I have been called a sandwich snob. That accusation is false. However, I do believe in something called sandwich theory. This is my quest to find the greatest sandwiches in Madison. Send me your sandwich recommendations by email or on Twitter or Instagram.
For this edition, I wandered off my usual path with a stop at Rockhound Brewing Company. To this point, my sandwich quest stops have mostly taken me to deli and sandwich-only spots, while Rockhound is a traditional sit-down restaurant with a varied menu. I decided to sample their version of my absolute favorite sandwich: the Cubano. Rockhound’s comes on a French roll with slow-roasted pulled pork, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese and beer mustard.
Bread: 3.8/5
Rockhound’s French roll was fresh, but a little too chewy for my taste — especially compared to traditional Cuban bread, which has a different crunch once pressed. It was still a good base, but it didn’t stand out.
Makings: 3.9/5
The pulled pork was the star of the show: juicy and with little grease. The beer mustard was a nice touch and a well-executed departure from the standard yellow mustard. The Swiss cheese was nice and melty, and there was a healthy number of pickles. The ham, however, felt a little waterlogged and processed.
Architecture: 4.2/5
Increased sandwich structural integrity is one benefit of the French roll. There was minimal makings slippage, even after I sliced off some slivers for companions. Things stuck together until the last bite, the bread didn’t get soggy, and the balance of the makings was consistent throughout.
Value: 4/5
The sandwich and your choice of side (fries or greens) is $13. The portion was good-sized — enough to share a little — and the greens were fresh and a good balance to the sandwich. We sat at the bar during the dinner rush on a Friday night, but our wait was standard and the food came out hot.
Overall: 3.9/5
Rockhound’s Cubano was a solid interpretation of the classic, with some local flair. The pork and mustard stood out, while I wanted a little more out of the bread and ham. Got a better spot for a Cubano? Let me know.
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