The Cuban Sandwich Festival!

Searching for the best Cuban Sandwiches in Florida!

@ Ybor City Saturday Market, Centennial Park in Historic Ybor City @ 1800 E. 8th Ave, Saturday May, 26^th 2012; 10:30AM–5:00 PM; 

Cuban Sandwich Festival Press Release

Meet the Hosts

Meet The Judges!

Meet The Contestants!

Ybor City Streets will be closed to honor the Greatest Sandwich that Tampa has ever known! 

Celebrating Tampa Bay area’s Rich Latino History, Culture and Foods!  Latin Times Media, Inc., and the Tampa Latin Chamber of Commerce is proud to present an exciting FREE COMMUNITY event the “Cuban Sandwich Festival” celebrating the richness of Florida’s Hispanic/Latino communities!   The Cuban Sandwich Festival is an exciting festival and contest to find THE BEST Cuban Sandwich in the Tampa area and beyond!  Enjoy LIVE cultural musical and dance performances on La Bahia Stage, and a true cultural festival featuring over 50 Food, Art and Cultural Exhibitors!  Admission is FREE but we ask guests to visit our community help booth which will be present collecting donations for baby Emberlynn a 6 month miracle baby!

Hosted by Tampa Natives Mario Nunez and Tony Morejon!  The Cuban Sandwich is a favorite tradition of Tampa Bay, and is offered in many local restaurants, café’s, bakeries and even grocery stores. Not only is a Good Cuban Sandwich a true Tampa tradition, it is a way of life for most Tampa natives and residents.  When most people visit Tampa, eating a Cuban Sandwich is on that “to-do” list.  Why? Because it is a tangible piece of history that can be enjoyed over a Café con leche with some family or friends, all while enjoying Tampa Bay’s many charming Latino eateries!

History of Cuban Sandwich by Cigar City Magazine! Dating back to the Cigar City days of Ybor City, the Cuban Sandwich originated in Cuba as something called "mixto," which was “mas o menos” (more or less) a combination of leftovers stuffed in between slices of bread.  The birth of the Cuban Sandwich in America happened in the 1880s in Tampa, Florida, with earlier versions allowing for turkey and tomatoes, the ingredients were later marginalized, to what is used today!  A true Cuban Sandwich consists of ham, mojo roast pork, salami, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard pressed between Cuban bread.  The family oriented festival will feature a great Kidz ZONE, where kids will enjoy Clowns, Jumpers, face painting and MORE;

Featuring: Antique Car Show, Cigar area, Old Fashioned Barber and a DOMINO Tournament!

Restaurants, do you think you make the BEST Cuban Sandwich in Town!? Register for the contest TODAY: Jolie@Latin-Times.com (Limited spacing!)  Exhibitors, contact us NOW!

Meet The Judges: 

Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa Chief of Police Jane Castor, State Representative Janet Cruz, Richard Gonzmart of the Columbia Restaurant, John Oliva of Oliva Tobacco Co, Cigar City Magazine founder; Lisa Figueredo, Pedro Galvez of Tampa Cigar Club, Ana Cruz of Floridian Partners, City Councilman Mike Suarez, City Councilman Harry Cohen, Congressional Hopeful Evelio “EJ” Otero, Cynthia Fuente of Arturo Fuente’s, CigarsTampa Steve of the Tampa Native Show, HART Board Chair John Melendez, David Audet of Audet Productions, YCDC’s Vince Pardo, Daytime TV’s Food Critic Larry Cotton and more community leaders! 

Serving as the Czar: Steve Otto – overseeing the voting process

And special Guests: Yvonne Yolie Capin presenting the resolution naming the Cuban Sandwich the Historical Sandwich of Tampa! 

Enter one of Domino games or enjoy our Cigar area which will be hosted by David Blanco, also featuring Vince Rabelo providing hair cut and styles. 

Who is Competing for the Title:  Best Cuban Sandwich!? Alessi Bakery, Cacciatore Brothers, Cafe Masaryktown - Hernando County, Cuban Guys - Broward County, Danny's All American Grill,  Franks & Subs, Gaspars Grotto, Kooky Coconuts, La Teresita, Mata Monchies, In The Box Café Cafe, Michelle Faedo’s Food Truck, Mr. Empanada , Nita’s Place, NY Cafe- Pinellas County, Ofelia's Café, Ronnie Pastrami’s, Stone Soup Company, Silver Ring Cafe,  Cool Mo’s Coffee, the Floridian and MORE!

Event Sponsored by: Latin Times Media, Inc., City of Tampa, Tampa Latin Chamber, HART, Ana G. Méndez University System, Solmed Health, Alessi Bakery, Oliva Tobacco Company, Tampa Natives Show, Hispanic Professional Women’s Association, La Bahia Radio WTMP, Cigar City Magazine, Clear Channel Outdoor, Gaceta Latina Newspaper, Estrella TV, MOR-TV, This-TV Tampa Bay, Telemundo, ESPN Radio, Hilton – Ybor City, Eckerd Foundation, La Segunda Bakery, Florida Bakery, Brocatos, Oso Blanco Supermarket, Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay Times, YCDC and MORE!! 

Exhibit and sponsorship: Jolie@Latin-Times.com or Vpadilla@Latin-Times.com(813) 407-6866 or (813) 407-7191. The Cuban Sandwich Festival of Tampa Bay name and concept is owned and created by Latin Times Media, Inc. (c) All Rights Reserved.  

HELP Emberlynn Padilla: Admission is FREE but we ask guests to visit our community help booth which will be present collecting donations for baby Emberlynn a 6 month miracle baby born with Congenital diaphragmatic hernia. CDH is a congenital malformation (birth defect) of the diaphragm. Malformation of the diaphragm allows the abdominal organs to push into the lung formation. CDH is a life-threatening in infants, and a major cause of death due to two complications: pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension.  Emberlynn is currently at Shand Hospital in Gainesville is where she receives critical care.

Click on Form Links for information and to printout:

Request Sponsorship Opportunities: Jolie@Latin-Times.com