Howdy friends! Welcome to Pedro's perspective. A discourse on all things Pedro. I have to thank my friend Gamez for the inspiration to start my blog. After reading his Burger Blog I felt empowered to write about the itty bitty things that make my world go round....for example TORTA goodness!
So I had just finished playing two poker games on Full Tilt (those that know me know that I have to get my NL Texas Hold 'em fix at least twice a day). Hey I know what you are thinking.... but it's not a problem when you are a profitable player! (I have a 6% ROI...for the doubters feel free to sharkscope "la cobra"). Anywhooooooo....as I was saying...then my least favorite roomate (although a better poker player than I am) walks in and asks me "what should I have for dinner?" (mind you it's 11:45pm). So I says to him...."you don't have very many options man...how about some mickie D's?" to which he responded, "are you flocking serious?, Why have McDonald's when you can have the best tortas in Austin." Hmmm....I suddenly stopped checking out the features on Google's latest attempt to take over the world (chrome) and gave Lupe my undivided attention. This was a very bold statement. Too bold....it had to be tested. Anyone that knows me know how much I love a tasty torta. When I was in high school my parents ran a puestesito de tacos y lonches called "El Patio". Oh my God those were the glory days. Everyday of my junior year after running sucides and wall to wall sprints under the regime of General Bodkin I could come home to the comfort of perfectly cooked carne deshebrada goodness! So needless to say, I have high standards for my tortas.
The place: El Paisa taco/torta trailer (located on the parking lot of La Morelina meat market, 3600 S. Congress)
Lupe ordered: Torta de pierna (chicken torta)
Pete ordered: Torta de bistek
Well I must admit that this was a very tasty torta. Pan Bolillo was nice and toasty, avocados were fresh, and the meat was well seasoned and tender, but calling it the best in Austin is a bit of a stretch. Actually I would give La Moreliana tortas the upper hand because of the jalapeno and queso panela elements in their tortas. Overall using the Gamez system of food ratings I would give it a B+ (although I love that it's open til 2am...and I'll take a torta over Roppolo's or Bestwurst any day!).
Panza llena....corazon contento : )
PS Tortas defined below (thank God for Wikipedia!)
A torta is a Mexican sandwich, served on an oblong 6-8 inch firm, crusty white sandwich roll, called a bolillo, telera or birote. Tortas can be served hot or cold. Common ingredients may include, but are not limited to:
- Al pastor: (marinated pork)
- Alambre: (steak, bacon, onion, pepper and cheese)
- Carne asada: (marinated steak)
- Carne deshebrada: (shredded beef)
- Carnitas: (fried tender pork)
- Chile relleno: (white cheese-stuffed Anaheim or poblano green pepper fried in egg batter)
- Choriqueso: (Chorizo with cheese)
- Cochinita pibil: (pork loin in orange sauce)
- Camaron: shrimp
- Huevo con salchicha: (sausage and scrambled egg)
- Jamón: Ham
- Lengua: beef tongue
- Milanesa: (breaded steak)
- Pescado: fried fish
- Pechuga de pavo: turkey breast
Some styles include:
- Cubana: Inspired by the popular Cuban sandwich. Typically includes a wide variety of ingredients: ham, white cheese, scrambled eggs, sausage, milanesa and chipotle.
- Torta ahogada: a sandwich filled with carnitas and submerged in sauce. Very popular in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Garnishes such as avocado, sour cream, lettuce, jalapeño, tomato, and cheese feature in various incarnations of the sandwich.
