I spent an entire winter searching for the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa. The Tampa Cuban sandwich is one of the most famous foods in the city and one of Florida’s most iconic sandwiches. It’s also one of the standout dishes featured in my guide to the best foods to try in Tampa.
Despite the name, the Cuban sandwich wasn’t created in Cuba. It originated in Ybor City, Tampa, a historic neighborhood shaped by Cuban, Spanish, and Sicilian immigrants who worked in the cigar industry. The sandwich, originally called the mixto, reflects that blend of cultures and has become one of the most iconic foods in Tampa.
If you’re looking for the best Cuban sandwich in Tampa, understanding its history and what goes into an authentic Tampa Cuban sandwich makes the experience even better.
The menu at the famous Columbia Restaurant describes the Cuban sandwich like this:
The city of Tampa was like the sandwich, a mixture of cultures and food. The Spanish brought the fine ham, the Sicilians the Genoa salami, the Cubans the mojo-marinated roast pork, the Germans and Jews the Swiss cheese, pickle, and mustard. Put it all together between sliced, freshly baked Tampa Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery and life is great.
What Makes a Tampa Cuban Sandwich Unique?
A traditional Tampa Cuban sandwich typically includes:
- Roast pork
- Ham
- Genoa salami
- Swiss cheese
- Pickles
- Yellow mustard
- Fresh Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery
One of the defining characteristics of Cuban sandwiches in Tampa is the bread. Traditional Tampa Cuban sandwiches are typically served on fresh Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery, a historic Cuban bakery in Tampa that has supplied restaurants and sandwich shops throughout the city for more than a century.
Unlike the Miami version, the Tampa Cuban sandwich includes Genoa salami, reflecting the influence of the Italian immigrants who worked alongside Cuban and Spanish cigar makers in Ybor City. It’s this addition of salami that has become the defining difference between the Tampa and Miami versions of the sandwich.
Where to Find the Best Cuban Sandwiches in Tampa, Florida
South Floridians will often argue that the Miami Cuban sandwich is better. While Miami has some excellent sandwiches, they’re missing one key ingredient: Genoa salami. An authentic Tampa Cuban sandwich includes salami, and that addition makes a real difference.
As the birthplace of the original Cuban sandwich, Tampa, especially Ybor City, is home to some of the best places to try this iconic sandwich. From historic Cuban restaurants in Tampa to family owned Cuban bakeries that have been serving the city for generations, there is no shortage of places to experience an authentic Tampa Cuban sandwich.
With that in mind, these are my picks for the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa, including historic institutions, local favorites, and some of the top places to get a Cuban sandwich in Ybor City.
#1. West Tampa Sandwich Shop
The West Tampa Sandwich Shop may have once been a hidden gem, but that changed in 2012 when President Obama stopped by for a Cuban sandwich. He ordered the Cuban with a honey drizzle, which the shop now calls the “Obama Sandwich.”
This is one of the best places to get an authentic Tampa Cuban sandwich, especially if you’re looking for a traditional version done right. Despite the national attention, it’s still one of the most affordable places to enjoy one of the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa.
I initially thought the honey was unnecessary on an already excellent sandwich, but it works. The slight sweetness complements the pork, ham, Genoa salami, and mustard without overpowering the sandwich.
This is my top ranked Cuban sandwich in Tampa. It’s inexpensive, traditional, and the honey drizzle gives it a subtle twist that helps it stand out, even in a city known for great Cuban sandwiches.
#2. The Floridian
It would be easy to miss The Floridian if you weren’t looking for it. It’s tucked into a small, unassuming strip mall, but like the West Tampa Sandwich Shop, the casual, homey atmosphere is part of the appeal.
They offer both smaller and larger Tampa Cuban sandwiches, making it a good option whether you want a quick lunch or something more filling. Paired with a café con leche, it’s still one of the most affordable places to enjoy an authentic Tampa Cuban sandwich.
This is my #2 Cuban sandwich in Tampa. It’s not flashy, but it’s consistently good, reasonably priced, and comes very close to the top spot. On value alone, it has a legitimate case for being one of the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa.
If you’re looking for a classic, affordable Cuban sandwich in Tampa, this is one of the first places I’d recommend.
#3. Flan Factory
Although Flan Factory has been around since 2016, it felt like a hidden gem until they expanded into the space next door to keep up with demand. Their mojo pork sandwich is one of my favorites in Tampa, and they use that same pork for their Tampa Cuban sandwich, called El Tampeño.
The pork here is closer in style to what you’ll find at some Miami Cuban sandwich shops, which makes this sandwich noticeably different from a traditional Tampa Cuban sandwich. That difference is a big reason it ranks so highly for me, even if it isn’t the most traditional Cuban sandwich in the city.
That said, this sandwich isn’t without controversy. Owner Jose adds mayonnaise, which will immediately turn off purists. If you’re strict about tradition, this probably won’t be your favorite. If you’re open to a slightly more modern take on the Tampa Cuban sandwich, however, it’s excellent.
Get a side of tostones and finish with flan for a complete meal.
This is one of the most unique Cuban sandwiches in Tampa and a great choice if you’re looking for something that puts a modern twist on a classic.
#4. La Segunda
The first Cuban bread in Tampa may have been made in Ybor City at Ferlita Bakery (also known as La Joven Francesca), but La Segunda Central Bakery has become the city’s most famous Cuban bakery. Since opening in 1915, it has been a Ybor City institution, drawing locals and visitors alike for café con leche, Cuban toast, and some of the best Cuban bread in Tampa, baked fresh throughout the day.
La Segunda supplies Cuban bread to restaurants, sandwich shops, and grocery stores across the city. That alone doesn’t make their Tampa Cuban sandwich better than everyone else’s, but it does mean the bread is as fresh as it gets. The sandwich is assembled to order, the ingredients are well balanced, and the bread is at its absolute best when it’s enjoyed fresh from the bakery.
I lived just a couple of blocks from La Segunda in Ybor City for several months and stopped in often, mostly for breakfast sandwiches. While I somehow never took a photo of their Cuban sandwich, I’ve eaten it enough times to confidently say it’s one of the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa. It ranks #4 because of its consistency and exceptional bread, even if it isn’t the most distinctive version on this list.
As one of the most famous Cuban bakeries in Tampa, La Segunda is also one of the best places to enjoy an authentic Tampa Cuban sandwich made on traditional Cuban bread.
#5. Bread on the Bay
Bread on the Bay is the newest spot on this list, opening in 2022. This self described sandwicheria sits just east of downtown Ybor City and quickly entered the conversation for the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa, despite being a newer addition to the local food scene.
Their Tampa Cuban sandwich is well executed and clearly made with care, offering a slightly more modern take on a traditional recipe. It may not have the same history as some of the long standing Ybor City institutions, but the quality of the ingredients and attention to detail make it one of the better places to get a Cuban sandwich in Tampa today.
I rank it my #5 because, while the Cuban is very good, this is also a place where other sandwiches, especially the prosciutto caprese on house baked focaccia, can steal the spotlight. That’s not a knock on the Cuban. It simply speaks to the overall strength of the menu and why Bread on the Bay has quickly become a local favorite.
#6. Wright's Gourmet House
I’m not sure what Wright’s Gourmet House was like when it opened in 1963, but today it runs like a well oiled machine with a deeply loyal following. You give your cell number when you order so they can text you when it’s ready and tell you which window to pick it up from. I had my Tampa Cuban sandwich pressed so the bread was toasted and the cheese melted, but you can also order it lightly pressed if you prefer.
This Tampa institution has been serving sandwiches for decades and remains open under new ownership after being acquired by the Casper family, owners of Oxford Exchange and several other local restaurants. From what I can tell, the menu and quality have stayed true to what longtime regulars expect.
By about 11:15 a.m. it starts filling with the early lunch crowd, and by noon the line is real. If I worked nearby, this might be the Cuban sandwich in Tampa I’d eat most often because the execution is consistently excellent. I rank it #6 because, while Wright’s is a Tampa classic, a few of the restaurants above it offer a more traditional or distinctive take on the Tampa Cuban sandwich.
#7. Columbia Restaurant
The Columbia Restaurant isn’t just a Tampa favorite. It’s one of the most famous Cuban restaurants in Tampa, one of the most famous restaurants in Florida, and a cornerstone of Ybor City’s historic food scene. Open since 1905, it’s the oldest restaurant in the state. Their Original Cuban Sandwich is still made using the recipe from 1915, making it one of the most historic Tampa Cuban sandwiches you can try today.
From a historical standpoint, it’s hard to argue with Columbia’s place in Tampa’s food scene. If you’re looking to try a traditional Tampa Cuban sandwich in Ybor City, this is one of the city’s essential stops. The Cuban sandwich here is classic and well made, but it feels more like a piece of Tampa’s history than the absolute best version you’ll find today. That’s why it ranks #7 on my list.
If you’re here, also order the famous 1905 Salad, which is tossed tableside with iceberg lettuce, julienne baked ham, Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, Romano cheese, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce, and the restaurant’s signature garlic dressing. It’s still one of the most popular dishes on the menu.
The Columbia is also featured in my guide to the best restaurants in Ybor City if you’re looking for more places to eat while exploring the neighborhood.
#8. Brocato's
If you’re visiting Tampa, you’ll probably have to drive a bit to get to Brocato’s. It’s located east of Ybor City in an industrial part of town, but the location hasn’t hurt its popularity. The shop has been around for more than 70 years and can be busy throughout the day. The deli sandwiches are large enough to split, which has always been part of the appeal.
Brocato’s also happens to be the most controversial spot on this list. In recent years, they’ve made changes to their sandwiches, and the Tampa Cuban sandwich in particular has sparked plenty of debate among longtime customers. At the time of my visits, the sandwich was no longer pressed or toasted and was served with a mayonnaise based sauce, lettuce, and tomato. That puts it well outside what most people would consider a traditional Tampa Cuban sandwich.
Because of that, it ranks #8. It’s not the Cuban sandwich in Tampa I’d recommend if you’re looking for a traditional version, but I’m keeping Brocato’s on the list because it’s still a longtime Tampa institution that’s worth visiting at least once.
Recommendation: Beyond the Cuban and the other deli sandwiches, Brocato’s is especially known for its deviled crab. Tampa’s version is closer to a Maryland crab cake, shaped more like a small football. They aren’t cheap, but if you’re willing to splurge, it’s one of the better versions in the city. Tampa’s deviled crab is one of the city’s signature dishes and is also featured in my guide to the best foods to try in Tampa.
Tampa’s Cuban sandwich scene remains one of the best in the country, especially if you’re looking for an authentic Tampa Cuban sandwich with Genoa salami. As the birthplace of the Cuban sandwich, Tampa, particularly Ybor City, is still the best place to experience this iconic sandwich and some of the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’re a local looking for your next favorite spot, these are the places I’d recommend if you’re searching for the best Cuban sandwich in Tampa. And if you’re planning a food focused trip, don’t miss my guide to the best foods to try in Tampa, which covers even more of the city’s iconic dishes beyond the Cuban sandwich.
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