 p.m. Join us if you're in Coral Gables!
We're meeting up to discusses her first novel "Family and Other Calamities" at @booksandbooks.bsky.social July 10 at 7 p.m. Join us if you're in Coral Gables!
July 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
For 12 years, I shared jokes and offices with my friend and colleague Leslie Gray Streeter at The Palm Beach Post.
We're meeting up to discusses her first novel "Family and Other Calamities" at @booksandbooks.bsky.social July 10 at 7 p.m. Join us if you're in Coral Gables!
We're meeting up to discusses her first novel "Family and Other Calamities" at @booksandbooks.bsky.social July 10 at 7 p.m. Join us if you're in Coral Gables!
Carolina Quijano just improved on the Little Havana chocolate factory she opened in Miami nearly seven years ago.
In this new location of Exquisito Chocolates, her chocolate-making is on display. The bon bons are like irressitible jewels.
1920 SW Eighth St., Miami
In this new location of Exquisito Chocolates, her chocolate-making is on display. The bon bons are like irressitible jewels.
1920 SW Eighth St., Miami
July 1, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Carolina Quijano just improved on the Little Havana chocolate factory she opened in Miami nearly seven years ago.
In this new location of Exquisito Chocolates, her chocolate-making is on display. The bon bons are like irressitible jewels.
1920 SW Eighth St., Miami
In this new location of Exquisito Chocolates, her chocolate-making is on display. The bon bons are like irressitible jewels.
1920 SW Eighth St., Miami
Grabbed by the hair, thrown to the grown, arrested why? “She asked for clarification … when a plain-clothes deputy told her to remain silent. She objected and then was forcibly moved from where she stood.”
Chaos at Miami commission as officers drag ICE objector www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
Chaos at Miami commission as officers drag ICE objector www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
June 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Grabbed by the hair, thrown to the grown, arrested why? “She asked for clarification … when a plain-clothes deputy told her to remain silent. She objected and then was forcibly moved from where she stood.”
Chaos at Miami commission as officers drag ICE objector www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
Chaos at Miami commission as officers drag ICE objector www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
Cubans love the word “resolver.” They use it to mean, “make the best of things.” And that’s the story of Desi Arnaz, straight man in “I Love Lucy,” and the first Latino TV and movie exec. Todd Purdum and I discussed “Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television." www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
June 23, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Cubans love the word “resolver.” They use it to mean, “make the best of things.” And that’s the story of Desi Arnaz, straight man in “I Love Lucy,” and the first Latino TV and movie exec. Todd Purdum and I discussed “Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television." www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
Congrats to Nando Chang for winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef: South — a year after his sister Val Chang won!
“Immigrants make amaerica great: you don’t have to tell us,” he said.
Miami vs errbody! #jbfa
“Immigrants make amaerica great: you don’t have to tell us,” he said.
Miami vs errbody! #jbfa
June 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Congrats to Nando Chang for winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef: South — a year after his sister Val Chang won!
“Immigrants make amaerica great: you don’t have to tell us,” he said.
Miami vs errbody! #jbfa
“Immigrants make amaerica great: you don’t have to tell us,” he said.
Miami vs errbody! #jbfa
"It wasn’t just like, 'This is who I aspire to be in my career.' This is, like, the person I aspire to be."
My friends John Manasso and Ken Sugiura honoring our late colleague and mentor, AJC sportswriter Jack Wilkinson. www.removepaywall.com/search?url=h...
My friends John Manasso and Ken Sugiura honoring our late colleague and mentor, AJC sportswriter Jack Wilkinson. www.removepaywall.com/search?url=h...
June 7, 2025 at 1:43 PM
"It wasn’t just like, 'This is who I aspire to be in my career.' This is, like, the person I aspire to be."
My friends John Manasso and Ken Sugiura honoring our late colleague and mentor, AJC sportswriter Jack Wilkinson. www.removepaywall.com/search?url=h...
My friends John Manasso and Ken Sugiura honoring our late colleague and mentor, AJC sportswriter Jack Wilkinson. www.removepaywall.com/search?url=h...
In Miami, we like to eat standing up.
Our favorite coffee spots are windows cut into restaurants. You might find the best Cuban sandwich pressed inside a laundromat. Our iconic foods are designed for flavor on the go.
These are Miami rites of passage. on.ft.com/4jBwcFR
Our favorite coffee spots are windows cut into restaurants. You might find the best Cuban sandwich pressed inside a laundromat. Our iconic foods are designed for flavor on the go.
These are Miami rites of passage. on.ft.com/4jBwcFR
June 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM
In Miami, we like to eat standing up.
Our favorite coffee spots are windows cut into restaurants. You might find the best Cuban sandwich pressed inside a laundromat. Our iconic foods are designed for flavor on the go.
These are Miami rites of passage. on.ft.com/4jBwcFR
Our favorite coffee spots are windows cut into restaurants. You might find the best Cuban sandwich pressed inside a laundromat. Our iconic foods are designed for flavor on the go.
These are Miami rites of passage. on.ft.com/4jBwcFR
Rafael Furcal invited me to his apartment for a story I was writing when he was a Braves rookie and I a young sportswriter @ajc.com.
I found him cooking a pot of chicken and Dominican arroz con gandules. Thinking about Raffy for no particular reason today. instagram.com/p/DJucbYppHZj/
I found him cooking a pot of chicken and Dominican arroz con gandules. Thinking about Raffy for no particular reason today. instagram.com/p/DJucbYppHZj/
May 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Rafael Furcal invited me to his apartment for a story I was writing when he was a Braves rookie and I a young sportswriter @ajc.com.
I found him cooking a pot of chicken and Dominican arroz con gandules. Thinking about Raffy for no particular reason today. instagram.com/p/DJucbYppHZj/
I found him cooking a pot of chicken and Dominican arroz con gandules. Thinking about Raffy for no particular reason today. instagram.com/p/DJucbYppHZj/
Alinea turned fine dining in America into Cirque du Soleil. Grant Achatz is its PT Barnum, and now he’s taking his show on the road.
To celebrate 20 years, Alinea is popping up in several cities around the country this summer, including Miami Beach. Achatz is overseeing the 14-course dinners.
To celebrate 20 years, Alinea is popping up in several cities around the country this summer, including Miami Beach. Achatz is overseeing the 14-course dinners.
May 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Alinea turned fine dining in America into Cirque du Soleil. Grant Achatz is its PT Barnum, and now he’s taking his show on the road.
To celebrate 20 years, Alinea is popping up in several cities around the country this summer, including Miami Beach. Achatz is overseeing the 14-course dinners.
To celebrate 20 years, Alinea is popping up in several cities around the country this summer, including Miami Beach. Achatz is overseeing the 14-course dinners.
The Chinese-American pop up Double Luck, by the owners of Tam Tam Vietnamese restaurant in Miami, looks like it’s on its way to becoming permanent.
April 23, 2025 at 9:38 PM
The Chinese-American pop up Double Luck, by the owners of Tam Tam Vietnamese restaurant in Miami, looks like it’s on its way to becoming permanent.
I was not surprised Michelin awarded Ômo by Jônt a star Thursday night. I actually thought it might win two…
www.instagram.com/p/DIlifx3Odl...
www.instagram.com/p/DIlifx3Odl...
April 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I was not surprised Michelin awarded Ômo by Jônt a star Thursday night. I actually thought it might win two…
www.instagram.com/p/DIlifx3Odl...
www.instagram.com/p/DIlifx3Odl...
I’d been to Philly twice before but this third time — invited to speak on a panel of food journalists at the annual @thechefconference — was definitely the charm.
April 14, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I’d been to Philly twice before but this third time — invited to speak on a panel of food journalists at the annual @thechefconference — was definitely the charm.
Chef Cindy Hutson and her “cuisine of the sun” at Ortanique were the stars of our second Community Dinner at Books & Books.
Chef Hutson helped change the game as one of a group of chefs who used local ingredients in fine dining.
Chef Hutson helped change the game as one of a group of chefs who used local ingredients in fine dining.
April 1, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Chef Cindy Hutson and her “cuisine of the sun” at Ortanique were the stars of our second Community Dinner at Books & Books.
Chef Hutson helped change the game as one of a group of chefs who used local ingredients in fine dining.
Chef Hutson helped change the game as one of a group of chefs who used local ingredients in fine dining.
The artist Melissa Gutierrez and I talked about why we tell stories, journalism as a vehicle for those stories, and our love of coffee and new Miami bakeries.
🚨 We even reveal the multimedia project we’re collaborating on. @westofchester.bsky.social
Listen ▶️ www.mixcloud.com/DaleZine/tal...
🚨 We even reveal the multimedia project we’re collaborating on. @westofchester.bsky.social
Listen ▶️ www.mixcloud.com/DaleZine/tal...
March 8, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The artist Melissa Gutierrez and I talked about why we tell stories, journalism as a vehicle for those stories, and our love of coffee and new Miami bakeries.
🚨 We even reveal the multimedia project we’re collaborating on. @westofchester.bsky.social
Listen ▶️ www.mixcloud.com/DaleZine/tal...
🚨 We even reveal the multimedia project we’re collaborating on. @westofchester.bsky.social
Listen ▶️ www.mixcloud.com/DaleZine/tal...
Melissa Gutierrez is the brilliant artist and designer behind the Westofchester on Instagram. She cartoonified Miami in the O, Miami book "The ABCs of Miami.” Come out to Dale Zine in the Design District on Friday, and let's talk storytelling, journalism and restaurants!
February 25, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Melissa Gutierrez is the brilliant artist and designer behind the Westofchester on Instagram. She cartoonified Miami in the O, Miami book "The ABCs of Miami.” Come out to Dale Zine in the Design District on Friday, and let's talk storytelling, journalism and restaurants!
My wallet: Ok, we’re only going to Books & Books for this ONE book.
Me: Shut up, I know you’ve got a credit card in there.
I’m not always in the mood for the same book every morning, just as I’m not always in the mood for the same breakfast.
Your mind needs a varied diet.
Me: Shut up, I know you’ve got a credit card in there.
I’m not always in the mood for the same book every morning, just as I’m not always in the mood for the same breakfast.
Your mind needs a varied diet.
February 19, 2025 at 7:48 PM
My wallet: Ok, we’re only going to Books & Books for this ONE book.
Me: Shut up, I know you’ve got a credit card in there.
I’m not always in the mood for the same book every morning, just as I’m not always in the mood for the same breakfast.
Your mind needs a varied diet.
Me: Shut up, I know you’ve got a credit card in there.
I’m not always in the mood for the same book every morning, just as I’m not always in the mood for the same breakfast.
Your mind needs a varied diet.