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.

Silver Ring Café in Ybor City (Tampa)
 

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

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.

Cuban sandwiches in Atlanta
 

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 and Pasion. :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. 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.

Any updates on good Cuban sandwich places in Miami? I haven't had one in a long time. The place we used to go to in Atlanta closed unexpectedly and we haven't found another place.

Heading to Miami for a couple of weeks and any restaurant recommendations area appreciated. We like Indian, Thai, Mexican as well and will be staying near downtown.

Thanks.

In Miami I like Casavana and in Atlanta Papi's Grill does the trick.

I really enjoyed Versailles on Calle Ocho in Little Havana. There was also another Cuban place right across the street that was awesome.

Happy Eating.

I know this post is over 7 years old but as an update... Porto's is still there, still good, and still very popular! (and right next door to Damon's Steak House, a great Tiki themed restaurant open since 1937, but I guess that's another topic!)

They opened a second shop in Burbank at the corner of Magnolia and Hollywood Way a couple years ago which is equally as popular. Porto's was the first time I ever tried the "Cuban Sandwich" and I fell in love. My favorite was in San Juan, PR.

For those not close to any of these obscure hole-in-the-wall places mentioned, The Cheesecake Factory has had a Cuban Sandwich on the menu for a while. It's pretty good! I just had one two nights ago. :)