PrintAre Most Cuban Sandwiches Created Equal? Where's your favorite?
I've taken a lot of flack on both ELE and Serious Eats about my declaring the untraditional Cubano at the Spotted Pig the best Cubano I've ever had. It's all in good fun, of course, but I have decided to test my theory that most other Cubanos are the same by eating as many different conventional Cubanos as I can in the coming weeks.
Yesterday I had the Cubano at the Latin American Restaurant, where the motto is "We Have What You Like." Well, I liked the Cubano. Though it was already assembled when I ordered it, after it spent the requisite ten minutes under the sandwich press it was still pretty delicious. It was comprised of the usual ingredients:
slices of boiled ham
roast pork
swiss cheese
pickles
mustard
mojo (garlic sauce)
The price, a mere $5.00 for a sandwich so big I gave half of it to new Serious Eater Robyn Lee for lunch, can't be beat. What can I say? You can buy three Cubanos to go at the Latin American Restaurant for the same amount of money you would spend to sit down and have a Cubano at Spotted Pig. Is the Spotted Pig's version three times better? I think so, but the Latin American's Cubano is a mighty satisfying cheap lunch.
Latin American Restaurant
29 W. 26th St. (between Broadway and Ave. of the Americas)
Ph: 212-689-2570
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9 Comments:
What do you think of the Cubano at Café con Leche which is, I believe, in your neighborhood?
floretbroc at 12:48PM on 06/07/07
I haven't had one in awhile. Is it noteworthy? Maybe I'll have one this weekend.
Ed Levine at 7:05PM on 06/07/07
Probably more convenient than noteworthy. But I don't have enough experience to say. Don't go out of your way.
floretbroc at 10:42AM on 06/08/07
Can some one make a list of favorite places in the 5 bouroughs with address and comments?
Also, what is the story on so called 'Pate' on a 'real " Cubano "
kanopemain at 11:55AM on 06/10/07
I've had astoundingly good ones at Los Primos on Grand St. near Graham Ave. in Williamsburg. It can be inconsistent, but when it's on, it's on. And, at $3.75, you can afford a clunker every once in a while.
EdLevineCommenter at 3:55PM on 06/10/07
I've never met a Cubano that wasn't already made - just had to be pressed & heated.
Try Gena's Grill, 210 1st Ave. (12/13 St.) The best I've had - moist and really garlicky!!!
richard at 12:16PM on 06/12/07
Up by the Columbia University Medical Center in Washington Heights there is a deli that makes the best Cuban sandwich I've had by far, although I have not yet made it to the Spotted Pig. They assemble it to order and it is consistently good. I can usually only eat half, and then I have to take a nap. The sandwich is called Tony's Cuba East and can be had at the Tasty Deli.
Tasty Deli
4020 Broadway (between 169th St & 170th St)
New York, NY 10032
(212) 568-3838
chungle at 2:47PM on 06/13/07
Cibao on Clinton @ Rivington is solid.
Jack_Barber at 11:09PM on 11/09/07
I agree with you, Jack. Cibao's Cuban is solid. I can't believe Cibao hasn't been forced out by the landlord.
Ed Levine at 8:49AM on 11/10/07