In the latest chapter of our search for the perfect Cuban sandwich, me and Linds decided to put former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill’s contention that all politics is local to the test. So for those of you who don’t have the stomach for political discussions, by all means keep reading. Because our politics is tasty and we don’t shut down when chowing down is so much more constructive.
Lancaster, Pa has some seriously good eats. But don’t take my word for it, ask Alton Brown. The Food Network host who has an honorary doctorate in the field of tasty science is a frequent visitor to our town’s dining establishments because he knows a good thing when he tastes it. His scientific filibusters inspired us to stay local for this entry.
The town- dubbed Lancashire whilst under English rule- is a cobblestoned walk through our nation’s history. Notable residents include President James Buchanan, inventor Robert Fulton and abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens. The Continental Congress set up shop in Lancaster after the British invaded Philadelphia, and the town actually served as the nation’s capitol for a single day. George Washington slept here, Ben Franklin drank here, Thomas Paine wrote here and John Adams formulated his vision of America’s future while doing all of the above.
Lancaster is home to Lancaster Central Market– established in 1730, it is the oldest farmers market in the United States. I’ve caught revolutionary fever a time or two on Market mornings, after which I load up on supplies for my Cubano and get to stepping on the home made remedy. It’s the only time Fidel Castro can be mentioned in democratic company.
551 West is the kind of place that makes Tuesday nights feel like prime real estate. You walk in the door to a chatty buzz, moody lighting and a wraparound bar that drinks you in before you can return the favor. There’s a sublime resonance to joints such as this one, where you can learn a neighborhood inside a single visit.
We behaved very much like politicians negotiating back room deals with porcine intentions- a rolling boil of loud, obnoxious swear words whose profits increased with each new round of friendly beverages. In order to circumvent the acid bath of our adult beverages, we started off the festivities with some artichoke and spinach dip, because we are professionals at this sort of thing. The tortilla chips were warm and crunchy and the dip was creamy goodness with a savory finish. As far as first amendments go, you can’t do much better than friendly drinks and tasty bites.
Ordering became a subject of some debate. I suggested that perhaps we should order different plates and then halve things, in the event this Cubano didn’t rock our casbah. But Linds was having none of it.
“Uh, we’re all in on this . . . we’re committed!” Linds proclaimed.
Far be it from me to disagree with such fine logic as this, especially after a few laps with Guinness. I’m pretty sure if Ben Franklin were still around, he would have done his best electric side in the affirmative.
The main event always feels like Christmas morning as we anticipate the unwrapping of our presents. Even though we know what we’re getting in theory, the practice to this particular sandwich’s construction can be quite unpredictable. And so it went with the 551’s version of the classic.
The blueprint went like this: Capicola, salami, pork and Swiss. The come together ingredients consisted of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayo and mustard. It was served up on a well pressed hoagie with a side of french fries.
Now, the salami I get. It jibes with the history of the Cuban sammy, where salami was an erstwhile part of the creation until it moved state side. The capicola was another story. Pronounced gabagool by those of us who grew up in an Italian neighborhood, it is arguably the most sumptuous pork creation. Thing is, it doesn’t belong in a Cuban sandwich because really, you can’t have two kings in this court. I didn’t frown on the lettuce and tomato since I dig the color and crunch it lends. And the mustard/mayo blend was plenty fine. The hoagie was reminiscent of Philadelphia’s own (even though it wasn’t), and it was pressed. I am the biggest stickler when it comes to the pressing business of a Cuban sammy.
Linds and me were able to forge a consensus on the sammy vote without the need for a shut down, because unlike politics we ain’t got time for such nonsense. Not when the drinks are friendly and the company is hilarious. Our vote was unanimous . . . a 5.5 out of 10, The reason? We couldn’t figure out where the pork got to, which sounds pretty dang political, I admit.
I’d like to think our founding fathers would have been proud of our patriotic prowess. After all, they were all about life, liberty and the pursuit of frosty drinks. I mean . . happiness.
Same difference.
A lack of pork? That’s something that can’t be stood for.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you see it that way too!
Thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOVED that video! When a sandwich is only a 5.5 outa 10, I say have a extra beer or three. In fact, have an extra brew to get through the petulant politics during the shut-down. Cheers to the weekend.🍻
LikeLiked by 2 people
YES! That is eggsactly the way we see it too.
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The description of a Cubano sandwich sounds so good, seems to promise so much. So every once in awhile I order one and I have yet to have something that satisfies the promise. Not even close.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dang, sorry to hear it King!
Yes, when the sammy isn’t done to its best effect, it can be dry as a bone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then next time I’m in Lancaster dodging buggys and have a Cuban sandwich hanker, I’ll pass on 551 West. I’ll go for the Guinness and whatever else is going down but invisible pork? Nuh uh. Super post, Marc
LikeLiked by 1 person
You ever make it this way and I make your Cubano. No need to leave something as important as this to chance.
Thank you Boss!
I have been playing catch up with these Cuban sandwich posts actually. Now we are all caught up and I believe our next stop will be Hershey, Pa some time next week.
Stay tuned!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay then. My wife is a Pittsburg native so any story out of Penn. is great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
PNC Park is my favorite baseball stadium. I only wish Bucs fans were gonna have something better to root for this year.
I wanted your Steelers btw. I’m rooting on Jacksonville now. Be nice to see a Florida team actually win something other than the headlines.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anyone but New England. I’m rooting for Jacksonville.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who would have thought it? Jacksonville is 60 minutes from the super bowl…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would be a short commute.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True.
LikeLiked by 1 person
awesome post – but ugh – so tired of the Havana song – yikes
but fun post and had no idea that Lancaster, Pa has some seriously good eats – right on
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahahaha!
Yes, the Havana song has been played out already, hasn’t it? I lack patience when it comes to video spills, as you can see.
Lancaster is definitely a food town.
Thank you for the lovely comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
oh and even if overplayed – the song ROCKS – and also fit so well in the chatting about finding a good Cuban sandwich – mmmmmm
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m making one tonight. I almost had to! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
mmmmmmmm
LikeLike
hehe tastiest political post I’ve ever read 😉 Lancaster sounds like it has an interesting history (trying not to think of the UK version and squish the histories together is hard though)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed the flavor of this political-ish take.
Thanks OG! And go history!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m all for the capocollo! This one intrigues me more than the previous one – but I understand the verdict.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was quite good. As a sandwich…sans the Cuban.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this article! Makes me a little hungry, but thanks for the recipe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lari! I hope my pal is doing well. Miss you.
Thanks for commenting!
LikeLike
Since I am writing my own Cubano post, I felt it my due diligence to read up on the ones I missed…
So… while this sandwich sounds good, it doesn’t sound Cuban…
The beer and company must have been stellar for you to give it a 5.5…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed Q!
‘Twas good as a sammy would go . . but Cubano . . not so much.
The beers were frosty and delish and the company sublime, so yes . . you are a dang good journalist! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do my best, B, I do my best…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep on doing watchou do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person