Discovering the World's Best Cuban Sandwich in Tampa | On the Road with Bryan Roof
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- čas přidán 19. 07. 2024
- Travel alongside Cook's Country's Editorial Director Bryan Roof as he explores the communities and cuisines that make up the great American dinner table. In this episode, he travels to Ybor City in Tampa to learn all about the Cuban Sandwich.
Get our Cuban Sandwich recipe: cooks.io/3E7ncHl
Get our Cuban Bread recipe: cooks.io/3rhvvsq
Get our Cuban Roast Pork with Mojo recipe: cooks.io/3dTueoi
Read more about our visit: cooks.io/3E1elqG
Browse all our series content: cooks.io/3UHzA6L
Follow Bryan Roof on Instagram: / bryanroof
Buy our winning chefs knife: cooks.io/3tQ9mDh
Buy our winning Dutch oven: cooks.io/3DzBbCw
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A festival dedicated to Cuban sandwiches sounds amazing.
It is!!!!!
I don't believe in a heaven on earth, but this sounds as close as it gets.
The authentic Tampa Cuban sandwich, delicious! And the bread from La segunda is second to none!
Absolutely !!!!
@Stephen Ritger awesome, I will get some the next time I go
La Segunda makes my favorite Cubano.
They have a distribution deal with the Publix's in the downtown area, and they sell fresh 3 ft loaves... They're so good. Cheap too.
I went to Florida once. Torrential rain the whole time. But I remember this glorious sandwich. Apparently simple sandwich, but not really.
As a person that loves to cook from the Tampa Bay area and absolutely LOVES a great Cuban...this video just made my life!!!!
I am from Canada. The Cuban sandwich is the best!
great video! greetings from Rome
La Teresita in the 90’s
I just LOVE this series! I am a longtime subscriber to America's Test Kitchen and Cooks Country. Keep this series going and Brian, you are essential for it! I love your interaction with the locals and the chefs!
I can't believe you went to Tampa without me. I moved from Tampa to Minneapolis. I think all I ate when I lived there was Crroz con Pollo and Cuban sandwiches. Best Cuban food in Tampa is
La Teresita on Columbus Drive. AWESOME food.
Yes! La Teresita is the best! Would go every morning after an overnight fishing trip. Even went after all night partying for my bachelor party wrap up.
I love La Teresita. Columbia is upscale. (and a great place to take a date to impress them). La Teresita is more working class and a great place to take a date to *feed* them.
We do have amazing cubans. TAMPA BABY
I lived and went to college in Tampa back in the early '90's and Ybor was my playground, the Columbia was my go to snack shack, I lived in SRQ after school and they have one there in St. Armand's Circle as well, that's where my obsession for cigars took hold of me too. I moved from there about 20 years ago but still have family there and always enjoy a trip back to memory lane. Thx. for the vid.
idk what the Columbia was like 30 years ago but "snack shack" isn't exactly how I would describe it now. you must have had an awesome college experience 🤣
@@bigboy6704 Oh, I imagine it was pretty typical, working full-time, school full-time and parting most of the time but things have slowed down dramatically, only Thanks to God I made it through alive. Gasparilla was always a hoot too.
Thanks for the reply.
Tampa Native here - La Segunda Cafe now has the best Cuban sandwich around.
La Segunda Bakery in Ybor makes the best cuban sandwiches! Not even their other locations compare to the Ybor location
I agree ! They are the best.
I have never had a Tampa Cuban. I am from "old school" Miami originally and really don't like the idea of salami in my Cuban sandwich. I would think that the salami would overpower the flavor of the pork. But I am really looking forward to trying this Tampa version when I go to visit. I didn't know there was even a festival for my favorite sandwich! Well, I do want to add that when I was a kid, I preferred the Media Noche over a Cuban because I liked the sweet bread better. As an adult and living many years away from the Cuban Cuisine territory, and my palate being exposed to authentic flavors all over the world, I have come to appreciate the original Cuban bread very much. So glad this popped up on my feed since I will be visiting the area in a couple of weeks! And hope to someday hit that festival!
La Segunda makes a good Cuban. The Columbia makes a good sandwich...but it can tend to be a little bit "fancy". One of my favorite things to do is go to some random bodega and get one from them.
Tampa native here. It should be light on the salami as to not overwhelm, you should definitely give it a shot! Whenever I'm in Miami, I always go media noche...they do those better down there.
You may not like the idea of salami but I guarantee you'll like it. I had my first Cuban in Miami, Nice. Not great. In Tampa with salami. AMAZING!
Most places here in Tampa do it without salami, but the OG Cuban Sandwich that's been around for like 120 years does include it.
@@charg4519 Try the media noche at Aguila Sandwich Shop on W Hillsborough Ave. Aguila's is as good as any I've had down there.
I’m a native Floridian but moved to Oklahoma almost 30 years ago. The Cuban sandwich is the only thing I miss! Dexter was right.
your roots are calling you back my friend . listen to your soul and return home my son. 🥪🥪
@@amtravelingservice4400 😂🤣No thank you!
i regret never visiting ybor city. i worked in tampa for 7 months and recently left. i will definitely go back to visit this part of tampa.
I loved all of their answers in what they looked for in a good Cuban sandwich.
I love cuban sandwiches ! I've lived here for 30 years . I'm still taste testing . The best Cuban sandwich I've had has come from my own kitchen.
There is nothing quite like a good pressed Tampa style Cuban sandwich!
MY HOME TOWN!!❤❤❤❤
I live in Tampa and I'm heading to get a cuban sandwich right now! You guys made me crave one!! See ya!!
I love any episodes with Bryan, but this is top notch! Hope this becomes a series for ATK!
Happy to live in Tampa and have access to the cuban bread made At La Segunda!
One of the proudest things I've ever done in my life was to help lead a large group of pissed off Tampa residents raise such a stink that it stopped FDOT from buying and destroying La Segunda so they could further widen I-4. That was just a few years ago.
We live in Corona CA, and know LA Sagunda makes the finest bread in the world !!!
@@franknoble6871 They actually export their bread everyday to a lot of different places in the country. I wouldnt be surprised if you can find it fresh in CA
@@franknoble6871 And they ship it !
The best Tampa Cuban is made in Ybor City. The Columbia has a great Cuban. My opinion is that a small little place in West Tampa corner of Habana and Tampa Bay which had been sold made the sandwich even better than the Columbia in Ybor. Why? The Serrano ham was pan seared first before placing into the sandwich for the Plancha press. Everything else exactly the same, but trust me much more flavor and aroma. Whoever that owner was, I miss him/her. God bless. Bob and Nancy from Clearwater.
Arco Iris?
West Tampa Sandwich Shop will always be my favorite spot for a good Cuban sandwich
Would love to visit Tampa for this festival and those Cubans look amazing!
Oh the bread is special. One foot or three. Mmmm.
I’m Cuban born and raised in Cuba moved to Tampa in 2009, have been in Miami many times and tried Cuban sandwiches on many different restaurants and stalls, Tampa Cuban is better although must admit never tried the Cuban bread from “La Segunda”. I also have tastes I put tomate on mine, yes I know🫣love it though😂.
I live in the Tampa Bay area and this is awesome! I prefer the Miami Cuban - who doesn't like slow roasted pork?
I am so jealous, I've eating at the Columbia but you got to see the whole place including the kitchen.
My first and only Cubano was at the Columbia restaurant. Incredible!
Can we get more of these? Love this guy.
I grew up in Florida and every summer we went to the Columbia on St. Armands key. I recently celebrated my 70th birthday at the Columbia in St. Augustine. One of my favorite restaurants in the country.
Some of the best Cuban sandwiches in tampa can be found at the most unsuspecting places. I'm not giving up none of my spots though so don't at me!😂🤣
Best Cuban I ever had was at a horse racing track near the florida keys. Don't remember the name of the facility, as I was young, but it slapped.
The best Cuban Sandwich is the one sitting in front of me, with all the fixins'. I wish I had o e right now! It's my favorite Sandwich.
Mine too
I live in Tampa, the Cuban influence is amazing. I really wonder why there isn't Cuban food all over the country like you find Mexican or Italian. I think it would make whoever could pull it off very successful
Cubans in general aren’t as spread out as Mexicans, but the places where you’ll find them the cultural impact is huge
@@lampshade87 I'm just saying if there was someone who could get the ingredients and techniques to people where there isn't a cuban influence it would probably be even more popular than any other food. because you're right, in the places that do have the influence, it's huge and absolutely adored!
I can tell you why!
@@optimaldefiance4605 why then?
@@bigboy6704 I'm just talking smack.....but actually my older brother and i spoke on that topic a few weeks ago he said this:
(First off we're half Mexican half Cuban) and we grew up with strong deep roots mom and dad don't speaks english
He said Cuban food doesn't lend itself as well as Mexican food
Cuban food is sit down at the table with family, much more formal ex: ropa vieja y congrincon yuca
While Mexican food is portable tacos and keep moving and it can also be sit down like a good pozole or mole
Best Cuban sandwich 30 miles from Ybor City is in Lakeland at the Subs n Such 🙌
Tampa native here, there are so many good Cubans in town.
best sandwich on planet earth.
Tampa has the best Cubans I've tried. Been to Miami and the Keys and they are good, but they don't compare.
I ate at the Columbia only once, back in the late '60s, but I'm eager to go back. It's the oldest restaurant in Florida, and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.
Tampa Native. 48 yrs. My FAVE sandwich. Maybe I'm biased... I do like a Philly Cheesesteak too
I watched this just after breakfast, but, I wanted a Cuban sandwich to eat anyway.
As you should
This video made me homesick! Chicago has good food, but I still haven't found a real deal Tampa cuban here yet.
Wow, I’m booking a flight to Tampa; SOON‼️😋
Love Cuban sandwich! Have to improvise here in NC.
I actually worked on the Columbia remodeling part of the one in Ybor city about 6 years ago. It's the oldest restaurant in tampa. Over 100 years old.
My home. My city. Mi casa. Mi ciudad.❤️☀️🏝️
2 pickles is not enough pickle
Can't believe I spent 42 OF my 52 years, 30 min North of Tampa, and I never went to this festival!!!😭😭😭😭 But I can attest that Tampa Cubans ARE the absolute best though!🙌 I'm in NC permanently now and I am desperately craving one, or 3!!😂 Tried one while in Kentucky and it was absolutely horrid!!🤮 Definitely GET a Cuban if you are ever in, or even near, Tampa!!👍🤤🤤🤤 Particularly Ybor!!!🙌
Its relatively new, only 10 or so years old.
I'd send you one 😂 with a deviled crab if i could Tampa ❤️
@@charg4519 I was still living in Spring Hill up until 2021. But still hadn't ever heard of it! Granted I don't watch any television! But figured I'd have seen something online. Nope.👎 Just wish I could've gotten to go!! 😭😭😭😭 DON'T take that kinda stuff for granted!! You NEVER really know what life WILL throw at you!! So, GO!!👍 DON'T put stuff off or say "Next time/year/one"!👌 Because you may NOT have ANY of those!!!🙌❤️
Amazing video! It's got to be Tampa Cuban Sandwiches for me!
Outstanding
You did a great job my friend, y’all should do more of these travel segments! Congratulations to the crew too! Well done!
Not only was Ybor founded by Cubans, but also Italians. That's where the Genoa Salami comes in.
I think when most folks think of a classic Cuban sandwich outside the Tampa area (and Florida in general) it is the Miami version. Probably due in part to the 2014 movie “Chef” with Jon Favreau as that is the one they did in the movie. Also, every time I have had a Cuban (admittedly in California but also at Disney World area) it is without salami.
Just saw chef a week ago great film. It is a heated debate out here between Tampa and Miami cubans.....but it's generally accepted that Cuban sandwiches with salami are the real Cuban sandwich simply because Tampa was selling Cuban sandwiches when Miami was still cow pastures..... Wrote a college paper on the.importance of diversity using the Cuban sandwich it won first place beating 75 submissions
I grew up eating them with chifles also a Tampa thing or with deviled crab also a Tampa thing yummy 😋
@@optimaldefiance4605 Very cool! I get that was a fun paper to write. I use to write a lot of food articles but I never did one on the Cuban sandwich. They are hard to find here in Southern Calif. but believe or not Panera Bakery occasionally has one on the menu and unit is pretty good (no salami though). There is a couple of Cuban restaurants in my area. One did not list a Cuban sandwich on their online menu, the other had one also without salami.
@@FunAtDisney cool perhaps i can send you the paper 😂 it's a short read
I love all hard core cultural foods and the history that made it.....check out deviled crabs delish.......the Italians created it in Tampa using old Cuban bread to make bread crumbs
I was born in Buffalo so I am going to say go there for a beef on Weck. However, I live in Tampa Bay since 14. So..yesss on Yabors does have the best Cuban. 😁
As a native Tampanian our Cubans rule
LOL! "Tampanian". And your a "native"? That's funny. I've been here 54 years and never heard us referred to as that.
Oh man! Somebody send me one now! I’ll pay for two sandwich’s and the airmail. I love them!
"...two sandwich’s..."
* Sandwiches. With exceptions so rare that they can be all but ignored, an apostrophe-s NEVER makes a word plural, it makes a singular possessive. Example: There were several sandwiches for sale, but one sandwich's price was beyond my budget.
@@seikibrian8641 spell check
@@sandyfitchcorbett1782 Yeah, sure.
Man, being Cuban and from Tampa... giving up a Cuban sandwich when I stopped eating meat was one of the hardest. Delicious... now, I do not agree eith that lady, there are some amazing authentic Cubans at random gas stations in Tampa. One of which was right next to my school, we got that every week after school.
There's a vegan deli in Gulfport called Golden Dinosaur that gets close enough to scratch the itch. They have some very impressive mock meats (seitan based,I think?)
HFS!! Andrea is my newest hero, my spirit guide, my one and only Cubana sandwich maestra 😍 FOREVER
Being from the Tampa/Clearwater area most of my life, I have had many Cuban sandwiches... and I miss them SOOO MUCH! I currently live in Ft. Worth Texas (( I'm definitely not loving it here.)) and I can't find a Cuban Sandwich anywhere!? I keep trying to tell the restaurants & deli's etc to make them but no such luck as of yet.😕 Thanks for bringing back some good memories for me Bryan!
Mervis’ Cafe in Ft. Pierce has the best Cuban Sandwich I have ever had!
Great video!
And you could be on Milk st. With Glasses talking about broccoli. Nice gig.
Live in Texas now no Cuban sandwiches miss you very
Much
I remember the first time ,I was offered a Cuban sandwich 🥪 my friend was like I'm go get Cuban sandwich,I had never heard of one that's when he said come on bro I got you I couldn't believe I never heard of it until that day been one of my favorites since m
More of this please!!!
I bought a bottle of Goya Mojo
on Saturday. It is half gone.
First time I tried Mojo. I WILL
be getting more, I've got 3
bone-in pork loins to smoke.
steve
Think about making your own mojo marinade. It's easy and so much tastier (and cheaper) than store-bought. Lots of versions can be found online.
I've been to the Columbia restaurant many times it's my favorite restaurant!!!
Tampa,the best.! 👍
I now want to try the Cuban sandwich with salami.
Wonderful
Lol Tampa in the houseeee
Delicious Cuban sandwich
Ahora yo quiero un sanwiche cubano! 🤤
Nah I'm gonna need more than 2 tiny pickles wtf
I laughed so hard when I seen this comment. Because I was thinking the same thing
2 LONG strips of pickles. Everyone knows this. Anyone else is banned from an opinion.
Those sandwiches look amazing, but what I really want is that wrap dress!!
Ha! I was loving on that colorful dress too. Loved the pattern. But the sandwich looked pretty good too.
What a great Lady/Owner from The Columbia! Definitely want to go there!!
So many great sammies here...but do try West Tampa Sandwich Shop...and kudos to La Teresita.
La Pola - West New York, NJ
I'll have two to start😁
I live in Miami and we should have that here only a few places here make good Cuban sandwiches
Brocatos (est. 1948) has THE best Cuban sandwich and devil crab in Tampa. Go eat one--you will not be disappointed.
Brocatos USED to have a good Cuban. They don’t even press them anymore and the quality has gone down the past few years.
Yea they stopped pressing due to sheer volume of orders but i live 1 mile away and still occasionally support them maybe once or twice a year but i get my cubans from the Latin grocery store
While the prices go up and up. Used to love them, but alas, no more.
OMG That scarface truck is parked in the parking lot of my favorite sushi restaurant I always wanted to try them but Im always over there for sushi.
I don't know about the Miami Cuban sandwich. But I do know that the Tampa version is superb!:) For my money, La Colombia is the best. A close second is La Teresita. Either one is delicious!:)
Bryan your the best
Best Cuban in Tampa was at the 4th of July Cafe on 7th Ave.
Venture down to West Tampa and try a few spots down there. Might change some peoples minds.
The guy about not too much or too little meat had it right. I drove truck local in Tampa area and sampled a lot of cuban sandwiches, but never got to try Columbia, however an old guy in a food truck used to make the best one's i tried.
I wanted their opinion on cozy coffee's sandwich
So where do I go to try where the winner works? One is the Cozy Coffee Cafe
Hey it’s Fester!
I finally found a great cubano sandwich at NW Sausage and Deli, home of Dicks Brewery! Right here in Centralia Washington! They also make a fantastic pastrami sandwich on rye.
I make both at home, and each is a 3 day process. Not including the 7 days it takes to make the corned beef. And both are tied for 1st place as the greatest sandwiches on God's green earth. I use ATK'S recipes for the pan cubano, and the brazed Boston butt. You can't improve on perfection. The best Cubano I've ever had was in little Havana, in Miami. Set sails out of Titusville for Jamaica on a 50' sailboat, and were boarded by a Cuban patrol. It was amicable. We were not boarded on the return leg. c1980s. Parrot head loggers from southeast Alaska. Cheers.
Thank You. I am going to stop and check the deli out just after Christmas when headed to Eugene from Port Townsend. I already checked out their menu online and it will definitely be a pastrami on rye for me. My girlfriend is vacillating between the trio and ham and turkey. Hope she makes up her mind beforehand or it will be a least a 5 minute wait staring at the menu while she makes up her mind.
Para mí, los mejores sándwiches cubanos son los de la Barra Payan, cerca de mi casa.
Bryan Roof is a treasure. I hope he stays at ATK forever!
I know low and slo, but in the end, ANY sandwich is ALL about the bread! (for me.)
I love the food festival
🤩❤🤩
Strawberry Hut in Plant City
Tropicana in Downey, CA!!!