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Take a bite out of a torta at La Mexicana in Alexandria
Take a bite out of a torta at La Mexicana in Alexandria
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Tracking Down Tortas In D.C.

Here's a map for finding the filling Mexican treat around town

by Tajha Lanier
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Take a bite out of a torta at La Mexicana in Alexandria
| Yelp
by Tajha Lanier

The meal-in-a-sandwich known as a torta is gaining ground in D.C.

Tortas can be made a variety of ways: hot or cold, dry, or "drowned" with sauce (ahogada), depending on what part of Mexico from which the traditional dish is sourced. Typically, the bread, or bolillo, meets avocado, beans, mayo, and a starring ingredient like carnitas, carne asada, or chorizo. A sprinkling of tomatoes, onions, salsa, lettuce, and chiles can round out the sandwich.

The origin of the torta is difficult to pinpoint. Roberto Ayala's "Big Book of Tortas and Sandwiches" offers a popular explanation, tracing the history of the sandwich way back to Leonardo Da Vinci. Today one can find the culinary classic throughout the area in various settings. From a sit-down brunch torta at El Camino in Bloomingdale to a grab-and-go option from Super Tacos and Bakery in Adams Morgan, D.C. delivers on the sandwich. Here are twelve spots to satisfy a tortas craving.

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Agua 301

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The modern Mexican eatery doesn't skimp on tortas options on brunch and lunch menus. Try the Torta Hamburguesa (grilled ground sirloin and chorizo, fried egg, tomato, avocado, shredded lettuce, refried beans, chipotle mayo) or the pan fried breaded chicken breast or grilled shrimp varieties, served with fried yucca, french fries or mixed greens. Lunch is Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and brunch is Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 484-0301
(202) 484-0301
Yelp

Also featured in:

El Camino

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This trendy Bloomingdale restaurant serves tortas during its Friday lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as weekend brunch times. The brunch torta, described as a “Mexican breakfast sandwich,” has just about every breakfast item imaginable inside, from eggs to queso fresco and chorizo, stuffed between two pieces of bread. Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, when you can wash the torta down with a margaritas.

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 847-0419
(202) 847-0419
R. Lopez

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El Centro D.F. 14th Street

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Richard Sandoval's Mexican restaurant has tortas buried on its lunch and weekend brunch menus. Grouped in with burritos and more in a section of the menu, the sandwiches might be easy to miss. Stop in 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

1819 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 328-3131
(202) 328-3131
Yelp

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El Chucho Cocina Superior

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Find tortas in such variety as ahogada (with adobo-marinated pork), ham and black beans, and a vegetarian version with potatoes, carrots, beans, and peppers.

3313 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010
(202) 290-3313
(202) 290-3313
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El Sol

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The Shaw staple serves up a healthy selection of tortas at its Logan Circle location. Try the Pambazos, stuffed with mashed potatoes and chorizo, dipped in guajillo chile sauce, queso fresco and sour cream. A couple of tortas options are also available on the taqueria's brunch menu.

1227 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 815-4789
(202) 815-4789
Yelp

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Espita Mezcaleria

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Find several tortas on this Shaw restaurant's lunch menu, including a fried fish and a hamburguesa version.

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 621-9695
(202) 621-9695
R. Lopez

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Gringos & Mariachis

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The milanese torta at this Bethesda restaurant is known for its epic size.

4928 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 800-4266
(240) 800-4266
Official

La Mexicana

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La Mexicana serves tortas ahogada, or dipped in sauce — the same kind that is traditionally found in Guadalajara. Pro tip: tortas ahogada are available on the weekends, or by calling in advance. This spot also stands out by serving its tortas on homemade bread. La Mexicana is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2907 Arlington Dr, Alexandria, VA 22306
(703) 717-0807
(703) 717-0807
Yelp

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Super Tacos & Bakery

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This tiny Adams Morgan spot serves no-frills tortas of just about every flavor profile under the sun. The tortas come in two sizes: $7 for medium and $9 for large. Come for the carne asada, stay for the cochinita pibil.

1762 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 232-7121
(202) 232-7121
Yelp

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Taco Bamba

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Looking for a tortas fix in Northern Virginia? Taco Bamba in Falls Church (and forthcoming locations in Vienna and Springfield) serves ingredient-packed “super tortas.” Go early or late; the restaurant is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 639-0505
(703) 639-0505
Yelp

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Taqueria Habanero

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Five different tortas are on the menu at this favorite destination for tacos, including a milanesa (fried chicken cutlet) version and a take on a Cubana. There are also sometimes tortas specials, such as a recent fish version.

3710 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20010
(301) 789-7407
(301) 789-7407
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Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita

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This Arlington-based taco truck delivers tortas on wheels. Hours kick off at 11 a.m. all week long. Fillings range from chicken cutlet to carne asada.

950 S George Mason Dr, Arlington, VA 22204
(202) 431-1072
(202) 431-1072
Yelp

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Agua 301

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

The modern Mexican eatery doesn't skimp on tortas options on brunch and lunch menus. Try the Torta Hamburguesa (grilled ground sirloin and chorizo, fried egg, tomato, avocado, shredded lettuce, refried beans, chipotle mayo) or the pan fried breaded chicken breast or grilled shrimp varieties, served with fried yucca, french fries or mixed greens. Lunch is Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and brunch is Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 484-0301
(202) 484-0301
Yelp

El Camino

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This trendy Bloomingdale restaurant serves tortas during its Friday lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as weekend brunch times. The brunch torta, described as a “Mexican breakfast sandwich,” has just about every breakfast item imaginable inside, from eggs to queso fresco and chorizo, stuffed between two pieces of bread. Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, when you can wash the torta down with a margaritas.

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 847-0419
(202) 847-0419
R. Lopez

El Centro D.F. 14th Street

1819 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Richard Sandoval's Mexican restaurant has tortas buried on its lunch and weekend brunch menus. Grouped in with burritos and more in a section of the menu, the sandwiches might be easy to miss. Stop in 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

1819 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 328-3131
(202) 328-3131
Yelp

El Chucho Cocina Superior

3313 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Find tortas in such variety as ahogada (with adobo-marinated pork), ham and black beans, and a vegetarian version with potatoes, carrots, beans, and peppers.

3313 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010
(202) 290-3313
(202) 290-3313
Facebook

El Sol

1227 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The Shaw staple serves up a healthy selection of tortas at its Logan Circle location. Try the Pambazos, stuffed with mashed potatoes and chorizo, dipped in guajillo chile sauce, queso fresco and sour cream. A couple of tortas options are also available on the taqueria's brunch menu.

1227 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 815-4789
(202) 815-4789
Yelp

Espita Mezcaleria

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Find several tortas on this Shaw restaurant's lunch menu, including a fried fish and a hamburguesa version.

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 621-9695
(202) 621-9695
R. Lopez

Gringos & Mariachis

4928 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

The milanese torta at this Bethesda restaurant is known for its epic size.

4928 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 800-4266
(240) 800-4266
Official

La Mexicana

2907 Arlington Dr, Alexandria, VA 22306

La Mexicana serves tortas ahogada, or dipped in sauce — the same kind that is traditionally found in Guadalajara. Pro tip: tortas ahogada are available on the weekends, or by calling in advance. This spot also stands out by serving its tortas on homemade bread. La Mexicana is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2907 Arlington Dr, Alexandria, VA 22306
(703) 717-0807
(703) 717-0807
Yelp

Super Tacos & Bakery

1762 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

This tiny Adams Morgan spot serves no-frills tortas of just about every flavor profile under the sun. The tortas come in two sizes: $7 for medium and $9 for large. Come for the carne asada, stay for the cochinita pibil.

1762 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 232-7121
(202) 232-7121
Yelp

Taco Bamba

2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA 22043

Looking for a tortas fix in Northern Virginia? Taco Bamba in Falls Church (and forthcoming locations in Vienna and Springfield) serves ingredient-packed “super tortas.” Go early or late; the restaurant is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 639-0505
(703) 639-0505
Yelp

Taqueria Habanero

3710 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Five different tortas are on the menu at this favorite destination for tacos, including a milanesa (fried chicken cutlet) version and a take on a Cubana. There are also sometimes tortas specials, such as a recent fish version.

3710 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20010
(301) 789-7407
(301) 789-7407
Facebook

Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita

950 S George Mason Dr, Arlington, VA 22204

This Arlington-based taco truck delivers tortas on wheels. Hours kick off at 11 a.m. all week long. Fillings range from chicken cutlet to carne asada.

950 S George Mason Dr, Arlington, VA 22204
(202) 431-1072
(202) 431-1072
Yelp

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