America's Best Cuban Sandwich Shop

I was stuck in Lakeland for the day and since I'm from Miami I thought, let me find some good Cuban food close by. Boy did Siri steer me wrong and worse I should have read the reviews. So the first obvious clue should have been when I walked in, the owner / only worker was not of Cuban or Hispanic decent, you don't want to know what I mean! The place was dirty, greasy and had a smell that I could not really describe, but it was not good. I baffled by the fact that the local health department allows this place to function in this current state. I placed my order, paid and he asked how I wanted my Cuban sandwich, the only thing I could really say is authentic. As far as the chicken and rice, everywhere that I have had it in other Latin restaurants around this country, it has had different elements like peppers, onions and maybe even even green pees. But, I'll come back to that. I was told it would be about 15-20 minutes, I sat and struck up a conversation with a waiting customer, I asked her how the food was and she said she was traveling the I-4 head to DC and was craving a Cuban. She was in the same conundrum as I for the owner not being Cuban or Hispanic. We both came to terms and said let's hope for the best and see what we get. During my wait, a woman walked in with a package of grocery store bought chicken, I thought, we'll maybe that's my chicken. My wait time time just got extended. So the same conversation I had with the waiting customer after I place my order happened again 15 minutes later, it seems like a theme no! So I get my food and head out. The sandwich was not bad but with the fact that I only had a 7 minute drive, by the time I started eating it was on the dry side, not very flavorful. The pic below is the second half. When I opened the chicken and rice, it was shocking! The chicken, unseasoned, the rice unseasoned as well. As aforementioned, chicken and rice should have peppers, onions, olives and other things that make it appealing. The chicken on top of being unseasoned, it was tough like it had been microwaved. Show the moral of a story is if you're traveling the I-4 corridor, please make sure and read the reviews before you choose a restaurant to eat at.

This is not America's best Cuban sandwich shop. This is not Lakeland's best Cuban sandwich shop. This is probably not Highway 98's best Cuban sandwich shop. The sandwiches are made with the wrong ingredients, and while the sandwich is OK, it is almost, but not quite, entirely unlike a Cuban sandwich. Also, the restrooms are in this bad of condition as the recipe book from which the sandwiches are made. The lady at the counter was nice, and the ice tea was pretty good, but I don't have much to say positive beyond that.

This is our local go-to for a good Cuban. The bread is crisp, meat fresh, and sides abound. Go for the crab roll if your looking for a unique and delicious fried side.

Best Cuban outside Miami! Perfectly prepared. Super fresh. You won't be disappointed.

Long story short, I had to go do laundry at the Laundromat next door---so figured might as well grab a bite to eat so I can grub on something while watching the clothes spin clean.On the way there, I decided to call and see what time the shop closed. The owner picked up and said hello (no business name)--so yes I had a brief moment of confusion but just decided to go for it----I asked what time they closed. She responded she was there now and I could place and order if I liked (ok I was hungry, so that sounds like a winning situation). I ordered a Cuban sandwich (it comes in 2 sizes regular and large). I figured hey---go large or go home---besides I could just save the rest for later. Told her I was about 10 mins away. I got there and the sandwich was still toasting in the sandwich press. The sandwich was huge! The ingredients were very fresh and tasty. I thought for the price there was a good amount of meat/veggie/bread ratio. 3 stars for the tasty sandwich, and 1 additional star for randomly making me food when I was hungry! Woot Woot!

Advertised hours are not correct. We drove off the highway for the "best Cuban sandwich" and left hungry.

Its right after hurricane Ian. It's the only place open. I ordered a black bean soup, spanish soup and a cuban. I get home and the black bean soup is mixed with a spoiled rice. I called and to be nice and not have other customer hear my complaint, I just asked for spanish soup instead. She acknowledged the mistake. however, I had to wait until she gets every songle customer walking in. The order ticket holder is not long enough to hold the tickets yet she continue to get all the orders and tell them it will only take 20 minutes. I've been waiting for 30 minutes and still not get my soup. She is lying to herself for telling them 10 minutes. She already have the orders so they're hooked to wait for their order.I don't like to mess a mom/pop business but they need customer service to consider. I am not coming back. If you need to consider going to this place, check the ticket holder first, if its full, go elsewhere.

We love this place and have been going for many years...every since it first opened. I needed lunch for a big crew at work and stopped in last night and ordered 20 cuban sandwiches, spanish bean soup, black beans and rice soup, deviled crabs and potato balls. I stopped in just after 11:00 and my entire order was ready to go. Everyone in the office enjoyed the food. We had vendors here from out of state and some had never had a cuban sandwich. They were a big hit! As were all the sides!Great food and always great service.

Wow! I got a cuban and potato ball and it is delicious! The owners are super sweet and the food tastes fresh!

DO NOT EAT HERE YOU WILL BE UPSET. All microwaved goods. Ever had a potato ball that's been thawed and defrosted multiple times and microwaved? Pls back out that parking lot and go somewhere else.