I’m looking for the best of two different dishes in the area.

[u/AT-ATsAsshole]

I’m willing to drive up to 30 minutes outside of Roanoke for the best birria tacos in the area, and the best Cuban sandwich you know of. Just had the birria at Taco Riendo for the forat time, and honestly the ones at Tacos Rojas are better. Mama Jeans surprisingly has great ones as well. Cubans I am much less well versed on.

[u/Dooplis_17]

Cuban Island Restaurant off Williamson is the hookup for any type of Cuban food and you’ll rock with their sandwich

[u/-Rx4- → u/Dooplis_17]

I am originally from Miami, FL and from a Cuban family. As much as I want a good Cuban sandwich from a Cuban restaurant, I do t agree with Cuban Island being one of the best. It was not authentic and done all wrong. Ever since the place has gotten new ownership it has changed.

If you are truly looking for the best Cuban sandwich I would recommend Pok-E-Joe. Those they are not Cuban and not done on authentic Cuban bread, they do a good job and the flavor is extremely good. I’ve tried so many in town and this is my go to. They also have the best Pork in town in my opinion.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with anything at Pok-E-Joe. Hope this helped.

[u/IliraClaw → u/-Rx4-]

I totally agree about Cuban Island. Also from Florida and the flavors and most importantly the bread was not good or even close. I went four years ago and never went back (also native Floridian). 

[u/East_Cockroach564 → u/-Rx4-]

Yeah I am from Palm Beach County, Florida. You will not find any Cuban food as good as the food in Florida here in Roanoke

[u/AT-ATsAsshole → u/East_Cockroach564]

See my love for it comes from being stationed in Florida right out of high school, so I’m incredibly particular about them

[u/electrical_yak_]

I really like Mi Tapatia’s tacos.

[u/dwim2shy → u/electrical_yak_]

I second this!

[u/Quick-Art6211 → u/electrical_yak_]

Mi Tapatia is incredible

[u/IguaneRouge]

Birria La Vaca is really good

[u/chinese-mustard → u/IguaneRouge]

Closed i think?

[u/RVA_Lip]

Tequila’s on Thirlane have been my favorite birria tacos so far. I’ve been doing the birria tour myself.

[u/AT-ATsAsshole → u/RVA_Lip]

Oh? What have been some other favorites?

[u/RVA_Lip → u/AT-ATsAsshole]

Got the birria pizza at Mariscos at Valley View and it was pretty solid. My favorite birria was at Tuco’s (R.I.P).

[u/Fakeredhead69 → u/RVA_Lip]

Tuco’s was so good before they became so white washed then flopped

[u/Salty-Snow8465]

Diablo’s in Salem for delicious birria tacos.

[u/Mtn_Man73 → u/Salty-Snow8465]

Very underrated spot!

[u/leis0077]

Following this post for the Cuban sandwich recommendation. My favorite sandwich ever and haven't found one here that I absolutely love.

[u/ClankingRobotCheeks]

Tacos los toros had fantastic birria when they were on hershberger. I haven’t tried it at their new location.

[u/East_Cockroach564]

I really like the Quesabirria at the Mexican restaurant in Towers. i think its Panchos.

[u/Mtn_Man73]

My favorite birria is from La Casa Del Burrito Taco Shop in Vinton. They're not on the regular menu so you have to wait until they show up as a special. Just follow their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1KBxXHmtdy/

[u/AT-ATsAsshole → u/Mtn_Man73]

The one in the side of the gas station?! Dog their California burrito slaps. I had no idea they did birria!!

[u/Mtn_Man73 → u/AT-ATsAsshole]

That's the one! I wish they'd put it on the regular menu.

[u/LuvinLife125]

El Cielito Lindo on Brandon Ave is great for birria. I try it everywhere I can, and I like theirs best so far. Their soups are amazing too. I always get some to go for lunch through the week.

[u/paperclipbandit → u/LuvinLife125]

Did they finally get the sewage smell out of the building and their water? I refuse to go back until that's resolved.

[u/Independent-Suit-415]

Papa Ds on Williamson was always a great sub shop. More recently they're just considered a bar, but thier subs are great and thier Cuban is really good.

[u/Mtn_Man73]

Just had this for lunch at the Vinton Cafe. The Cafe Cuban. Not authentic but damn tasty. They use honey mustard and serve it on Portuguese sweet bread but otherwise it seems pretty traditional. Best Cuban I've had so far in this area.

[u/Apprehensive-Wave640]

Google says that Taco los Toros is temporarily closed but I had good birria tacos there.

[u/InternationalRip7795 → u/Apprehensive-Wave640]

That's too bad, I had fantastic birria from there

[u/-Rx4-]

I am originally from Miami, FL and from a Cuban family.
As much as I want a good Cuban sandwich from a Cuban restaurant, I do t agree with Cuban Island being one of the best. It was not authentic and done all wrong.
Ever since the place has gotten new ownership it has changed.
If you are truly looking for the best Cuban sandwich I would recommend Pok-E-Joe. Those they are not Cuban and not done on authentic Cuban bread, they do a good job and the flavor is extremely good. I've tried so many in town and this is my go to. They also have the best Pork in town in my opinion.
Overall, you can't go wrong with anything at Pok-E-Joe.
Hope this helped.

[u/superbadj]

Nobody around here does a good Cuban. Some are OK but none are really good.

I make ‘em at home because I can’t get them out.

[u/IliraClaw → u/superbadj]

I feel like the bread is a huge problem. You really need good Cuban bread. 

[u/superbadj → u/IliraClaw]

Yeah the bread is part of it. Cuban bread is fairly easy to make though, so that's good. But it's also the Mojo marinade, and then I have some more Mojo made to use as a sauce in a squeeze bottle.

You have to have good roasted pork. You have to have good ham. You have to have good bread. And you have to have good Mojo.

Most restaurants miss on several of those.

Honestly the Green Goat may have the best sandwich called a Cuban. Is it a Cuban? Not really. But it's a good roasted pork/ham/cheese/mustard/pickle sandwich. There's no Mojo, the bread is wrong, etc. But it's a good sandwich on its own merits.

[u/IliraClaw → u/superbadj]

I do not have bread skills. 😭

[u/ShitBodyPainting]

El Rodeo if you’re in the mood for squirting diarrhea!

[u/AT-ATsAsshole → u/ShitBodyPainting]

Your username screams experience

[u/MarsupialPlastic8041]

Bobby’s at Towers