Cuban sandwiches

[Mamushka]

I know Cuban sandwiches tend to be reginal, where Tampa does them correctly and every other place is wrong 

So what are your go to places?

Right now my favorite is The Hot Tomato in Riverview (Just off of I-75 Gibsonton exit so if your driving by it is a great place to drop in for lunch). Sandwich is spectacular, if possible eat it there for best flavor (still really good for take out but not quite as good).

Real good place that has gotten ridiculous with their price: Brocato's in Tampa. Used to be able to get a special: 1/2 Cuban and huge devil crab (or potato ball) for $9. Now a Cuban is $13, same with the crab at $13. Place was always packed so they kept upping the price, guess I can't blame them but haven't gone there in years due to the price. The devil crab is the best by far I ever have had, nothing even comes close to it.

Pretty much the rest of the places I go to fall into the "pretty darn good" category: Liborios in Tampa, Cafe Cuba in Valrico, Moreno Bakery and La Cocinita Cubana in Brandon. All the others I have tried fall into the "ok to crap" bucket.

On a side note the Frita Cubana (or Cuban hamburger) served on Cuban bread instead of the regular roll at La Cocinita Cubana is pretty damn tasty.

[tufnel1530]

The Floridian in Tampa when I lived over there... they have good fries too.

Clear Sky in Dunedin changed theirs recently and its really good and more authentic... all the food there is good though.

[JimB]

I fell for the pollo tropical tv commercial.  I wasn’t impressed.  Waiting for others to try it.

[Niloc]

Haven't had one recently after getting several bad ones in a row from different places.

Bad: This isn't real Cuban bread.

Much worse: This is fucking white American cheese, not Swiss. - that one was from "Cuban Breezes", fuck that place.


Also, when I was a kid, Cuban sandwiches always came with thinly sliced (like deli sliced) Cuban pork. Now many places seem to used pulled pork instead. That change doesn't bother me, it's just odd that it changed at all.

[number six]

I fell for the pollo tropical tv commercial.  I wasn’t impressed.  Waiting for others to try it.

Lol I saw that. I generally like Pollo but buying a fast food cuban from a chain when you live in the home of Cubans seemed sacrilegious.

I like most Cubans as long as they are pressed and the bread is good and fresh.. like a po' boy that seems to be the key to a good one.

[toastbot]

I haven't seen the Pollo Tropical commercial, but I think I saw Arby's was offering a Cuban a few years ago, can't imagine that was any good.

The Floridian on Kennedy? They might have been good once, but the ones I've had over the past few years from there have been pretty lack-luster.

Seems like the key is in the pork. You'd think if a place can figure that part out, everything else should be pretty straightforward.

You'd think.

[k7]

i've had an original, and a pulled pork version. the original is acceptable for fast food. it is horrendous passed off as cuban.

the pulled pork version is horrible. period.


vote outside of tampa:  country corner market/deli in jupiter. i got an accidental roast beef here, prepped cuban style. best sandwich mistake ever, i grab one every couple of weeks thru dave.

[JimB]

I had the original.  I expected it to be pressed more.  Yes it’s passable but I’d like the mom pop better or  just stick to Columbia Restaurant.  They make great Cubans.

[Mamushka]

That looks horrible, "Cuban bread" in bun form? No thanks 

When I lived in Atlanta I tried 3 to 4 "Cuban sandwiches" all of them were on French bread and awful. Trying to make a Cuban with a bun is just pure sadness 

[WannaTheater]

The Floridian

+1. 

Discovered the store in Treasure Island many years ago.  Haven't been to that location in awhile, but go to the location near Westshore mall (on Kennedy).   

[number six]

i've had an original, and a pulled pork version. the original is acceptable for fast food. it is horrendous passed off as cuban.

What the hell is that

[k7]

What the hell is that

in a rare twist, the actual sandwich you get looks better than their ad sandwich.

the 2 i've had, came hot pressed, different bread, and more "cubanish" than that one in the commercial.

[PunkicCyborg]

West Tampa Sandwich Shop is hands down my favorite. They taste great and the place is a Tampa icon

[ibis]

Before this conversation starts we need to discuss what a real cuban sandwich is.  A Publix 'cuban' is simply not a cuban sandwich.  A Cuban Sandwich is a very specific thing.

[ndz]

In Tampa they throw a piece of salami on the cuban.    I believe it was an Italian touch when Ybor cigar factory's were abundant.

Also RE Tampa
- Love Brocatos devil crab but the cuban isn't my fav.  It's huge though.
- A friend told me La Teresita was a top cuban in Tampa but I haven't been yet.