My Favorite Dish: Chef Carlos Perez Taps Into His Cuban Heritage with His Take on the Cubano Sandwich

If you don’t thoroughly enjoy a good sandwich every now and then, then this probably isn’t the article for you.  But on the other hand, if you are like me and constantly in search of what I deem to be a lunchtime staple, then I may have just found the next sandwich you MUST try. 

Every culture seems to have mastered that art of the ‘sandwich.’ There is the Bahn Mi, the Reuben, the Croque Monsieur, the Madame, the Italian Combo, the Turkey Club, the BLT, the Chicken Cutlet, the Philly cheesesteak, the list goes on and on. One particular sandwich however, holds a very special place at the top of my list, and that is the Cuban sandwich.

I’ll first put this right out there. I don’t like Swiss cheese, never have, never will. BUT, when liberally melted on top of well seasoned, juicy roasted pork, with ham, and pickles, and mustard, all on fresh Cuban bread that’s been buttered and then pressed…lights out, game over. Bring on the Swiss cheese because now it’s magical. 

Enter Carlos Perez, Chef of At The Corner in Litchfield. He’s Half Cuban. So when I heard he was putting a Cuban Sandwich on the menu, I drove straight to Litchfield and had to see for myself if the rumor was true. Since then I’ve already had three of them and by the time this article comes out, I can guarantee that number will have definitely risen. 

What I appreciated most about this incredible sandwich, is how Carlos stayed true to the classic combination but was able to subtly add his unique twist to it without compromising any of the other flavors. This was done with one simple ingredient, apple butter. 

It’s fall, it’s New England and apples are plentiful. When I think of pork used other ways, I think of apples and I think of Mustard, both glazed on a bone in pork chop. Perhaps that’s the reason I enjoy this sandwich so much. Carlos’s apple butter is that perfect compliment to the sandwich and to the pork. It’s the sweet element that balances out the spicy, the saltiness, and the savory. It is the umami. 

If you’re in the area, hell even if you aren’t, get to the At The Corner and enjoy this awesome sandwich before its gone. You’re gonna be sure to see some amazing foliage on your way, I guarantee it.