Food We Love: Cuban Sandwich

Allison Austin Scheff sets the record straight on where to find the best Cuban sandwich in town

Most Seattleites will swear that the best Cuban sandwich in town is at Paseo, where the admittedly outstanding Midnight Cuban—a delicious mess of braised pork, slippery-sweet onions, oozing Swiss and cilantro mayo—has earned its fierce following. But I’m here to set the record straight: The Cubano sandwich ($6.50) at Paladar Cubano, a Cuban takeout truck on the corner of 90th and Aurora (8953 Aurora Ave. N; 206.612.8843; pedritovargas.com/paladarcubano.html), is the only real-deal Cuban sandwich I’ve tasted since moving back to Seattle from New York City. Thinly sliced roasted pork is layered with salty ham, Swiss cheese and dill pickles, then pressed between slices of mustard-slathered Cuban bread (no French bread in sight) until the outside is good and crunchy, and the inside is savory, with a touch of sour from the pickle. Add a side of tostones (fried plantains) for an even more convincing trip to warmer climes.