Sarussi Cafeteria and Restaurant — Restaurant in Miami

Sarussi is a difficult one for me to critique. First a little back if you'll indulge me. I moved to Miami from New York back in 1989. Back then there was a lot of exploration for me and my family back. Well as chance would have my father was introduced to Sarussi. This place is an institution, I'm not even sure how long it's been there. My father bright home this huge hoagie from there and told us that he had found the most scrumptious sandwich, ever. And, he was right. These people basically make their own bread and pile the sandwich with a ridiculous amount of shaved ham, roast pork, some pickles, a white cheese that resembles mozzarella. They stick the entire loaf in the oven and when it ready they baste the inside with a special garlic sauce and butter the outside of bun. My God, this was way better than any Cuban sandwich I'd ever have. Fast forward to today and while many things remain the same that magic spark is no longer there. You see the original owner which by the way the original location is 8th street sold the restaurant many many years ago. Now the new owners will tell you that the recipe for the secret sauce is identical to the old sauce, its not. it's close and its good but to old school vets me we know the difference. if your in the mood for a unique sandwich, go here and try out un original you won't be disappointed. if you're old school and you're expecting to see your sandwich piled high with a mile of ham and pork, forget about it. The portions they put on these sandwiches are bare minimum requirements considered to be called a sandwich when compared to how they used to stack them. I used to order a 16" only being able to eat half of it maybe 3/4 if I was famished. Now, I can eat an entire 16" and ask...

It’s a decent sandwich but really nothing special and definitely OVERPRICED, a 16” sandwich is over $20, half that is $11.49. The preparation is a half a dozen sandwiches premade sitting on a tray covered in plastic wrap and just reheated in their pizza ovens. The sandwiches are not ‘overstuffed’. They do have a double portion sandwich, it’s also double the money so $39.90 for a 16” sandwich, that seems ridiculous for ham, Swiss, thin slice roast pork and a few pickles. There’s also a sur-charge for credit card that was never mentioned. So two 16” Cuban sandwiches and two sodas is a $50 meal. They’re know for their special sauce, it’s good but not “wow”. I wouldn’t miss it if wasn’t on the sandwich. So for me this just too much money for these sandwiches. Value is poor. Place is clean, low frills, it was fine. No issues. The staff women were more interested in talking to each other than anything. Felt like I was inconveniencing them when I tried getting their attention for something. Park is limited to three spots on the side street The restaurant can accommodate a lot more than 3 carloads of people. I won’t be back. And would say you get decent Cuban sandwich and most Mom and pop Cuban spots all...

So, we recently visited and purchased the Original Cuban sandwich, 3 flans, 4 Matervas and an order of churros to go. Having spent close to $70 including tip. To say we were disappointed would be the biggest understatement of the year. We have always had a good experience here, but just seems like this time was not to be our night. Let's start off with the sandwich...the bread was soggy, and I mean soggy doughy mushy mess. meat was cold and cheese was not melted. Had barely any sauce. The flans (ALL # OF THEM) were burnt on top and when stuck the spoon in first one was dryer than the desert. Honestly the ONLY thing that was good from this order were the churros, and those we ate on the way home. Those were hot!

Being from Miami and knowing how this establishment used to be it is extremely disappointing to have had this type of experience. Considering this, it may be a very long time...if ever that we visit you all again. It is so sad that it has come to this point because you all were a regular staple for us, and who we gladly would recommend to family...