Tag: Cuban sandwich

Tasty Sandwiches at Cubano Kings

Published on by Michael NusairLeave a comment

Cubano Kings
Location: 141 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Website: https://www.cubanokings.com/

As you’d expect from the name, Cubano Kings is pretty much all about Cubanos (though they do have a few other things on the menu).  They actually serve five different varieties of the sandwich — who knew that many types of Cuban sandwiches even existed?

Cubano Kings

The Miami Cubano (“slow-roasted mojo pork, black forest ham, Swiss cheese, mustard & pickle”) is the classic Cubano we all know and love, so that’s what I ordered.

It’s a solid sandwich.  It’s nicely pressed with a crisp exterior and gooey cheese within, and it has a good proportion of ham and roast pork.

Cubano Kings

It was very light on the mustard and probably could have used a bit more to cut through the richness of the other ingredients, but otherwise this was a solid, no-frills Cuban sandwich.

A Tasty Cuban Sandwich at Havana Sanguich

Published on by Michael NusairLeave a comment

Havana Sanguich
Location: 252 Queen Street West, Toronto
Website: https://www.havanasanguich.com/

Havana Sanguich is a new sandwich shop downtown that serves what they call “Cuban-style sandwiches and Colombian street food.”  It’s mostly a take-out joint, though they do have a few tables outside.

They actually have a pretty extensive sandwich menu, with something like a dozen choices.  But of course, if you’re at a Cuban sandwich shop, you’ve gotta get the Cubano.

The Cubano, as per their menu: “black forest ham, lechon, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread.”

Havana Sanguich

I think this place might serve the best Cuban sandwich I’ve ever had?  It’s right up there, that’s for sure.

It’s the type of sandwich that could easily be too rich (it’s crammed with a two types of pork and melty cheese), but the balance of flavours is spot-on, with just the right amount of acidity from the mustard and pickles.

The combo of the salty ham and the sizable chunks of tender, flavourful pork shoulder is seriously satisfying, with the gooey Swiss bringing it all together.  And the fresh, lightly crispy Cuban bread is the perfect vehicle; it’s nice and fluffy, with just enough substance to hold up to the meaty sandwich.

Havana Sanguich

The sandwich is about 17 bucks, which seems pricey, but it’s easily hefty enough to be shared.

I tried the Cuban smoked brisket sandwich as well (“Cuban break, smoked brisket, roasted mojo pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, fried onions”).  It’s hard to top that Cubano, but this was almost as good, with a whole bunch of tender beef and some nice zippiness from the onions.  It’s a really satisfying sandwich.

I also tried a couple of the empanadas: beef, and cheese.  Both were quite tasty, and both featured a delightfully crispy exterior that set them apart from other empanadas that I’ve had.