USA Today is holding a contest for the Best Cuban Sandwich in Florida.
There may be as many versions of the Cuban sandwich in Florida as there are Cuban sandwich shops – a lot of them! Depending on where you land in Florida this sandwich might take a different shape. Most agree on the basics: roast pork and sweet ham – two types of pork for sure – Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on Cuban bread.
The bread is very important – if it’s not on Cuban bread, it’s not a Cuban sandwich. From there things vary. Tampa – who claims the Cuban as their city sandwich – adds salami, but if you told a Miami Cuban purist you wanted salami you would be thrown out of the joint. Mayo, a “nay say ” to some purists, is widely used in Miami and Ybor City. Key West says Cubans were first made there for the cigar factories, and lettuce, tomato and red onion are often added. The debate continues ... pressed or unpressed. Consensus seems to be pressed, but some say it’s not necessary. Like many of our iconic sandwiches, there is no absolute answer except the yummy result of meat and cheese together on wonderful bread. 10Best and Sandwich America recruited a panel of local foodies to nominate their favorite Cuban sandwich shops. Now it's your turn to vote. Cast your ballot once per day until voting ends on Monday, May 9 at noon ET.
