Sarussi Cafe Subs

"There are multiple Sarussis in Miami. All of them serve a monstrous and unique version of a cuban sandwich with mozzarella, cooked in a pizza oven and covered with tangy orange sauce. But the Sarussi on Bird Road has a colorful mural complete with an alligator and our city’s official mascot, Dwyane Wade. What really sets this one apart is its Nicaraguan spin on the menu. We like the massive fritanga wraps and bowls with yuca fries. It's the only place we know of that combines Cuban and Nicaraguan flavors so well. And yes, they have Sarussi’s very good flan at this location too." - virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer

"For more than 40 years, Sarussi Cafe Subs has been serving classic sandwiches with a variety of ingredients. Try the Sarussi Original sandwich, a twist on a Cubano with sweet ham and mozzarella instead of Swiss. You can also fill a sub with churrasco, chorizo, tuna, or chicken tenders." - Olee Fowler

"If Sarussi Subs are the rings of Miami’s metaphorical tree, they can tell you a pretty accurate story about the city. The first one started as an Italian restaurant in 1964 and was later bought by a Cuban immigrant who added Cuban dishes to the menu. The restaurant invented a unique version of a Cuban sandwich by taking what it had available: a pizza oven, mozzarella, and sweet Italian bread. Eventually, Sarussi stopped serving Italian food altogether. Now, there are three locations—but the one on Bird Road has a Nicaraguan owner who (in keeping with tradition) is putting their own spin on the menu with a fritanga burrito and other Nicaraguan inventions. Sararussi won Miami’s evolution lottery by continuing to adapt its food to growing immigrant populations. Which is why this restaurant is the perfect embodiment of the city we live in today." - virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer

"If Sarussi Subs are the rings of Miami’s metaphorical tree, they can tell you a pretty accurate story about the city. The started as an Italian restaurant in 1964 and was later bought by a Cuban immigrant who added Cuban dishes to the menu. The restaurant invented a unique version of a by taking what it had available: a pizza oven, mozzarella, and sweet Italian bread. Eventually, Sarussi stopped serving Italian food altogether. Now, there are three locations—but the one on Bird Road has a Nicaraguan owner who (in keeping with tradition) is putting their own spin on the menu with a fritanga burrito and other Nicaraguan inventions.   " - Virginia Otazo

"Sarussi's Calle Ocho location has a more lived-in feel to it than the snazzy Bird Road location, which we kinda like. This classic establishment is famous for its unique take on the Cuban sandwich. It's made on fluffy Italian bread, toasted in a pizza oven, and brushed with garlic butter. They use sweet shaved ham along with roasted pork and substitute mozzarella for the swiss cheese you find in traditional cubanos. The Sarussi original sandwich does include pickles, but instead of mustard the sandwiches are slathered with a tangy, garlicky secret sauce. The menu is pretty concise for a Cuban cafeteria, and besides sandwiches you'll find a short list of breakfast items and appetizers. After Sarussi's version of a Cuban sandwich, the most unique thing to order here is the vaina loca sandwich, which features ropa vieja and black beans." - Carlos C Olaechea