El Trapiche Top 6 Sandwiches: A Journey of Flavor and Tradition

More than four decades ago, when we embarked on our mission to bring traditional Panamanian cuisine to the city center, we never imagined that a delicious "accident" would result in one of the most iconic sandwiches of our humble restaurant.

The classic Emparedado en Hojaldra® from El Trapiche was born one night like any other, near closing time, when suddenly we ran out of bread to make sandwiches. At that moment, a visiting diner, a Puerto Rican soldier from the US Army who lived in the then Canal Zone, was present.

It turns out that the diner wanted a sandwich, and just as the manager on duty told him there was no regular bread, two hojaldras came out of the kitchen for another person sitting at the bar.

Seeing the shape and texture of our hojaldras, the gentleman asked if they would work for a sandwich, to which the manager (one of the founding partners, Domingo de Obaldia) responded by preparing a Combinación en Hojaldra. They both liked the sandwich so much that, in gratitude, the manager offered free hojaldra sandwiches for life to that soldier.

The rest, as they say, is history. The famous Combinación en Hojaldra® sandwich became the restaurant's best-seller for almost three decades until it was recently dethroned by the Ropa Vieja sandwich. This curious event also led to offering sandwiches between two Panamanian tortillas.

This time, I'd like to introduce you to the TOP 6 sandwiches at El Trapiche:

Combinación en Hojaldra: The classic, the original, the one that started it all: the Emparedado de Combinación en Hojaldra®. Delicious layers of roast pork, ham, chicken, yellow cheese, mozzarella, and vegetables make up our most popular sandwich.

Combination Sandwich in Hojaldra

Ropa Vieja en Hojaldra: El Trapiche's classic Ropa Vieja is the star of the first sandwich to dethrone the classic Combinación en Hojaldra. With melted mozzarella, pickled onions, and our special cilantro sauce, it will indeed become one of your favorites, too.

Ropa Vieja Sandwich

Pork Belly en Hojaldra: The Pork Belly sandwich is among the most decadent options on our menu. Crispy pork belly pieces topped with cilantro mayonnaise and caramelized onions with raspadura.

Pork Belly Sandwich

Pollo con Bacon: The Chicken with Bacon Sandwich has always been one of the most requested. It is available in Tortillas and in our delicious Hojaldras.

El Patriota: Country-fried steak with mozzarella cheese, sautéed onions, a fried egg, and sofrito mayonnaise between fried bread.

El Vegano: This original 100% Vegan option offers Creole flavors without animal products. It consists of homemade tortillas, bean spread, fried plantains, pickled onions, and grilled vegetables.