Tampa’s version includes salami, and it might have a swipe of mayo, depending on who’s making it. Each city uses differently-shaped bread. Those are about the only substantive differences. Now, most food historians agree the sandwich was invented in Tampa’s Ybor City, but that’s not the end of our story.
There is a debate over which city the sandwich originated, but I’d like to insert that it originated from Cuba! Not that it was made specifically in Cuba, but that it was the Immigrants from Cuba who came to both the Keys and then Miami and to Tampa, who put their Cuban flair into a sandwich and created it. The fact that both cities have a strong Cuban community and both have this delicious sandwich is a clear indicator of its origin. But in Tampa, where Italian immigrants were mixing in the population, the Italian salami was added and became a staple in the Cuban Sandwich in Tampa.
However, the Tampanians branched out and added a seventh ingredient that some people (me) have deemed questionable: Genoa salami. You know, that cured Italian sausage. Rumor has it the decision was likely due to the influence of Italian immigrants who lived side-by-side with Cubans and Spaniards in Tampa’s Ybor City at the beginning of the 20th century.
For those who don’t know, in South Florida the ‘Cubano’ is a traditional Cuban sandwich made with six simple ingredients:
As one of Tampa’s newest residents, our very own Miami-born, Cuban-American communications guru Vicky Cela wasted no time checking out the Tampa food scene. But, old habits die hard – and they led her straight back to the Cuban sandwich. And yet, not all Cuban sandwiches are created equal, which begs the question – who makes a better Cuban Sandwich, Tampa or Miami?
My final take? Admittedly, the salami added another level of flavor to the sandwich that sure, made it tasty — but there’s just something about the Magic City’s combination of purely pork and ham that just hits the spot every time, in the way that only traditional comfort food can.
As a Miami native turned official Champa Bay resident, I decided it was time to give their version of the Cuban sandwich a try.
Tampa Vs Miami Cuban Sandwich | Which is better?
FAQ
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