History

Yuca (cassava) has been a Cuban staple for centuries, brought to Cuba by indigenous Taino people and adopted by Spanish colonists. Tampa Cuban kitchens fry yuca after boiling to give a crispy outside and a fluffy interior. La Teresita and Brocato's serve them with mojo (sour orange and garlic) on the side. The crispy mojo-yuca is the side dish that pairs with Cuban sandwiches and palomilla steak across Tampa.

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Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 20 minTotal 40 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 1kg fresh yuca (cassava), or 1kg frozen yuca (peeled and cut)
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt for the boil
  • Neutral oil for deep-frying
  • Mojo dipping sauce: 60ml sour orange juice (or 30ml lime + 30ml orange)
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 60ml olive oil
  • Salt to taste

Method

  1. If using fresh yuca, peel the brown bark and pink layer underneath, then cut into 8cm batons, removing the woody core down the middle. Frozen yuca is already peeled and ready.
  2. Boil yuca in salted water 20-25 minutes until just tender (a fork should go in with slight resistance). Drain and let cool 10 minutes; pat dry.
  3. Meanwhile, make the mojo: heat olive oil, garlic and oregano in a small pan until garlic is fragrant (1 minute). Off heat, add sour orange juice and salt. Stir.
  4. Heat neutral oil to 180C. Fry yuca in batches 4-5 minutes per batch until golden and crispy on the outside.
  5. Drain on paper, season with salt while hot. Serve immediately with the mojo dipping sauce on the side.

Tip from the editors. Fresh yuca needs the inner woody core removed before boiling. Frozen yuca is faster and cleaner. Mojo is best made fresh; the garlic flavor fades after a day.

Where to eat yuca fries (yuca frita)

Yuca fries (Yuca frita) in Tampa

La Teresita ★ 4.5

$$ CubanWest Tampa

La Teresita on Columbus Drive has run a Cuban counter and dining room in West Tampa since 1972, owned by the Capdevila family across two generations.

OrderPalomilla steak with yellow rice and black beans.

TipThe counter side runs 6am to midnight Friday and Saturday; the dining room takes reservations next door.

Directions Book

Brocato's Sandwich Shop ★ 4.6

$ CaribbeanWest Tampa

Brocato's on East Columbus Drive in Tampa has built Cuban sandwiches, deviled crabs and stuffed potatoes since 1948 from a neighborhood storefront.

OrderThe Cuban sandwich with a deviled crab on the side.

TipCash and card both work; the party finger sandwiches (mini Cubans and mini deviled crabs) are the catering pick.

Directions

Columbia Restaurant ★ 4.5

$$$$ Tasting $30-60 entreesSpanishChef Andrea Gonzmart Williams (proprietor)

Columbia in Ybor City has plated 1905 Salad, paella and Spanish-Cuban classics since 1905, Florida's oldest restaurant under five Gonzmart family generations.

Book1 week ahead

Directions Book

Wright's Gourmet House ★ 4.4

$$ AmericanPalma Ceia

Wright's Gourmet House on South Dale Mabry has built Tampa's classic Cuban and roast-beef sandwiches plus the famous rum cake since 1963. A Tampa table.

OrderCuban sandwich pressed and a slice of the rum cake to take home.

TipPete and Marjorie Wright started the shop on April 20, 1963; the Casper family bought it in 2024 to keep it Tampa-owned.

Directions

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