Sandy’s Cafe: Still the best Cuban sandwich in town

BY TERRY SCHMIDA

It’s a ubiquitous Key West landmark; an eatery locals and tourists alike swear by; a place that reminds you that you’re home.

Hard to believe, but Sandy’s Cafe, located in the M & M Laundry building, at 1026 White St., has been cranking out the island’s best Cuban Mix sandwiches, and cafe con leches since 1983.

Under the ownership of Fernando Caceres and his family since ’94, the restaurant has expanded its repertoire from Cuban coffee and sandwiches, to larger plates, and specialties from Caceres’ native Mexico.

“We started with a much smaller menu, and slowly began adding platters, like picadillo and roast pork,” Fernando Caceres said. “Now that we’re open 24 hours a day, the whole menu works, with something for everybody.”

The famous Cuban Mix, with ham, roast pork, salami, Swiss cheese and pickles, is no longer the only attraction, at Sandy’s. Nowadays, the cafe serves up an equal numbers of steak and cheese, fish, and pork sandwiches.

For breakfast, it’s Western omelet plates, or south-of-the-border staples like Huevos Rancheros, with two fried eggs atop a tortilla, with red sauce, rice and refried beans. There’s also Huevos a la Mexicana, with two scrambled eggs, onions, jalapeño peppers, tomato, rice and refried beans.

For slightly smaller appetites, the walk-up restaurant also offers breakfast sandwiches, such as bacon, egg, and cheese on Cuban bread, as well as breakfast wraps, served in soft taco shells, with fries or hash browns.

Lunch offerings include a Two Pork Chop, Palomilla Steak, or Chicken Breast platters. Mexican taco and burrito platters are also available all day long, as is the rest of the menu.

During the 30-plus years Sandy’s has been in business, other Cuban coffee shops and restaurants have come and gone, but the White Street institution has somehow survived – and thrived.

“We’re still here because of discipline, and taking a hands-on approach to the restaurant,” Fernando Caceres said. “And we pride ourselves on our customer service. Some places don’t like to do substitutions, or whatever, but we’ll try to do whatever the customer wants. We also have really good employees, nowadays.”

With age have come the many repeat customers, from all walks of like, that are the lifeblood of a sidewalk eatery.

“We really do have all kinds of customers,” daughter Fernanda Caceres said. “Everyone from police officers, to people driving Ferraris.”

The public seems to agree.

“We have a lot of local customers, for sure,” Fernando Caceres said. “But we also get a lot of tourists, who are given recommendations from the hotels they stay at, and by other locals.”

The media has also picked up on the “World Famous Sandy’s Cafe,” as a sign on the local landmark boasts: Several years ago Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods paid a visit, and featured the restaurant in an episode about the Keys.

“It truly is a place for everybody,” Fernanda Caceres said with a smile.