Each time a Roze Team member ate a Cuban sandwich, we were treated to a distinct flavor and enjoyable experience. The Cuban sandwich is a work of art that combines boiled ham, roasted pork, sliced Swiss cheese, and dill pickles on Cuban bread smeared with yellow mustard. The bread is essential: it should be chewy, flaky, and buttered. Once assembled, the sandwich is placed in a sandwich grill to allow all of the contents to melt together. The gooey sandwich is sweet and salty, putting you in a food coma. A genuine Cubano is typically served at a 24-hour pickup counter from a Cuban cafe or deli.
In the late 1800s, Cuban immigrant groups in Florida invented the Cuban sandwich. It’s a point of contention whether it started in Tampa or Miami. As a result, the two cities developed a rivalry, with Tampa calling it “Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich.” Regardless of the debate, the sandwich became a popular menu item in South Florida restaurants, cafes, and delis.
In South Florida, these are popular venues to enjoy a Cuban sandwich. If you’re in South Florida, make a point of visiting these restaurants. Enjoy a delicious meal!
Havana Restaurant
Havana Restaurant isn’t your run-of-the-mill diner, but it claims to serve the “Best Cuban Food in Town.” So, what makes Havana’s Cuban sandwich unique? USA Today named its sandwich one of the best Cuban sandwiches in Florida. The Cubano is constructed with steamed ham, pork, and Swiss cheese between two slices of crisp Cuban bread. If you like pickles, you’re in luck since Havana adds thick, crunchy pickle slices to the enormous sandwich. This is a filling meal!
Sanguich De Miami
With pastel-colored walls and Spanish tiled floors, this saguicheria in Little Havana, Florida, recreates a classic Cuban deli. Sanguich De Miami co-owners Daniel Figueredo and Rosa Romero started the brick-and-mortar shop in 2018 after previously serving Cuban sandwiches out of a converted shipping container. Except for the Cuban bread, these people take their sandwiches very seriously, as all ingredients (ham, pork, mustard, and pickles) are made and cooked in-house. The huge El Cubano sandwich, along with a mango y trigo milkshake, will have you wanting to return to Little Havana.
Ana’s Cuban Cafe
Key West is roughly 90 miles from Cuba’s coast, so it’s no surprise that the tropical town serves delicious Cuban cuisine. Ana’s Cuban Cafe is a tiny breakfast and lunch establishment on Simonton and Greene Streets. Five distinct varieties of Cuban sandwiches are available on the low-cost menu. Ana’s Authentic Cuban sandwich is a fan favorite, but the Fiery Cuban with pepper jack cheese, habanero mayo, and jalapenos takes it to the next level. Customers can buy at the takeaway window like a local and then enjoy the hearty sandwich while people-watching at the country’s southernmost point.
Visit Ana’s Cuban Cafe at 1330 Simonton St, Naval Air Station Key West, FL 33040, USA and call +1 305-293-1352.
Little Cuban Cafe Restaurant
Little Cuban Cafe is exactly what it sounds like: small yet powerful. As you drive down Griffin Road, look for the Cuban flag, then turn into the parking lot and knock on the cafe’s window. It’s a family-run business that makes you feel at ease the moment you walk in. Little Cuban Cafe can prepare a traditional Cuban meal or a simple cafe con leche, but it is well renowned for its Cuban Supreme. This baby has been enhanced with loads of serrano ham, slow-roasted pulled pork, and juicy pickles. Make sure to order a Jupina soda, a delightful pineapple drink from Cuba.
Visit Little Cuban Cafe Restaurant
The Butcher Shop & Deli
The Butcher Shop & Deli is your standard, no-frills deli. You can place your order through the storefront window or go inside to peruse the buffet counter. It is known for its pan with lechón and Cuban sandwiches. What makes them so fantastic? The loaf of bread. When squeezed, it generates a crispy, golden layer on the exterior while retaining all of the meat’s juices on the inside. It is effective. Grab some chicharrones (pork crackling) and a carbonated beverage to wash it down.
Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop
After seeing the vibrant Wynwood Walls, refuel with a Cuban feast at Enriqueta’s. It’s a true hole in the wall that you’d pass right past if it weren’t for the long wait that stretches around the lunch counter. Enriqueta’s Cuban sandwich goes above and beyond. It’s loaded with ham, bacon, pickles, and Swiss cheese, and it’s topped with fried croquetas (croquettes) – A Sassy Spoon for a unique twist. Make it a double if you want to fully enjoy it, and add the spicy sauce for a kick.
Visit Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop at 186 NE 29th St, Miami, FL 33137, USA and call +1 305-573-4681
The Cuban Cafe Restaurant
The Cuban Cafe Restaurant in Boca Raton is a tiny but welcoming restaurant fashioned in the style of Cuba. You’ll be able to sample traditional Cuban cuisine without leaving the country. Before diving into a luscious Cubano sandwich, try the yuca with mojito (yuca with orange garlic sauce) or croqueta preparada (fried ham, cheese, and pig) as appetizers. The beach is only a five-minute drive away and is ideal for lying star-fish style to digest your food.
Visit The Cuban Cafe Restaurant
El Meson de Pepe
Live music, a beautiful sunset, and delectable food? We’re talking about El Meson de Pepe in Key West’s Old Town. After watching the sunset in Mallory Square, travel to El Meson de Pepe for a Cuban meal. Because the restaurant does not accept reservations, take a seat outside and order the Caya Hueso Cuban Mix (Key West’s variation on the Cuban sandwich). Sugar-glazed ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, lettuce, mustard, tomatoes, and mayonnaise are heaped high on crisp pressed Cuban bread. Do you want to share a couple of plates? One of the nicest things to try in the Florida Keys is the Lechon Asado (roasted pork marinated in sauce).
Sergio’s Cuban Restaurant
Sergio’s has been serving traditional Cuban and American fare since 1975. From the outside, this family-run restaurant appears to be your typical chain, but the cuisine is full, tasty, and gratifying. Sergio’s also claims to be a South Florida leader in serving healthy Cuban food. It has seven sites around South Florida and has been recognized as a top spot for Cuban food in Miami. There are pages of breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials on the menu, but you’ll want to make a special trip for the two-for-two deal so you can enjoy the delectable Cuban and plantain or mariquita chips.
Visit Sergio’s Cuban Restaurant
925 Nuevo’s Cubano’s
Aside from being a play on words, 925 is a popular lunch location in Fort Lauderdale. The bright roadside counter with Cuban flags strewn across the roof is impossible to miss. In 1976, the restaurant was created as the front half of Luis Valdes, Sr.’s residence. Food is now served from a compact open kitchen flanked by a front-facing bar. 925 claims that the pork is the secret to their Cuban sandwiches since it is pulled rather than sliced, making it extra juicy. Every day, 14 legs of pork are slow-roasted for 16 hours at the restaurant. Quick service and enough food will leave you satisfied.
El Exquisito
If you want a homestyle Cuban lunch, El Exquisito is the place to go. It’s a classic Miami restaurant that’s been open since 1974. The relaxed atmosphere frequently attracts regular Cuban customers. The menu is a book (it rivals the Cheesecake Factory), so you’ll have plenty of selections. Take a mouthful of the Cubano Especial to help you narrow down your options. It’s the extra-large (read: LARGE) variant of the original sandwich. On the side, there are tostones rellenos picadillo (fried green plantains with meat) and tomal with mojo (corn patties with garlic flavor). If you have room in your stomach, stroll across Calle Ocho to Azucar for an ice cream waffle cone with a choice of daily and seasonal homemade ice cream flavors.
Visit El Exquisito at 1510 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135-5219, USA and call +1 305-643-0227.
Fritas Cuban Burger Cafe
You haven’t known indecision until you’ve seen Frita’s menu. It’s not quite a book, but it’s chock-full of excellent selections that will leave you dumbfounded. Choose from six Cuban sandwiches, each with its own distinct personality. The Cuban Wreck is worth its price and is loaded with roast pork, grilled onions, au jus dipping sauce, and horseradish. The Cuban Muffaletta, cooked with smoked ham, chorizo sausage, Swiss cheese, and olive spread, takes it to the next level. The huge sandwiches cost $9-11. Frita’s is only a few feet away from Key West’s famous Duval Street, which has a plethora of shops for post-meal shopping!
Visit Fritas Cuban Burger Cafe
Remember to check out the best times to visit Miami and other parts of South Florida so you can enjoy both the Cuban sandwich restaurants and the South Floridian experience.