Best cuban sandwich in Tampa Bay (Miami, Gulfport: appointed, 2013, school)

[The Villages Guy]

Cafe Alfresco has a very good cuban sandwich.

[SeaSpur]

When I moved to Tampa I was definitely confused with the "Devil Crab." In South Carolina, we have "Deviled Crab" and they all looked like this:



I came to love both, however.

[Not_liking_FL]

Originally Posted by tilli

Not roast beef, it's roast pork! And if you haven't had Cuban roast pork, you should really try it! It is marinated in delicious mojo seasoning. A good Cuban sandwich is built around quality Cuban roast pork. If they don't have real roast pork then I will order something else, because the roast pork is vital. Then ham (ideally neutral flavored - honey or salty ham ruins a Cuban), swiss cheese, mustard, and pickle. On Cuban bread, pressed - this makes the bread crispy and melts the cheese. Some Tampa Cuban restaurant places also have salami on their sandwiches, that's a local thing due to the Italian influence in Ybor at the turn of the last century. I like them with or without. But I am adamant that they should not have lettuce and tomato. It ruins the texture and the balance of flavors. Get your salad on the side! Order a cup of garbanzo bean soup on the side, sometimes called Spanish Bean soup - invented at the Columbia restaurant, variations of it are made all around Tampa Bay.

Good Cubans can be had all over town, there are lots of little Cuban restaurants around. I am a fan of the sandwiches at La Ideal Cafeteria, which is near Raymond James. It's on Tampa Bay Blvd. between MacDill Ave. and Habana Ave.

I agree on the roast pork. I also agree that lettuce and tomato have no business being put on a Cuban. I think that is a Tampa thing like the salami.

[jambo101]

Some reading on the product.
The Cuban Sandwich Wars | Babalú Blog

Ybor city has some good Cuban sandwich joints,
One place north of town i saw on a tv show, and turned out to serve a great Cuban sandwich.
Danny's All-American Diner (Tampa, Fl) Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by CHASLS2

Is Brocato's still in the same place they have always been? I know a friend of mine had to move and was bought out when they redid I4 a few years back. His house was the 2 nd house east of Brocato's.

Yes, it is.

When they redid the interstate and 50th street a few years ago, Columbus got moved around.

I know what you mean, as I hadn't been there since the early 2000s, and when I tried to go there a few years ago, everything looked different and I couldn't find the place.

I later went with someone who knew their way around and was able to figure it out.

RM

[tilli]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

I agree on the roast pork. I also agree that lettuce and tomato have no business being put on a Cuban. I think that is a Tampa thing like the salami.

Naw, most of the real Cuban restaurants in town don't add lettuce & tomato unless you ask (and if you do ask, they give you THE LOOK), but for some reason they put it on at Brocato's.

[Not_liking_FL]

Originally Posted by tilli

Naw, most of the real Cuban restaurants in town don't add lettuce & tomato unless you ask (and if you do ask, they give you THE LOOK), but for some reason they put it on at Brocato's.

I've been asked many times if I want lettuce and tomato on my Cuban at Tampa restaurants. Some places even ask if you want mayo.

Every other city I've ordered a Cuban sandwich these items are not even an option.

[tilli]

Guess we are going to different restaurants!

[tinytrump]

West Tampa sandwich shop on Armenia,, is pretty good- for me, nothing touches Miami's Cuban here in Tampa- the bread is all wrong, but the prez ate there with all his secret service so--

[romes591]

Cuban Breezes on Hillsborough and Race Track