The Cubano sandwich has become a mainstay of Cuban cuisine in the U.S. Made with pork, pickles, and mustard, it's a delicious option whenever you dine at a Cuban restaurant. But, if all you ever order is a Cubano sandwich, you're really missing out! Here are several other dishes worth trying the next time you dine at a Cuban restaurant.
Vaca Frita
If you enjoy beef, then vaca frita deserves a spot on your must-try list. This dish consists of tender slices of beef marinated in a lime and salt mixture and then pan-fried to a crisp. It's sometimes served on a sandwich and other times as an entree with rice or beans on the side.
Lechon Mojo
Lechon is the term for pork obtained from a young piglet. It's exceedingly tender and has a very mild flavor. Lechon mojo is young pork served in a spicy chocolate sauce. It's a messy dish to eat, but it's especially good late at night when you're feeling peckish.
Pulpeta
To make pulpeta, cooks combine minced beef and pork with various seasonings, hard-boiled eggs, and ham. The mixture is then shaped into a loaf and cooked on the stovetop before being sliced and served. Pulpeta has an interesting contrast of sweet and spicy flavors and is popular among kids, perhaps because it is so soft and tender.
Costillas
If you love baby back ribs, you will love costillas. They are basically the Cuban version of barbecue ribs. Instead of a sticky, sweet vinegar sauce, they are coated in a citrus barbecue sauce made with orange juice, lime juice, garlic, and olive oil. They're really sticky and eaten with your fingers.
Paella
Paella is technically a Spanish dish, but the Cubans make their own version of it. Cuban paella often contains ham, along with the seafood so popular in Spanish versions of the dish. The rice is always tender and full of flavor. Don't order this before an important meeting; the yellow color from the turmeric may stain your lips.
Chicharrones
Order a basket of chicharrones for the table to share. These are just pork rinds fried to a crisp. They are fun to snack on and enjoy between courses or while you are waiting for your dishes to be prepared.
You really can't go wrong with any of the dishes above. Start experimenting, and enjoy eating at a Cuban restaurant in a whole new way.