We're so ready for National Cuban Sandwich Day on Friday, Aug. 23

We here in JLB-ville get excited whenever an officially unofficial national sandwich day is on the horizon.

And National Cuban Sandwich Day on Friday, Aug. 23, is no exception.

We’ve been enjoying these Cuba-originated, Florida-loved pressed ham, cheese, pork, pickles and mustard classics all summer long.

A few non-traditional ones (with mayo and beyond) have caught our eye too.

Here are seven options to get you started:

Artisan Eatery

This chef-driven fast-casual south Fort Myers eatery is no stranger to our favorites list. Its New Yorker (house-made pastrami with sauerkraut, Swiss and beer mustard aiolo on marble rye) was one of our top 13 sandwiches in 2023, while its Wagyu, black & blue and impossible burgers reached the Final Four in The News-Press’ 2024 burger bracket challenge. You can add the Little Havana to our favorites too. The Virginia ham, sous vide pork, Swiss, half sour pickle and the beer mustard aioli we loved in the New Yorker is a work of culinary art served on Cuban bread. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it. 8951 Daniels Parkway, south Fort Myers; (239) 887-4844; artisaneatery.com or on Facebook and Instagram

Cuban Connection

There’s so much to love about owner Onil Martinez’s award-winning Cuban sandwich. Like the slow-roasted, flavorful pork that cooks for nine hours and the bread from the legendary Segunda Bakery in Ybor City. He makes it traditionally with mustard, no mayo and plenty of love — his love of cooking the way his mother and grandmother taught him and love for all his loyal customers. We couldn’t love this sandwich more either. 11090 FGCU Blvd., N., Fort Myers, in the Cohen Student Union at Florida Gulf Coast University; follow on Facebook and Instagram

Fernandez The Bull

One of our favorite things about this Cuban café is making the delightful decision of what Cuban sandwich to order. There’s the Fernandez Cuban with slow-roasted shredded pork, sliced ham, white American cheese, pickles and mustard that’s been a staple at the first Naples location since 1985. The Medianoche has the same ingredients served on sweet bread. The Naples Cuban has strips of bacon added, while the Keys Cuban has a lobster mix on top of ham, Swiss, mustard, mayo and pickles. Can’t decide? You can always stick with the traditional Cuban. Decisions, decisions. 3375 Pine Ridge Road, Naples; 1201 Piper Blvd., Suite 10, Naples; 3250 Bonita Beach Road SW, Unit 207, Bonita Springs; fernandezthebull.com

High Tide Social House

It’s tough not to order a signature pizza (Let’s Taco ‘Bout It and the pulled-pork Sooie! are outstanding) at this open-air Cape Coral waterfront gem from Lobster Lady owners Chris and Mary Beth Keslinger. Or enjoy a grilled grouper sandwich while watching the comings and goings of Tarpon Point Marina. But we’ve been thinking about the pressed Cubano since we tried it last month. With pork that’s been slow-roasted in SoHo sauce, capicola, Swiss, mustard, mayo and Chris’ pickles, this isn’t your traditional Cuban. Nor should it be. As it states on the menu, it’s High Tide, not 7-Eleven style and that’s a very good thing. 6095 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral; (239) 341-4441; hightidesocialhouse.com or on Facebook and Instagram

J&J Paradise Bakery

This family-owned and operated Cuban bakery and restaurant in Cape Coral may be small, but it’s packed with wonderful. We love the daily specials, empanadas and some of the best guava and cheese pastries around. And add the Cuban sandwiches to that list. Tender chunks of pork and a layer of ham are topped with the perfect ratios of mustard and mayo and pressed in baked-fresh-daily bread. This Cuban sandwich (and bakery) never lets us down. 111 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; (239) 341-0007

Nice Guys

It’s no secret we love the pizza (and cocktails) at the coolest bar around. Our go-to signature pies include My Cousin Vinny — a Publix sub in pizza form — and our new favorite Chicken and Waffles. But if we’re craving a Cuban sandwich in pizza form, this Cape Coral joint has it. The pulled pork, ham, pickles, Swiss and mozzarella spring to life in a mustard wine sauce. It’s flavorful, unique and so typically Nice Guys. 1404 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral; (239) 549-7542; niceguyspizza.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram

Yessy Cuban Bakery

The Cuban sandwiches at this no-frills Fowler Street bakery are pressed super thin. And that’s a good thing. The thin layers of roast pork, ham, Swiss, dill pickles and mustard float between the crispy crunch of fresh-baked bread. It’s light but surprisingly satisfying. There’s a reason this strip-mall bakery and these Cuban sandwiches have been around for nearly a decade. 3805 Fowler St., Fort Myers; (239) 204-9521

Share this free newsletter with friends and have them sign up at profile.news-press.com/newsletters/manage/ . Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: We're so ready for National Cuban Sandwich Day on Friday, Aug. 23