You know the saying “Ask and you shall receive”? Well I asked for good Cuban Food and St. Augustine, Florida delivered big time! I had a great foodie experience in St. Augustine enjoying Cuban food and all of my favorites, in one day! It was a big challenge, but I was totally up for it!
In one day I managed to consume that wonderful Cubano Sandwich I had been craving, delicious Sangria, decent Gelato, the best Fish n’ Chips I have had in a long time AND the crowing glory, Sticky Toffee Pudding!
Let me first say that St. Augustine is a wonderful place with so much to do. It is charming, full of unique and fun shops to window shop and just steeped in history. If you love interesting architecture, there is so much for the eye to enjoy. It is the oldest city in North America, it is where Ponce de Leon sought the Fountain of Youth and it houses the oldest restaurant in North America, which is where I was to find a great example of the Cubano Sandwich. Want a little history with your lunch or dinner? Then The Columbia Restaurant is for you!
The Columbia Restaurant has been around since 1905. It started as a corner café in Ybor City, FL and is now the largest restaurant in America. It’s original restaurant, still in Ybor City seats more than 1,700 in 15 dining rooms! It is still family owned and the quality of the food maintains the high standards The Columbia started back at the turn of the century.
The version we visited in St. Augustine was beautiful. The restaurant is so big it takes up an entire city block! There is outdoor seating both in the first floor courtyard and on the third floor terrace overlooking bustling George Street. We sat inside the indoor courtyard complete with a beautiful fountain and lush palm trees.
Mom and I started with a glass of Sangria and Roberto had a Mojito. The Sangria was delicious and fruity and the Mojito, sweet and tangy. They also looked beautiful with a nice presentation. With our drinks we munched on hot Cuban bread straight out of the oven. For lunch I had a Cubano Sandwich and a cup of Gazpacho. The sandwich is made of smoked ham, roasted pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, dill pickle slices and mustard on more hot Cuban bread. It was a beautiful experience. All those wonderful meats enveloped in hot crunchy bread is a great combination! The gazpacho was good, although I prefer mine a bit chunkier and less soupy. Mom had the Cubano and with it Columbia’s Original 1905 Salad. It is made tableside and is comprised of lettuce, julienne smoked ham, Swiss cheese, fresh sweet tomatoes, TONS of green pimento olives, grated Romano cheese and their famous garlic dressing. It was so big all three of us had more salad than we needed and there was more leftover!
Roberto had the El Combo de Cuba: Roast pork, Boliche, Empanada, Platanos, black beans and yellow rice. All of this for under $13. The pork just fell apart when you put your fork into it. No knife necessary. The empanada was the best part, spiced meat with the sweetness of cinnamon and raisins was delectable! And the Platanos (fried plantains) were sweet, soft and caramelized. Out of this world good! We were happier than you could have imagined.
The Columbia is such a landmark and historic restaurant they even have a gift shop where you can purchase items from the restaurant!
NEXT….as if I haven’t eaten enough Gelato in the past week!..Stay Tuned For More!
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