I doubt there are many things in life as good as a really good sandwich. It’s a simple concept: two slices of bread with filling in the middle. Oh, but it’s so much more than that. And when it’s done right, nothing comes close.
One of the best things about living in Miami is the food. The authentic Cuban food to be exact.
And Miami chefs have taken the simple concept of a sandwich plus turned it into a masterpiece, thanks to a huge dose of Cuban flair.
Only, it’s become more than a sandwich.
You think I’m talking about the famous Cuban sandwich, right? Yes, plus no!
Techincally, Tampa’s the home of the Cuban sandwich, but in Miami, we also have the Medianoche sandwich. To the untrained eye, they’re the same thing but to a native like me, it’s not confusing.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll devour either. Whichever one you want to put in front of me, that thing’ll be gone pretty darned quickly!
But now it’s become an informal contest, of sorts. A friendly rivalry between the two cities. A Tale of Two Sandwiches (cue rattlesnake sounds plus meaningful eyebrow-raising).
Where the sandwich truly originated, nobody knows for sure.
Over a century ago, it was easy for workers to sail over the Florida Strait from Cuba plus with them they brought their food.It’s thought that immigrant workers in the sugar mills plus cigar factories in Florida needed a staple food to eat at lunch.
They took the simple ham-and-cheese staple plus embellished it.
So, Cuban Sandwich vs. Medianoche Sandwich, What’s the Difference?
As far as the filling goes, there’s no difference at all.
Both sandwiches contain the following:
- Roast Pork
- Ham
- Swiss Cheese
- Mustard
- Pickle
And we’re not just talking a slice of each, either. No, you gotta load that baby up before she goes onto the grill.
This is the stuff of Havana legend. No skimping on the meat. Lay the groundwork with the mustard, follow it up with a few slices of the holiest of holey cheese, the Swiss. Then introduce the pig.