If you’ve known me long, you know I LOVE trying new things. So I’ve asked Gina to join me as we seek to determine my world’s favorite sandwich in the Tampa Bay area. I was able to locate 15 of the CNN “World’s Best” 23 Sandwiches.
1.) Katsu Sando Sandwich (Japan) — Pin On Cafe, 1100 Central Ave, St. Pete
2.) Cuban Sandwich (Cuba) La Segunda Bakery, 2512 North 15th Street, Tampa
3.) Rueben Sandwich (United States) Wright’s Gourmet House, 1200 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa
4.) Pambazo Sandwich (Mexico), Alvarez Authentic Latin Food 2, 12227 N Florida Ave, Tampa
5.) Tramezzino Sandwich (Italy) Carmel Kitchen & Wine Bar 2548 Mcmullen Booth Rd, Clearwater/ Countryside
6.) Shawarma Sandwich (Middle East) Shawarma Elshami, 11414 N 56th St, Temple Terrace
7.) Banh Mi Sandwich (Vietnam) Banh Mi Saigon, 8730 49th St N Ste 11, Pinellas Park
8.) Muffaletta Sandwich (New Orleans) Happy’s Bayou Bites, Skinner Blvd., Dunedin
9.) Chivito Sandwich (Uruguay) Renzo’s, 3644 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
10.) Pan Bagnat Sandwich (France) Rendez-Vous, 2117 Siesta Dr., Sarasota
11.) Croque Monsieur/Madame Sandwiches (France) Chez Faby, 500 N Tampa St, Tampa
12.) Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich (Philadelphia) Mikeoo’s Cheesesteaks, 7220 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
13.) Falafel Pita Sandwich (Middle East) Ferisa’s Smoothie Cafe, 30051 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater
14.) Choripán Sandwich (Argentina) El Puerto Restaurant & Grill, 1623 E 5th Ave., Tampa
15.) Lobster Roll Sandwich (New England) The Boardwalk Grill, 204 Johns Pass Boardwalk E., Madeira Beach
16) Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich (Canada)Dunedin Smokehouse, 471 Main Street, Dunedin
I’ve added three of my own:
17) Italian Beef Sandwich (Chicago) Portillo’s, 2302 Tyrone Blvd N. Saint Petersburg
18) Hot Italian Sandwich (Italy) Mazzaro’s Italian Market, 2909 22nd Avenue N, St Petersburg
19) Grouper Sandwich (Florida) Carvor’s Fish House, 907 Douglas Ave, Dunedin
20) Hamburger Sandwich (America) Bobby’s Bistro, 447 Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater Beach
I was not able to find locations for:
Broodje Haring Sandwich (Netherlands)
Chip Butty Sandwich (United Kingdom)
Cucumber Sandwich (United Kingdom)
Fricassé Sandwich (Tunisia)
Spatlo Sandwich (South Africa)
Smørrebrød Sandwich (Denmark)
If you know a place in the Tampa Bay area that serves the seven sandwiches I was not able to locate—or if you know a place you would recommend rather than the ones I’ve chosen, please leave a comment. We have no timeline, we just want to enjoy life and these unique sandwiches, many of which we’ve never tasted, and the new (to us) restaurants. I will do a post for each sandwich and I will have a consistent sandwich rating system. Should be loads of fun!
