"Now, let’s talk about Friska, located in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, among tall office buildings right on Broad Street. This spot only opens on weekdays for breakfast and lunch, catering mostly to the office crowd, but don’t let that deter you from visiting. Friska is a self-service restaurant with a spacious layout that includes community seating, individual tables, and standing areas. The staff is young, lively, and genuinely interested in providing great service. They serve fresh coffee, tea, and naturally flavored drinks daily, which means everything is truly fresh!
At first glance, you might think it’s a bit pricey, but the portion sizes are generous; my burrito kept me full all day. Aesthetically, Friska radiates positive energy, creating a casual, welcoming atmosphere that I rarely encounter elsewhere.
Now, let’s get to what really stands out: the drinks in the refrigerator. Beautiful, rounded bottles filled with vibrant liquids made from delightful ingredients like red berry, mango, melon, and various earthy tea and coffee blends—coconut iced mocha, anyone?—make choosing just one drink a daunting task. The fact that a single bottle serves three tall glasses (with ice) either means you’ll be making multiple trips to the restroom or you’ll have to stick to the one flavor that beckons you the most.
Even as I write about the red berry and hibiscus iced tea I had, I can still almost taste its freshness. The strong aroma of hibiscus lingers in my memory, and the flavor has stuck with me long after I finished the drink.
Now for the kicker: while the drink was fantastic, it was the Korean pulled pork burrito, recommended by the staff, that truly sent my taste buds into overdrive. This burrito was packed with so much flavor that each bite felt like a mini explosion in my mouth. Sweet, sour, tangy, chewy, spicy, salty, crispy, and soft—every aspect was so amazing that I hardly noticed my surroundings. In fact, Meg Ryan from "When Harry Met Sally" might have had some fierce competition in her iconic food scene!
The only downside to this delightful experience is that Friska is located in another city, meaning I won't get a chance to try some of their other mouthwatering options, like the chicken and chorizo wrap, pho noodles, crayfish and mango rice pot, or their tempting breakfast menu. For now, I’ll have to savor the memory of the best burrito and iced teas I’ve ever had.
Do you love food as much as I do? Follow my culinary adventures on Instagram @raghavmodi!"
