Salsa and Agave - Vancouver

So, it's not the same but here it is. A Mexican torta in Canada. I am happy to report that my torta needs are still being met in this Latin-lacking city..well somewhat. The tortas here are still far and few between but I intend to find every single last one of them and dine to my heart's content.

Restaurant: Salsa and Agave - 1205 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC

Model: Lili Luscher

Torta: Milanesa (breaded beef) with beans, tomatoes, onions, avocado, cheese (mozzarella is substituted for Oaxacan), lettuce, mustard, mayo, and chipotle sauce.
*Other options are carnitas (pulled pork), chicken, chorizo, pastor (pork in a spicy sauce with pineapple), beef, or vegetarian.

Verdict: Not bad, not bad. I am happy. Although the bread is more French style and the cheese more Italian, my mouth is pleasantly surprised (albeit a little rough after). It is mouthwatering, and with the jalapeños and chipotle sauce my mouth is nicely fired-up (*If you really want to suffer ask for the homemade habanero sauce).
It only costs $7.00 and is pretty filling. My only complaint is that the bread as it is not traditional torta style. But to the untrained torta eater, this sandwich will hit the spot.

La Parnita

My friend had been raving about this place for so long but I was never interested in more of the same old tacos and ceviche that I assumed they served (I´ve been living in Mexico for too long). But one Sunday afternoon, I was so exhausted from a six hour day of yoga (well I have to do something to burn off all those tortas) and just too tired to argue about where to have linner (lunch + dinner), that I finally gave in. As soon as I saw the place I realized this was no ordinary taquería. With an owner resembling a younger, less bald version of Lenin, waiters that look like they have been working there since they were thirteen years old (60 years ago), and deliciously tacky decor with just a touch of cool, I knew I had made the right decision. The place is perfect enough for hipsters, anti-hipsters, lumberjacks, and families alike, awesomely unpretentious but hip at the same time. The menu ranges from shrimp tacos, tortas of many kinds, to dried chilies stuffed with beans and cheese, and much more. We ordered shrimp tacos, a torta bañada (bathed in sauce), the stuffed chilies, more shirmp tacos, a michelada cubana (beer with lime juice, sauces, and spices), a limonada, wine, more shrimp tacos, and then the bill; which wasn´t very much. They even serve the micheladas in mugs that are kept in the freezer for an extra bonus of coldness on a hot day. During the meal the old cook lady even came out to greet us, smoke a cigarette, and give my dog, Onion, a bone and some water. What more could you ask for, really.

I know this is a blog about tortas but I really have to add the other food ´cause it was just so beautiful.

La Marquesa (Pambasos)

In my three and a half years of living in the land of tortas I have come across many a pambaso, but until today I had never tried one of these fried delights. They always seem to be sitting a little too close to the hot oil for my refined taste buds but since I had just gone for a hike (well, walk) through the almost Canadian-like cold bosque (forest) of La Marquesa I thought I deserved to fill my tired tummy with this greasier sister torta. Although they are not outright called tortas they sure look like family to me. Filled with potato and chorizo, shredded lettuce, sour cream, queso fresco, mayonaise, chile, and then fried in oil, you really can't go wrong. And sure enough it proved an excellent accompaniment to my sopa de hongos (mushroom soup) while sitting in the crisp Mexican mountain air watching the families play soccer in the fields and the little brats ride by on ponies.

El Rinconcito

In my opinion, the making of a good torta is all in the application of refried beans. Every torta should be made that way, and it just so happens that that's how they do it at El Rinconcito (The corner or little nook). There are two lovely ladies that run the place who seem to know the names of all the people that patronize it, which is always a good sign. We tried the milanesa (breaded beef) and ham, and the pierna (ham shank) both loaded with avocados, Oaxacan cheese, tomatoes, and jalapeñoes, making every bite an incredible but messy experience. If you don't mind standing while you eat, then I highly recommend this little hole in the wall.

On the corner of Citlaltepeti and Amsterdam, in front of the glorieta (roundabout).

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Tortaria "Jardín México"

Underwhelming was Sara's response to the tortas at Parque México. One of my students had recommended the place to me, and there was even a lineup, but in our proffesional opinions they were not that great. I do like it when they add beans, which they did, but I wasn't blown away, and I like to be blown away. I like a torta to bring tears to my eyes.
In all fairness though, we both had the same turkey torta, which was a mistake, and didn't ask for the house specialty. Maybe they make a mean chorizo or egg torta...who knows. Well I will never know since I'm not going back..unless I'm in the park and need an emergency torta...then they would do...but not on a normal occasion.

Tortaria "Jardín México"
123 Avenide México
Colonia Condesa

Tortas y Aguas, Las Palmas

I

If you are not a fan of the stand and eat then don't come here. But if you like good cheap tortas in posh neighbourhoods, standing around coolers, and delicious mango juice, then come hither. They've got it all covered. In the high-end, pretentious area of Las Palmas, Tortas and Aguas is a refuge from the over-priced and over-strawberried* norm. I had the chicken torta and my friend had the milanesa* with oaxacan cheese. I recommend the latter. Accompany it with the agua de mango or mandarina and you will be a happy camper. mmmmmm I think I'm gonna go right now.

Fresa: Opposite of naco; a mexican slang word used to describe disgustingly rich, preppy stuck up mexicans with blonde highlights who usually are the offspring of rich Mexican political figures; fresas like to start each sentence with "osea guey"; fresas take over San Antonio, TX during Easter and Christmas and make a mess at all of the malls and ross stores. From the Urban Dictionary Milanesa: Breaded fillet of beef

EL Capricho

I know it's been too long since I last made an entry, but between having consecutive stomach issues and becoming a sucker for yoga, tortas have sadly lost a front seat in my life. But I am back and ready for more! And since being off them for so long El Capricho was a great place to start.

These are the most expensive tortas I have ever seen in DF but probably my favorite so far (although I say that after almost every one I try; but for real this time). The prices range from 68 to 150 pesos (more than most peoples' daily wage here) and you can order anything from your traditional ham and cheese to the more un-common cordon blue torta. The waiters are a couple of white haired men in their late 60's who have probably been working there since they were 16 and take great pride and joy in selling these famous tortas. I recommend sharing since one torta is really two and although I am a professional torta eater, not even I could finish it in one sitting.
I had the shredded chicken which I highly recommend. Ysauro and David, my lovely co-workers who took me there, ordered the pastrami and the serrano ham (dry-cured, Spanish ham). One thing that really makes my day completely Mexican is coke in a glass bottle. I am not normally a fan but be it in glass, and I am a fanatic. Usually establishments in Mexico won't let you take the bottle with you since they get the deposit money back but these lovely men let me take it away and no extra charge! Now that's service! ...well I guess they can afford to at these prices.

El Capricho
Augusto Rodin #407
Colonia Mixcoac
Delegacion Benito Juarez