“What is National Cuban Sandwich Day?” we hear you ask. Well, let us fill you in. It’s a day to celebrate the traditional pressed Cuban sandwich (and its many variants).
The original Cuban Sandwich originated in the USA, in Tampa to be exact – Florida’s Ybor City neighbourhood – and has now spread to grace many restaurant menus in all corners of the world, including Belfast!
Belfast’s local spot for a tasty Cuban Sandwich is The Cuban Sandwich Factory, located in the Queen’s Arcade.
The Cuban sandwich is a history lesson pressed between two pieces of bread. Perhaps no other food represents the melting pot of the United States’ history as well as the Cubano.
The famous sandwich combines elements from three different immigrant groups that came together, surprisingly, in the Deep South. Also, it’s delicious!
The traditional cuban sandwich consists of ham, mojo pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard and dill pickle slices on crispy-but-not-too-chewy Cuban bread, all heated in a press – though Cuban Sandwich Day celebrates all variations.
The Travel News team are all food-lovers but we’re split over which is our favourite version of the sandwich!
Resident NInja Jordie loves the Sloppy Joe (Prime steak beef mince, grilled chorizo, pickle and cheddar cheese), while advertising whiz Patrick enjoys tucking in to the Ropa Vieja (Shredded braised beef brisket, grilled peppers and onion, BBQ sauce and cheddar cheese).
Our Event’s Manager Paula’s favourite is the Cuban Reuben (Salted peppered beef, onion marmalade, sauerkraut, yellow mustard and cheddar cheese) while our Editor Kirsty, always goes for the Vegan Cuban Lunchbox (Roast Sweet potato, aubergine, peppers, courgettes, avocado and mild salsa over rice and with a Cuban Salad on the side). The boss, Jonathan prefers to stick with The Classic (Cuban style roast pork, glazed ham, yellow mustard pickles and Swiss Cheese).
So that’s lunch sorted for us here at Travel News HQ. What’s your favourite Cuban?
The Cuban Sandwich Factory is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-5pm.
