el cubano

complimenting a beautiful day with some tasteful food.

carteles at cienfuegos

443 east 6th Street between 1st and ave A

This relatively new addition to the East Village has a limited menu, but one worth trying. Carteles serves Cuban sandwiches, Cafe Bustelo coffee, and sweet goodies to polish off a satisfying meal. The bright, cheerful ambiance creates a convivial dining experience despite the limited physical space the shop encompasses.

Carteles is named after a Cuban magazine that is known for its covers and traces of this popular magazine are found throughout the vicinity. Magazine prints/images suffice as wallpaper in the restroom and also serve as a frame to a large mirror that displays the menu's offerings. super cutes.

iPod boombox. tiight.

cafe con leche.

strong, just how i like.

el cubano with homemade platanos fritos.

close up.

Carteles' el cubano sandwich is composed of thinly sliced ham, roasted pork, pickles, a mix of provolone and swiss, and a garlic mustard.

Once I lifted up this sandwich to take my first bite, the enticing aroma instantly triggered my salivary glands. That is when I knew I was in for a treat. First bite, good. Second bite, even better. The cripsy bread, juicy mixture of meat, the gooey satisfying texture of the cheese, the sour bite of the pickle, and the mustard accenting the overall effect of the cubano... oh boy. Absolutely delightful.

Just look at that cheese ooooozing.

Sandwiches are pressed well done, but the bread maintains a chewy interior and a crisp exterior. How is this accomplished you ask? Well, the bread made for Cuban sandwiches is not entirely cooked for this very reason. With the intention of freshly "pressing" the sandwich before serving, the bread is left a tad bit undone.

banana cream puff.

rich chocolate on top of a puff pastry with creamy, sweet, banana dribbling out of the center. yummm.