Sunday Sandwiches, the Cubano Edition - Embargo Grill, Havana Grill, Andres, and Tropical Star

I set out on a bit of a mission the last couple of weeks. A couple of months ago, I was asked what I thought the best "Cubano type" sandwich in the area was. I quickly said Embargo Grill. Then then quickly thought that I'd hadn't been to other places in the area in quite a while. So I decided to head off in a quest of sorts and managed to hit up four places before I'd seen enough pork, ham, cheese, and pickles for a while.

And while Embargo Grill still came in on top; here's the places in order.....favorite to least.

Embargo Grill:

**** Embargo Grill has Closed

I think the Medianoche at Embargo Grill has gotten better over time. 

The pork here, sort of a "pulled pork", was nice and moist and wasn't too salty this time around. That porky flavor combined with the slightly milky cheese and just the right amount of pickles did it for me. The bread was nicely crisp, toasted well, and the bread was nice and light, not too chewy. The one component I really couldn't make out was the ham.

The Yuca Frita was nicely fried. When done the way I like it; the smaller pieces have a light, airiness to them, while the larger pieces, are denser. The mojo was better than on previous visits.

Embargo Grill
3960 W Point Loma Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110

Havana Grill:

It's been about 6 months since I last visited and the menu has changed a bit; though the "El Cubano" is still there.

At first I thought this would be much too bready and not toasted enough, though it was done adequately. Here the flavor of the ham comes through quite well; teaming with the mustard and pickles. The plantain chips were cold this time around and not very crisp. The sandwich was a bit on the dry side but this is a very solid #2 pick for me.

Havana Grill
5450 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117

Andre's Cuban Restaurant:

**** Andres has closed

Good lord; could it actually be almost 11 years since I last visited!

My goodness; stepping in here is like talking a walk back in time. Plus, this was the only true "restaurant" of the places I visited.

The Cubano here was fairly mediocre.

The bread to filling ratio stood a bit too far on the "bread side" for my taste. The pork was rather dry and tasteless; though the nicely melted cheese shone through quite nicely, but it all came through as rather bland. Luckily, I ordered the Yuca Frita....I ended up pouring a good bit of the mojo on my sandwich. For some reason, like Tropical Star below; this was just too much for me to finish.

The Yuca Frita was decent; loved the smaller pieces which were crisp and creamy. The larger slices got cold pretty quickly and became quite hard. I do like the mojo here; while it could perhaps use more citrus; it is very garlicky and it looks like there's bacon or ham in it.

If you've ever walked to the back or the side banquet room at Andre's, you'll realize just how large the place is. The small façade belies that. This place is in my 'hood, I really should get here more often.

Andre's Cuban Restaurant
1235 Morena Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110

Tropical Star:

Here's another place I haven't visited in a while.

I had noticed that over the last couple of years; TS had expanded, then retracted back to what it once was. A charming little Latin Grocery that served rather inexpensive Latin American food. I thought it right that I should have the Cubano here.

This was totally by the book; slice of pork, check, thin slices of ham...check....cheese on both sides, check...pickles, yes indeed. It was indeed pressed; though the bread had seen better days. Overall, quite filling....partially because of all the fries; nice and hot, but lacking salt...but I only finished half.

I don't recall seeing Diet Inka Cola before........even in Peru!

So not quite stellar, especially when compared to the others....but it was the most inexpensive. Plus, I like the older gentleman behind the counter. I always bus my own table and he seems to appreciate that.

Tropical Star
6163 Balboa Ave
San Diego, CA 92111

Comments

[kat]

nice round-up of cubano

[nhbilly]

Piggy in s blanky addition.

[janfrederick]

Wow, it's been nigh 15 years since we've been to Andres.

[Kirk]

Thanks Kat!

Lol Billy!

Well, now I don't feel so bad Jan.

[RedDevil]

Terrific post! Thanks.

[Junichi]

Though not an authentic cubano Super Bronco in Linda Vista has a Cuban torta that's quite tasty. A little salty though.

[Derek]

The Cuban at Andres is very hit and miss. I've had it with fresh juicy meat that's overfilled and delicious and more like your picture where it's dry and on the sparse side. As a result - I tend to also go to Embargo or Havanna when the cubano bug bites.

[Derric]

Went to Embargo Grill today after reading this. Good stuff, though I opted for no pickles.

Not a traditional Cubano but Big Front Door has a "Cali Cubano" that I really like: house cured & smoked pork loin, jack, pickle, red onion, avo, mustard & jalepeño aioli.

[Kirk]

Hope you get to check them out RD!

Hey Junichi - Yes, most places that serve tortas have a version of the Cubano; even Best donuts...

Hi Derek - On this day, it was kind of a miss. Like the mojo though.

Hi Derric - I did see the Cali Cubano on BFD's menu. Gladd you enjoyed the medianoche from Embargo Grill

[Loren]

Honestly even though I've tried all those places, none are very authentic or particularly great at Cuban food. It just seems to be one of the few kinds of food you can't get in San Diego.

If I want a real Cubano I wait til my time takes me north and I visit Portos In burbank. Have a sandwich there and nothing in San Diego will ever come close.

[Kirk]

Hi Loren - I really didn't expect...and I kind of hate the word because cuisine is always evolving, "authenticity". I just wanted to see if things were prepared well and kept within the spirit of the Cubano. Funny story, an acquaintance originally from So Fla went to Havana and said they had the worst Cubanos he's ever had. I had to explain, that like how Hanoi was with Pho, Cuba often does not have access to the same level of ingredients.

[Lynn @ Oh-So Yummy]

gotta share this with Dennis since he hasn't tried any of those places. right now, his favorite is the cuban from MishMash. i'm only 75% complete on that writeup *sigh*