There are many geographic specific culinary icons. A visit to a particular city or location dictates a dish or specialty that you must have. For example: Clearwater Beach, FL – grouper sandwich; New Orleans, LA – coffee and beignets; Natchitoches, LA – fried meat pies; Grand Bay, AL – watermelons; western North Carolina – apple barns. Such is true of an Authentic Cuban Sandwich Ybor City-Style if you’re anywhere near the Tampa Bay area.
According to folklore, the Cuban Sandwich, also know as cubano, was create by Ybor City cigar factories owners who felt their employees were eating too much lunch which resulted in decreased afternoon production. Ybor City, a Latin neighbor in Tampa, was famous for cigar factories.
Others say, the Cuban sandwich was known in Cuba long before it was known to Ybor City residents.
Whatever the truth might be, they’re certainly famous in and around Tampa, FL.
If the cigar factory owners saw this as a lighter lunch, I can’t imagine what in the heck the employees were eating. This ain’t no dainty little sandwich.
It’s a MEAT sandwich!
I love the tradition of Cuban bread. A palmetto leaf is place atop the dough prior to baking and leaves an indention on top of the loaf. Here’s a photo of several loaves in my neighborhood Publix.
As far as I can tell, the palmetto leave serves no function other than keeping up the tradition. I love that!
So, cook a Cuban Mojo Pork Roast and save leftovers for an Authentic Cuban Sandwich Ybor City-Style. You’ll have two great meals and be a supah-stah in the eyes of your family.
Y’all come see us!
Authentic Cuban Sandwich Ybor City-Style
servings: 4
If you come to Tampa, you must have a Cuban sandwich. The iconic sandwich is said to be a product of the cigar factories in the Latin neighborhood of Ybor City. Purist insist on mustard only for condiments. Some versions include salami but it seems that it wasn’t included in the original version. Dill pickles are a must. Make Cuban Mojo pork the day before and use the leftovers for this sandwich. Any type of sweet deli ham will do. Cuban bread is the preferred bread. If it’s not available, substitute a loaf of European-style long loaf bread.
1 loaf Cuban bread
yellow mustard
1 pound Swiss cheese, sliced thinly
1 pound sweet deli ham
1 pound roasted Cuban mojo pork , pulled or sliced
whole dill pickles, thinly sliced lengthwise
butter
Split open the Cuban bread lengthwise.
Spread yellow mustard all over the cut side of both pieces of bread.
Divide the Swiss cheese slices among the two bread pieces.
On one side, layer ham, pork and pickles in that order.
Slap remaining loaf on top of the meat and pickles.
Heat a griddle to medium-high. Add approximately two tablespoons butter.
Place the sandwich top-side down on the melted butter. Weight it down with anything you can find. I covered a large cooking sheet in aluminum foil and placed my heaviest cast iron skillet on top. No need for fancy sandwiches presses. Just make your own!
As soon as the bread is toasted and the cheese on the bottom has melted, flip the sandwich over and repeat the process.
When done, cut the sandwich into four sections and serve warm.
Authentic Cuban Sandwich Ybor City-Style
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Cuban bread
- yellow mustard
- 1 pound Swiss cheese sliced thinly
- 1 pound sweet deli ham
- 1 pound roasted Cuban mojo pork pulled or sliced
- whole dill pickles thinly sliced lengthwise
- butter
Instructions
- Split open the Cuban bread lengthwise.
- Spread yellow mustard all over the cut side of both pieces of bread.
- Divide the Swiss cheese slices among the two bread pieces.
- On one side, layer ham, pork and pickles in that order.
- Slap remaining loaf on top of the meat and pickles.
- Heat a griddle to medium-high. Add approximately two tablespoons butter.
- Place the sandwich top-side down on the melted butter. Weight it down with anything you can find. I covered a large cooking sheet in aluminum foil and placed my heaviest cast iron skillet on top. No need for fancy sandwiches presses. Just make your own!
- As soon as the bread is toasted and the cheese on the bottom has melted, flip the sandwich over and repeat the process.
- When done, cut the sandwich into four sections and serve warm.
Suzanne says
Here in Safety Harbor, the best place to get a REAL Cuban sandwich is at a convenient store next to the laundromat on Phillipe Parkway! Delicious and they make their sandwiches using just the ingredients you listed. I also had one from The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. The one from our friendly neighborhood convenient store was MUCH better! Yum!
Jackie Garvin says
What a find for you! The best Cuban in a unexpected place.
Stephen says
The Cuban sandwich, along with the Cuban bread, was originally created by Sicilian immigrants in Ybor City, Tampa. They were indeed made for Ybor cigar factory workers.
Cathy Dutch says
Columbia Room in Ybor and several mini-marts and Lolo food trucks. Make sure you press your Cuban sandwich to ensure a nice buttery crust with melty swiss cheese. Serve with a nice iced tea or a Cuban coffee espresso.
Jackie Garvin says
❤️
Dean Gissiner says
Ybor pressed Cubans include Genoa salami. The recipe is more like a Miami-style Cuban.
Jackie Garvin says
This is an authentic Cuban sandwich from a Cuban family. Several variations exist.
Eliza says
This is correct. I am 6th generation from Tampa and an authentic Ybor City cuban is made with salami.
Kevin says
Tampa Cubans have Salami. There are several variations of Cubans, sure, but a Tampa Cuban is one variation and that variation has Salami.
J. Chris Thomas says
Jackie, The Cubano Mixto is one of my all-time favorite sandwiches. This recipe does it justice. We lived in the FL Keys for several years. That’s where I learned how to cook all things Cuban. Do you have a recipe for the pork?
As a chef from Long Island, NY, I have my own variation on the pulled pork. I make about 60 sandwiches for special events at church. My recipe is rather unconventional, but it’s always a big hit. If you’re interested, I’d be more than happy to pass along my recipe. God bless.
Jackie Garvin says
Hi Chris,
I do have a recipe for Cuban Mojo pork but I’d love to see yours! Thanks.