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.