Dear Cuban Sandwich, I Love You!

I was born a lover of Cuban sandwiches. As a child I remember going to the beach with a bag full of Cuban sandwiches made by my father. We went around town collecting all of the perfect ingredients to make the “proper” Cuban. The beach sand always peppered the salty ham and seagulls fought for the crusty heel of the bread. Tim & I had a brief jaunt in New Port Richey a few years ago. The lack of sandwich required a return to Tampa.

The lore of the Cuban sandwich rivals that of the Loch Ness Monster. Tampa and Miami both claim the creation of this toothsome treasure. From 1886 until the 1930's, Ybor City was considered to be the Cigar Capital of the World. As a result of a severe depression and warfare, immigrants came to Ybor City from Spain, Italy, and Cuba. These immigrants brought a sandwich called the “mixto”. This sandwich was a common lunch food for factory workers in Ybor and throughout Cuba. Influenced by the cultural mix, this sandwich became what Tampanians know and love ...The Cuban Sandwich (also known as “Cubano”). With sugar cured ham and Swiss cheese brought by the Spaniards, roast pork and bread from the Cubans, and Genoa salami from the Italians ...it's a cultural shock-wave to the taste buds. Tampa also claims they have the only real Cuban bread in the US. It is said that the City of Tampa water is what makes it so different. This bread was not originally sold in the 3ft loaves we are now accustomed to. It was slimmed and stretched for rationing during the depression.

Maurico Faedo's, La Segunda's Central Bakery, and Casino bakery are among the local bakeries still serving hot, fresh Cuban daily. Faedo's is open 24 hrs a day. When you drive down Florida Ave at night, you can't miss the lights and shenanigans going on inside.

Everyone in Tampa has their favorite Cuban Sandwich hot spot. Personally, I love Brocato's, a Tampa staple since 1948. They make great sammies, along with fantastic Deviled Crabs and Stuffed Potatoes. I always order my Cuban without lettuce and tomato, though they do come standard here. The roast pork on this sandwich is marvelous and the buffet style ham gives just enough salt to pull it all together. Don't forget to get it pressed! The deviled crab has a grandiose amount of crab meat inside....it makes the $3.99 price tag seem like such a fantastic deal. Mr. Brocato and I spoke briefly on my last visit. He asked me about my tattoos and we chatted about where they get their Cuban bread (Casino Bakery). He made me feel great about supporting a local landmark. If you haven't been here...GO!