Latin Flavor

Five places to get your south of the border sandwich fix

By Isadora Pennington

It’s hard to beat a sandwich. The act of putting meats, veggies, condiments and other tasty goodies between bread is a tried and true American favorite. So how does one kick it up a notch? The answer is simple: turn your attention south of the border to add some Latin flavor to your sandwich combinations.

One of the better known Latin sandwiches is the Cuban, a dish that’s commonly made with ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and sometimes salami on Cuban bread. These sandwiches are typically pressed in a grill called a plancha, which is similar to a panini press but without the grooves.

The popularity of these sandwiches trace back to the influx of immigrants from Cuba and other South and Central American regions, and once this distinctly different take on the classic dish became available on menus in Miami and Tampa, it was not long before demand began pouring in from communities across the country. As with many popular eats, the recipes have evolved, changed and diversified as they have been incorporated into different cultures and regional taste preferences.

This month, I visited five spots where you can get your Latin sandwich fix around Intown.

LOTTAFRUTTA

Just Veggin’: creamy havarti grilled paninistyle in a sweet latin loaf then stuffed with fresh avocado, tomato, cucumbers & sprouts - $6.25 590 Auburn Ave. NE lottafrutta.com or (404) 588-0857

Arepa Mia

Sifrina: shredded chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado, guayanes cheese, Thai chili, fried sweet plantains - $9 N. Clarendon Ave., Avondale Estates arepamiaatlanta.com or (404) 600-3509

HAVANA SANDWICH SHOP

Milanesa: breaded fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese, potato sticks - $8.25 2905 Buford Highway NE havanaatlanta.com or (404) 636-4094

EL SUPER PAN

Cubano Mixto: pan cubano, Cuban roasted pork, ham, salami, pickles, yellow mustard, Swiss cheese - $13 Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave, NE elsuperpan.com or (404) 600-2465

PAPI’S CUBAN & CARIBBEAN GRILL

Jerk Sandwich: chicken breast, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, onions and tomatoes on Cuban bread - $7.25 216 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE. papisgrill.com or (404) 607-1525

Quick Bites

Black Restaurant Week (BRW), originally created in Houston, is expanding to Atlanta. BRW will kick off its Inaugural Annual Summer Culinary Series, in the city of Atlanta, Georgia July 31- Aug. 13. Diners can enjoy casual dining options for $15 to $25 per person, and fine dining options from $35 to $45 per person. Visit atlbrw.com to see the full list of participating restaurants.

Gourmet popsicle maker Steel City Pops has popped up at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. The pop cart will serve handcrafted frozen treats made with locally-harvested ingredients in Center Plaza through the end of October. Steel City Pops’ menu features fruity favorites such as Strawberry Lemonade and Watermelon. Creamy pops flavors include Buttermilk and Chocolate. Seasonal and exclusive flavors specially crafted for the Atlanta location will be introduced throughout the summer as well.

Emerald City Bagels is slated to open later this summer in the previous home of Gravity Pub on Glenwood Avenue in East Atlanta Village. Fresh bagels will be made daily and the menu will offer bagel sandwiches and craft sodas made from house-made syrups and seltzers. For more information, visit emeraldcitybagels.com.

Chef Darius Williams has opened Greens and Gravy in the Westview neighborhood at 1540 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. The menu includes fish and grits, spare ribs, lemonpepper honey fried chicken, brown sugar salmon, banana pudding and more. For more, visit facebook.com/ greensandgravy.

The 7th annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival will be held July 22 at Piedmont Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free event will offer all kinds of ice cream, food, fun and music. For more information, visit atlantaicecreamfestival.com.

Chicken Salad Chick is now open at 4365 Roswell Road in Buckhead. The fast-casual eatery offers more than a dozen flavors of chicken salad made in-house daily. For more information, visit chickensaladchick.com/Buckhead.

Concentrics Restaurants will be opening a new Italian concept this month called ALLORA that will be located in the former Lobby space at TWELVE Hotel Midtown in Atlantic Station. Executive Chef Chris Maher was still finalizing the menu at press time.