Cuban sandwiches are Seriously Good

by Sarah J. Gim, Posted Sep 21st 2006 @ 11:32AM

The one time I tried a Cuban sandwich, I was in South Beach. It was early morning, and I was, uh, on my way back to our hotel from our evening out. As we often are after a long night of fun and frivolity, I was hungry, so I stopped to get something to eat. I had heard of Cuban sandwiches, so I ordered one, thinking that it would be some special, sweet bread stuffed with spicy exotic fillings. Boy, was I ever disappointed that it was basically a ham and cheese sandwich pressed on a grill.

Perhaps my disappointment was naive, or perhaps the particular sandwich I ate was just poorly executed with sub-standard ingredients. I mean how could something that looks as good as Kevin's take on the Cuban sandwich be bad, especially when a key ingredient is citrus-marinated roast pork? The classic Cuban sandwich is made with Cuban bread, though an Italian or French bread can be used. The bread is slathered with yellow mustard, then layered with baked ham, thinly sliced roast pork, thinly sliced dill pickles, and Swiss cheese. The whole thing gets pressed down, traditionally on a plancha, but any type of sandwich press, even a homemade one, will do.

Filed Under: On the Blogs, Sandwich Day, Ingredients, How To, Methods
Tags: america, carribean, cheese, condiments, cooking, cuban sandwich, cubano, cubano sandwich, dinner, food, food and cooking, food and drink, food and wine, grill, islands, lunch, pork, recipes, sandwich, sandwich day, sandwiches, spices, vegetables

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-21-2006 @4:58PM Wonka said... Cuban sandwichs are simple and great. The slightly sweet pressed cuban bread with the juxtaposition of the warm pickles hits your taste buds like Reggie Jackson to a baseball come October.

There's a great Cuban Bakery in Glendale called Porto's Bakery and they have great sandwiches. Don't go at lunch though, the place is packed with a line out the door (although I must say that the line moves pretty quickly) They have these potato balls that are some of the best things ever. It's a mashed potato ball with some spiced ground beef in the middle.

Porto's Bakery
315 North Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203

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9-22-2006 @3:41AM Finished Law School said... I love Cuban sandwiches. The hard part is finding a decent Cuban place that makes them when you are not near NY, Miami or LA.
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9-22-2006 @2:58AM Finished Law School said... I love Cuban sandwiches.
Too bad it can be difficult to find a decent Cuban restaraunt outside of Miami, LA and NY...
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9-22-2006 @2:57AM Finished Law School said... I love Cuban sandwiches.
Too bad it can be difficult to find a decent Cuban restaraunt outside of Miami, LA and NY...
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9-22-2006 @11:45AM Nick said... To me, it doesn't say 'Cuban sandwich' unless you kick it Tampa style and add salami. (Apparently it was a nod to the Italian dockworkers.) Abuela still packs a huge cooler full for an afternoon at the beach -- good times!
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9-28-2006 @12:26PM MJ said... Pig heaven! These are one of the best sandwiches. Only in Miami........Cant get it here in NC. Anyone know of one let me know!! In the triad area.
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