trixie-pea wrote:I got a chance to go yesterday morning, before they got busy. Around 9am or so.

FYI, they weren't very busy around noon. There were a handful of people there and I got my sandwich in under 5 minutes.

Best,
Michael

eatchicago wrote:After my sandwich, I still had the taste for something with a cheap yellow mustard focus. So, with nothing to do for the next hour, I headed due west to Gene & Judes for a perfect hot dog (mustard & onions). Quite a nice two-part lunch.

Michael,

Next time you get a craving for a dog after a visit to El Cubanito, I suggest driving just down the street to Jimmy's on the corner of Pulaski & Grand. They serve the same minimalist style dog as Gene & Jude's...right down to the hand cut double fried fries packed with the dog. I actually prefer Jimmy's to Gene & Jude's and it was a return trip from there that led me to find El Cubanito in the first place.

Jimmy’s Red Hots
4000 W Grand Av (at Pulaski)
Chicago, IL
773-384-9513

This just in from Chicago Magazine's Dish

Alberto Ramos, the owner of El Cubanito (2555 N. Pulaski Rd.; 773-235-2555), purports to sell 400 Cubano sandwiches (roast pork, Swiss cheese, ham, butter, pickles; $3.75) a day. This in a 400-square-foot space with four stools, and no tables; Ramos says some customers eat standing up. "Too many people come," he says. "It's too much for me and my wife; I think I'm going to get another place. I've been in the States for six months and I opened this little place and I don't know what is going on. I think God is helping me."

Perhaps it's God...more likely it's LTH Forum.

stevez wrote:Perhaps it's God...more likely it's LTH Forum.

Shhh! Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

Seriously, which deity will the forum dress up as for Halloween?

I vote - Pan.

Oh come now, weren't there lines out the door, all spanish speaking, around the time of the first post?

I bet at least 80% of their customers are latino... I don't think LTH can claim too much credit for the 400 figure, even if we can claim credit for it showing up in Dish.

gleam wrote:I bet at least 80% of their customers are latino... I don't think LTH can claim too much credit for the 400 figure, even if we can claim credit for it showing up in Dish.

Fair enough.

Went last week and had both a Cuban and a Ropa Viejo, both excellent. It was very crowded and after I had ordered I noticed that the lady taking the orders was calling out names when the orders were ready and I hadn't given her my name.

When I told her I had forgotten to give her my name she said " That's OK I just wrote down Gringo" We all had a good chuckle and sure enough 10 minutes she called out "Gringo" when my order was ready.

I stopped at El Cubanito this afternoon. The place was moderately busy, maybe 10 people waiting for their sandwiches and another 3 or 4 in line in front of me waiting to order. I ordered the Cubano and in about 15 minutes it was ready; I walked outdoors and sat myself on the street curb to eat it. I enjoyed the sandwich but it's not something I'll probably travel out of my way to go back for. Most of the customers seemed to be familiar with the woman taking orders - I assume from the conversations that she's the owner. Obviously, the place has been a hit since the day it opened its doors and that's a nice thing to see for such a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop.

oh my goodness, I would travel out of my way, very far out of my way, for a Cuban Sandwich, especially one looking like that.

bjt

I probably ought to explain my comment about not traveling there again, soon. I live in West Ridge (almost in Lincolnwood) and my transportation is the CTA/PACE. I traveled to El Cubanito after wandering about the Home Depot at North Ave near Elston Ave.; it took about a hour to get from Point A to Pont B. It took about 45-minutes to get home afterwards. So, for me to endure the logistical stuff such as I went through today (5 busses) a place has to be really special to me. I also don't get out and about - eating out - as frequently as many other LTHers do - and my time to do so is limited, and precious. I try to visit as many new-to-me places as I can in the limited time I have. So, when I make a comment such as I did it's done so in the this context.

bjt wrote:oh my goodness, I would travel out of my way, very far out of my way, for a Cuban Sandwich, especially one looking like that.

Coming from the discoverer of Tacos del Pacifico, I believe you! And I agree.

well, the funny thing is, I don't have my same job any longer and so I am not driving hither and thither across the city on a weekly basis . . . unfortunately I don't just get to stumble across places like TdP anymore (RIP -- maybe I should build a shrine to it this Day of the Dead?) And so, I rely on LTHforum even more so now and like Bill, kind of have to choose my adventures wisely. (By the way Bill, hats off to making your treks via CTA/PACE, you deserve some sort of medal in patience and tenacity). And I am thinking that one of those Cuban Sandwiches is completely worth burning some fuel for.

happy eating wherever you go and however you get there!

bjt

I can't convey how excited I am to see this post today.

I'm Cuban -- I grew up in Miami (Hialeah to be exact: ground zero for all things Cuban). With all of my nuclear family still there, I visit frequently. Whenever I visit, I catch up on my Cuban food eating. Because of this, I never get too excited about eating Cuban food in Chicago (even at La Unica), when I know I'll be in for a treat when I'm back in Miami. I want to be very excited about this new place.

Lucky for me, my parents are gracious enough to quell my fix by taking requests and bringing me plenty of treats during their visits. For example, during their visit a few weeks ago, they brought a very large box of pastelitos de queso, pastelitos de guayaba, and bocaditos from Vicky Bakery. They were also bold enough to bring me about 12 Fritas from "El Rey de las Fritas." I say, "bold," because despite wrapping the Fritas in multiple layers of plastic bags, my mom swore that everyone on the plane could still smell them. Fritas are one of my favorite "cuban things" to eat.

Therefore -- I am thrilled that this place is making Fritas. Sadly, I won't be able to try one until this coming Saturday. I am guarded, because I secretly expect to be disappointed.

Has any one tried them yet? Any opinions? Any pictures?

I promise to report after my visit.

The frita cubana may be off the menu:

I've been twice since stevez's original post. What a great place! Sadly, the Cuban Hamburger is off the menu (not selling quickly enough) but may be replaced by croquettes.

I may run by in the next few days to see what's shaking. After having an awesome medianoche at Cuatro (2030 S. Wabash) yesterday, I talked to one of the waiters and he said they make fritas for themselves after hours! Tengo celos. The only item in that category on the Cuatro brunch menu is the $20 truffled-Kobe beef burger. I told the waiter he should try to get a good frita on the menu for the cubano clientele.

I couldn't wait until Saturday and stopped by today. I don't have much new to add that hasn't been said already.

Despite expecting to be disappointed I left ecstatic. This is definitely the best Cuban Sandwich I've had in Chicago. The Pan con Bistek (Steak) was even more impressive. Sure, it's still not cuban bread, but everything else came together fabulously.

I had both a Sandwich Cubano and their Pan con Bistek. The Sandwich Cubano was great -- the mustard, the cheese, the delicious pork (on the dry side, like I like it), the ham (with edges slightly burned from the grill), the buttery crispness of the bread and just two small pickle slices (like I'm used to eating it and enjoy -- I'm not a huge pickle lover). The Pan con Bistek was also great. The thin pieces of steak were marinated with the acidic puckeriness that I love and that I'm using to having in Miami (was it just my imagination, or did I taste the naranja agria?) Shoestring fries, lettuce, and tomato finish it off. Both authentic, both delicious. Sure, I've had better in Miami, but I'm not in Miami anymore and I couldn't ask for better here in Chicago.

I spoke at length with Laritza. Boy did that whole interaction bring back memories of all the good things I like about cafeterias in Miami. She was warm, sweet, friendly, and very endearing, treating me like family despite it being my first visit. I ordered some Cuban coffee and she served it up and poured it into tiny cuban coffee cups with a map of Cuba on them -- very cute. The coffee was definitley made as Cuban coffee should. The ground coffee was scooped from a huge PILON brand coffee tin. Only the large amount of non-optional sugar could tame that intensely strong and bitter roast into the nectar that it is. Yum.

Seems like she and her husband have only been in the US for four years and have put everything they've got behind this business. She says they are very focused and want it to keep growing. Can't remember what she used to do for a living in Cuba, but her husband was a mechanical engineer. This small cafeteria is what they decided to try out in order to live the American Dream. I wish them all the luck in the world. I'm going back tomorrow. Business was brisk and I asked her how things were going. She said that it was going well and that "people have said very nice things on the internet." On our way out, she gave me a great big smile, waved, and said, "Cuidate Cubano." I feel so lucky to have this little piece of home in Chicago. Stevez -- can't thank you enough for putting it on our radar.

Frita Update: My understanding was that they just don't have enough room on the grill for the fritas -- they need to keep them separated from the steak. The are planning to expand into some extra room next door and plan to have the larger kitchen ready in Jan 2008. Then, the Fritas will supposedly return! My 2008 new year's resolution -- eat more Fritas. Can't wait.

Great post, r2g. Thanks for your well-informed opinion and detective work.

stevez wrote:
El Cubanito Pan con Timba

I stopped by the new location of Pastoral in the Loop today, and had a Bocadilla de la Mancha, which like the Pan con Timba, has a spread of membrillo, which I find to be an excellent accompaniment to both ham and cheese. The quince paste is sweet, but not overwhelming, and it adds an excellent counterpoint to the other elements in the sandwich.



Pastoral
53 E. Lake
Chicago

Pastoral also has sandwiches? It's not just a cheese shop?

aschie30 wrote:Pastoral also has sandwiches? It's not just a cheese shop?

They have sandwiches at both locations -- my selection was the most expensive at $8.00, but they have a lot in the $6-7 range. They also have a deli case full of good looking marinated onions, arthchoke hearts, beans and other sammie accompaniments.

More here: http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=15876

Last winter I stopped at the Pastoral on Bway for a sandwich, and was told that they only make them in the summer. I just called, however, and learned that that policy has changed. Sammies all year now.

I am fortunate enough to live in the neighborhood and Sunday sandwiches from pastoral became a bit of a routine for my wife and I. They are really quite outstanding (the boca de la mancha being one of my favorites) but they will also make sandwiches to order if thats your speed. They have two salads as well, and although not on the menu you can add any of the meats to the salad of your choice, addition of duck confit is my wifes favorite.

Cant say enough good about these guys.

bryangodwin wrote:I am fortunate enough to live in the neighborhood and Sunday sandwiches from pastoral became a bit of a routine for my wife and I. They are really quite outstanding (the boca de la mancha being one of my favorites) but they will also make sandwiches to order if thats your speed. They have two salads as well, and although not on the menu you can add any of the meats to the salad of your choice, addition of duck confit is my wifes favorite.

Cant say enough good about these guys.

It's funny that you mentioned this because, while I love Pastoral, the original location is very difficult to access if you don't live nearby. Parking can be tough and the area is not exactly car-friendly. While I don't live anywhere near the new location, I'm assuming that it's a bit more accessible -- especially if one is already in the Loop. I look forward to stopping in. Their concept and execution are both excellent.

=R=

Yes it is certainly one of the highlights of east lakeview. I didn't even know there was one in the loop.

Another strange but great place to get sandwiches is at the Binnys on Grand off Franklin. About 4 months ago they started doing sandwiches at their cheese counter, and while not quite pastoral, they are quite excellent.

I work around the corner from there and its a great spot to grab some lunch. They range from 6.97 to about 8 bucks, so not cheap, but the portions are really big. way bigger than pastoral.

bryangodwin wrote:Yes it is certainly one of the highlights of east lakeview. I didn't even know there was one in the loop.

Another strange but great place to get sandwiches is at the Binnys on Grand off Franklin. About 4 months ago they started doing sandwiches at their cheese counter, and while not quite pastoral, they are quite excellent.

I work around the corner from there and its a great spot to grab some lunch. They range from 6.97 to about 8 bucks, so not cheap, but the portions are really big. way bigger than pastoral.

Their Loop store (53 E. Lake) opened this past Monday, 10/22 . . . and thanks for the additional tip about Binny's.

=R=

trixie-pea wrote:I got a chance to go yesterday morning, before they got busy. Around 9am or so.

I sampled three sandwiches:

1. Cubano: Fine. A little dry. Uber-crisp.

I'm new to posting at LTH but a big fan of Cuban sandwiches, having eaten them frequently in Puerto Rico and at the Miami airport (not the best location I know, but I'm in Miami for business usually and not there long). I was excited to see this posting. This was a great find, Stevez, and easy to miss. I drove right past despite knowing what block I was in. I only tried the Cuban. I agree with both the raves because it's good to have an authentic Cuban in Chicago and with the complaints that it's a little on the dry side. That didn't stop me from eating the whole thing in the car while driving up Western Avenue. I'll be back to try the other offerings. (My preview shows that I haven't figured out how to create the white box for quotes. I'll have to read the instructions.)

HELLOHELLoHELloHElloHellohello

Bayne on Cubanito:

http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/food/tag/El%20Cubanito/

More misinformation on the Internets. The Iron Beer can is unchanged since the days of Batista. The iconography is fascist, not communist.

As I predicted, I have now been to El Cubanito every week since Stevez's original post. They have yet to disappoint.

El Cubano: yep, its my favorite version in this city.

Steak sandwich: my favorite sandwich at El Cubanito. Actually, quite spicy for Cuban food. I thought I invented putting shoestring fries on a sandwich back in grammar school, perhaps not.

Ropa vieja: out of the three sandwiches, this is my least favorite, though it is still quite delicious. Definitely order it without the lettuce, which does nothing but distract. Trixie-pie mentioned olives, though I have not seen any, nor have I ever in ropa vieja, though I'm sure it can be made that way.

Pan con timba: simply too much cheese for me, but Mrs Ramon loves them. Where comes the name?

I've been here at all different hours and never had to wait in much of a line.

-ramon

Ramon wrote:Ropa vieja...Trixie-pie mentioned olives, though I have not seen any, nor have I ever in ropa vieja, though I'm sure it can be made that way.

The first time I ever tried Ropa Vieja
in Florida, it had olives, and capers I believe.
They really added a depth to the flavor.
I've always been disappointed since then
when olives were missing, assuming the
dish was somehow less "authentic". But
looking at online recipes, I guess olives
are not all that common.

Ropa vieja alsmost always has olives and pimentos, and often has capers. The olives might not make it onto a particular plate or sammy, of course. Same goes for picadillo, though other stuff including raisins and potatoes are options too. I've had and made more of both over the years than I should admit.

PS, Ramon, let me revise to say, in my experience. But that experience includes a lot of meals made by a lot of different born-and-raised in Cuba Cuban cooks, in laws, aunts, friends, etc. Sometime I'm going to get around to looking up the recipes in my MIL's 100-year-old Cuban cookbook....