Miami’s Cuban Sandwiches: Recipe #13
Where to eat them (& how to make them at home).
Miami, amongst many other titles, is the unofficial capital of the Latin world.
You should expect to find some really great restaurants in a city where nearly 70 percent of the population is Latin American. When you walk the streets of Little Havana or in the northern first ring burbs, you can feel the pulse of the city, hear the music and smell the food. Whenever I visit, a Cuban sandwich is a must. Here’s a few favorite places to get one in town (plus, my recipe for making one at home).
At Enriqueta’s, you’ll find fresh, affordable food and the ultimate hand-pressed sandwich with the traditional Cubano fixings: sweet ham, léchon, swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and mayo.
Another legendary joint is La Esquina del Lechon. Once you smell the whole pigs roasting in the caja china, there’s no turning back. Their pan con lechon (roasted pork sandwich) is topped with cracklin bits and sauteed onions. Enough said.
There’s a lot of places to grab a Cuban sandwich in town, but I love the modern takes on classics. Everything inside the sandwiches, from the pork to the ham to the mustard, is made in-house. Pair the sandwiches with one of its five batidos (aka milkshakes) with flavors like trigo, mamey, and banana and enjoy a proper Miami meal.
Recipe: Cuban-Style Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This recipe is inspired by the harmonious, addictive flavors of a Cuban sandwich—a combination of pork, ham, pickles, mustard and melted cheese. Instead of a pressed sandwich on Cuban bread, we’re making it grilled cheese-style with a buttery crust and an extra dose of melty gruyere for good measure. It’s not a traditional Cuban, and it’s not a traditional grilled cheese, but no matter what title you give it, you can’t argue that it’s delicious. I can’t think of a better way to use up leftover roasted or smoked pork.
Ingredients:
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