DINING FLORIDA 19

P
h
o
t
o

o
f

t
h
e

O
r
i
g
i
n
a
l

C
u
b
a
n

S
a
n
d
w
i
c
h

a
t

C
o
l
u
m
b
i
a

b
y

R
o
b

B
o
v
a
r
n
i
k
;

t
h
e

H
o
t

P
r
e
s
s
e
d

C
u
b
a
n

s
a
n
d
w
i
c
h

a
t

F
r
e
n
c
h
y

s

O
r
i
g
i
n
a
l

C
a
f

c
o
u
r
t
e
s
y

o
f

F
r
e
n
c
h
y

s

O
r
i
g
i
n
a
l

C
a
f

;

t
h
e

C
u
b
a
n

S
p
e
c
i
a
l

s
a
n
d
w
i
c
h

a
t

M
o
r
a
l
e
s

C
u
b
a
n

C
a
f

b
y

J
e
r
r
y

J
o
n
e
s
,

c
o
u
r
t
e
s
y

o
f

c
h
a
r
l
o
t
t
e
h
a
r
b
o
r
t
r
a
v
e
l
.
c
o
m
COLUMBIA
Floridas oldest restaurant, Columbia, is ofen
touted for serving one of the states best Cuban
sandwiches. Made from an original 1915 recipe
by its presidents great-grandfather, Casimiro
Hernandez Sr., who founded the restaurant in
Tampas historic Ybor City in 1905, Columbias
Original Cuban Sandwich is made with fne ham,
Genoa salami, mojo-marinated roast pork, Swiss
cheese, pickle and mustard and comes on freshly
baked Cuban bread brushed with butter on top. It
is then pressed to a crispy fnish. Florida foodies
can enjoy the dish at Columbias many locations,
including its Sarasota and Clearwater Beach
restaurants.
COOTERS RESTAURANT & BAR
Tis Clearwater Beach favorite may be known for
its steaks and seafood, but it also has an amazing
Pressed Cuban sandwich on its menu. Featuring
layers of ham, smoked pork, Swiss cheese, sliced
pickles, mayo and mustard on fresh Cuban bread,
the sandwich is served hot and toasty with a side
of homemade coleslaw. Guests are guaranteed
only the most perfectly smoked pork in their
sandwiches, as the restaurant has its own smoker
on premise.
CUBBYS HOMEMADE
ICE CREAM & DELI
Tis Punta Gorda sweet spot is known as much
for its Pressed Cuban sandwich as its ice cream.
Te house specialty, its the perfect balance of
marinated pork roast, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese
and mustard on Cuban bread. Afer enjoying this
delectable sandwich, fnish with some smooth ice
cream.
FRENCHYS ORIGINAL CAF
Frenchys Original Caf, a popular Clearwater
Beach restaurant, is known for its grouper
sandwiches and ofers one of the best Cuban
sandwiches on the beach. Its Hot Pressed Cuban
comes with sliced pork roast, ham, Genoa
salami, Swiss cheese and sliced pickles stacked
on Cuban bread and pressed hot. Te dish is then
served with black beans, yellow rice and a side of
homemade mustard sauce.
MORALES CUBAN CAF
Tis Port Charlotte eatery (previously located in
Punta Gorda) is home to not one, but two Cuban
sandwiches. Its traditional Cuban sandwich has
ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and
mustard on Cuban bread while its Cuban Special
adds sauted onions and pulled pork to the mix.
Whichever one you choose, taste buds are sure to
be lef salivating for more.
A FLORIDA FAVORITE
FIVE OF THE STATES BEST PLACES TO ENJOY A CUBAN SANDWICH
By Heather Turk
In spite of its name, the Cuban sandwich is actually synonymous with the
state of Florida. One bite of the tasty Cuban sandwiches served at these
restaurants and diners will be glad that the sandwich made its way to Florida.
The Hot Pressed Cuban sandwich
at Frenchys Original Caf
The Cuban Special sandwich
at Morales Cuban Caf
The Original Cuban Sandwich at Columbia