Hugo’s Roast Pork Sandwich: Good Food, Fast
July 31st, 2006
After a pretty good workout on a recent Saturday followed by a less than fulfilling protein shake, I began to hear my stomach growl at about 11 am. There was not a lot of food in the house, so I was relegated to selecting a suitable snack that could tide me over until later in the afternoon. Though fast food seems to be the default choice when looking around for a quick bite, the fast-food restaurant as we know it has only been around for several decades.  People have always had the need for food, so before there was fast food, there was good food, fast. That’s what I found at Hugo’s Spanish Restaurant.
Hugo’s has been in Hyde Park since 1975, and though I’ve only been in the neighborhood for about six months, I’ve passed their location on Howard Avenue on almost a daily basis.  On my walk this particular day, I passed several fast food options like Evo’s and Panera bread, but I figured the best food was going to be at the local place. I had already decided on a roast pork sandwich, so I ordered immediately after walking in the door at Hugo’s. The only question that threw me for a loop was “all the way?” which questioned whether I would like my sandwich with mayo, mustard, pickle lettuce and tomato. I skipped the lettuce and tomato and went with the rest. After only five minutes of waiting and $5.30 later I was on my way home. My sandwich was pretty good, toasted Cuban bread packed with thick sliced roasted pork, pickles and the right amount of mayo. The mustard was a little overpowering, so next time I’ll ask for less. The sandwich was similar in style to the couchon de lait po’ boy, one of the more popular items at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, though the Cajun version features pork that has been pulled apart and shredded, topped with cabbage and mayo. I thoroughly enjoyed the local Tampa version and will have a hard time ordering a Cuban sandwich when roasted pork appears on the menu (as it should in any Cuban eatery).
When you get hungry and are driving around looking for a place to eat, do yourself a favor and pass up the McDonalds or KFC and look for a restaurant that will serve you real food, that they prepared.  Places like Hugo’s CAN serve good food, and fast. There are many options out there and even though it takes a little extra effort, your taste buds will thank you.
Hugo’s Spanish Restaurant
931 S Howard Ave
Tampa, FL 33606-2418Â
813-251-2842
