Cubano Research Part II:
Cuban Sandwich Cafe
***Note: I'm not completely sure this is their website, but the menu is correct)
When you first walk in, you don't see much in the way of Cuban decorations, you see about 10-15 tables, an order counter and the drink refrigerator to the right of the counter. It's really a no frills looking place. The gentleman behind the counter greeted me with a warm smile as he grabbed his order pad and asked what I wanted. I asked him for his recommendations and I went with them. I ended up ordering you guess it, a Cuban Sandwich. I also ordered the Tostones as a side item, the gentleman was kind enough to tell me what they were. I opted to sit outside at a picnic table located just outside the front door because 1) It was nice out and 2) I don't exactly like sitting inside places where it smells entirely of deep fried grease. (If you do, more power to ya, have at it, to each their own). Anyway, I didn't order nearly as much food as last time. Quite frankly, after eating so much last time, I was full until the next morning and I didn't want that to happen again this time around.
The Tostones as was described to me, are horizontally cut "plantains that have been smashed, battered and deep fried to become a plantain chip." They were fried perfectly and I could tell that the fryer oil was at the correct temperature because the Tostones were not greasy or oily, but rather crisp and light. The Tostones themselves had a very subtle sweet flavor and I would have enjoyed them without having a dipping sauce, but again fortunately for me, a sauce was provided. The Ajo sauce, from what I tasted, was very similar to the previous Cuban restaurant that I visited, except for one keep factor, the amount of acid. The sauce here was garlicy, but not too overpowering and I could taste some slight notes of other herbs, but I couldn't pick them out. But what I was happy to distinguish was the lemon and lime juice. There was enough citrus juices to balance out the oil and make the sauce light and not heavy on the palate. The Ajo sauce actually complemented the Tostones rather well. 
I am happy to report that this Cuban sandwich was leaps and bounds better than the one I tasted from the place before. Almost everything about this sandwich was superior. The bread was actually better; better texture, better hold and tasted more fresh (maybe they put more butter on it, who knows, it was just better). The ham was on point. The ham was juicy, salty and flavorful. Was pork dry, too lean, anemic of flavor? No! The pork was great and the serving was very generous. The Swiss cheese was gooey and was evenly distributed in every bite and there wasn't too much mustard to where it masked the flavor of the Swiss either. The entire sandwich itself was great. The only thing that I would've liked would be for more pickles. I'm a big proponent of balance and having the acid from a pickle with every bite would have made this sandwich even better. (If I were to make this sandwich, I'd probably use sandwich sliced pickles instead of the pickle chips). Most of my friends like a bit of spice, unfortunately this sandwich lacks in that department. But do not fret, apparently the cafe owners already thought of that and provide two different sauces that not only add a bit of freshness, but some heat. The red salsa is what you would probably use for chips and salsa at any decent Tex-Mex restaurant. By tasting it, its pretty obvious that it was homemade with fresh ingredients. The yellow sauce, is the spicier of the two. 
The yellow sauce is a jalapeno based sauce that, when asked what it was comprised of, the gentleman that helped me could only tell me that it was a secret, but that it was a Jalapeno sauce. I have to say, that sauce was delicious. I used that sauce on the Tostones and my sandwich. The sauce wasn't very spicy, but it gave it just enough of a kick to make an already decent sandwich that much better. On the spiciness level, I'd probably say its a tad under what Sriracha's spiciness level would be.So I am please to announce that after this encounter with Cuban cuisine at Cuban Sandwich Cafe, my faith in Cuban food has been restored. Though obviously I haven't tasted an exorbitant amount of Cuban fare or a wide variety of it, but from what I tasted today, I'm not weary to try. (I'm not sure why this is a different color)
If you're on the east side of town, you're in the area and wanting a pretty decent sandwich (and of course before 4pm, because that's when it closes), its worth a pit stop. And if you do and you end up trying something different that what I ordered, let me and the rest of the readers (if there are any) know and what you think. I do want to point out, and make clear, that this is not fancy gourmet sandwich that you'd find at some Zagat or Michelin star rated restaurant. This sandwich is a real down home (Cuban) grandmother serving you a sandwich from her kitchen after a long day from school, type of sandwich. And I for one am perfectly fine with that.
So until next time...I bid y'all happy eating! (I'm not sure why this is a different color either)
-Henry
