Michelle Faedo’s On The Go

Now that is how you make a Cuban sandwich!
I have heard about Michelle Faedo’s On the Go for years and when I found out that they were coming to a work sponsored food truck rally, I knew that I had to try the infamous Cuban. I got there early and luckily the line was short, as I’m sure it picked up later in the rally. Service was easy — they took my order, I paid, and the food was ready in a few minutes.
First of all, the Cubans are HUGE. They are pressed and delicious and I loved the flavor combinations. My eyes were bigger than my stomach and I went for a side of fries. I’m pretty sure that the fries had some sort of sugar on them. They were wonderful. Next time, I will probably get the Cuban without fries as it was a bit too much food for me to handle (darn, leftovers).
If you see Michelle Faedo’s, do yourself a favor and take advantage. That is a sandwich that you don’t want to miss!

My pursuit of this truck started when I saw them listed in a contest where another Tampa business (The Floridian) was urging its customers to vote for them as best Cuban sandwich.
Since I do not think The Floridian is the best, I decided to check out some of the other places they were up against and Michelle Faedo’s truck stood out since they are often in my area.
When I visited for a weekday lunch, they were not busy. One couple were waiting for their food and one other woman who wouldn’t shut up at the window was placing her order.
After the gentleman in the window explained to me the difference between the two Cubans they offer (the key for me is NO CUBAN SANDWICH should have mayo on it), I ordered just a sandwich, paid my $ 9.10 and waited.
Unfortunately, the wait was simply too long in my opinion… just as Unilocal Elite Mark P. mentioned in his review posted on 2÷18÷16.
Perhaps I’m spoiled by the fast service I have enjoyed at trucks recently from Mr. C’s and Rollin’ Zoinks, but I don’t like standing around in a parking lot that long no matter the quality of the product.
The Cuban was a good one. Not anything that will get my vote for best one in Tampa awarded at Brett’s annual Unilocal Prom, but definitely something I would have again if I could get it faster. Large sandwich for the price, meats and toppings were quality and the seasoned bread makes it unique.
Also, I noticed how unlike most other food trucks, Michelle Faedo’s On The Go has no ability to move on its own. It is towed by another truck. So, is it really a food truck or a food trailer?

Hands down the BEST Cuban sandwich in the world. These guys have done comida Tampeño right. Rob and Michelle seem to be genuinely good people and I’m rooting for their success. I recently moved from Tampa to Dallas and you wouldn’t believe what I went through and how far I drove, and where I had to go to get a Michelle faedo’s Cuban sandwich before I moved the next day. It really is that good.
My one criticism, you guys need to find a way to make it a little easier to find you day to day, that’s all I’ve got. I’m looking forward to the new brick and mortar store whenever that happens and will definitely hint you down the next time I’m in Tampa.

Incredibly good Cuban. The best I’ve had in Tampa/​St. Pete!

I’ve visited this truck twice now. Once for the Cuban (which is huge!) and the other time for the smaller Cubanito, which I think is a better value. As others have said, the Cuban bread they use is very good because it’s seasoned. But where the sandwich fails is the temperature of the meats — just not hot enough, barely even warm. I’m not sure if they heat up the meats prior to pressing it but maybe they should consider it. I also factor in the long wait into my rating. But it’s a decent Cuban. They have both a traditional and nontraditional Cuban to please everyone.

The Devil crab in insanely good. Was so busy inhaling it that I forgot to get a picture (there are others on here though). Think crab cake without any extra fillers — just tons of crab– and a barbecue rub on the fried outside layer. Mmmm.
Ok somehow Unilocal signed me up for a dupe acct, so yes this is the same person as that other one. I mean, how many Brigid’s are there really anyway?

Lunch Jan 28
The coveted 5^th Star is earned!
Why? This is about the 10^th Hybrid Cuban Sandwich I have had and NONE have been bad! Making great food is tough, but MAINTAINING that quality over time is the challenge and they have never let me down!
Why? Had for the 1^st time today the Beef & Cheese Empanada — and it was the very best I have ever had!
Keep up the great work Michelle & Rob!

This truck rolled up to my workplace and got all the cubicle dwellers in a tizzy. Despite my usual disappointment with food trucks, I joined in the excitement and tried the Hyde Park Turkey sandwich with seasoned fries. Good thing I was sitting down because this sandwich took my breath away. Absolutely fresh, and bursting with an array of enchanting flavors. The fries were seasoned to perfection, and delectable as well. The portions were huge, so huge that everyone around me regretted not using the buddy system. For about $ 9 we all got more than we could physically and emotionally handle. I cannot wait for this temptress on wheels to return to my workplace. The price and food coma is well worth it!

Yeah, yeah, best Cuban, famous crab.Whatever. It’s just a food truck, right? WRONG!!! Holy crap it’s good!
Ordered the devil crab and have never seen so much crab served like that. (See photos). Are you kidding me right now? The outside was crispy but a very thin layer, which made it that much better. Seasoned to perfection. WOW.
The had a hybrid Cuban, which I had no business eating as that crab had me already almost full. The bread!!! Oh that bread! Not to crispy or soft and again, seasoned perfectly. Perfect balance of ingredients. Just enough of everything to simply melt in your mouth. I wanted to stop eating after the first couple bites, I swear. I just couldn’t stop.
This was insanely good!!!
I am definitely going to start stalking this food truck. Amazing!!!

Because this seemed like popular food truck, I wanted to have it at our charity event. I called 3 months out and it was impossible of to get ahold of anyone –even when I left a voicemail.
It was like pulling teeth to get this food truck to our event (as if they were too good and had no time for a great business opportunity)
Once I finally pulled a tooth out and got the confirmation that they would attend our event, a few hours before they called and said they had an emergency and couldn’t make it! Whether true or not I don’t know, but I thought it was convenient because they weren’t excited about the event in the first place.
They get ONE Star because I never got to try any of their food or experience their service

This is not bracados but it’s a close 2^nd! We ate the food from this truck for the first time a few months ago at a mud run and have been stalking them ever since… Food was served quickly hot and yummy!

This husband and wife team go above and beyond with their work ethic, great service, and amazing food made with love & passion!
Yes, they’re widely known for their devil crab and hybrid Cubans (w/​lettuce & tomato), but don’t underestimate the other items on the menu: stuffed potatoes, Hyde Park Cuban– has turkey in place of ham and it’s delicious, fries and sometimes other devil crab creations.
Yes, all of these menu items take time to prepare, but it will be worth it. Take that time to play a game on your cell or catch up on your news feed or just be still… knowing that Michelle is taking the time to prepare your food with love.
Enjoy your food and be sure to enjoy the smiles that come from this terrific husband & wife dynamic team!
Thank you

I was disappointed after reading all of the great reviews. My «traditional» Cuban sandwich was not what I had hoped for. The bread was not pressed until crunchy, the meats were cold, not hot. and the cheese was not even melted. Also it had Mayo… I have never had a traditional Cuban that had mayo on it (and I suspect it was a sweet mayo, which I detest. Regular mayo I might could have dealt with. but not the sweet crap). I should have specified no mayo… only mustard, and maybe some mojo from the pork. I could live without the Salami too. as that is a something you really only find in Tampa. I have no idea why they call this a «Traditional» Cuban Sandwich.
The Deviled crab was huge, and delicious… although a bit gooey inside. The inside was only warm, not hot… although the outside was deep fried to a nice brown crispness. It did have a lot of crab though.
Service was good, and the time was reasonable considering the number of orders they were taking.
I love Cuban food, and eat it often. I also cook it often (Made a killer Boliche last night, for instance). But I do like the food prepared in a traditional manner, unless the changes actually make it better. That didn’t happen this time.
Some of the recipes I use for my Cuban Sandwiches… notice no Mayo, no Salami:

I tried the cuban sandwich when they came to Tampa General Hospital. They won best cuban sandwich in Tampa, but honestly i don’t know how they did. The sandwich was good but it wasn’t great. I gotta stick to Larrys Deli in Land O Lakes for having the best cuban sandwich.
I tried to try it again but when i went to the truck they ran out of cuban bread. I was craving a cuban that day but it is what it is. Overall i think they are hard workers and would go again.

If you’re craving grease and fried food, this food truck is a must. Unfortunately, they were out of beef and cheese empanadas when I was ordering, which sounded so delicious.
Devil Crab — $ 6 I really wasn’t sure what this was, but it sounded delicious and guess what? It WAS! This mango-​sized deep fried ball was filled with amazingly delicious and seasoned crab meat. The breading was crunchy and nicely seasoned. The first few bites were out of this world. Although amazing, I needed a break after a few bites because of the sodium overload. This is something I would want to share and not have as a main. It’s a must try.
Mac n Cheese Bites — $ 4 These were the best mac n cheese bites I’ve ever had. I don’t eat them very often, and am usually disappointed, but these were great. I didn’t think anything could have followed the devil crab, but I was wrong.
Fried Okra $ 4 — The breading was very good, but I thought it was too much for okra. After this experience, I’ve decided that no matter how good the breading is, I just want my okra plain. I ended up peeling most of the breading and just eating the okra, and they were good on their own.
You can pay with a credit card, which is a nice convenience.

This truck was at the North Shore pool last weekend for a large swim meet. I tried two items from them and both were very good.
The truck is know for a couple of items, one of them is an award winning Cuban sandwich. When I lived in Miami for 10 years I got the Cuban a few times, for some reason it was not a go to. However, I did feel compelled to give it a go.
The owner of the truck was at the window and very nice. Ordered a Cuban and fries. The wait was not long, less than 10 minutes. The sandwich came out hot and the fries plentiful and crazy seasoned.
The sandwich was huge with stacks upon stacks of meat. I liked it, but too much to finish. The fries were over the top on the seasoning, but extremely tasty… have wet wipes close or a sink.
A nice truck and if I resided in the area I would hit them up again.

The Cuban sandwich, in my opinion, was just alright. It swam in the fixins of lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, mustard, etc. The meats Of the Cuban sandwich unfortunately drowned and didn’t make its way out of cuban waters. I surely hope the sharks in the ocean didn’t take it over. Some cuban sandwiches from elsewhere tried to throw it a life preserve, but poor sandwich drowned in the sea.
Crab croquette was round and robust, full of crab meat, lots of it. It was alright, a little better than that poor Cuban sandwich, but not life preserve-​worthy.
The service was not great. It was the first Movie in the Park at Tampa Waterworks. The time it took to get my food was the same time it took for a little kid to eat a whole big bag of popcorn. It took quite a long time. One person took the order, one person made the food. I guess there is no such thing as, I do apologize about the delay. I asked if it was cut in half and repeated my order to make sure I had it all. It was just yeah that’s what you ordered. Well, I’m just checking. I paid for it, I should get it right. Meh. There’s a bunch of Cuban sandwiches in this town. I will keep searching.

Finally got the chance to try Michelle Faedo’s On the Go while attending Cigar City Brewing’s 2014 Hunahpu Day. This food truck will not disappoint!
I ordered the Devil Crab and a Cuban Sandwich. Prices were very fair and the portions were large enough that I had half of my meal for lunch and saved the other half for dinner. Both items only ran me $ 13 despite the recent skyrocketing crab prices.
The deviled crab was amazing and was packed with lots of flavor and a generous amount of crabmeat (so generous to the point that I am guessing they aren’t making much of a profit from their devil crab). The Cuban sandwich was a little different than your traditional Cuban Sandwich. For those that are unfamiliar with the Cuban sandwich, a traditional Cuban sandwich is made with mustard, pickles, Swiss cheese, roasted pork, ham and salami. The Cuban sandwich from Michelle Faedo’s includes mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato so I ordered my sandwich without those toppings. As other’s mentioned, the Cuban bread used on this sandwich is out of this world! The bread is seasoned with basil which gives the sandwich a bit of an Italian flair.
Why not five stars? My only negative comment is that there was an overwhelming amount of ham on the Cuban sandwich so the flavors from the pork and salami were barely detected.

WOW! This is an over-​the-​top, stellar food truck, and I’m very pleased to learn that they are now visiting my Carrollwood neighborhood on a regular basis. Faedo’s specializes in Cuban sandwiches, deviled crab, empanadas, and a host of delicious cold cut sandwiches, and hot sandwiches.
The sign painted on the side of their truck proudly proclaims that Faedo’s won the competition as the BEST Cuban sandwich in all of Florida for 2012, and I understand that Faedo’s won the competition in Ybor City for the best traditional and non-​traditional Cuban sandwich in the Tampa Bay area in 2013.
That being said, the Cuban sandwich was EXCELLENT — one of the best that I’ve ever eaten. I ordered the traditional Cuban with sliced ham, sliced cooked pork loin, a few slices of Swiss cheese and dill pickles, mustard, and some fabulous, freshly-​baked Cuban bread. The sandwich is pressed and toasted, leaving the exterior crust crunchy, and the remainder of the bread still soft. The cheese is melted, and the flavors of the meats combine with the remaining ingredients.
It took a few minutes of waiting as everything is made by hand in the back of their food truck /​trailer, but before long they called out my number and handed me a bag with my sandwich and a bottle of water.
Since this is a food truck, these folks move around every day, and you’ll need to follow them on Facebook or Twitter to know where they have stopped for the day. You can follow them on Facebook at Michelle-​Faedos-​On-​The-​Go, or on Twitter at
.
Outstanding Cuban sandwich, and worth tracking these folks down to enjoy one of your own!

Why 5 stars? Because this is the best Cuban sandwich ever made.
— — —
The hunt is over. Polish the trophy, close down the polls, it’s a wrap.
Michelle Faedo… there’s a reason your sammie won a recent Cuban Sandwich Festival. This thing is THAT much better than any other Cuban.
I don’t know what they do to the bread, but I think it’s straight-​up crack. Wow, they don’t mess around.
If you want to find this gold-​mine of a truck — check out their Facebook page, which contains constant updates about their locations for the upcoming week.
I have had Cubans that I’ve liked and Cubans that I’ve loved. This is a whole ‘nother level of food-​lust. It’s definitely not a knock on my other usual spots.
So do yourself a favor and devour one of these bad boys. No Cuban Sandwich hunt is complete without a stop at this mobile kitchen.