Tampa Bay's Iconic Cuban Sandwich || Food/Groups

When you think about Cubans in Florida, you probably don’t think of Tampa. But you should! Sure, today, Miami has the biggest concentration of Cuban-Americans in the state -- and the country, for that matter. But back before Miami was even a city, it was here, in Tampa, that the cigar industry boomed and the iconic Cuban sandwich was born.

You know: soft Cuban bread, shredded pork, glazed ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and -- as is custom ONLY in Tampa -- Genoa salami. And while Miami basks in its well-deserved reputation as the epicenter of modern Cuban America, 400,000 Tampans patiently wait for their town to get its historic Cubano due. So we came to Cigar City to do just that.

Watch all of Food/Groups Season 1:

Read our history of the Cuban sandwich here:

Guests
Andrea Gonzmart Williams
Eric Newman
Copeland More
Bryant Valdez
Felicia Lacalle

LOCATIONS

Special Thanks

Music Credits
Burnout by Steven Devilliers
:12

Tiny Escape by Jean-Claude Monaca and Jean-Paul Soullier
1:25

Double Bass by Matondo M'Piaza
2:50

Sky Catwalk Groove by Dave Hughes and John Murphy
4:49

Cool Street Groove by John Rea and James Barret
6:08

Echo Park by Sacha Collisson and Adele Roberts
7:08

Check out our website for more food, drink, travel, and entertainment.

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Sign up for our newsletter

[TheBeast]

Being from Tampa, I’d say the most important part of the Cuban sandwich is the pork. Has to be shredded pork, not sliced.

[gcbranco]

Only after you’ve tasted a Cuban sandwich can you understand how good it is

[paulinaruiz]

As a Tampa native, I dislike how Tampa is regularly underrated and overlooked by outsiders especially for its neighbor cities such as Miami and Orlando. We have a lot to offer too

[louisalarcon]

I grew up with La Segunda Central Bakery. It was our first stop every Sunday on our way home from church.

[TreyMitchell]

As someone who regularly eats a Cuban sandwich in tampa, all this is true

[davidfernandez]

Born and raised in tampa 1946 loved it 4yrs in airforce Vietnam vet still loved tp moved to Texas 2yrs ago still love Tampa and miss it

[InfiniteAthletics]

Shouldn't have been watching this on an empty stomach...

[toddstropicals]

Glad I live in Tampa, tons of great places to eat.

[ImSodamBitterSweet]

The Columbia is one of the prettiest restaurants I’ve been to and I get a deviled crab and cuban every time I go back to see my family in Tampa. Best. Food. Ever.

[pleaselookatthepictures]

I'm from Tampa. I've been gone for way too long. Y'all just made me so hungry for a real, authentic Cuban. And I'm loving all the love Tampa is receiving in the comments. We don't need the recognition, y'all. Cuz we know what's up. We've got Cubans, scachatta, and so much more that outsiders don't have a clue about.

[DrDogcat]

Amazing Series, there's always something new to discover in every video.

[yellowdogparty]

Almost went to Aguila’s today. You did my city a service. Thanks for sharing our proud story.

[mugensamurai]

That man's forearm 6:29 is what gives the bread that special taste he's talking about.

[TubeSomeYou]

So high production value on these videos - you deserve to make it big.

[marilynalvarez]

This guy is so classy and cultured, the best food and culture reviewer!

[zoel]

I have never had a cuban sandwich but I really want to make one now (tampa style), knowing the history behind it. I also appreciated that this video branched beyond just the sandwich into the industry that created it and the places that make it possible. It so cool to see and what I appreciate about these videos!

[tosht]

Took the streetcar to Ybor City just to get the original Cubano. Sat at the bar you show @1:55 and perhaps it was the history and ambiance but that was one heck of a delicious Cuban sandwich indeed. Really enjoyed the bakery segment here. Palmetto leaves? Who knew?! Very cool episode.

[marcussavina]

Genoa salami!!!! Makes sense, every time I've had a Cuban, I was like it's missing something.

[ZeSnark]

The production value of this series still blows me away.

[demoncroft]

As a Cuban American, who has eaten Cuban sandwiches in different parts of the US, thanks to my dad moving us all over the place. I believe the most important thing is the Bread, Tampa has the best Cuban Bread you can find, the pork is pretty similar, but the one from Tampa takes top honors in my book.