This Cuban cafe off Vets in Metairie is known as much for its black beans and donuts as its Cuban sandwich, so might as well get all three while you’re here. The sandwich is as traditional as it gets, though made with New Orleans-style French bread, and the layers are perfectly proportioned and pressed into a dense, buttery crust.

This friendly Uptown breakfast and lunch cafe opened in 2016 with a full menu of pressed sandwiches, and its $11 Cuban still manages to stand out among the options. Made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and perfectly pressed, Luca Eats will satisfy that tangy, savory Cuban craving. Also known for its Oreo beignets if you still have room for something sweet.

After closing its original French Quarter location at the end of 2017, El Libre reopened on Calhoun Street last spring in a much bigger spot, the former Bud’s Broiler Uptown. Affordable and good at all the Cuban staples, you can also snag a perfect rum-based cocktail with your overflowing Cubano.

With Cuban, Mexican & Central American all under one roof, Sarita’s is Latin food heaven. The Cuban sandwich, inexpensive at $6.95, is crunchy fresh goodness, and the margarita is not to be missed.

Que Rico! owners Iderlin Donna Rivera and her husband, Richard, recently relocated Uptown after nine years in Slidell, to a small space on the corner of Magazine and Milan Streets. And though it’s been less than five months, the place is hopping and a much-welcome addition to town, serving some of the best Cuban food in the city in a warm, family-friendly environment.

Inarguably one of the best Cuban sandwiches in the city. Norma’s is loved for so many things; its cakes and other sweets, its imported market goods, and its affordability, but its Cuban is a standout. More flaky, melty, and handheld than others on this list, and coming in under $7.

Mayas Restaurant in the Lower Garden District has been serving Cuban staples since 2007, including an excellent Cuban sandwich (lunch only) made with roasted pork, ham, provolone cheese (instead of swiss), butter pickles, and mustard.

Given that Green Goddess is one of few vegan and vegetarian havens in town, you might not expect to see it on a list for the distinctly meaty Cuban. But this romantic French Quarter courtyard spot puts an excellent twist on the sandwich, using pickled peppers, roasted pineapple, and manchego to achieve a familiar but fresh taste.

This longtime Gretna spot with a new name (it used to be called Holly’s Po-Boys and Cuban Cuisine) is not to be overlooked on such a list. Again on the more buttery, compact side, Cubamex’s Cuban sandwich is a classic through and through. Get a cup of the great Cuban coffee to accompany.

This French Quarter Havana-inspired bar and cafe was opened last year by Nick Detrich, who helped co-found Cane & Table, Chris Hannah, the famed head bartender from Arnaud’s French 75, and Konrad Kantor, formerly of El Libre, another Cuban favorite.. Though the main attraction at Manolito would have to be its cocktails, the food prepared by Cesar Nunez is worth your attention, especially the Cuban sandwich, pressed with mojo pork, ham, Swiss, and mustard, for $12.