Senor Pan

-The Sammy's of Chi

When I first rolled up on Senor Pan I was hesitant about trying it out. Located in a strip mall with the looks of a franchise place it didn't appeal to me all that much. But since the Cuban sandwich is my 2nd favorite regional sammy (of course beefs are my first) I gave it a go and pulled into the lot. It's located on Fullerton ave in Logan Square and despite the looks of a franchise fast food place from both outside and in it is not that. This is the only location, maybe they are trying to start a franchise because it looks much more like a fast food joint than a mom and pop shop. It is however a family owned restaurant and they opened in 2007 serving classic Cuban cuisine in a comfortable cafeteria like setting.


Along Fullerton ave. in Logan Square

Plastered on the windows and walls inside are high quality decals with professionally done photos of menu items and deals on them. I was a little thrown back but at the same time one of the ad's was for their frita cubana sliders and a meal that came with two of them and a couple empanadas at a pretty cheap price. It caught my eye so I ordered that along with my Cuban sandwich. The rest of the menu features popular Cuban breakfast and dinner entrees as well as a list of sandwiches along with soup, salads and of course, coffee.


Caught me off guard...

Frita Cubanas are Cuban hamburgers very popular in Miami and something I love to get when I find myself in the 305. Different places takes on them can vary but typically the standard is a patty (sometimes mixed with bread crumbs, eh) that is topped with a spiced mayo/ketchup along and potato sticks and served on a sweet bread roll. Check out a recipe for them I use HERE. I found Senor Pan's burgers to be eh at best. I didn't like the patty and the bun was too sweet. The empanadas were better but not by much.


Frita Cubana sliders and empanada from Senor Pan

The hamburger meal was cheap and didn't disappoint since I wasn't expecting much but it was different when it came to the Cuban sandwich. I lived in Tampa for a year and during that time fell in love with Cuban sandwiches. It's virtually impossible to find a great one outside south Florida but there are still many places that serve above average version, just like there are many that serve awful styles of them. I am happy to say that Senor Pan was one of the places that serves a very respectable Cuban sandwich. One thing that makes them so hard to find outside South Florida is the bread which cant be found outside there. So the bread on this one was just ok but everything else was nice. Especially the ham. Too many places just use cheap deli sliced ham that they throw on the grill and cook for a couple minutes. The ham from this Cuban might of came off the bone and was the real stuff. The roasted pork was nice as well and they didn't skimp on the pickles. I would for sure stop in again if I find myself driving by and hungry.


Cuban Sandwich from Senor Pan

Senor Pan
4612 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60639-1816
(773) 227-1020
Website

El Cubanito

-The Sammy's of Chi

Its now time for one of my favorite joints in all of Chicago to be showcased here on S'C'&C. When I went away to Tampa, Florida for my freshman year of college I might not of learned too much inside the classrooms but I sure learned alot out of them. Like what a common breakfast/lunch joint/hangout is all about in the Cuban communities. I had some excellent spots in my regular rotation for great tasting cheap local lunches while down there and missed them greatly when I was no longer. So when I first went to El Cubanito on Pulaski and Wrightwood in Logan Square I was immediately transported back to Tampa upon entering the tiny little building that can hold maybe 6 customers max inside.


a mighty popular Logan Square stop

El Cubanito became one of my favorites even before I took a bite out of anything from there. I had heard and read about it on the 'net and wasted no time in in getting over there and trying it out. This tiny little Cuban sandwich joint has the looks and feeling as if it was towed to Chicago from Miami or Tampa. Its small so the menu is too but I still have the hardest time choosing what to order and never go here and order just one sandwich. The menu is above the register which is worked by a lovely Cuban lady who charms in every way possible. There is also a walk up window on the side and they open at 7a on weekdays and are popular for cafe con leche and toast. During lunch hours it can get very busy but they are in the process of moving next door to a much bigger space.


The Sandwich Menu...its all good.

The only thing I don't like about going to Cubanito is making the decision of what to get. The only thing I know for sure is that I will getting myself a can of Iron Beer pop which is an 90+ year old Cuban soft drink. It has a similar flavor profile to Kola Champagne but I think I like Iron Beer better. It goes great with all of the sandwich selections. I'm not a coffee drinker but people sure do line up at that side window to get theirs.


Cuban soda pop

As its known on here I am a huge fan of the Cuban sandwich and consider it one of the best regional sandwiches in all of the country. Myself and others will say that Cubans just aren't the same anywhere else as they are down in Florida. This is mostly due to the Cuban baked bread used from the local bakeries down there not being readily available anywhere else. However we have some pretty good Cuban sandwich joints around Chicago and El Cubanito is my current favorite spot for one. The strength in the Cuban sandwich from Cubanito is in the pork. Its a superior product to the pork used at other spots around town from my perspective. Its very hard for me not to get a Cuban each and every time and that's because these are an excellent example of them. The cheese is always melted perfectly and I guess the only not so strong part is the plain old ham used. Still a great sandwich and one of my favorites in the city or anywhere. Like I always do when ordering a Cuban, I order extra pickles on mine.


Cuban Sandwich from El Cubanito


Le Da Changó!


The perfect balance and molding of flavors in a Cuban sandwich

I said it was hard deciding what to get when going to El Cubanito and another part that plays a role in that is the ham, egg and cheese sandwich. I don't order myself many ham, egg and cheeses if a place isn't cutting the ham off the bone but I still do get them from time to time from here. The bread is done to a perfect crispiness and the egg omelet is wrapped around sauteed ham and its all melted together and makes one outstanding breakfast sandwich. Make sure to put some of their housemade hot sauce on yours.


Ham, egg and cheese

As damn good as the Cuban sandwich is its not even my favorite sandwich on the menu at El Cubanito. That honor would go to the steak sandwiches, either one of them. They take well flavored chopped steak and pile it high on their bread and top it off with lettuce, tomato, cheese, hot sauce and shoestring potato chips. It easily has to be one of my favorite sandwiches in the city. I will usually go the whole nine yards and make mine a steak, egg and cheese which is the same as the regular steak sandwich but with one of their excellent omelets wrapped in. Words really cant describe this sandwiches goodness so instead I'll just show you some pictures and let you know that if you haven't been here and love the food of Florida then get on over. ASAP.


Steak Sandwich


The insides


Steak, egg and cheese


an amazing 1-2 punch (a Cuban and steak sandwich)

El Cubanito
2555 North Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60639-2115
(773) 235-2555

Cuban Sandwich (MIA)

-The Sammy's of USA
Florida's Cuban Sandwich

December is the start of the winter travel season. I'm sure lots of people are planning vacations to warm weather destinations like Florida and are headed to Miami or at least stopping through Miami International Airport (MIA) on their way into Florida or as a stopover on their way out of the country. Well for once in your travels you can actually get hooked up with an authentic regional meal right there at the airport. La Carreta is a name well known amongst Miami citizens. In what I'm sure started out as a small Cuban cafe serving sandwiches and coffee, they now have various locations including Miami airport. The menu varies at each location but there is a cafeteria style line at the airport with all the Cuban favorites along with sandwiches, salads and coffee. I have never had the chance to visit any locations other than the MIA terminal spot on a few occasions. So I don't know how the restaurant as a whole stacks up against the other authentic Cuban spots around the area. If one wants to try a real authentic Cuban sandwich then you better be in Tampa or Miami to do so.


Edible (very much so) airport food

What I do know is that airport food, for lack of a better word that comes to mind-SUCKS. I also know what a real Cuban sandwich is having lived in Tampa back in 2000. I haven't been able to try anything else from La Carreta because the Cuban sandwich is one of my top three sandwich styles out there and they do a great job at making them. When you throw in the fact it's in an airport, it becomes one of the only food stops at any airport worth seeking out. Maybe even risk being the last to board your flight to get one. I would say this is a skilled Cuban sandwich served at Carreta and highly recommend getting one if your in the airport. It's got the perfect flavor balance from the roasted pork, ham, pickles and melted Swiss cheese and it being in Miami, real Cuban bread. All this pressed down and made hot to meld the flavors into perfect harmony. This is surely one of the best flavor combos in food and one of America's great regional sandwiches. I cant wait to get back to Florida and eat my fair share of authentic Cuban sandwiches. If your flying into or out of Chicago I can also recommend Illinois Bar & Grill's cheeseburger (Midway airport) as a good airport eat.


Florida's Signature Sandwich and a staple in Tampa & Miami: The Cuban

La Carreta
Terminal D- 2nd Level
Miami International Airport
Website

2008 World Series: The Cheesesteak vs The Cuban

Dish me out a combo: Food & Sports

If not for that choke of a squad on the north side I would be doing pretty well right now in my 2008 playoff predictions. It was me who had the Red Sox over the Angels and the Rays handing it to the White Sox. I had the Phillies over the Brew Crew but I also had the Cubs over the Dodgers and thats where shit hit the fan. I should of known better but something in me really made me believe that we had as good a shot as ever...yea right. Once again our hitting was nowhere to be found. Im not going to waste my time writing about the misery and what needs to done but lets just say that Derek Lee in the three hole needs to change now. We need a number three hitter, plain and simple. We dont need to trade Derek but he doesn't belong there and ARam needs to stay in the four slot. Free agent. Trade. Whatever. Get it done!

&

Tampa might be home to more than just the strip club capitol of the world and good Cuban food soon...world series champs?

Not only did I go 3 for 4 on the first round but I also told you that the Devil Rays (they'll always be that to me) would beat the Red Sox in seven games in the ALCS. Not just that but I told you to keep your eye out for David Price and that the future was now. I bet you know who he is now and your probably with me in my assessment that the "Price is right" This year was a hard one for Cubs fans, we were swept out of the playoffs again and have now lost nine playoff games in a row. Im sick of it and fed up to the point where I wont be in a bummy mood and im not wasting my time crying about a bunch of underachievers. Let me just ask one question. Where the hell was the fire? why did it seem like Cubs players were playing in another series from the long regular season? In a five game series you need to be in a do or die mode from game one and they just weren't into it. They should of known they had to go into game one with a game seven mentality and the pressure they would face in game two if they lost the first one. Maybe next year? ya sure.

I have been a fan of the Rays since they were useless, I spent many a nights at Tropicana in 2000-2001 when I lived down in Tampa and me and buddy's were a few of the 100+ people in the stands. Trust me it was so deserted in the bleachers we shared a few hits of our own here and there and ate Cuban sandwiches when the munchies hit. How times have changed. Big props to the Rays for building a legit ball club in just 11 years. Im a die hard Bulls-Bears-Cubs fan and have no 2nd teams in any of those sports but the Rays are the closest thing to it. I enjoy watching them play. I remember hearing Terry Boers from 670 the score on the radio over summer and he was just trashing the Rays for their trade of Delmon Young for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett. It was mid June and Garza went on the DL and Boers said something along the line of "boy we know who robbed who in that deal, what a heist job the Twins did to the Rays" Hey Terry how is that trade working out now? Pretty, pretty good...for Tampa. They got ALCS MVP Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett who manager Joe Maddon calls the "glue" and got rid of the headache that was Delmon Young and his selfish/snob antics that came with him.


The Rays...yes the Rays! are four wins away from their first WS title

So in the end we are left with a battle of Philly's Cheesesteak sandwich and Tampa's Cuban sandwich for the 2008 world series. Not the dream world series of the Italian Beef vs. The Lobster Roll that MLB and Cubs/Red Sox fan's had hoped for but still a very entertaining matchup with tons of star power and talent on display that fans of the game will be watching. Ill let Karl Ravech, John Kruk, Steve Phillips and Peter Gammons break down the baseball aspect for you and ill do the food.

Like many places in the U.S each of these team's cities has a popular sandwich and pretty damn authentic versions of each can be found in Chicago. The cheesesteaks at Philly's Best come from two brothers who grew up in Philly and moved to Chicago. They get the meat flown in from Philly and are serious about their cheesesteaks. Most experts agree that these are the best cheesesteaks outside that area in the entire country. I have never been to Philly but I have been eating these since the crew used to chilax over at 1014 Altgeld which seems like years ago and they are da bomb. Notice the cheeze whiz in the picture? they do them authentic. Having lived in Tampa I can tell you that there is a very good and close to authentic Cuban sandwich served at 90 miles Cuban Cafe.

2008 MLB World Series

The Philadelphia Phillies & The Cheesesteak

VS

The Tampa Bay Rays & The Cuban Sandwich

So who is going to win the 2008 world series? Look no further than the food for the answer. As good as cheesesteaks are and the Phillies are good, Cuban's are better and so are the Rays. We all know my favorite sandwich in the world is da beef but the Cuban might be my second. I love the Cubs (its love/hate) and I like the Rays. I expect a very close entertaining series and should of known from the get go that this was the Rays year.

You see it all started back in '03 when the Cubs blew the 3-1 series lead to the Marlins who eventually went on to win it all...the Marlins?!?!?!? for the 2nd time none the less. Then in 2004 it got worse, the Red Sox broke their curse. What happened in 2005? White Sox win. Then in 2006 our arch-rivals the cardinals take one home and the once "cursed" Red Sox win again in 2007. Now who is the only team that could win in 2008 to make it hurt even more for Cubs fans who have now waited 100 years? The once god-awful "Detract (the) Rays" are now four wins away from a world series title in year eleven...ouch.

T's 2008 World Series adjustment
Rays (4) Phillies (3)

For Wikipedias take on the cheesesteak click here...for its take on the Cuban click here.

Having a party for the games? Try making some frita cubanas and or cheesesteak sliders for food.

Frita Cubana Recipe

Slider recipe

Philly's Best (various locations)
907 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-7900
Delivery

90 Miles (Cuban Cafe)
3101 N. Clybourn
Chicago, IL 60618
773-248-CUBA
Closed on Sunday's

2.1 miles to Cuba

-New on the scene
Yes! The hype is real.

Here is an article in honor of Jon Gruden and the Buc's coming in this weekend. Bears win 20-17.

Im not wasting anytime on getting the word out on "90 Miles" a new Cuban cafe that opened near Belmont and Clybourn located at 3101 N. Clybourn. I had no idea of this places arrival or I would of been there the first day. I love Cuban food, I fiend for it so often after moving home from Tampa. Between my time in Tampa and plenty of WKDs in Miami, I developed a love for all of the amazing little Cuban joints from the upscale cocktail lounges to the coffeehouses where they didn't speak English...the women too. What a culture and it all starts with the cuisine.


90 Miles to Cuba...nope were not in Key West. Just 2 miles from Lincoln Park.

Finally got to try it today and was so damn impressed to the point where ill be back tomorrow. I wasnt going in and just getting a sandwich, I needed to try a few things so I got a Cuban, ropa viejo sandwich, papa rellanos, and a yucca frita. Cuban was awesome, the ropa was good and the rellanos, well when is ground beef stuffed in a ball of potato and fried not good? exactly.


One of my favorite types of sandwiches, the "Cuban"

The owners seemed to have done there work and are dedicated to doing it right. Its got the feel of a little Cuban eating shack and they had all the regional pop. Check out their menu, everything needs to be tried in my book. The Cuban omelette sounds really good. More to come.


Bottom to top: yucca frita (yucca fried with ground beef inside) Cuban sandwich, Ropa Vieja sandwich.

90 Miles (Cuban Cafe)
3101 N. Clybourne
Chicago, IL 60618
773-248-CUBA
Closed on Sunday's
http://90milescubancafe.com/