OK, so it sounds ridiculous: A Cuban sandwich minus the meat. Maybe it's wimpy and New Age-ish, could even be a felony under Culinary Law. But we like Carmine's vegetarian Cuban. Impossible, you say? We challenge you to taste with an open mind, unobstructed by Meat Issues. What's in it? Swiss cheese, homemade roasted, marinated red peppers, mushrooms, onion, lettuce and fresh, fulsome tomatoes, on real Cuban bread, sliced on the diagonal. It's not (terribly) fattening; it's not boring; it has verve and panache. Order half a veggie Cuban and half of one of Carmine's fabulous regular ones, and see which you like best. You may be surprised at how close the contest is.
Carmine's Seventh Avenue, 1802 Seventh Ave. E., Ybor City, 813-248-3834.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.