Sampling the ‘Cubano’ Sandwich in Little Havana

By ⋅ December 27, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
A Cuban sandwich, or "Cubano" as it is served on Calle Ocho, in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Steve Dolinsky)

A Cuban sandwich, or "Cubano" as it is served on Calle Ocho, in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Steve Dolinsky)

The Cubano, or Cuban sandwich, has been a staple of workers’ lunch in Cuba for a century.

The sandwich reached the Florida shores when those workers began migrating to America.

It has since become a regular food item on America’s global menu.

But perhaps no one can put together a “Cubano” like Cuban restaurants in Miami.

Reporter Steve Dolinsky has been sampling a few in Little Havana and gives his recommendations to anchor Lisa Mullins.

Discussion

6 comments for “Sampling the ‘Cubano’ Sandwich in Little Havana”

  • Archerwisdom

    I listend with much interest to this piece. My cubano memory comes from my childhood where my cuban friend Fernando took me to a tiny bodega on 181st St. in Washington Heights, NY. It was right next to the Astral movie theater, near Amsterdam or Audobon Ave. 
    I have searched, and to date, I have yet to find un cubano as good as those. 
    Bob   

  • BallardBrawler

    If you’re in the northwest, you must try Paseo’s in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle.  I have lived in Sacramento, CA for the past two years, and this is one of the few food items that I dream about returning home to eat.  The pork is amazing and the grilled onions are infectious!  If I had Oprah money, I would have this sandwich flown to me.

  • Jonathan Stanwood

    In Philadelphia, one must go to the Reading Terminal Market for a brash, noisy but great eating experience.  Virtually everything is findable there and a cubano at 12th Street Cantina is definitely a must.

  • http://www.facebook.com/john.hellinga John Hellinga

    I listened to this piece as I swept the kitchen of the restaurant/bar/coffee shop I work at in NW Iowa. Wednesdays for lunch we serve a Cuban or a ‘Cubano.’ The sandwich has become my favorite!

    Thank you for the wonderful piece on a wonderful sandwich!

    John

  • Kieran Ronayne

    I was first introduced to the Cubano at a little grocer in Chicago, La Unica on Devona Avenue, and fell in love with the sandwich.  If you’re downtown at Ogilvie station, Ovie serves up a pretty mean one.

    • Steve Dolinsky

      Kieran, you are absolutely correct! La Unica (on Devon Ave.) makes a mean Cubano, but I like the ones at Cafecito and El Cubanito. Here are my top 5 in Chicago: http://stevedolinsky.com/?p=3920