Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Sandwich Week: The BEST Cuban Sandwich

I've mentioned this several times, both here and on my personal blog. But the best Cuban sandwich I've ever had was from a laundromat on White Street in Key West.  Let that sink in for a moment before I repeat it.

The best Cuban sandwich I've ever had was from a laundromat on White Street in Key West. 

This one:

clicken ze biggen
That's the M&M Laundry on White Street, just a few blocks north of Duval Street off of US 1.  And if you click on the picture to make it bigger, you will see a takeout window for Sandy's Cafe, which shares space in the building with the laundromat.

How did this happen? How is this possible? Out of the dozens and dozens of joints where I've tried the Cuban sandwich (marinated roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard grilled on Cuban bread), how can a place that operates out of a laundromat make the best one?

Honestly, I have no idea.  But they do.

I've been to Key West a whole bunch of times, and Cuban food is a mainstay down there.  And the Cuban sandwich is offered at probably a hundred different places in town.  And thousands and thousands more in Florida and it is ever-expanding northward.  My local deli in town here on Long Island makes a Cuban Sandwich.  It's decent and it will do in a pinch, but it ain't a Cuban from Sandy's Cafe in Key West.  That's for sure.  I don't have a picture of one that I've ordered myself, but click here to see what the rather plain-looking sandwich, er, looks like.

I guess the most important thing is not how they make the best Cuban sandwich, but simply that they do it.

If you ever find yourself in Key West, take a stroll up US 1 and turn onto White Street for a block or so until you see the M&M Laundry.  You'll know that a great sandwich is yours to have in mere minutes from there.



Posted by Verdant Earl at 1:06 PM
Labels:

5 comments:

  1. Fugs1November 15, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Best Cuban up in NY/NJ area I've had is in my wife's old neighborhood of Weehawken NJ. The Broadway Sandwich Shop on Park Avenue, Weehawken, NJ (yes it's pretty goofy they called it the "Broadway" sandwich shop when it's on Park Avenue, but who the hell knows.) They make great Croquetas Jamon (Ham Croquettes) too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. sybil lawNovember 15, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    I don't think I've ever had a Cuban sandwich. What's the general marinade (I could google it but you left out important info)?!
    Aw, hell - I'll google it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Verdant EarlNovember 15, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    Fugs1 - That's a hike from where I live, but if I'm ever in Weehawken...

    Sybil - Well, only some places marinate the pork. A lot of joints just use regular roast pork. That's why I left out the specifics.

    ReplyDelete
  4. marty mankinsNovember 16, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    For sure to try this when I finally make it to Key West someday. Sounds like a great sandwich.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fugs1November 16, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    The marinade for the meat is called Mojo Criollo, and it's basically sour orange juice, olive oil, dominican oregano, salt/pepper, minced garlic, and a little vinegar. Some places add a little hot pepper in there or hot sauce. This sauce is also put directly on the sandwich roll along with a little mustard, dill pickle and swiss. So good!!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)