One of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten are the "Cuban" sandwiches. I usually get these in Tampa or Miami (surprise!).

It consists of Cuban bread w/roast pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese (or something similar),mustard and mayo (yes both).

The sandwich is then put in foil and pressed by a two sided hot grill. This makes the bread very flat and crispy. All the stuff inside melts together. AWESOME!!!!

I have never seen these sandwiches anywhere else in the US. I'm hoping I'm wrong because it is a great sandwich.

Anybody have a Cuban sandwich outside of Florida?

Yep, I eat them all the time in Puerto Rico, Miami and occasionally in South Philly. Nice wonderful collection of fantastic tastes and aromas. For the record, I have NEVER heard of that tacky aluminum foil bit. I would think that cheapens such and really reduces the flavor. A Puerto Rico friend cautioned me to NEVER ask for a "Cubano" at a restaurant, always ask for a "Cubano Sammish", in espanol, of course. I think you know what he meant.

MisterNice

I sat next to a dead-heading AA pilot the other day. He recommends the Cuban sandwiches at MIA.

There are also a couple of places in New York city that are well-known for their cubanos. When you need a fix, they hit the spot!

On Sunday, the Mason Jar at the intersection of NJ Route 17 and U.S. 202 in Mahwah, NJ, offered Cuban sandwiches as a special.

Wash one down with a Mojito!!!!

They were good enough for Ernest Hemingway!!

GREAT Cuban sandwiches in Atlanta at "Havana Sandwich Shop" on Buford Highway, just south of Druid Hills Rd!

found a great sandwich place in the Oakley area of Cincinnati, Ohio that serves cuban sandwiches.

The Production Line Cafe, located at 3210 Madison Road in Oakley, phone: 513.321.1205
has the best "Cuban" sandwiches north of the Mason-Dixon line that I've had. Although not flattened like a traditional Cuban, the bread was crispy/warm and all the traditional ingredients were excellent. The Production Line Cafe also has many other excellent sandwich choices. They also provide meals (most very good) that can either be eaten on premise or take out. The deserts/cookies are rich and buttery. Call to find out what is on the menu for the day. Highly recommended.

There are 2 Cuban joints in SAN - one downtown and slightly-more upscale place just north of old town S.D. Never tried teh sandwiches there and haven't been in S.D. for a while.

In Glendale, CA (10 miles north of downtown LA), I strongly recommend Porto's Bakery. It is on Brand Blvd south of Hwy 134.

People come from all over LA for the Cuban sandwiches as well as the cakes and desserts!

Absolutely delicious and very reasonable.

Enjoy http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif
Kevin

Ok, I have a trip to Miami coming up. What's your suggestion? Looking for the ultimate Cuban Sandwich experience. Taking some friends who have never seen Miami
Thanks

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MIFlyer:
Looking for the ultimate Cuban Sandwich experience. Taking some friends who have never seen Miami</font>

Get yourselves to Little Havana during the lunch hour. find one of the cafes that serves items (like cuban coffee) through the window. Order your cubans, grab a drink and either find a good place to people watch or take a walk as you eat or take them to the beach and watch the waves. I prefer the people watch route. I don't have any particular favorites as I have never had a poor cuban sandwich in S. FL.

NY TIMES article on Cuban Sandwiches:

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/06/dining/06CUBA.html?homepageinsidebox=&pagewanted=all

There are two places in MSP that serve these. One is Cafe Havana in the MPLS warehouse dist. The other is called Bambooleo south of the corner of the Dale and Selby in St. Paul.

The Kool Korner grocery has wonderful Cubans for lunch. It's near midtown Atlanta just off the Georgia Tech campus. The place is a dump but it's run by a Cuban guy who loves his work.

It's at 14th St. and Atlanta Ave. about a half mile west of I-75. Cash only, lunch only, to-go only but for $3.50 for a full-size Cubano with the works, it's worth it.

I just saw a blurb that said the new restaurant at the Giant's ballpark (Acme Steak and Chop house) is going to serve Cuban sandwiches on game days, I can't wait try one, I'll let you know if they're any good.

I was just commenting to someone the other day how I missed good Cuban sandwichs.


edited to concur with joie_de_vie. Havana Sandwich Shop in Atlanta is one of my superlatives along with Harold's BBQ down by the Stadium.


[This message has been edited by freefaller12k (edited 03-19-2002).]

found a great sandwich place in the Oakley area of Cincinnati, Ohio that serves cuban sandwiches.

The Production Line Cafe, located at 3210 Madison Road in Oakley, phone: 513.321.1205
has the best "Cuban" sandwiches north of the Mason-Dixon line that I've had. Although not flattened like a traditional Cuban, the bread was crispy/warm and all the traditional ingredients were excellent. The Production Line Cafe also has many other excellent sandwich choices. They also provide meals (most very good) that can either be eaten on premise or take out. The deserts/cookies are rich and buttery. Call to find out what is on the menu for the day. Highly recommended.

Production Line Cafe has closed:(

--

The small sandwich shop chain of Sub Station II has several units that sell the Cuban Sandwiches. The chain is located in the SouthEast and currently has 64 locations. The locations can be found at:

www.substationii.com

Not all locations do sell the cuban, and it does not come with mayo, but if you ask they will add it

A number of places in the Boston area serve them; arguably the
best is at the bar at Chez Henri on Shepard St. in Cambridge.

These are more prevalent than you might think--
I live in a small, midwestern college town and we have at least two spots where one can order a pretty authentic "Cuban" sandwich.

This thread has reminded me that we have a cuban restaurant in Jacksonville, AL of all places. I need to have lunch there tomorrow. ^

In New Orleans there is a great Cuban restaurant - Librano at 320 Magazine, and yes a great Cuban sandwich, as well as everything else there.

Sophies in NYC. Various locations, I usually frequented one in the financial district.

These are more prevalent than you might think--
I live in a small, midwestern college town and we have at least two spots where one can order a pretty authentic "Cuban" sandwich.

Is it a secret?

El Siboney in Key West. Perhaps my favorite Cuban restaurant of all time, and killer Cuban Mix sandwiches to boot.

Granite City Food and Brewery (Midwest chain) - has an excellent version of the Cuban. Instead of pork and ham, they use pork and smoked turkey - along with the other standard ingredients.

Granite City Food and Brewery (Midwest chain).

http://www.gcfb.net/

They just opened a place in Rockford IL, a "city" that needs a lot.

Looks like I'll have to try them next time I'm out that way.

Thanks,

--

Havana New York (hny) 27 West 38th St, Nyc Great Cuban Sandwich

At the UAL terminal in MCO-right after you get offf the tram- there is a stand that has great Cuban coffee, guava pastries, and cuban sandwiches. The coffee is awesome, I was planning to get the sandwich next time so I'll let you know. :D

When our basement flooded a couple weeks ago in ORD, I had to make one trip to our local laundermat :eek: and I walked right past a latin sandwich shop that has cubans. I keep forgetting to walk over and try one.

I believe Tampa has the best cuban sandwiches! Try Carmines in Ybor City or La Ideal W Tampa. These cuban sandwiches are great! ^

One of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten are the "Cuban" sandwiches. I usually get these in Tampa or Miami (surprise!).

It consists of Cuban bread w/roast pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese (or something similar),mustard and mayo (yes both).

The sandwich is then put in foil and pressed by a two sided hot grill. This makes the bread very flat and crispy. All the stuff inside melts together. AWESOME!!!!

I have never seen these sandwiches anywhere else in the US. I'm hoping I'm wrong because it is a great sandwich.

Anybody have a Cuban sandwich outside of Florida?


The Cuban Sandwich that most of you are referring to is known as the "midnight" or "Media Noche" and it consist of Cuban bread w/roast pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese and mustard. Never mayo. There is another version of the same ingredients but made with egg-bread.

Probably the best place to eat a Cuban sandwich is on 8th Street and about62 Ave in Miami, Fl., at a cafeteria known as "La Palma" or the Palm; they been around forever. and yes I know, am Cuban.

[QUOTE=cfsnco;8048675]The Cuban Sandwich that most of you are referring to is known as the "midnight" or "Media Noche" and it consist of Cuban bread w/roast pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese and mustard. Never mayo. There is another version of the same ingredients but made with egg-bread.

[QUOTE]

Media noche is the one with the "sweet" egg-bread and it is smaller. The Sandwiche Cubano is made with Cuban bread (always with Lard) and it is usually larger. The filling is the same. Pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese, mustard and sometimes a little butter/margarine on top to heat it up. Never Never Nunca Mayo. And Never Never Never (yes, 3 nevers) lettuce or tomato.

I had one last weekend in Los Angeles and it was awful!

I've had them in 2 chains that I can recall: Jillians and Garfields. The Jillian sandwich was good and properly made. The Garfield sandwich used shredded pork. :rolleyes: I have made them at home; although the bread in not authentic, it is close enough, and I use my Forman grill to press and heat. I'd have them more often but finding sliced pork in the deli is a hit or miss thing.

I had one last weekend in Los Angeles and it was awful!They are of course sold everywhere in South Florida, from the corner 7-Eleven to storefront "cafeterias". For me, the problem isn't the fillings (OK, not great but not that bad) - the problem is the bread. Cardboard that has been laying in a vacant lot for six weeks has better flavor than the dreck they call "Cuban bread" :td:

Although not a place one thinks of for Cuban food, the best Cuban sandwiches and mojitos that I've found in Seattle (or even out of a few places I tried in Miami) are at La Casa del Mojito on Lake City Way. http://www.lacasadelmojito.com/

They marinate the limes in their mojitos for over a day. Their service is quite friendly, but can be a bit slow. Still, it's a fun atmosphere with good food and drinks.

They are of course sold everywhere in South Florida, from the corner 7-Eleven to storefront "cafeterias". For me, the problem isn't the fillings (OK, not great but not that bad) - the problem is the bread. Cardboard that has been laying in a vacant lot for six weeks has better flavor than the dreck they call "Cuban bread" :td:

I'm not sure of the ethnic orgin , but when I make them at home, I buy something called a "bolillo (sp?)". It's not flavorful, just a holder for the insides.

I do like the cuban crackers I could buy when I lived in FL. They were perfect for chili.

Gainesville Fl, La Familia - Used to order two at a time. mmmmm. Road trip time.

West New York / Un ion City, New Jersey, home to the second largest Cuban community in the U.S.

Yes, lots of great Cuban snadwiches around.

Media noche is the one with the "sweet" egg-bread and it is smaller. The Sandwiche Cubano is made with Cuban bread (always with Lard) and it is usually larger. The filling is the same. Pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese, mustard and sometimes a little butter/margarine on top to heat it up. Never Never Nunca Mayo. And Never Never Never (yes, 3 nevers) lettuce or tomato.
Certainly brings back memory of the one I had at Ft. Lauderdale. :)

West New York / Un ion City, New Jersey, home to the second largest Cuban community in the U.S.
Which is the largest?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/restaurants/2003828977_deal10.html

It's a few miles north of Seattle

Don Chuy Latin Cuisine
19725 40th Ave. W., Lynnwood;

425-778-2489, www.donchuylatincuisine.com

Here is a great website for those craving Cuban food outside the South Florida area...

http://cuban-food-usa.com/

Any one of a number of "walk up - stand and snack" joints along Calle Ocho in Miami are well worth a stop - or several stops. I've never been a fan of the "Medianoche" (smaller and without the crusty bread -like a bollilo baguette at its best) than a real Cuban sandwich. On the other hand, I'm addicted to the coffee and guava empenadas.

There used to be a small lunch counter, likely gone in reconstruction, between terminals at MIA, which could revive the addicted traveler.

Last night we had membrillo (quince) empanadas and Vietnamese iced coffee, bicultural excess excessively good!

there's a new place that opened in downtown Hackensack near my work

Casual Habana Cafe on Main Street

when I first had a cuban sandwich from there I wanted to try them all... and after having a few chicken, shreaded beef, lamb, etc. I don't think I have a favorite, I like them all.


I love the way the bread is pressed and toasted, very unique, very fatty but its good stuff.

--Russ

Yet another in Seattle:

I haven't tried the other places mentioned here, but I will say that when I visit Seattle, I make a bee-line to this place for their sandwich.

Though not the traditional Cuban Sandiwich, thier version consists of:
Excellent crusty toasted bread, char-grilled garlicy pork slices, THICK carmelized onions, a spicy aoili sort of dressing, lettuce, and cilantro. It's friggin' addicting and less than $7.

Paseo Caribbean
4225 Fremont Ave N (Fremont District)
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 545-7440

Too bad there's nothing decent here in Los Angeles.

As a fifth-generation Floridian and Tampa native who now lives in Hawaii, I vote for the Cuban sandwiches from the Silver Ring Café on 7th Avenue in Ybor City (Tampa's historic Latin quarter). The Cuban sandwich probably originated in Ybor City. A classic (and IMHO, the best) Cuban is made with slices of roast pork, smoked ham, Swiss cheese and Genoa salami, with bright yellow mustard and a little mayonnaise, garnished with dill pickle slices, all on freshly-baked crusty Cuban bread that gets pressed and toasted (kind of like a panini). Ummmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it ... I've gotta get back to Tampa soon .... ;)

--jt

Granite City Food and Brewery (Midwest chain) - has an excellent version of the Cuban. Instead of pork and ham, they use pork and smoked turkey - along with the other standard ingredients.

I'll enthusiastically second this. I had one the night before last in St. Cloud, MN (the original Granite City location).

I was skeptical on two counts. 1.) Substituting smoked turkey for ham, and 2.) I had just been in Miami and Tampa, where I enjoyed a couple of really good Cubans.

Well...surprise, surprise, Granite City's Cuban was absolutely sensational!

The smoked turkey worked great and the sandwich was otherwise authentic perfection in just about every detail. The lone exception was that the bread....while fresh, warm, and very tasty....was a bit less "crusty" than one might expect to find in Miami or Ybor City, etc.

Anybody ever found a gluten free cuban sandwich.
Now, that would be a treat for me.
I usually end up making them at home.

Aalso in Atlanta at Coco Loco by Lindbergh Station and at Salsa on Collier Road x Howell Mill Road.

I see a bunch of you have mentioned that you get your Cuban Sandwiches in Miami but nobody mentioned where...


Could you please recommend some for me on my next visit in a few days.

Ocean Drive in South Beach is getting too expensive to dine out, I'd rather grab a sandwich and hit the road doing other things than sitting around and people watching.


thanks,
--Russ

Here in San Antonio, the best Cuban sandwiches can be found on the lunch menus at Azuca (http://www.azuca.net/welcome.asp) and Pasion (http://www.pasionbistro.com/). :cool:

Just went to Sabor A Cuba the other night (www.saboracubachicago.com/ ) and if you live on the north side of Chicago, it's definately worth a trip.

They not only have a "cuban sandwich" on pressed french bread, they also have the media noche on cuban bread. They were out of cuban bread for the night when we went, so it makes me think they either make it fresh or have it delivered daily.

It's BYOB, inexpensive, and the DH had the roast pork sandwich which was to die for. I also got a cafe con leche to go, it was everything I remember from my MIA layovers. :D

Service was a bit slow, but the food made up for it.

with all the cuban sandwiches being compared to those in Miami I decided to try one locally... went to some place on Dixie Highway south of Miami and the thing was terrible! they didn't even toast the bread, it was on some soft hogie roll and did not taste good at all.


the lunch on Calle Ocho in Little Havana was delsih on the other hand. A little chicken, rice and beans made up for the bad cuban sandwich.

--Russ

On the Upper West Side of Manhattan there is no better than Café con Leche (http://www.cafeconlechenyc.com/ccl/index.html). The food at the one in the 80s is better than the one in the 90s, but the ambiance is better in the 90s than the 80s (it's newer). They have a garlic sauce and a pepper hot sauce on the table which makes the whole experience sublime with a mexican beer or two. And some tostones, again with the sauces. And the beer.