The best Cuban sandwich in the US comes from…New Jersey?

Celebrity chef Carl Ruiz set off a firestorm when he declared that the best Cuban sandwich in the United States comes from New Jersey.

News 12 Staff

Jan 4, 2019, 12:55 AM

Updated 1,950 days ago

Share:

The Cuban sandwich is said to have been invented in Florida, home to a large Cuban population.
But celebrity chef Carl Ruiz set off a firestorm when he declared that the best Cuban sandwich in the United States comes from New Jersey.
“I didn’t believe myself that the best Cuban sandwich could be from New Jersey. But it is,” says Ruiz. “I got a tweet from the mayor of Tampa telling me absolutely ‘No way.’ Then from the mayor of St. Petersburg, and I’m like ‘Oh my God. What did I do?’”
Ruiz says that the best Cuban sandwich he’s ever had comes from a little restaurant named La Pola in West New York.
“It's hipster proof…There's nobody with a handlebar mustache, no knife and fork tattoos, no nothing,” Ruiz says. “This is just the same way they started making it in 1960 until now. It's perfect.”
La Pola is owned by Amini and Maria Rico. They are still working in the restaurant even in their 70s. Their son Joe cuts the ham and pork for the sandwich by hand – just like his father taught him.
Cars are often double-parked out front due to the amount of people who come through there to try the food.
La Pola is also the place where a young Ruiz was first brought by his mother to try his first Cuban sandwich.
Ruiz says he's eaten at all the Florida shops famous for their Cuban sandwiches. But he says that few, if any, of his critics have come to New Jersey to try a sandwich from La Pola. He invites them to try one out.


More from News 12
2:09
Middletown moves forward with cheaper parking to offset NJ Transit fare increase

Middletown moves forward with cheaper parking to offset NJ Transit fare increase

1:36
Early storms Tuesday followed by partial sun; temps warm to upper-70s

Early storms Tuesday followed by partial sun; temps warm to upper-70s

0:48
Authorities: Construction worker suffers fatal fall into trench at Kenilworth site

Authorities: Construction worker suffers fatal fall into trench at Kenilworth site

0:21
Rutgers president to testify before Congress on antisemitism on college campuses

Rutgers president to testify before Congress on antisemitism on college campuses

2:06
First weekend of Newark’s youth curfew debuts to great success

First weekend of Newark’s youth curfew debuts to great success

1:41
Death of New Jersey state trooper during training incident prompts investigation

Death of New Jersey state trooper during training incident prompts investigation

0:50
Jersey Proud: Somerset charter school competes in World Robotics Championship in Texas

Jersey Proud: Somerset charter school competes in World Robotics Championship in Texas

0:16
Police: Hoboken man facing weapons charges in road rage incident

Police: Hoboken man facing weapons charges in road rage incident

2:42
Jersey Shore surfer whose 20-foot wipeout went viral helps rescue struggling swimmer

Jersey Shore surfer whose 20-foot wipeout went viral helps rescue struggling swimmer

2:11
Seniors learn about potential scams as Rep. Gottheimer introduces legislation to protect them

Seniors learn about potential scams as Rep. Gottheimer introduces legislation to protect them

0:42
New Jersey florists prep orders for Mother’s Day celebrations

New Jersey florists prep orders for Mother’s Day celebrations

0:22
Upgrades underway at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A

Upgrades underway at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A

1:32
How to prepare for spotted lanternfly season

How to prepare for spotted lanternfly season

0:25
Officials: 2 firefighters hospitalized; dog dies in Wayne house fire

Officials: 2 firefighters hospitalized; dog dies in Wayne house fire

0:19
Fire officials: Driver extricated from car following Lyndhurst crash

Fire officials: Driver extricated from car following Lyndhurst crash

0:29
Department of Justice: 2 men sentenced for defrauding JetBlue Airways of $10 million

Department of Justice: 2 men sentenced for defrauding JetBlue Airways of $10 million

0:59
Jersey Buzz: Newark's Frankie Valli receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Jersey Buzz: Newark's Frankie Valli receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

0:26
Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farm

Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farm

1:59
Asian Pacific American Heritage: News 12 speaks to 1st woman & Asian-American to lead New Jersey National Guard

Asian Pacific American Heritage: News 12 speaks to 1st woman & Asian-American to lead New Jersey National Guard

1:55
'Real Housewives' star Margaret Joseph's Soiree mocktail is Made In New Jersey

'Real Housewives' star Margaret Joseph's Soiree mocktail is Made In New Jersey