Steak Sandwich
El Cubanito
2555 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60639 (Logan Square)

Alberto and Laritza Ramos have it locked down.  Moved to the States in ’07.  Opened the postage stamp size, 400 sq. ft. El Cubanito six months later, and now churn out 400+ Cubano sandwiches/day—in addition to the totals from the other 6 sandwiches on the menu.  Skills.  It needs to be mentioned that the husband and wife duo are also infectiously nice and gracious hosts.  Located on the 2500 block of Pulaski in the Avondale/Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago, El Cubanito is so small, you’ll probably pass it a few times before you convince yourself that the tiny joint with all the cars in the parking lot is probably it.

I ordered two sandwiches—the obligatory Cubano and the Steak Sandwich. Cubano was good,  but exactly what I expected. Don’t get it twisted—the Cubano is delicious.  Cuban bread, ham, roasted pork, yellow mustard, pickles, and butter.  Would I get it again?  Maybe.  I would get it if, for some god-awful reason, they didn’t have any steak sandwiches.  The Cubano is a distant second to the steak sandwich.  The Scottie Pippen if you will.

The thinly sliced and chopped beef in the steak sandwich wasn’t chewy, but wasn’t melt in your mouth.  It was; however perfectly seasoned.  The Swiss cheese: mild and semi-nutty.  The creamy and yellowy “house sauce”: a mixture of mustard, mayo and maybe oregano—just a guess.  It also included some thin slices of tomato and shredded lettuce.  A key component was the “Pik-Nik” style shoestring potatoes, adding some additional seasoning and unbeatable crunchy texture, definitely letting you know what time it is.  All of this pressed between the crispy Cuban-style bread using a giant Panini press.  What happens during this pressing process is pretty significant, as all the ingredients marry forming an alloy of flavorful.  It’s ridiculous.  Go out and get some.  The cafe con leche is bomb too—straight up condensed milk and coffee.

•    Cuban-style bread
•    chopped steak
•    queso suizo = swiss cheese
•    lechuga = shredded lettuce
•    tomate = tomato
•    shoestring potatoes = genius ingredient
•    house sauce = mustard, mayo and oregano.  A SWAG at best.

Notes on the pictures: (Top) South side exterior of El Cubanito.  There’s no signage in front.  If you’re heading northbound on Pulaski, it will be on the east side of the street.  Keep an eye out for this mural that faces the “parking lot.” (Below) Don’t be fooled by the slight of hand.  I ate the sandwiches in the comfort of my own home.  They don’t have any plates, much less a table, so don’t expect to eat at a nice wooden table with cute little green plates.  Oh, and this is only half of the Steak Sandwich.  I smoked the 1st half.