330951 Tue Oct 03 14:01:59 -0700 2006 12 18 Manhattan 0 1918671 I married Mrs. GG who was born and bred in Havana for 3 reasons: 1.I love her, 2.She's the only girl who'd put up with me; and 3. Her mother's pernil. And that's not necessarily in order. So I know a thing or two about Cuban food and having established my credentials in that regard, I must report that I went to Sophie's for the first time yesterday (Madison between 33rd and 34th). I had the cubano sandwich with the green sauce for $6.50 and saved thousands of dollars as I won't be needing to fly to Miami any longer for my cubano fix. It was as good or better than any I've had in Manhattan including Margon, Havana Chelsea, Cibao, Havana Central, Cuchifritos (RIP) or Queens (El Sitio). Very authentic. Tue Oct 03 14:01:59 -0700 2006 10173 guttergourmet 1 1918743 I assume that the Madison Ave Sophie's is the same as the trio of Sophie's in Lower Manhattan, right? Tue Oct 03 14:33:44 -0700 2006 1918671 40108 jakew8 1 1918939 Sorry, but there's nothing authentic about putting "green sauce" (it's called mojo, by the way) on a cubano. An authentic cubano isn't burdened by heavy sauces and creams that take away from the flavor of the ham and pork. I've never had the cubano at El Sitio and can't comment, but, in my humble opinion, none of the other Manhattan places you mention serve a great, authentic cubano. El Margon and La Floridita (125th & B'way) serve what I call a 'Dominican Style' cubano adding a slice of salami and sometimes mojo. It's good, but it's hardly authentic. And neither use the thin, airy Cuban bread, which is what makes all the difference. Tue Oct 03 15:49:36 -0700 2006 1918671 28804 nobody special 2 1919528 I agree that the green sauce is not traditional. If it was supposed to be cuban mojo, it was unlike any I've ever had which is typically citrus juice and garlic. This is a thicker green aioli type sauce. I actually alternated each bite with and without the sauce for that reason but had heard the sauce is a must at Sophie's. I actually thought their bread was closer to Cuban Bread (made with lard) than the usual Italian bread at most places. The salami at some other places (notably Margon) is also a variation which may be traced to Spanish salchichon although someone once told me there was an Italian influence on a Floridian Cuban immigrant community that resulted in the addition of the salami. You obviously sound passionate about the topic but don't offer up any recommendations? Tue Oct 03 18:52:04 -0700 2006 1918939 10173 guttergourmet 2 1920568 Would disagree you slightly. Although a cubano doesnt usually take mojo, nor need it, it does not detract from the essential sandwich. Nor should it be given a different name because it has it. In essence a Cubano is made of some basic ingredients, which Im sure you know. Did you know that sometimes, yellow mustard is also used on Cuban sandwiches? A condiment does not define what a sandwich is. If you want a great cuban sandwich, make your way over to Hudson County in NJ. Believe me, there are some remanants of the Cuban community left in the area and they are delectible. Oh yeah, one of the best and most authentic places that makes one hell of a cubano, uses mojo. I never saw one Cuban, old or new complain, myself included. Wed Oct 04 00:33:59 -0700 2006 1918939 28342 drod 3 1922590 True that. Condiments don't change sandwich identity. Which place? Union City Cafeteria? (is it closed?) El Artesano? La Isla? Please don't leave us in suspense! Thanks for the bakery recommendation! Wed Oct 04 18:40:03 -0700 2006 1920568 28804 nobody special 4 1922928 haha. La Isla in Hoboken is good. Owned by Cubans, but its changed over the years. Use to be a great, divey cafe with great prices. Now the prices reflect "Hoboken" authentically. Expensive. Hoboken also has another restaurant called Zafra. If you are going to pay 'mucho dinero' for Cuban food, my recommendation in Jersey would be Azucar in edgewater. Its easy to get to without a car. Just hop on the NJ transit 159 bus towards Ft Lee. http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/41645062/ But Cuban food and expensive are like oil and vinegar. To have a great experience you dont need to pay too much. For my local Cubano fix (if Im not going over to mom's!), I usually go to the La Gran Via La Gran Via Restaurant - More Info / Map 3905 Bergenline Ave, Union City, NJ 07087 Category: Restaurants and to La Pola (this is the place with the mojo on the Cubanos) La Pola Restaurant - More Info / Map 5400 Palisade Ave, West New York, NJ 07093 Also, another bakery I can recommend for Cuban bread and pasteries... Artemisa Bakery - More Info / Map 5103 Bergenline Ave, West New York, NJ 07093 Category: Bakeries Artemisa actually makes my favorite pasteles de guayaba. They are small, rather thin and crispy. Not overbearing with the guayaba and utterly delectible. My mom tells me this is how they use to really do it in Cuba. At least some bakeries. you wont find this even in a lot of Miami bakeries. Oh yeah, another good restaurant (unfortunately hear the owner died, so dont know their current status food-wise) is El Siglo Xx - More Info / Map 520 39th St, Union City, NJ 07087 Category: Restaurants Worth a try, since its right around the corner from La Gran Via. Hope you find the info useful. There was a time that West new York/Union city could easily compete with Miami for Cuban cusine. But alas, the community as really watered down. But there are still some bright spots. Wed Oct 04 20:16:06 -0700 2006 1922590 28342 drod 1 1920178 guttergourmet-I had many great Cuban sandwiches during my 5 years in Miami in the 80s. Does Sophies put the little french fries on top? I do not remember mojo on the sandwiches (and I love mojo on many things besides yuca)but am intrigued to hear of something close to Cuban bread outside Miami (my office sent someone for Cuban toast many mornings). I am going to try to get there during my long weekend visit to NY that starts tomorrow since I am intrigued by the green sauce. Did they have Cuban coffee? Tue Oct 03 21:40:33 -0700 2006 1918671 23922 tvmovielover 2 1920477 I bought a little bag of potato sticks before visiting Sophie's on Lexington & 41st Street, then asked them to top the Cubano with them before putting it in the press. Now, that's a Cubano! Tue Oct 03 23:47:27 -0700 2006 1920178 10787 Deenso 3 1920637 I'd never heard of potato sticks on a cubano. Mrs.GG insists, however, on putting them on her fritas (cuban burgers). Now there's something I've never seen in NY-fritas. Wed Oct 04 01:12:02 -0700 2006 1920477 10173 guttergourmet 2 1920584 If you're interested in some authentic cuban bread, then take a little trip to New Jersey. Theres a great bakery in West New York, called La Cubana. As good as it gets without taking a trip to Miami. La Cubana Bakery - More Info / Map 5700 Hudson Ave, West New York, NJ 07093 Wed Oct 04 00:39:57 -0700 2006 1920178 28342 drod 1 1922525 GG, 1. Ah, I think I've seen the thicker, pastier sauce you're describing. Not really mojo. They serve this at Cafecito and some other Manhattan places. Personally, I prefer the more watery mojo because it moistens the sandwich more, but I'll give Sophie's a shot. 2. El Margon is Dominican and the salami they use is distinctly Dominican. It isn't salchichon. It's a bigger, thicker salami that's a bit less sharp tasting than salchichon. 3. Well, which one was it--Cuban bread or something sort of "close to" Cuban bread? 4. This kicker for me is this. Does Sophie's use thinly slices of pork shoulder or thick chunks of roast pernil? Recommendations? Drod beat me to it. Definitely agree. You've got to head over to the Cuban communities in Union City/West New York. My current favorite is EL ARTESANO (41st & Bergenline Ave. in Union City). Excellent Cubano for a whopping $3.50 (and, yes, they use yellow mustard!). NS Wed Oct 04 18:24:00 -0700 2006 1918671 28804 nobody special 1 1922577 Sophie's does not put potato sticks on their cuban sandwiches but does put them on their chicken sandwiches, which they serve on the same (not cuban but pretty good) bread. The green sauce is not mojo at all. It seems to be watered-down mayonaise with cilantro and hot sauce. It's not traditional but very tasty. Sophie's also has delicious black beans and yellow rice, which is harder to do well than most people realize. Those of you who've been eating cuban sandwiches in Miami need to do your research and make a trip to Tampa, home not only to the first Cuban-American community but birthplace of the 'cuban sandwich.' Wed Oct 04 18:37:29 -0700 2006 1918671 19700 Grits