Tortas at Papa Loco's

Mexican food is a favorite of many people across the country, but it has never been a favorite of mine.  I'd never really had good Mexican dishes until I came out west.  There are hundreds of Mexican restaurants in Tucson, near where we live, but the best may be found in the most unexpected places.  Meet Papa Loco's.  Located within an annex of a local Valero gas station, this humble, mom-and-pop-owned cocina offers up some of the tastiest and authentic Mexican food in the area.

Keith and his brother, Dean, were out bike riding near the restaurant when they decided to give it a try.  (After all, bicycling burns calories and demands energy refueling.)  The duo tried a specialty written up in the Tucson Daily Star--the torta.  I'd never heard of a Mexican torta before.  But let me tell you.  Dean and Keith and the Tucson Daily Star were right when they gave it five stars.  It's a sandwich--a very large sandwich--popular as a street food in Mexico.  A soft round bread called telera is topped with the meat of your choice--carne asada, chicken, carnitas or al pastor (marinated pork).  The meat is joined by slices of avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mayonnaise, and fresh Mexican cheese.   You can pile on hot or mild salsa, jalapenos, cucumbers, lime slices, pickled vegetables, and/or cilantro at the condiment bar.  It is divine!  (I'm making myself very hungry now.)  This little restaurant attached to a gas station prepares delicious tortas. 

From now on, when we get visitors, we plan to take them out for an authentic Mexican cuisine experience and eschew the white table clothed restaurants offering the stereotypical entrees.

Hey, Keith, you wanna go to Papa Loco's for dinner?

It's a torta!  Yum!

No need to get all dressed up--we're relaxed out here in the southwest.  Let's just go to the local gas station for lunch.