Cuban sandwich

The Cuban sandwich is a delightful variation of the traditional ham and cheese sandwich, believed to have originated in cafes serving Cuban workers in Florida’s early Cuban immigrant enclaves, such as those in Tampa and Key West. This savory creation features ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and occasionally salami, all tucked into Cuban bread.

Although there is some debate about the precise birthplace of the Cuban sandwich, it is generally thought to have become a popular lunch option among workers in both Cuba and Florida during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The sandwich has sparked a friendly rivalry between Miami and Tampa, with Tampa even designating the "Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich" as the city's official signature sandwich. The main point of contention? Whether or not to include salami. Tampa’s version traditionally includes it, thanks to the influence of Italian immigrants in the area.

Beyond Florida, the Cuban sandwich has made its mark in Cuban exile communities in cities like New York, Chicago, and Puerto Rico. There’s also a close relative called the medianoche sandwich, which uses softer, sweeter egg bread instead of the standard Cuban bread.

The Cuban sandwich is celebrated in various ways, including events like Tampa's Cuban Sandwich Festival. It has also made its way into pop culture, with appearances in films like "Chef." Interestingly, a fictional "National Cuban Sandwich Day" was created as a social experiment to see if people would celebrate a made-up food holiday. Spoiler alert: they did, and it even garnered attention from national news outlets.