We asked some of this years winners: What makes your Cuban
Sandwich so special that you were one of the big winners @
6th Annual Cuban Sandwich Festival?
-Our signature Cuban Sandwich is special to win 2nd Place in
the category of Traditional/World's Best Cuban Sandwich be-
cause everything that goes into it, from the bread to the mus-
tard, is 100% house-made following our signature blend of sea-
sonings using only the highest quality of ingredients in order to
bring out the integrity and flavor of each component.
What do you enjoy most about competing at the Cuban Sandwich
Festival and what does winning mean to you? -The best part of
-Our Tampa Girl Empamama (em-
panada) is made with an 18-hour
slow Roasted Pork, Honey Ham, Ge-
noa Salami, Swiss Cheese, Pickles and
Tampa Girl Sauce. The ingredients
are placed on a round piece of dough,
pressed together and fried to perfec-
tion. For an added kick we definitely
recommend trying it with our Yeehaw
Sauce, a homemade creamy barbecue.
What do you enjoy most about com-
peting at the Cuban Sandwich Festival
and what does winning mean to you!?
-Tampa is known for it's Latin food and
the Cuban Sandwich is well known and
enjoyed by many. The International Cuban
Sandwich Festival in Tampa is the festival
of festivals for the Cuban Sandwich and to
have the opportunity to showcase our Tam-
pa Girl at the event is in itself an amazing
opportunity. To win, is an indescribable
feeling. -Stephanie
competing in this year's Cuban Sandwich Festival was getting to see
first hand the following that the Cuban Sandwich has. It is a comfort
food staple with the ability to bring people together. We also enjoyed
seeing the different interpretations of the class Cuban Sandwich from
other competitors. La Flor is a small, family owned and operated
restaurant. Winning makes us want to put even more love and hard
work into making our Cuban Sandwiches to offer the best possible
product to the people of Polk County. -Executive Chef James Lazaros
- My Cuban sandwich is the perfect fusion of two great
world famous sandwiches the American hamburger and
the Cuban sandwich. The secret is in the 455 sauce. The Cu-
ban missile will hit the target every time. Number one in Or-
lando took second place in the worlds final and winner on
ABC live with Kelly show making me Americas Grill Star.
What do you enjoy most about competing at the Cu-
ban Sandwich Festival and what does winning mean
to you!? I love the Fact that you don’t have to be a big
restaurant or food truck to win. We rolled up in a pick-
up truck my wife and a few friends and took home sil-
ver in the worlds finals. We had an opportunity to go
up against people who cook for a living and beat all of
them but one. The event was a great place to introduce
my 455 sauce to a new market we sold 175 bottles one
at a time . Everyone was very nice and fun to work with.