Cubano sandwich: ISO sliced pork loin

[eder]

Just got back from New York and had some iterations of the classic Cubano sandwich, sliced pork loin, sliced ham, sliced swiss, some sliced dill pickles and spread yellow mustard on a nicely crusted roll and then pressed like a panini except without the ridges. As a matter of fact there was a nice Cubano available even at the Balducci's at JFK.

I'll take recs for places to get this classic sandwich in town but isn't there somewhere to get packaged or deli like Boar's Head sliced roast pork so I don't have to go to the trouble of roasting a pork lenderloin just to get a couple of slices for a sandwich? There's gotta be a place in town and I've tried Gelson's, Bristol Farms and Whole Foods. Thanks for any heads up.

[chinchi]

Cafe Tropical on Sunset in Silver Lake has tasty Cuban sandwiches, coffee, and pastries.

[orythedog]

PORTO in Glendale

[Will Owen]

...and Burbank. Cubano and lechon are both good, perhaps not great. Lots of people like the medianoche, but I don't care for anything sweet in a meat sandwich.

[Phurstluv]

What's the sweet??

[Norm Man]

Medianoche is a cuban sandwich made with a sweet bread (it's pretty close to King's Hawaiian Sweet Bread).

[Phurstluv]

Oh, that's what he meant. Okay, don't have to use that bread, I certainly don't, I use sourdough, mainly.

[wutzizname]

MILK makes a good variation on a Medianoche. I think they use more of a cibatta roll.

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MILK
7290 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[wutzizname]

for what it's worth...Cafe Habana (from NY) is getting ready to open two westside outposts (one in Venice and one in Malibu, I believe) and they make a pretty spectacular Cubano -- at the originals anyway.

[DiveFan]

Cooked pork loin (and tenderloin) freeze pretty well if you can't stand too many leftovers.
Truth be said, I've even substituted store bought carnitas (now ducking catcalls :-).

In my part of town I hit Havana Mania, Varadero Cafe or the Havana Sandwich Company for a good cubano.
In case you didn't know, the Mexican style cubano is something Very different.

eder, where do you live? We all don't have the travel budget of Burger Boy.....

Here's a one year search: http://search.chow.com/search?query=c...

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Varadero Cuban Cafe and Bakery
14201 Inglewood Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250

Havana Mania
3615 Inglewood Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Havana Sandwich Co
229 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245

[Phurstluv]

What travel budget?? All he does is eat at 26 Beach in Venice!! Sorry, B-boy, I just couldn't resist!! ;)

And yes, it does freeze well, something I forgot to mention. As does carnitas & cubano lechon, no cat calls from me, we love 'em, just not a medianoche with carnitas!

Will have to check those out next time I'm in the El Segundo / south bay area. Thanks.

[eder]

El Criollo is close enough. For 8 bucks including ff's who could resist? A cuban restaurant in the valley? Who knew?

Muchisima gracia as lo cubano say.....

[young_chower]

I've driven by Varadero many times but haven't tried it out. Is the rest of their food as good as their sandwiches?

[Phurstluv]

Oh, I know, I just love a cuban medianoche sandwich. I make them myself now, whenever I have leftover roast pork loin, and absolutely gorge myself on them. If you find out., let me know. But I think I'd rather roast my own, than rely on some overprocessed brand of lunchmeat.