La Segunda Bakery and Cafe — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

I typically do not eat any wheat, and I’m super strict about that. However, I now make a special exception for La Segunda! I am so thrilled to have this storied little gem of an authentic Cuban bakery and deli from Tampa open a location right in my neighborhood here in St. Petersburg! I went with a friend for the first time, a few weeks ago, and of course I HAD to get the Cuban sandwich. My rationale for making an exception to my no wheat (not to mention no pork) rule was: an authentic Cuban sandwich is something special that you can’t just get anywhere, so live a little! On the rare occasions that I decide to eat wheat, I always hope that afterward, I’ll feel it was worth it. And this time? It definitely was! Their Cuban bread is wonderful, and the entire sandwich was delicious. My friend got the turkey sandwich (which is what I’m getting next time), and she said it was very good—so good, in fact, that the kiddos in her family raved over the leftover half she brought home to them (it’s so generous in size that she took some of it home!) and they now really want to go to La Segunda themselves to get that turkey sandwich. I also (hey, since I was going to eat wheat, I figured I should go for the full La Segunda EXPERIENCE, and the following item of theirs is legendary, too) got a guava and cream cheese turnover. Delectable! I also got a coffee drink (yet another thing I “never” have: for some reason, I feel like if I consume stuff I almost never consume, it’s perfectly fine—no, wonderful!--if it’s from La Segunda), which was fabulous, too. Lastly, I bought not one but two La Segunda tee shirts because I fell so in love with this place! I really appreciate having such an authentic, legendary local treasure right in my own neighborhood. Welcome to St. Pete, La Segunda! Your reputation precedes you, and you live up to it wonderfully! We are so excited to...

Visited Fort DeSoto from Orlando and wanted to eat a Cuban sandwich and randomly chose this café. Let me tell you, I’ve had my fair share of Cuban sandwiches, but nothing and I mean nothing, comes close to the one I just experienced. This was not just a sandwich, it was a perfectly balanced symphony of flavors and textures. First, let’s talk about the bread: golden, pressed to crispy perfection, with just the right amount of crunch on the outside while still pillowy soft on the inside. It held everything together without overwhelming the filling, exactly how Cuban bread should be. Then came the meats. Juicy, flavorful, and expertly layered. The roast pork was tender and seasoned to perfection, bursting with garlicky mojo. The ham added a savory depth, and the salami (yes, they added that Tampa touch) brought a subtle spice that made each bite sing. Topped with just the right amount of melted Swiss cheese, tangy pickles, and a swipe of yellow mustard, it was a flavor bomb. But what truly set it apart was how everything was in perfect harmony. Nothing overpowered, nothing fell short. The ingredients melted into each other with every bite, but still let each element shine on its own. You could taste the love and tradition in every crunchy, juicy, satisfying mouthful. This sandwich wasn’t just a meal, it was a blissful experience. A true Cuban classic, elevated to something...

I’ve walked/driven by La Segunda in St. Pete, countless times and was always curious to try it, especially since I often see their bread in local stores. The other day, I decided to stop in and try their savory meatball sandwich special, unfortunately, it was a big letdown. For a sandwich marketed as "savory," it was shockingly bland. The sauce had no flavor, and the meatballs themselves were very mediocre. To top it off, the sandwich was supposed to have two cheeses, but there was only the tiniest sliver of cheese on mine—hardly enough to make an impact. Even the bread, which I expected to be the highlight, was bland. I got my order to go, and although it was busy during lunch, it took a while for the sandwich to be ready. When it finally came out, it was handed to me in a plain brown bag with no napkins, utensils, or condiments, which felt like a big miss for a to-go order. While the sandwich was disappointing, the guava turnover was the one redeeming item—tiny but super sweet and satisfying if you’ve got a sweet tooth. Be warned though, it’s very sugary, almost too much. Also, note that they only sell Coke products if you're considering a beverage. Overall, I was hoping for an authentic, flavorful experience but came away feeling like it was subpar—except...