The hottest new restaurant and best hidden gem in Tampa is Sandrita’s Latin Eatery (1412 W Waters Avenue). They may also craft the very best Cuban sandwich in Tampa, but more on that later. This family-owned hole-in-the-wall smells sensational and is adorned with vibrant photography taken by owner Diego Gomez’s grandfather in Cuba. The petite breakfast and lunch menu is a testament to the love and care Diego, his mother Sandra, and stepfather put into every dish.
Sandrita’s breakfast menu is elite tier. Start with a piece of pressed, toasty buttered Cuban bread with a cup of piping hot cafe con leche. Be aware: you’re in for multiple ASMR crunches from that bread. It may not be intuitive, but I highly recommend you dip that bread in the coffee. It’s a mix of savory and sweet that works so perfectly.
Experience true Cuban breakfast and lunch at Sandrita’s
A new-to-me dining experience is hot chocolate (made with cocoa imported from Colombia) paired with a block of mozzarella cheese. Once again, this balance of sweet and savory simply works. There are also few things more satisfying than dunking the block of mozzarella cheese in hot cocoa and watching it get melty.
It’s time to talk about Sandrita’s Cuban sandwich. First off: this thing is gigantic. No shame if you eat half and save the rest for later, a future version of yourself will thank you. The sandwich is served on buttered and pressed La Segunda bread and includes sweet Serrano ham, slow-roasted pork, Swiss cheese, dill pickle chips, and mustard. Get the crispy plantain chips on the side – they’re unrivaled. Diego’s family has deep Cuban and Colombian roots, and Diego himself grew up in Miami. Having been around some of the best Latin restaurants and recipes his entire life, Diego’s foodie prowess shows out in this sandwich.
Savor the top Cuban Sandwiches in Tampa Bay
Sandrita’s may be the only place in Tampa where you can order the authentic Elena Ruth sandwich. This handheld masterpeice is named after its creator, who came up with this specific sandwich order in Cuba during the 1920s. Elena would later bring the sandwich to menus across Miami. It features roasted sliced turkey breast, cream cheese, and strawberry preserves on a delicious sweet egg loaf. It’s almost too pretty to eat.
If you want to sweeten up your morning, then order the Cuban French Toast. The beautiful, bright yellow arepas are made in-house and a perfect dish split with a friend. View the full Sandrita’s menu on its website. Follow Sandrita’s on Instagram to learn more about the restaurant, and information on new menu items.
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