Palm Avenue Sandwich Shop

The Palm Ave sandwich shop is a tiny café tucked away next to an old transmission shop. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Every day they put out a hot lunch special that consists of typical Spanish cuisine, i.e. Rice, beans, pulled pork, picadillo, etc. it always looks fresh and tasty.
Other made to order items include Cuban sandwiches, chicken or steak sandwiches, Cuban cheese toast, etc. No descriptions on the sandwiches. Don’t ask, just order and enjoy a great Latin experience.
On to my personal addiction — the mind blowing empanadas. Maybe that seems like a bit of an exaggeration, but you would only think that because you haven’t tried one of these life changing creations. For $ 1.50, go ahead and get 4, you won’t regret it and it will save you a trip back in for more after you take your first bite. Freshly made each morning, they’re filled with hot meat and spices that will change the way you think of empanadas forever.
Don’t let the run down exterior deter you. This is one of those gems in the rough we all live for.

I was referred here by a coworker for a good carry out lunch place near work. I ordered the media noche with a coffee. Prices were fantastic and the sandwich was fresh and really good! I’ll definitely be going back. The parking lot is really small, so you just find a place to park where you can. The inside has a few tables. Staff was friendly and efficient. they also have a small cafeteria food section with meats, beans and rice you can make a meal.

Doesn’t look like much from the outside and it’s not much on the inside about 4 tables– but the food is on point!
I had the steak sandwhich on Cuban bread and pressed– it comes with little crunchy potato sticks, meat, mayo, onion and lettuce tomato. I got it without the lettuce and tomato and I added some hot sauce. Wow! I got the large for $ 6.50 and I was super full. THey also serve Cubans and other sandwiches to choose from small or large.
I also had an empanada which was beef and potato that was very flavorful and perfect amount of filling to outside ratio!
The have canned sodas and they also serve breakfast. Cuban toast with bacon egg and cheese or a few other options etc.
I would advise to probably be prepared to get your food to go because it seems to be a super busy place.

On the edge of Ybor, this little shop makes a pretty decent Cuban. Little shy on the pork, but all the elements of the sandwich blended well. I was disappointed with the stuffed potato as it really was bland and mushy.
From the «Tampa Fire Rescue» shirt pinned up on the wall, to the transmission shop next door, to the flat screen blaring Latin music videos at the end of the counter, this little shop is real if nothing else.
The two folks running the place were really working hard to make the business hop. All in all, worth a trip. Note — they do take debit and credit, but charge 50 cents more if your order is under $ 10.

I’ve had Cuban sandwiches from dozens of places in Tampa and this is by far my favorite!

Holy empanadas!
I stopped here for a quick snack. After seeing a few of these reviews, I decided to try an empanada from here. And WOAH… an actual flavorgasm (when eating food so good that you let out an involuntary moan, usually the first bite; also as an adjective — flavorgasmic). Thank you urban dictionary.
I got the beef empanada and I still am unable to articulate how delicious it was. I’ve had quite a few empanadas throughout my days, and this has got to be the best. The meat was perfectly seasoned and even the potatoes in there were very delicately, but heavily seasoned. Oh the joys of life…
Really, stop by and try this. Can’t wait to see what else they have!

Absolutely love this place, they have very cheap food and huge portions. NOTE: if you get café con leche ask for no sugar and add it yourself otherwise you’ll get 3 heaping tablespoons full. Great cuban bread and breakfast sandwiches. Bring cash otherwise you get .60 charge if under $ 10 with cards. All in all I have never been let down.

Somewhat unimpressed. There’s nothing worth my coming back. The parking lot is tiny and attached to an auto repair shop, the woman taking orders & cash is pretty rude, the Cuban and Café CL were just ok. I expected much more based on the reviews and supposed authenticity.
I won’t be back.

After rolling back to my hotel room at 5am I passed out and woke up starving and needing something quick before catching my flight back to Seattle. Texted a local colleague who said she’d be right over to take me to a little sandwich shop that was amazing.
I got the cuban press and ate half in Florida and the other half in Minneapolis/​St. Paul airport as everyone kept coming up asking where I got it. This will definitely be a spot I seek out again next time I am in Florida.

My boss bought me a café con leche from here the other day it’s literally the most amazing coffee I’ve ever had. Can’t wait to get another one!

I have lived just down the street from this place for over 2 years but have never stopped because there was never an open spot but finally yesterday I saw an open spot and my chance to finally give it a try!
I got a small cuban sandwich and I must say that it was very good and perfectly pressed crispy. My only complaint about the sandwich is that it was mostly ham that was sliced too thick with only a tiny amount of salami and pork, really the only meat I could taste was the ham.
I also got a small order of yellow rice and black beans and I have to say that they were extremely delicious!
This is not a good place to dine in, I would highly suggest you get to go!

Why 4 stars? Because this is one of the best cubans around.
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I had driven past this place many-​a-​time, but never managed to stop in. I finally did, and was really blown away with how awesome the Cuban sandwich was. Probably top 4 in the Bay Area along with West Tampa Sandwich Shop, Michelle Faedo’s, and Jose’s in Bradenton.
The ambiance is basically non-​existent, the parking lot is too small, and the service is somewhere below friendly, but it’s a delicious Cuban sandwich, and I’ll be back to try it again.

I was working in Ybor today when I spotted this hole in the wall. I was hungry so I figured what the hell. I got the pressed Cuban sandwich. For 5 bucks even I got a huge sandwich that was awesome. Nice neighborhood atmosphere too! No complaints. I highly recommend this place.

My first visit I Tried the breakfast sandwiches because of all the good reviews. Yum!
My last visit was at lunch time. It is a great alternative to Ybor and dealing with parking just to grab a sandwich! I had a pressed ham and cheese and it was very good. And a great price.

The breakfast sandwiches from here are little gifts from heaven. My dad used to stop by here in the mornings when I was home from college. I would walk in the kitchen after a long night out and find this amazing surprise waiting for me.
They are basic. But, when basic is done well, it makes all the difference. My personal favorite is the ham, egg and cheese. All the sandwiches come on cuban bread and are pressed. The best part? they are $ 4 and you can split it. The worst part? They aren’t open on Sundays!

Nobody has mentioned the beef empanada’s??? they have chicken too, but the beef, and take the free hot sauce, are the best I’ve ever had… lightly fried dough with spicy ‘taco’ beef and they don’t skimp on the helping either… the last bite, with the hot sauce that made its way to the bottom, combined with the spicy beef and lightly crimped deep fried shell is simply heaven… so I get two, every time I visit… not to mention they are some of the sweetest ladies working in this shop, always smiling, they will know you after two visits, and they are feeding a hungry breakfast and lunch crowd. Just go once, you’ll love it…

Yes, they’re probably not the speediest place to get food to-​go nor in the safest part of Tampa, but hands-​down they have the best Cuban sandwich around. So good!

Hard to find parking at lunch, but stopped today for a quick breakfast. Eggs, ample bacon and a big chunk of pressed Cuban toast for under $ 5. Menu also promised about 6 sandwiches in 2 sizes, including Cuban.

Friendly service and consistently good food. Get a café con leche if you need a pick me up!

I live in Ybor and this is one of my favorite hidden gems in the city. We’ll talk about the Cuban Sandwiches in a second. I want to start off with Café Con Leche & breakfast sandwiches. $ 2 for a large con leche, the best I have ever had. $ 4 for a large breakfast sandwich with fresh cooked eggs and sausage or bacon. The large is so big you can split it with 3 people! I absolutely suggest the sausage breakfast sandwich.
Onto the Cuban Sandwiches. They are awesome and pressed to order. Only $ 5 for a large, $ 4 for a small. Go ahead and get the Lg for a dollar more, it’s double the size. Tons of meat, perfection. Also the steak sandwich is very good but it has a ton of mayo so stay away from it if you are watching your diet.
They also cater. We ordered 2 party sized Cuban Sandwiches last year for a party. They were $ 25. Insanely cheap. They also recently started taking credit /​debit cards, just as an FYI. Very busy lunch crowd.