Once known as the “mixto,” the Cuban sandwich was born right here in Tampa with the melding of flavors from Cuban, Spanish, Sicilian, German and Jewish immigrants. Okay, okay, Miami has their own claim to the iconic sandwich (sans salami, that is). Wherever it’s from and whatever your stance is on salami, Tampa Bay is chock-full of Cubans from the traditional to the creative.
The Columbia
2117 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, 813-248-4961
The saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” fits neatly with The Columbia’s love of Tampa history as well as its approach to the Cuban sandwich. Made with fresh bread from La Segunda, The Columbia still uses the original 1915 recipe of restaurant founder, Casimiro Hernandez, Sr.
Photo via @columbiarestaurant/InstagramAguila Sandwich Shop
3200 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-876-4022
This hold-in-the-wall sandwich shop is one of Tampa’s hidden gems. The sandwich comes in sizes small, medium and large, but if you want salami, you have to ask. Tampa-style Cuban sandwich lovers, or as some insist, OG Cuban sandwich lovers know that salami is a must.
Photo viaDeviled Pig
3307 S. Dale Mabry HWY, Tampa, 813-766-1188
With award-winning barbecue pitmaster Lee Ann Whippen at the helm, you know you’re in for something good. If you’re looking at the menu now, no, we aren’t crazy. There may not be a “Cuban” sandwich listed on the menu, but check out the Pitmaster Queban. This BBQ spin on the beloved sandwich, featuring slow smoked brisket, compart duroc pulled pork, and smokehouse bologna with Swiss cheese and pickles, is a must-try.
Photo via @Deviledpig/InstagramGolden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli
2930 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-873-6901
So you went vegan, but here you are, looking at a list of the best Cuban sandwiches in town. Don’t worry, we see you. Golden Dinosaurs’ all-vegan menu caters to the Cuban lover in you with their cruelty-free, plant-powered riff on ingredients like mojo pork, cheese and mayo.
Photo via Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli/FacebookBodega
1120 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-623-0942
Bodega’s dedication to fresh, Latin-inspired street food doesn’t waver when it comes to the classics. Bodega’s Cuban sandwich features the standard spread for a Miami-style Cuban: roast pork, ham, swiss, pickles and mayo, aka no salami.
Photo via @eatatbodega/InstagramBrocato’s Sandwich Shop
5021 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-248-9977
Brocato’s has evolved from a grocery store, to meat market, to sandwich shop since its doors opened back in 1948, granting the Cuban joint plenty of time to get its Cuban sandwich recipe just right.
Photo via Brocato’s Sandwich Shop/FacebookEmpamamas
1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa, (813) 460-6213
Empamamas started out as a roaming Tampa food truck and now operates out of Armature Works. Among Empamamas’ rotating menu of unique empanada options is the Tampa Girl, a juicy meat pocket that packs the flavor of a Cuban sandwich.
Photo via @empamamas/InstagramForest Hills Grocery
901 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-932-6025
This unassuming grocery store and deli has been slinging out Cuban sandwiches to in-the-know Tampa natives for years. For the truly hungry, Forest Hills Grocery offers their super Cuban. Its huge.
Photo via Google MapsHemingway’s Modern Cuban Cuisine
1910 N. Ola Ave. suite 117, Tampa, 813-435-6482
Hemingway’s offers two takes on the beloved sandwich with The Hemingway Cuban and La Frita Cubana. The Hemingway Cuban comes with roasted pork, salami, jamon dulce, swiss cheese, pickles, housemade sauce and bread from La Segunda. La Frita Cubana mixes things up with chorizo, pork, beef, caramelized onions, swiss and potato strings on an egg bun.
Photo via Hemingway’s/FacebookIchicoro Ramen
5229 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-517-9989
Hitting up a ramen joint for a Cuban sandwich might sound insane, but hear us out. Ichicoro’s Tampa CuBaoNo adds another layer to the multicultural sandwich with chasyu asado (citrus-marinated pork belly), ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, spicy yuzu mustard and a side of tostones (twice-fried plantain slices).
Photo via @ichicoroya/InstagramLa Segunda
2512 N. 15th St., Tampa, 813-248-1531
Established in 1915, La Segunda touts its status as the largest producer of Cuban bread in the world, cranking out some 18,000 loaves every day. With that kind of experience backing the bread alone, La Segunda’s Cuban sandwich is a must try.
Photo via @lasegundabakery/InstagramLa Teresita Restaurant
3248 W. Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-879-9704
Known for their Cuban fare and hefty portions, La Teresita is slinging Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, arroz con pollo and loads of other classic favorites from its cozy pink two-story.
Photo via La Teresita Restaurant/FacebookMichelle Faedo’s On The Go
Food Truck, 813-784-6933
Michelle Faed and husband Robert elevate the food truck game, popping up on street corners across the city to serve their fresh-made cuisine. Dedicated customers know the duo for their Cuban sandwiches and deviled crab.
Photo via Michelle Faedo’s On The Go/FacebookPalm Ave Sandwich Shop
2002 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-223-5157
If you’re craving a Palm Ave Cuban, make sure to swing by the ATM. This cash-only sandwich shop proves that Cubans aren’t just for lunch with their bacon and egg breakfast Cuban option.
Photo via Palm Avenue Sandwich Shop/FacebookPepo’s Cafe
3879 Northdale Blvd., Tampa, 813-269-7476
Step up to the counter and feast your eyes on Pepo’s huge hotplates of Spanish and Cuban cuisine. In addition to the buffet of Latin flavor at the order counter, Pepo’s serves a mean Tampa-style Cuban sandwich complete with pork, ham, salami and cheese.
Photo via peposcafe.comRuben’s Cuban Cafe
4941 E. Busch Blvd. #170, Tampa, 813-989-2178
Ruben’s started out as a small sandwich shop some 30 years ago, riding the success of their signature Cuban sandwich all the way to a sit-down cafe with a full Cuban menu. Head out to Temple Terrace, and you can still grab the Tampa-style Cuban sandwich that built Ruben’s today.
Photo via Ruben’s Cubans/FacebookSpain Restaurant and Toma Bar
513 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-223-2831
Serving up Spanish cuisine, Spain Restaurant and Toma Bar leans into its South Tampa roots with a salami-laden Cuban sandwich. After all, don’t ham, pork, salami, cheese and pickles make the world go ‘round?
Photo via Spain Restaurant and Toma Bar/FacebookThe Bricks
1327 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1785
Take heart vegetarians, we haven’t forgotten you. The Bricks veggie Cuban provides a guilt-free alternative to the typically meat-heavy sandwich with avocado, tomato, pickled red onion, pickles, mixed greens, swiss and honey mustard to fill the fresh Cuban bread. Meat-eaters, of course, can add pork for an upcharge.
Photo via Meaghan HabudaWright’s Gourmet Cafe
1200 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, (813) 253-3838
Looking for a Cuban sandwich made Wright? A South Tampa institution, Wright’s prepares a mean Cuban, subbing Swiss cheese for Jarlsberg and adding a bit of turkey to the standard pork, ham and salami combo.
Photo via Wright’s Gourmet House/FacebookWest Tampa Sandwich Shop
3904 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, 813-873-7104
West Tampa Sandwich Shop is serving up both a classic Cuban and one with a sweet twist on the standard sandwich. The “Obama Sandwich” is a classic Cuban with a little honey, just the way the former Mr. President likes it.
Photo via Google MapsSunday’s Delicatessen
1930 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, 813-304-2041
This rustic, mom-and-pop deli is one of Ybor’s hidden secrets. Alongside their classic Cuban, Sunday Delicatessen offers a spicy take on the Tampa staple with pepperjack cheese, habanero ham, spicy mustard and jalapenos. Warning, this spicy Cuban is not for the faint of heart.
Photo via Sunday’s Delicatessen/FacebookThe Cuban Sandwich Shop
10434 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-932-0998
Sure, it’s got a menu full of options from a patty melt to picadillo, but when you show up at a place called The Cuban Sandwich Shop, it seems a bit wrong to forego the namesake.
Photo via The Cuban Sandwich Shop/Facebook
