Florida’s Cuban Sandwich

At TNBD, we’re continuing our series featuring a recipe from a different U.S. state every day! Today’s stop is Florida, home of the Cuban Sandwich.

The Cuban Sandwich is a flavorful, pressed sandwich that originated in the Cuban communities of Florida, particularly in Tampa and Miami. It traditionally consists of Cuban bread layered with roasted pork, sweet ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. Once assembled, the sandwich is pressed and toasted on a plancha (a sandwich press) until the bread is crispy and the cheese melts perfectly. Some variations also include salami, a nod to Tampa’s Italian immigrant influence, but the core combination of pork, ham, cheese, and pickles remains the heart of the sandwich.

The Cuban Sandwich dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, emerging in Cuban immigrant neighborhoods as a convenient and satisfying lunch for workers in cigar factories, ports, and railroads. Tampa and Miami each claim to have the “original” version, but both cities celebrate this sandwich as a symbol of Florida’s rich cultural melting pot. Over time, the Cuban Sandwich has become a culinary ambassador for Florida, appearing in cafes, diners, and food festivals across the state.

Whether you enjoy a classic Tampa version with salami or a Miami-style pressed Cuban, this sandwich showcases the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and melty goodness—a true taste of Florida’s culinary heritage.