In the heart of West Tampa, Los Gringos, a restaurant founded by Scott Wall and his family, has become a local favorite for its unique take on the Cuban sandwich. Originally from New Jersey, Wall moved to Land O’ Lakes, Florida, where he first experimented with creating this iconic sandwich. Despite having no prior experience with Cuban cuisine, Wall’s culinary skills and willingness to adapt led to the creation of a beloved version of the Cuban sandwich.
A Unique Culinary Journey
The Wall family’s journey began with a sandwich shop where customers frequently requested Cuban sandwiches. Wall, unfamiliar with the dish, decided to give it a try. “People said, ‘Oh, do you make a Cuban sandwich?’ Sure, I can figure out a Cuban sandwich. It’s sliced ham, and salami, and pickles, and mustard, and roast pork,” Wall recalled. His approach was simple: make food that tastes good, regardless of tradition.
The success of their Cuban sandwich led to the opening of a freestanding restaurant. They found a historic building in West Tampa, previously known as La Ideal, a famous Cuban sandwich and coffee shop. This location, rich in history, attracted a clientele eager to try Wall’s creations.
Winning Over West Tampa
Los Gringos quickly became known for its homemade soups, breakfast options, and custom Cuban sandwiches. Wall’s method of preparing the Cuban sandwich involved grilling the pork, salami, and ham with Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, then grilling the bread. “We make our Cubans to order… I didn’t know any better. I started cooking the meat in the middle because I kind of looked at it like making a hamburger,” Wall explained. This unique preparation has resonated with customers, earning the restaurant accolades as the best sandwich shop in West Tampa based on Yelp and Google reviews.
The restaurant opens its doors at 6 a.m. to serve Cuban toast and coffee, with a team skilled in crafting authentic Cuban coffee. “We have a wizard on the coffee machine, his name is Mario. And we have a young wizard on the other, on the other side of the coffee machine. Her name is Leanna,” Wall shared. The loyal customer base, many of whom visit six days a week, is a testament to the restaurant’s success.
Los Gringos is located at 2922 West Tampa Bay Boulevard, just five blocks east of Raymond James Stadium. They are open six days a week, closed on Sundays, welcoming patrons to experience their unique culinary offerings.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
