One of the cooler aspects of living in the Tampa area are the number of Cubans living here. What Puerto Ricans are to Orlando, Cubans are to Tampa. The cultural vibes they bring to Tampa area palpable every where you turn from Ybor City to murals on various buildings to Cuban sandwiches.
And this is where I come in. Tampa was recently featured by Adam Richman, who is the host and eater on Man vs Food. He featured a sandwich by Skippers Smokehouse and by Aguila’s (pronounced A-Gee-La) Sandwich Shop. The sandwich that Aguila’s made is called the Media Noche. Literally, it means “middle of the night.” Meaning that people would make this sandwich as a midnight snack. Kind of small. Petit. Snackish.
Well, I had to get to this sandwich quick as I am a lover of Cuban food. And to my surprise Aguila’s is right down Hillsborough Avenue from where I work. Someone suggested that I call in my order rather than go there to order. Good decision, as it was packed. I ordered the media noche and a crab cake.
They were both authentic and delicious, according to my Cuban friends. The media noche was not small though, which is why I took the liberty to rename it “Todo a Noche,” because it would take you all night to eat this sammich. It is a two person sammy, for sure. I’ve had the crab cake before at Silver Ring Cafe in Lakeland. There must be a frozen food distributor that sells this crab cake. Good, none the less.
So if you’re in the Tampa area, make it a point to get over to Aguila’s Sandwich Shop. Have any Florida Blogger readers eaten there? Thoughts?
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