570411 Fri Nov 07 11:37:23 -0800 2008 49 20 Tristate Region 0 4156382 I feel I've done adquate "research" to report on this fine example of the Cuban sandwich (I've had 3!). Bakery at Four Corners (4668 Boston Post Rd) has a lunch counter, where sandwiches are made to order. The soups can be good too. One day I turned up hungry and there was nothing special at home, so I wandered in and spotted "Cuban sandwich". It's done right. It comes out of the press hot and crisp, with just a little garlicy flavor. Inside the bread is ham, sliced pork, Swiss cheese, and sliced pickle. The pork has just the right amount of fat on the edges, but they 'd trim it off, if you asked. They put mayo on it, but I'm accustomed to mustard. If you are too, ask for mustard when you order. It costs $7, but for me it's two servings, so a real bargain. Four Corners is anchored by a CVS, if you need a landmark. Cheers, Pat Fri Nov 07 11:37:23 -0800 2008 10087 Pat Hammond 1 4156477 Pat, is it cut on an angle? I remember my very first Cuban sandwich, it was wonderful, and it was cut on an angle. Thanks for the pointer. Fri Nov 07 12:17:28 -0800 2008 4156382 11104 dolores 2 4156501 I don't think so, Dolores. But it you want it cut on an angle, just ask the nice lady behind the counter. I was trying to think back to when I lived in Tampa and had my first. I can't recall how it was sliced though. Fri Nov 07 12:28:26 -0800 2008 4156477 10087 Pat Hammond 1 4171226 I was in the area this week and went, and had one with mayonnaise and, at the advice of my Dominican husband, asked them to cut it on an angle for me. Well, all I have to say is "Wow". This was one great sandwich. I restrained myself from eating all of the second half, and had it for dinner that night. The woman who works there told me she cooks the pork once a week in the kitchen. It was this wonderful combination of garlicky mayonnaise, melted cheese, ham, and tender pork, all on a hot, toasty, crispy, flattened bun. The baked goods also looked very nice. Thu Nov 13 12:53:49 -0800 2008 4156382 10985 MMRuth 1 4171319 Wow, a great cubano in Westchester! This is, indeed, great news. Pat, you rock. Thanks for the tip. Now I just need to find an excuse to be in Pelham or New Rochelle... Thu Nov 13 13:21:52 -0800 2008 4156382 11120 adamclyde 2 4171341 Well, there is a very well priced food market in New Rochelle that might serve as an excuse. Lemons - 7 for a dollar. I bought two and a half pounds of beautiful pork belly for six dollars, and the $3.99 a pound short ribs, which looked great, were a great bargain for this Manhattanite. I'll try to find the name for you - it's off the main drag in New Rochelle. They also had a lot of well priced Asian ingredients, which I appreciated, and I picked up some Chipotle peppers to use, for, well, something. Thu Nov 13 13:28:24 -0800 2008 4171319 10985 MMRuth 3 4171463 P.S. The market is Viva Grande - 38 Centre St. and Huguenot St. Thu Nov 13 14:07:16 -0800 2008 4171341 10985 MMRuth 1 4171430 Do they serve them on weekends? Thu Nov 13 13:56:29 -0800 2008 4156382 91796 chowdom 2 4171436 I don't see why not - the sandwich is posted on the menu on the wall. Thu Nov 13 13:57:48 -0800 2008 4171430 10985 MMRuth 3 4313632 Yes, they do serve them on weekends, and yes it is as good as Pat said. It is also as good as the one I had in Portchester eons ago. Thanks for the pointer, Pat. Who would know if you didn't tell us, since you can't tell from the outside. Meanwhile, I didn't even try any of the pastries! Sat Jan 10 08:53:45 -0800 2009 4171436 11104 dolores 4 4330360 Was it cut on the diagonal? The last time I was in that's how they cut it for me. I've only tried one weekend day, and thought that the one(s) I had during the week to be a smidge better. Not sure why. One day, as I waited for a friend who was at the doctor's next door, I went into the bakery and got a cup of wonderful soup and I think it was called either "taco soup" or "tortilla soup" and man, was it ever good. Nice little bits of jalapeno floating around in a tomatoey broth and good chunks of sausage. Very warming, on a cold day. I'm very glad you enjoyed it. It's the only place along that little stretch where one can grab a decent bite to eat. I hardly ever buy pastry either, except for the occasional cookie for a grandchild. Thu Jan 15 16:42:20 -0800 2009 4313632 10087 Pat Hammond 5 4330377 have you ever tried pelham gourmet (?) just off the bpr .strange little eat in and take out place just down the road from 4 corners Thu Jan 15 16:48:04 -0800 2009 4330360 71745 rich51 6 4330836 You're right! I rarely think of that place. I'm not sure of the name either. I usually go into Pelham or on to New Rochelle. Thanks for the reminder. Thu Jan 15 20:26:43 -0800 2009 4330377 10087 Pat Hammond 5 4331135 Yes, I specifically asked for it to be cut on the diagonal. I doubt it does anything to the flavor, but I assume it's traditional. Fri Jan 16 02:39:32 -0800 2009 4330360 11104 dolores 6 4331343 As it turns out, cutting it that way makes it much easier to eat. Start chomping from the "point". When they're freshly made, the melted cheese can make for a slippery sandwich that's not easy to hold together if, like me, you can't wait a minute! Fri Jan 16 06:26:49 -0800 2009 4331135 10087 Pat Hammond 7 4331353 OK, you two are now making me VERY hungry for one of these sandwiches! I'm going to have to find an errand to run up there next time I can get the car. Fri Jan 16 06:30:54 -0800 2009 4331343 10985 MMRuth 7 4332390 I agree they're easier to eat when cut on the bias, but I have to say I was very puzzled by all the earlier discussions about why the sandwiches might not be worth ordering if not cut that way. Fri Jan 16 11:20:31 -0800 2009 4331343 17415 Westjanie 8 4334286 Oh, I think those of us who've eaten one, would be happy no matter how it was sliced. It's mainly about ease of handling. And maybe tradition? It's one good sandwich, though! Sat Jan 17 08:06:24 -0800 2009 4332390 10087 Pat Hammond 9 4334435 Agreed! Sat Jan 17 09:35:40 -0800 2009 4334286 10985 MMRuth 9 4334450 I used to be in the Miami area on a regular basis some years ago and became familar with Cuban food during those visits -- including a place in Coral Gables, whose name I cannot now remember, which was said to have the best sandwiches.. After reading these discussions about how to cut a Cuban sandwich, I actually spent some time desperately trying to remember how those were cut -- I suppose on the diagonal, but that's not what I now remember about them -- more the taste, how they were compressed, and the look and feel of the restaurant. Sat Jan 17 09:47:16 -0800 2009 4334286 17415 Westjanie 10 4334483 Westjanie, they are one (I'm sure there are similar sandwiches in other cultures) of the original 'paninis', which are (were?) all the rage. Yes, pressed until all the insides are meltedy and good. The interior of this place is NOT Cuban sandwich, it's young urban professional coffee and bakery, with a surprise Cuban sandwich place in the back. As I noted, my memory goes back to a wonderful woman from Cuba who brought me to her neighborhood in Portchester -- before IT was chic, remember the ice cream parlor on West. Ave.? -- and pointed me to a store that sold Cuban sandwiches. I had never had one before and hadn't had one since. My sandwich from eons ago was cut on the diagonal, so for me it was strictly nostalgia. I would imagine that there are similar places still selling them in Portchester?? Sat Jan 17 10:06:27 -0800 2009 4334450 11104 dolores 11 4334838 There may well be some place in Portchester that has the sandwiches, but all the places I see appear to represent different Latino nationalities and cultures. I'm pretty sure I ordered a Cubano years ago, just on principle, from Latin American Cafe in WP, but I have no memory of what it was like. For what it's worth, the "famous" Cubano spot in Coral Gables always struck me as a repurposed Dairy Queen, which seemed odd, but the sandwiches WERE very good. Sat Jan 17 13:13:01 -0800 2009 4334483 17415 Westjanie 11 4336675 I've schlepped around Port Chester a lot and have never seen a cubano on any menu (well, I've seen Mexican Torta Cubanos, but those are entirely different affairs). If there is one, it would be at an oddity at some unsuspecting deli or some otherwise inconspicuous place, like it is in this Pelham place, rather than at a cuban place of which there are none in PC at all. Sun Jan 18 11:22:46 -0800 2009 4334483 11120 adamclyde 12 4336907 adamclyde, there is still a Cuban club on Westchester Ave., very near Main St. It was near here (and it was so long ago I don't remember the location) where I found the Cuban sandwich, down a side street. Just as the charming ice cream parlor (Neilsen's?) is history on West. Ave. in PC, I think the demographic has changed. Life happens. Sun Jan 18 12:58:12 -0800 2009 4336675 11104 dolores 10 4334902 My initiation was in Ybor City, Florida, an old Cuban enclave section of Tampa. The "young urban professional coffee and bakery" Cuban, is as close as I've come to that experience. I almost missed it too, because my eyes were getting bleary skimming past all the "wraps" (a poor substitution for a sandwich, IMHO.). The Cuban is on the right of the board, almost at the bottom. Come on out! Sat Jan 17 13:41:14 -0800 2009 4334450 10087 Pat Hammond 10 4336705 Westjanie, Was the restaurant with the sandwiches Versailles - although Versaille is not very re-purposed Dairy Queen so maybe not. I worked down there for several years and can't picture a place like you are talking about and sadly have never been. I miss a good cuban sandwich as well as afternoon shots of Cuban coffee in the office? Sun Jan 18 11:33:40 -0800 2009 4334450 48135 laylag 11 4341141 No, Laylag, definitely not Versailles. It was on Coral Way, I believe (tho maybe some other major road), and in the outskiirts of downtown Coral Gables. We would be staying on Key Biscayne, and it was any easy destination from there. Tue Jan 20 06:56:34 -0800 2009 4336705 17415 Westjanie 1 4335121 Had one for dinner just now.. It was very good. The wraps we also picked up were just ok. My wife wouldn't try the Cuban which she said "smelled like feet". Being born with anosmia, I can't comment on the sandwich's scent but it tasted good to me. My only regret is I forgot to specify mustard. By the end of the sandwich I was regretting that. Our three year old daughter agreed with me on the taste of the sandwich and wasn't shy about demanding a 2nd piece. Thanks for the recommendation! Sat Jan 17 15:27:36 -0800 2009 4156382 57793 rafi 2 4335234 I can see the mustard cutting the richness a bit. Next time. Sat Jan 17 16:21:15 -0800 2009 4335121 10985 MMRuth 3 4335313 MMRuth, don't know if you read the other thread on the dreaded canned cranberry sauce but...yes, I did...I mixed c/s with mayo (that was a new one to me) and piled some of that onto the sandwich. IMO, it was even better than before. Sat Jan 17 17:04:15 -0800 2009 4335234 11104 dolores 4 4336056 I've done that too! Sun Jan 18 05:46:08 -0800 2009 4335313 10985 MMRuth 2 4336713 Rafi, you shouldn't have to ask for mustard on a Cuban. It's part of the sandwich and I've never had one without it. Seems odd they'd serve it without. Sun Jan 18 11:38:21 -0800 2009 4335121 48135 laylag 3 4337025 I don't think the folks making the sandwiches are Cuban. They sure have everything else right, though. Even with mayo, it's a good sandwich. Sun Jan 18 13:47:42 -0800 2009 4336713 10087 Pat Hammond 4 4340113 Oh Pat - I just reread your original post and see that you did say no mustard and also see you said they put mayo on them. Definitely not Cuban people making those sandwiches. Since everything else you say seems right on I wonder why they'd make that condiment substitution. If I do get there I will remember to ask for mustard and request no mayo too. Mon Jan 19 17:24:49 -0800 2009 4337025 48135 laylag 1 4398636 I picked up a sandwich on my way to Orchard Beach and snapped a photo. It seems that you can order just half a sandwich if you want, as the woman asked me if I wanted a whole one or not. Sun Feb 08 13:26:10 -0800 2009 4156382 10985 MMRuth 2 4398684 Do you know their hours, I must get over there next weekend. Sun Feb 08 13:44:02 -0800 2009 4398636 91796 chowdom 3 4398697 I don't ... I was there around 12:15 today, but that doesn't help much! Sun Feb 08 13:48:13 -0800 2009 4398684 10985 MMRuth 3 4411008 MMRuth's photo did me in! I went over there to pick up one for lunch (heaven help me!). I noted the hours for you: Mon.-Fri., 7:30 am to 6 pm Sat. 8 am to 6 pm Sun. 10 am to 3 pm Thu Feb 12 10:42:19 -0800 2009 4398684 10087 Pat Hammond 4 4412037 Thanks so much :-) Thu Feb 12 14:52:11 -0800 2009 4411008 91796 chowdom 5 4421279 just tried the cubano at bakery at four corners yesterday. it was awesome. very authentic. this is the first advice from this board i've acted on, seeing as i'm new to the site. thanks! Mon Feb 16 07:45:50 -0800 2009 4412037 244421 debrouillard80 6 4422532 Glad to hear it! I'm always a little spooky about recommending what seems to me to be an out of the way place for lots of people. And what if I was wrong? Of course, that means I have to check periodically to be sure that good quality control is in place! :) Mon Feb 16 14:19:03 -0800 2009 4421279 10087 Pat Hammond 1 4423554 Pat, I went to to the Bakery at Four Corners and ordered the Cuban, and the sandwich was "HUGE", but it seemed to fall apart. Also there was no one in the bakery when I ordered and it took 8 minutes to make it, which I thought was rediculous. The Sandwich was messy and while the bread was toasty, it wasn't hot enough for the cheese to even melt. I won't go back for the Cuban, althought the best one outside of a deli in Ybor City, FL I've had thus far is at the Mamaroneck Diner, just ask them to not use butter and garlic on the bread in the process of making it. On a side note, the sweet baked items were good and it seemed like the local meeting place for those who live in Pelham Manor. Mon Feb 16 20:03:05 -0800 2009 4156382 267488 WestchesterNY 2 4426181 I suppose it had to happen; I'm sorry it happened to you! It does sound like you got a "green" server. I guess I have to check them out AGAIN! I'll do a comparison with Mamoroneck Diner's version one of these days. I'm glad the baked goods made your visit worthwhile. My first Cubano was in Ybor City, as well. Tue Feb 17 14:45:00 -0800 2009 4423554 10087 Pat Hammond 1 4692021 Was in Pelham Manor today so we stopped. Very, very good Cuban. Asked for mustard, forgot to ask them not to put on mayo but everything else, really well done. Sun May 17 15:02:08 -0700 2009 4156382 48135 laylag 1 5144237 Brief update, or downdate. There's been a change in management and no longer worth a visit for the Cubano. The whole sandwich now, is half the size of the former. They also have two Cubanos from which to choose and one of them has pineapple on it. That about says it, I think. Fri Oct 30 18:11:16 -0700 2009 4156382 10087 Pat Hammond 2 5150073 This is very sad news. Mon Nov 02 13:52:05 -0800 2009 5144237 48135 laylag 1 5145228 the person who formerly worked there (i believe) now has their own place on north ave. in wykagyl and has cubanos as part of their menu Sat Oct 31 11:11:59 -0700 2009 4156382 71745 rich51 2 5150075 This is wonderful news. Much closer for me than Pelham. Do you know the name of the place rich? Mon Nov 02 13:52:33 -0800 2009 5145228 48135 laylag 3 5150850 can't think of the name right now but it is on north ave, in wykagyl on the side with all the stores, across from cvs, just about the last storefront up the hill (towards downtown nr.) btw was it you looking for taco trucks and did you find them? Mon Nov 02 18:31:48 -0800 2009 5150075 71745 rich51 3 5152600 Just came back to report, and you all are way ahead of me. It's called Wrap's Club Deli. (The apostrophe is theirs, not mine!) 1287 North Ave. Pelham was much closer to me, but I'll trek out there sometime soon to check it out for myself. Tue Nov 03 11:56:06 -0800 2009 5150075 10087 Pat Hammond