Cuban Food and Latin Food Restaurants: La Ideal Sandwich Shop, Tampa, FL

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"Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban" and "Three Guys From Miami Celebrate Cuban"

Glenn: No one will ever confuse La Ideal Sandwich Shop with the famous Tavern on the Green restaurant in New York.

Jorge: These two places are worlds apart -- both geographically and philosophically.

Raúl: You guys are going to have to quit using such big words!

Jorge: What we're trying to say Raúl is that La Ideal is a place that doesn't try to be more than it is.

Glenn: It isn't in the least bit pretentious.

Raúl: There we go with the big words again!

Jorge: OK, let's keep it simple. If you want to experience some true, down home Cuban culture in Tampa, you can't beat La Ideal Sandwich Shop.

Glenn: This is a place where people come for their daily fix of Cuban coffee and conversation. The manager, Mario Aguila Jr. keeps the place hopping with his good humor and friendly personality.

Raúl: In the morning, most people buy Cuban café and pastelles, the very traditional Cuban breakfast.

Jorge: They even have a pastelito we have never seen in Miami: apple and guava.

The place is small, but the inside is clean and bright. The whole family loves to eat here.

Raúl: You can also get scrambled eggs and toasted and buttered Cuban bread if you are really hungry.

Glenn: However, the real attraction here is the sandwiches. During the noon hour they keep three large planchas busy turning out nine different Cuban sandwich favorites.

Raúl: And the prices, que barato! They charge just $2.95 for a Cuban sandwich.

Glenn: We were a little surprised to see shaved meats on a Cuban sandwich. But we have to admit, the sandwiches are very tasty and the meat is very moist and flavorful.

Raúl: That the way it is. Different places have different ways of making the Cuban sandwich.

Like everything else here, the menu is nothing fancy. But the food is good. You can get a much better lunch here for the money than at your local McDonalds.

Jorge: At least here they don't follow one Tampa tradition -- there is NO Genoa salami on the Cuban sandwiches here.

Glenn: La Ideal also makes a very good pan con bistec. For $3.75 you get three tender filets on a fresh loaf of Cuban bread.

Jorge: Make it a complete lunch with a sandwich and one of several soups. The caldo gallego here is very hearty and filled with delicate white beans.

Raúl: They also have an assortment of Cuban bocaditos -- papa rellenas, empanadas, tamales and croquetas.

Nephew Neil takes a seat at the counter. Any time after 1:00 p.m. is a good time to stop by and avoid the lunch rush.

Glenn: My ideal lunch at La Ideal? Any one of the sandwiches, two tamales, and a bowl of their delicious garbanzo bean soup.

Jorge: They even have a few desserts -- if you are still hungry that is!

Glenn: La Ideal is strictly a breakfast and lunch place, although if you can make it there before 5:00, you could always bring some soup and sandwiches home for dinner.