This is a guest post by Katherine Robinson. Katherine Robinson is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about her travel experiences which may be useful to other travellers.
Torta is a word in Spanish which has a number of different meanings. In most Latin American countries, torta refers to a cake. However, in Mexico, torta is the common word used for a sandwich. Torta ahogada literally means “drowned sandwich”, which I will go on to explain later.
What is a torta ahogada?
A torta ahogada is a popular snack in one particular Mexican state, Jalisco. This sandwich is made from thick bread known as bolillo, which has a crunchy crust and softer interior, and some of the most popular fillings are fried pork, chicken, beans and cheese. It is then submerged in either a spicy or mild sauce and the consistency of the bread prevents it from crumbling or dissolving. In restaurants, tortas ahogadas are usually served with avocado, onions and chilli peppers.
Where does it originate from?
Tortas ahogadas originate from Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco. Most locals love to eat a torta ahogada while watching a football game at Guadalajara stadium…and yes, despite it being dipped in sauce they are happy to eat it with their hands. In this city you should be able to find these sandwiches sold at street stalls. However, it is perhaps safer to try one at a restaurant.
To get to Guadalajara you should book a flight to Guadalajara International Airport with American Airlines or United Airlines if you are flying from a city in the United States. If you are flying from another international destination it is likely that you will have a stopover in Mexico City before your connecting flight to Guadalajara.
Photo credit: via flickr
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Mmmmm…..tortas! I had one of these just once. There is a great restaurant serving up Jalisco grub (I think it might even have had Jalisco in the name of the place) in DF. We only went once which was a pity – I kept meaning to go back. We kinda walked out of Zona Rosa and it was at the end of the road, parallel to Reforma, near Torre Mayor. Ever found it? It is an incredibly messy and mine came with a seriously potent chili sauce – they do give you a plastic glove to help out though!
Cheers for the post. There aren’t many great DF blogs of this sort, and I need a dose of DF every now and then!
Thanks Gary! We came across a great restaurant serving tortas ahogadas near Chapultepec several months ago. I’ll have to search for the one you mentioned, it sounds great. I currently have a couple friends visiting from the States, hopefully I can find it while they’re still in town!
The one I went to was pretty near the park…it could have been the one!
In el DF the best tortas ahogadas are to be found in these 2 places:
El Pialadero de Guadalajara
Hamburgo no. 332
Las Ahogadas
Calle Campeche, near Manzanillo, a block and a half east of Insurgentes, Colonia Roma
I also contributed recently to an issue of Saveur magazine on sandwiches in which they extoll the virtues of the torta ahogada…
Great, thanks! If you have the link to your article I’d love to read it!
Thanks Nick! El Piadero was the one I was referring too. I was wrong about it having Jalisco in the name though. But I found it on Street View, and yup, that’s the one. Highly recommended.
http://bit.ly/iSF13j
Here is an article I wrote on tortas (originally for The News Mexico):
http://goodfoodmexicocity.blogspot.com/2009/05/tortas-in-la-capital.html
That sandwich looks great! Wonder where I can find these served in San Jose del Cabo? Sure beats the regular fare of burritos and tacos.