FL's Most Iconic Sandwich Shop: Where Cuban Heritage Meats Flavor

MIAMI, FL — For some, a supreme sandwich shop may be where flavor, authenticity and creativity meat in the middle.

In Florida, food-focused digital outlet Tasting Table deemed Versailles Restaurant the most iconic sandwich shop in the state.

Donning the label, "the world's most famous Cuban restaurant," Versailles was established in 1971, according to the online company biography. Versailles originated as the "gathering place and unofficial town square for Miami’s Cuban exiles," the biography stated.

Versailles incorporates La Ventanita is a walk-up coffee window, while operating Cafe Versailles at Concourse D at the Miami International Airport.

The Cuban family-owned eatery "is acclaimed for preserving the heritage of Cuban cuisine, with the most extensive Cuban menu and arguably the best Cuban food in town for over 50 years," the biography stated.

Expansions included the Versailles Bakery, where scratch-made pastries, breads and desserts are created.

Yuca fries, cod fish fritters, fried calamari, ceviche tropical, various soups and salads, whole deep-fried red snapper, paella Versailles, lobster in creole sauce, chicken cordon bleu, grilled pork flat steak and barbecue spare ribs are on the menu.

Other items include roast beef tongue, breaded beef steak, braised oxtails, grilled dolphin sandwich, midnight sandwich, T-bone steak, Spanish baguette, boiled malanga, fried sweet plantains and Moros rice.

Chef's specials, breakfast and weekly specials are also available.

"Versailles is seen as a symbol of the multicultural American dream," the biography stated.

The eatery is located at 3555 SW 8th St. in Miami.

For other southeastern states, Tasting Table named the following as the most iconic sandwich shop in their state:

• Payne's Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain, Alabama
• Ozark Cafe, Arkansas
• Henri's Bakery and Deli, Georgia
• Kirchoff's Bakery and Deli, Kentucky
• Ferttita's Delicatessen, Louisiana
• Chap's Pit Beef, Maryland
• The Pig and Pint, Mississippi
• Brook's Sandwich House, North Carolina
• Groucho's, South Carolina
• The Hoagie Shop, Tennessee

See the full list at Tasting Table.