It’s hard to enjoy restaurants when you’re used to good food at home. Case in point: I was born in Havana and grew up eating Cuban food every day.
I know what good food tastes like. Restaurants usually can’t compete.
After many attempts, eight Cubano sandwiches in six months and more fake flans than I’d care to remember, I’m ready to make a positive recommendation.
The Sandwich Cubano at Casual Habana Cafe in Hackensack is the real deal–pork, ham, cheese, and pickles on toasted bread, well pressed. Enjoy it with the excellent cafe con leche. The atmosphere is warm, Miami-esque.
For dessert, try the flan at Karla Jimenez Cakes in Bogota.
This reminded me of my mother’s, which she made in a Bustelo coffee can using a device named a baño maria. They use the legitimate basic ingredients: condensed and evaporated milk, sugar, and eggs. Better than creme brulee.
After eating all that, you’ll want to indulge in another tradition: a siesta.
Alexander Felix • Dec 31, 2024 at 1:42 am
Will, I love Cuban sandwiches! The best one I’ve ever had was in Miami at a place called Sanguich Little Havana–I’ll have to check this place out.