ASADA TORTA at LA FIESTA
A Port of Tampa (not Port Tampa Bay) gem, La Fiesta — part bodega, part restaurant — offers the most authentic Mexican on its side of the Selmon Expressway. This torta, generous in size, is composed of lettuce, tomato, queso blanco, beans and steak, but nothing beats the big, fluffy bread everything’s presented on. There isn’t a better place to eat this staple, and there might not be a better-tasting torta, either. 1202 S. 22nd St., Tampa, 813-241-2477. —Ray Roa
BREADED STEAK at LA TERESITA
Best consumed inebriated — at least that’s how I’ve always done it — this bistec empanizado, or breaded steak, sandwich is my go-to for breaking bread with friends after a night on the town. Though likely frowned upon by purists, my you-only-live-once preference is to order two fried eggs on top for a messy, gooey delight. 3248 W. Columbus Drive, Tampa, 813-879-9704, lateresitarestaurant.com. —Chris Fasick
HOMAGE TO BERN’S at ÉLEVAGE
If you’ve ever sat at the bar at Bern’s and ordered the secret steak sandwich, you’ll find this meaty pressed wonder deliciously familiar, complete with Alpine (read: super-fancy Swiss) cheeses and au jus (read: French onion soup) for dipping. And if you haven’t, you can order it for lunch at Elevage, the lauded steakhouse’s nearby contemporary sister restaurant inside the Epicurean Hotel. 1207 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-999-8726, elevagerestaurant.com. —Scott Harrell
MONTE CARLO at BEVERLY’S LA CROISETTE
An elegant solution to steak sammies: Take an English muffin, give it a schmear of Dijon, then top it with a petite filet and a slab of Brie. The filet’s mouth-tender, and even though the sandwich comes with mayo, ask your waitress to skip it — the remaining ingredients get the job done nicely. (You’ll be too busy drooling over the fusion of flavors to miss the condiment, anyway.) Have it once and you’re hooked; have it twice and you’re obsessed. 7401 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-2253, beverlysotb.com. —Cathy Salustri
PHILLY CHEESESTEAK at SIRI’S GOURMET BURGERS & PIZZA
One does not go to Siri’s for pizza, if one knows what one is doing. One goes there for the Philly. Why? Made-from-scratch hoagie rolls. The restaurant has held on to the same amazing chef, Joe Hashim, through a couple of ownership changes, and the man knows his way around a kitchen. He’s a treasure, as are his rolls, which are known to sell out. But before you ask, no, you can’t bring your own Publix hoagie roll. Siri’s takes its cheesesteak seriously, and so should you. 2813 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-258-4959, sirisgourmetburgersandpizza.com. —Cathy Salustri
For more of our 50 Best Sandwiches, follow the sounds of growling bellies.
This article appears in Jun 15-22, 2017.