Best Cubano Sandwich

Who makes the best Cubano sandwich here on the Mainland-my vote goes to:
1)Larios in Miami
2)Sloppy Joe's in Key West.
Let the games begin!

Julio's in Sebring.

Roberto's Little Havana in Cocoa Beach

McDonald's soon to be anounced McRickyRicardo.

Oldsmar Deli, Oldsmar.

quote:

Originally posted by Niagara

McDonald's soon to be anounced McRickyRicardo.

funny and scary.

I don't know about "the best on the mainland" but I do know the Starliner Diner in Hilliard, Ohio, makes a very good Cuban sandwich, along with everything else on the menu. It is a Cuban/Puerto Rican/Mexican fusion restaurant that is addictive. They bake their own bread daily and everything on the menu is exciting, interesting and very good. In addition to all that, it is inexpensive.

Really a rather quirky place, with lots of collections of odds and ends, and painted mural on the wall. Very popular and was once touted on the TV Food Network on the old show at that time, Dining Around.

As stated before, the Cuban sandwich is delicious and looks to be authentic to me, according to all that I've read.

Donna

I've had Cuban Sandwiches at about 1/2 a dozen different places in the Miami area and my vote goes to Puerto Sagua

havana in west palm beach makes a kiler. real toasted cuban roll lots of roast pork ham and cheese. 4.95 it is awesome open 24/7 and always a line outside ITS THE REAL DEAL

Can't remember the name but a Havana Grocery on 8th St. in Miami had the best I ever remember. I can find it though. Outside of Miami, the Havana Sandwich Shop in Buford Hwy. in Atlanta is next.

quote:

Originally posted by marky

havana in west palm beach makes a kiler. real toasted cuban roll lots of roast pork ham and cheese. 4.95 it is awesome open 24/7 and always a line outside ITS THE REAL DEAL

I like Havana in WPB (who wrote that great review by the way?) and the fact they are open 24 hours is a bonus. I have gotten odd looks when I bring out a Cubano I bought before getting to WPB airport and my flight. I have also tried some of the others listed, but tops in my book is El Sitio in Woodside Queens. It is a tiny place that looks unchanged for the past 50 years. They just seem to have the balance of all the ingredients just right.

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

Roberto's Little Havana in Cocoa Beach

roossy,

We're vacationing in Cocoa Beach later this month.

I read about Roberto's, and we definitely plan to go. Is it true their breakfast sandwiches are good too?

Where else do you recommend? For seafood, I've been referred to Crab Heaven (near the mall on Merritt Island), Dixie Crossroads (Titusville) for shrimp, Lobster Shanty, and Florida's Seafood.

We also plan to hit Long Doggers, and it looks like Taco City's well regarded.

Whaddya think?

Thanks!!!

-SWOG

Dixie Crossroads for me anytime. I have been there many times and never ever been dissapointed. Do not fill up on their fritters that they give you. They are delicious but will ruin your appetite for the great stuff.

http://www.dixiecrossroads.com/

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

Dixie Crossroads for me anytime. I have been there many times and never ever been dissapointed. Do not fill up on their fritters that they give you. They are delicious but will ruin your appetite for the great stuff.

http://www.dixiecrossroads.com/

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Paul,

Thanks!

What do I order there? I'm told the shrimp.

I've checked out their menu. What are the differences among boat run shrimp, rock shrimp, and Cape Canaveral large shrimp?

-SWOG

The Columbia Restaurant in Tampa and St Augustine serve great Cuban sandwiches.

SWOHIOGUY,
I have never eaten breakfast at Roberto's, just their dinners and sandwiches.
Their Media Noche sandwiches are my favorite. Using the sweet bread, so good.
I also got the pork chunks in the green sauce. Cant remember the name.
And to be honest... There really are not that many outstanding restaurants in the CB area. Most are mediocre-But of course, Dixie Crossroads is one exception.
One of our RF members lives in the area, and maybe he can guide you as to where to eat.
Not to put him on the spot.

Oh, Travelin' man.. where are you?
This is your neck of the woods.

There is a little authentic New England style Roast Beef and seafood shop in Cape Canaveral, called Boston Beef and Seafood.
Their Beef sandwiches rivals any from Massachusetts.
I have never tried their seafood, but try the sandwiches. The large is HUGE....
http://www.dining-out-guide.com/cat/showpic.html?id=0113

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

SWOHIOGUY,
I have never eaten breakfast at Roberto's, just their dinners and sandwiches.
Their Media Noche sandwiches are my favorite. Using the sweet bread, so good.
I also got the pork chunks in the green sauce. Cant remember the name.
And to be honest... There really are not that many outstanding restaurants in the CB area. Most are mediocre-But of course, Dixie Crossroads is one exception.
One of our RF members lives in the area, and maybe he can guide you as to where to eat.
Not to put him on the spot.

Oh, Travelin' man.. where are you?
This is your neck of the woods.

There is a little authentic New England style Roast Beef and seafood shop in Cape Canaveral, called Boston Beef and Seafood.
Their Beef sandwiches rivals any from Massachusetts.
I have never tried their seafood, but try the sandwiches. The large is HUGE....
http://www.dining-out-guide.com/cat/showpic.html?id=0113

Thanks roossy!!!!

Your welcome!
When are you going?
If I remember anything else of interest, I shall make note here.
Tara

A Cuban restaurant on Dale Mabry just north of West Kennedy Blvd in Tampa, FL. Sorry, I cannot remember the name but it is excellent.

John

I agree on the Columbia - I ate there last summer when I was in Tampa for a conference. We went back and had the paella for dinner the second night, and that was great, too.

Any place along Bergenline Avenue in Union City, NJ, especially La Gran Via, and El Artesano. (but it's not exactly a vacation destination)

Not having eaten at ALL of the Cuban sandwich shops in the US kind of makes it difficult to pick the best. However, I must vote for La Tropicana in Saint Louis as making a very good one.

My vote goes to Porto's in Glendale, Ca.

I'm like Extreme Glow; heck, I haven't even eaten at all the places in Houston that serve a cubano. But, Houston is on the mainland so I'll forge ahead and observe that Taqueria El Rey serves a very good cuban. This place has been described as Cuban/Tex-Mex and it may be the best use ever found for a former Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Everything I've had here except the shrimp tacos has been great (for some reason they use the small frozen 'cocktail' shrimp). Everytime I walk out I ask myself why I don't eat there more often. The only reason is that it's not anywhere close to where I live.

Not to start a cultural war, but the infectious Cuban music on the sound system beats the heck out of the mariachi or norteno or conjunto, etc., in most taquerias. It's also one of the cleanest restaurants I've ever been in.

Could you be thinking of Havana Village. It is located on Dale Mabry just a little ways pass the Kennedy Blvd intersection?
Yes this is a good place for a Cuban Sandw. Their stuffed crabs and stuffed potatoes are very good as well.

quote:

Originally posted by John A

A Cuban restaurant on Dale Mabry just north of West Kennedy Blvd in Tampa, FL. Sorry, I cannot remember the name but it is excellent.

John

quote:

Originally posted by tampa bay

Could you be thinking of Havana Village. It is located on Dale Mabry just a little ways pass the Kennedy Blvd intersection?
Yes this is a good place for a Cuban Sandw. Their stuffed crabs and stuffed potatoes are very good as well.

quote:

Originally posted by John A

A Cuban restaurant on Dale Mabry just north of West Kennedy Blvd in Tampa, FL. Sorry, I cannot remember the name but it is excellent.

John

Yep, I do believe that's it. Been a while since I've gotten over that way but when I do, it, and Mel's Hot Dogs are two favorites.

John

I don't know if it is the best in Florida, but I sure did enjoy the Cuban sandwich I ate at La Teresita in Tampa.

Here in Pittsburgh, I know of only one place to get a good Cuban sandwich and it is really good. http://raysmarlinbeach.com/ The owners moved up from the Miami area a few years ago to start the restaurant and serve quite a few things that can't be found on any other menu in the city.

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

Your welcome!
When are you going?
If I remember anything else of interest, I shall make note here.
Tara

Hi roossy,

Sorry, but I just noticed your post.

We got to CB Wednesday evening, and left midday Saturday.

Wednesday evening, we ate at Lobster Shanty, just south of town. Forgettable. The waitress said it was dead because of the first day of school. I got stuffed tuna, which was dry (standing around waiting for a crowd?) - the sauce smelled like my dog when he needs a bath....

Anyway, Roberto's the next morning did not disappoint!! Thank you for the recommendation! We got there about 9AM, and I asked if it was too early for a Cuban sandwich. The waitress smiled, and told me it's never too early for a Cuban sandwich...it was great - everything I expected.

We went back to Roberto's twice, including that same day, for dinner. I got the simply grilled grouper, with rice, beans, and maduras (sweet grilled plaintain chunks). An amazingly simple, extraordinary dish. I didn't even try to expect fish that fresh and well-prepared elsewhere. The morning we left CB, we went there once more. I got the Surfer Special - eggs atop black beans and yellow rice.

If we lived in/near CB, Roberto's is where we would eat. I wish we'd had more time to explore their lengthy menu....

Longdoggers (http://www.longdoggers.com/) was good roadfood. We ate at the Indialantic location.

Florida's Seafood (http://www.floridas-seafood.com/index.html), just before the 520 causeway, on the CB side, was good too.

Crab Heaven, next to the Merritt Island mall, came recommended by a coworker. It looked great (as in, run down), but we didn't make the time to try it.

Roberto's, though, was the culinary highlight of the trip.

Thanks again, roossy. We might not have made it to Roberto's without your recommendation!

Regards,
-SWOG

You are very welcome...
I should have warned you about Lobster Shanty...
It totally slipped my mind when I was posting before.
Too bad you didnt get to Boston Beef and Seafood for an original Boston Beef sandwich.
It is a treat....
I miss Robertos myself...
Glad you had a good time....
Tara