In Florida, few dishes inspire as much devotion and debate as the Cuban sandwich.
This culinary icon is not only served in cafes and restaurants throughout the state, but it has also divided opinions for decades between two of its most iconic cities: Miami and Tampa.
This Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis reignited that old rivalry by
Aware of the historical dispute, DeSantis decided to turn it into a digital plebiscite.
On August 13th, the Republican leader posted a poll on X with a single question:
Should a Cuban sandwich have salami?
Yes, Tampa does it right – 34.2%
No, Miami leads the way – 65.8%
20,084 votes · Final results
4:06 PM · August 13, 2025
250,800 views
As of the close of this note, more than 20,000 people have participated, and the post has surpassed 250,000 views.
At the moment, the results favor the Miami recipe, without salami, with 65.8% support, compared to the 34.2% backing the Tampa version, where the Genoa salami symbolizes the Italian influence in Ybor City.
Cuban Sandwich: Two Cities, Two Recipes
In Tampa, the Cuban sandwich has a direct connection to the city's labor and migratory history. It emerged in the late 19th century in the Ybor City neighborhood, which was then a bustling center of the tobacco industry where Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants worked side by side.
This cultural mix left a mark on the recipe: along with the roasted pork base, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, Genoa salami was added, brought in by the Italian community.
The bread, often baked with palmetto leaves to retain its moisture and aroma, became another distinctive feature.
This inheritance carries such weight that, since 2012, the city has officially recognized its salami version as part of its culinary heritage.
In Miami, the massive influx of Cuban exiles after 1959 solidified another version, regarded by many as the most faithful to the pre-revolutionary tradition of the island.
Here, the Cuban sandwich is made with a water bread roll, ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles; mustard is optional, and ingredients like salami, mayonnaise, lettuce, or tomato are never included.
Before serving, the bread is spread with butter and pressed hot until achieving a golden, crispy crust with a perfectly melted interior.
This recipe, without any additives, became a cultural emblem of exile and a symbol of identity for the Cuban community in South Florida.
Although there is consensus that the recipe has Cuban roots, on the island it was simply known as "sandwich," and only upon arriving in the United States, brought by immigrants, did it adopt the name "Cuban sandwich."
Both Miami and Tampa have made it a local emblem. Since 2016, August 23rd has been officially celebrated as Cuban Sandwich Day in Florida.
Beyond gastronomy, it is a cultural symbol.
The Tampa version represents a mixed and centennial Cuban identity; the Miami version is associated with exile and the preservation of pre-1959 Cuba.
Reactions to DeSantis' poll: What the street is saying
What started as a light question in the comment section of the post turned into a debate rich with symbolism, identity, and cultural memory.
Against salami
"It's not a Cuban sandwich if you add salami; that's just a made-up thing." "Salami on a Cuban is like putting pineapple on pizza: it might work, but it's heresy." "Tampa can do whatever it wants, but it can't call it Cuban if it has salami," were some comments.
In favor of the salami or the Tampa version
"The Cuban was born in Tampa, they have the right to modify it"; "The salami gives it a robust flavor that works"; "I like the Tampa version with crunchier bread and that Italian touch," others said.
Neutral posture
"If it's well done, I'll eat it anyway"; "We should enjoy both versions"; "There are more serious issues in Florida to worry about, but I still love this debate," a third group opined among dozens of comments.
Between humor and political critique
DeSantis' survey not only reignited a culinary rivalry; it also highlighted the contrast between two visions of identity.
The chosen moment has generated criticism: as arrests and deportations of migrants continue and debates on immigration policies in Florida intensify, some internet users have questioned why the governor is dedicating time to a culinary dispute.
For them, it was a distraction in a context where the Cuban and Latin American community faces more pressing issues.
Although the discussion was characterized by humor, wit, and creative proposals—such as organizing a festival to showcase both recipes—many users felt that the survey reflects a disconnection between the governor and the actual priorities of the state.
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