Tampa Restaurant Wins The Best Cuban Sandwich In Florida
A Tampa restaurant wins the best Cuban sandwich in Florida. There are so many great places in the bay area to get a good Cuban. But who has the best? …
Tampa Restaurant Wins The Best Cuban Sandwich In Florida
Photo by Sergi Alexander/Getty Images for Food Network SoBe Wine & Food Festival)A Tampa restaurant wins the best Cuban sandwich in Florida. There are so many great places in the bay area to get a good Cuban. But who has the best? Well, the votes are in and it's right here in the Tampa Bay Area. Southern Living has recognized Columbia Restaurant as the best Cuban Sandwich in Florida in a recent article.
The magazine released its South's Best awards, asking readers to rate their favorite places. The winner for the best Cuban Sandwich was Ybor City's own, Columbia Restaurant. The article states is all in the bread when making the best sandwich. Columbia uses bread supplied from La Segunda Central Bakery.
To see the entire list of winners CLICK HERE
Columbia Restaurant History
Columbia Restaurant is Tampa's oldest restaurant. It started in 1905, the name of their very famous salad. Dec. 17, 1903, Spanish-Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. and his four sons arrived in Tampa, FL. Looking for a better life, they opened the Columbia Saloon, which became the Columbia Restaurant in 1905.
Over 120 years, the original restaurant has expanded to an entire city block and is now the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. It should be noted, the Columbia has seven locations in Florida and is still run by family members today.
I love me a good Cuban. A traditional is made with real Cuban bread, yellow mustard, sliced pork, glazed ham, Swiss cheese and sliced pickles.
Some interesting facts about the Cuban sandwiches according to Foodimentary.com: The sandwich originated Key West and Ybor City, two communities of Cuban immigrants. The Cuban is the “signature sandwich of the city of Tampa.” It was developed in Cuba for employees of factories, and when the manufacturing of cigars was moved to Tampa, the sandwich followed.
Columbia's Cuban Sandwich
One of the things that I love about The Columbia is that they post their recipes right online. First, let me say I have tried to create their 1905 salad a million times, even buying their bottled dressing, but it's never the same. Now, according to their site, their Cuban contains no mayo, no lettuce or tomato and no turkey. They say a true Tampa Cuban is layered from bottom to top: ham, roast pork, salami, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. Secondly, for a good sandwich, the better the quality of the ingredients, and good bread is essential. La Segunda Central Bakery in Ybor City still supplies the Columbia to this day. Lastly, the sandwich should not be overstuffed with ham, but carefully proportioned.
This makes me so hungry, I think I'm stopping by on my way home today. Yum!
5 Best Places For Happy Hour In Tampa
5 best places for happy hour in Tampa.
Going out to eat is expensive these days, so we thought we would put together a list of places where they have specials during happy hour. This way you can save money and still go out without spending so much. Tampa is full of great places for Happy Hour. The Tampa Riverwalk
These are just a few that we found we thought you would like to hear about. Here the 5 best places for happy hour in Tampa. We did not include St. Petersburg on this list.
Seems like nowadays, we are spending so much money for a night out. With over $10 for a drink and over $13 for appetizers, already $30 into the meal and we haven't ordered any food yet. That is why it is good idea to go where the deals are. Eating and having a few drinks a little earlier can really save you money. That's why we focused on places that both drink and food specials. Most happy hour specials start at 4, although some deals can start at 3pm.
There are many websites that have their opinions about who has the best Happy Hour, honestly, just drinking at 4pm on a Tuesday is happy, no matter where it is.
1. American Social
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF)Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Over looking the Hillsborough River and Harbor Island.
Happy Hour Deals: Monday to Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm – $6 hornitos margarita, $8 premium liquors, $10 hand-crafted cocktails, $7 call liquors, $6 house liquors, $6 house wines, and $6 select draft beers
2. Forbici Modern Italian
Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Nightclub & Bar Media Group)Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Nightclub & Bar Media Group)
Located in Hyde Park and they also have a dog-friendly outdoor patio.
Happy Hour Deals: Everyday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm – $8 cocktails, $5 house wine, $4 to $5.5 beer, and $4 to $10 snacks.
3. GenX
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Nightclub & Bar Media Group)(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Nightclub & Bar Media Group)
A bar that every generation X will enjoy.
Happy Hour Deals: Monday to Friday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm – $2 off draft beer, $5 Jameson shots, $7 Tang-A-Rita, $5 house liquors, $6 house wine, $5 corn dog nuggets, $5 pickle chips, $8 gen x smash burgher, and $10 pizza.
4. Yeoman's Cask and Lion
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Located near Amalie Arena and Tampa’s Channel District
Happy Hour Deals: Monday to Friday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm – $2 off wine, cocktails, and drafts.
5. The Pub
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Located at International Plaza Bay Street
Happy Hour Deals: Schooners $3.25. Imperial Pints $5. Pinnacle Vodkas and Wells $4. House Wines $5.50 or $20 bottles. Signature Cocktails $6.50
