- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
La Torta Gorda
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
2833 24th St(between York St & Bryant St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighbourhood: Mission
(415) 642-9600
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5:30 am - 7 pm
Sat 6 am - 4 pm
Sun 6:30 am - 2 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Naoko M. said: "My office once got Tlaloc catering for a build-your-own taco lunch. All I remember from that meal was that the carnitas was out of this world delicious. Fast forward about a year and a half later, I decided to head back to Tlaloc on…" read more »
125 reviews for La Torta Gorda
Review Highlights
-
"39 Pierna Enchilada from La Torta Gorda." In 18 reviews -
"Still in love with carne asada torta." In 18 reviews -
"and is slathered with queso fresco (just like my moms." In 6 reviews
Loading...
125 reviews in English
-
Review from Lloyd R.
Inner Richmond, San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012
The chiles en nogada served here are excellent.
It is a traditional dish from Puebla and consists of a poblano chile stuffed with shredded meats, aromatics, fruit, and spices covered with a walnut cream sauce and pomegranate seeds. It comes with a large roll of fresh bread to soak up the sauce. It is available only during the pomegranate season, October - March?
They do a great job preparing this dish. The service is great and everyone is very friendly. -
Review from Steph K.
San Francisco, CA
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
We ordered Guacamole & Chips and the Pierna Enchilada Torta to share.
The Guacamole was fresh and unexpectedly spicy.....in a good way. The flavor of the torta was delicious, however adding some of the guacamole to it made it much better. Which means, on it's own the torta would have been missing something. There were avocados tucked inside, however I don't think there was enough.
The bread was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside; perfect ends to contain the torta innards. To me, the bread is a very important component of a torta and La Torta Gorda gets it right.
Overall their torta was good, one of the better ones I've eaten in the city. However, since our guac made it much better, I'm a little undecided if it was the perfect package. However, I'd be willing to return and give another torta a chance. -
Review from Allison M.
San Francisco, CA
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
What an idiot. I came here without knowing about the 7x7 must eat item that was on the menu. I could die.
I'm overreacting. My small carne asada torta was A-OK. The bread was buttery and the toppings were quite satisfying. At $5.75, this burger-sized morsel made for a nice little lunch.
Good thing my date isn't writing this review, because he'd tell you that his huevos rancheros simply did not cut it. His main gripe was that $7.95 should have meant a little more on his plate, and a tastier tomato sauce. I tasted it, I thought it was ok.
I felt super full... heavy, even, after I ate here. And THEN I read the reviews. And then I felt even worse. I can't believe I wasted a meal not getting THE menu item.
I'm coming back for you, Torta #12.Listed in: A-OK, Le quiero, el taco, a girl on a Mission
-
Review from Rob C.
5/6/2012
came for the pierna (pulled pork) torta
came out like a panini. bread is soft and all the ingredients are soft, thus could use a different textural element. check out nearby los picudos. -
Review from Nicole P.
San Francisco, CA
4/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Was in the neighborhood so decided to try this place out. Small nothing fancy. It was empty around 2pm on a Sunday. decided to try the famous Pierna Enchilada Torta . It was good--not a ton on it, I saw bit of avocado and the meat but it could have used a bit more sauce as the bread was quite large. It was good but nothing I would write home about. A junior is about the size of in-n-our burger so it would be have been good with a side to share but I didnt see any on the menu.
-
Review from Andrew M.
La Torta Gorda offers one of the best tortas I've ever had.
The large Pierna Enchilada Torta was indeed the size of my face! The crispy torta bread was surprisingly able to withstand the massive amount of saucy pork and gooey avocado, giving my hands a mess-free path to maneuver the beastly torta. The torta was rich in flavors, and each bite caused me to momentarily close my eyes in satisfaction. Although I am rarely forced to save leftovers, I could only handle half of the torta due to its enormity.
Will definitely be back to try another torta! -
Review from Mayra L.
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Do you like tortas the size of your face?! Then you'll loooooove Torta Gorda.
I stumbled upon this place because my very American friends promised me that he could show me a place that was better then my mama's tortas. I didn't believe it..I mean nothing is better then my moms Mexican authentic cooking, but alas I agreed to go, on a bet that winner gets a beer afterwards.
Imagine my surprise when in front of my lands a carne asada torta the size of my face (for a small!!) and is slathered with queso fresco (just like my moms!) and chipotle sauce....it was freakin amazing. I browsed the menu as I devoured the deliciousness that was going on in my mouth and was super stoked to see they have legit authentic Latin food. They have platters that cook with pumpkin flower, which is common in Latin American, but rare to find here outside of your aunts kitchen.
The staff is super friendly and nice. I chatted with them and they told me how they came to bring the place to 24th. We left super stuffed and happy.
And my friend gained a beer IOU in the deal. -
Review from Alexandra R.
Bay Area
12/19/2011 2 photos
Not bad. The bread is what really makes a torta... and the bread was aiiiiiite. I ordered the Tinga Torta, which was "onion and chipotle sauce" but it had more of a tomato/acid-y sauce flavor. Fresh cut cheese slice inside, good flavor and large portions esp for the "Jr" size. My friend ordered the chilaquiles and that was just aiiiite also.
BUT let me tell you... the GREEN SALSA IS SO FREAKING AMAZING. Perfect spiciness, flavor, acid, YUM. I asked for some of it to-go with my leftovers and basically drank the salsa.
Service sucked, but it it's the mission district. -
Review from Vicente G.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2011 1 photo
No wonder the Pierna Enchilada Torta made the 7x7 Big Eat list! That thing was a monster and oh so AMAZING! I ordered the junior size but was only able to finish half since it was SO large. It was packed with carnitas, cheese, pickled jalapenos, onions, and sauce. The guy working the register brought it out to me with a squeeze bottle of deliciously smoky salsa that I liberally used on every bite.
The place is tiny, but they have a great patio in the back with tables and umbrellas. The guys working there are some of the friendliest, most helpful around! -
Review from jorge d.
San Francisco, CA
2/25/2012
If you want to try something different this is the spot! Started my order with a liquado de mamay! This exotic fruit accentuates chocolate in the most complimentary way and a milkshake made with this is hard to
Find! Then I ordered the chiles en nogada.. Wow. Chili rellenos topped with pomogranet .. For the vefetarian order yourself a quesadilla made with pumpkin flowers. Service was great. -
Review from R O.
San Francisco, CA
2/13/2012
I had a really good Torta, way too much food for me to finish in one sitting. I need to come back for breakfast some time.
-
Review from Ray C.
8/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Carne asada platter with beans, rice, and nopales. All were pretty run of the mill, except the cactus. Granted it does have a slimey nature to it, I still have had better at several places. The asada torta that we ordered was very bland, and also lacking in the lettuce, tomato, salsa. Did they forget? But since they are known for the tortas, I'll try another one next time before I activate the shun.
(Free delivery in the area. Wonder if they can do inside SFGH..) -
Review from mel h.
San Francisco, CA
6/15/2011
You know how Italians won't go to a place if the minestrone soup is sub-par? I had a friend for a while, Antonio-Something-Sexy-Sounding, who could like everything about an Italian resaurant, but if the soup was no good the restaurant got no love from Antonio. None. Nada. Nien. Here is a clip of one of our conversations:
Me: Hey, I'm hungry. And I want Italian. And don't throw in some remark about you being Italian and how I can have you. I want Italian food. Not you, the Italian.
ASSS: Me, too.
Me: How 'bout that little place on 18th street? I hear it's got a killer gnochi.
ASSS: No.
Me: Wha? Why? It's supposed to be fantastic.
ASSS: I won't go dere. Da soup sucks balls.
Me: So don't get the soup.
ASSS: I can't NOT get da soup.
Me: You're irritating.
ASSS: No, I'm Italian! **throws hands in the air** I can't just go to an Italian restaurant and not get da soup! **Keeps hands in the air and stares at me with challenge**
Me: Yes you can. You're being dramatic.
ASSS: Dere's just some tings you can't look past! It's like seeing a beautiful woman, and den noticing she has a mustache. She's not beautiful anymore. Same with da soup. It makes the place. And dat place is like a girl with a mustache.
Me: (Silence)
ASSS: (Staring)
Me: Fine. How about the place on Valencia we went to a couple months ago? Or is that place like a beautiful mustachioed woman, too?
ASSS: No. That's a true beautiful lady. We can go there.
Me: You're buying.
Anyway ... that's how I am about salsa. I'm a self-admitted salsa-snob. And I like it HOT!
Since I moved to the Mission four months ago I have made it my personal goal to try every taqueria in my neighborhood of 24th avenue. The rest of the goal? Not gaining mass LB's in the process. I'm most of the way through it, but two weeks ago Torta Gorda shot their way to the top of my list by offering the best damn salsa in the city. And it's hot. Like, really, really hot. And you know that onion-y, habanero-y cabbage-y thing you can get at some taquerias? The coveted salsa with no name? Yeah, the one at Torda Gorda blows them all away. In every sense of the word. In fact, if you're not used to spicy this will be a bit too much for you, but I chose to pile it high on top of my chilaquiles and pay the consequences later. It was sooooo worth it.
Which reminds me: Get the chilaquiles with eggs the way you like them and carna asada. I asked for over medium and was rewarded with the best eggs I've had in 34 years on this planet. It's like, how can you make an egg better? It's an 'effing egg. But they do. Their eggs taste betterr.
That should be their motto: La Torta Gorda -- Our Eggs Taste Better.
And did I mention they have a patio? Mmmhmm. It's there. Since they don't offer booze, and since I live right around the corner, I'm thinking I'll order of of their amazing juices and add my own dash of something adult-like. I'm thinking Cazadores. In fact, I'm thinking it's gonna be an awesome Cazadores-type of a summer on the patio of Torta Gorda gorging myself on chilaquiles and habanero salsa.
Meet me there. I'll be the girl making sweet, sweet love to her food in the corner. It'll be pretty weird. You can't miss me. -
Review from Rosie W.
8/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for 7x7. They featured La Torta Gorda's Enchilada Torta.
I hate to say it, but it wasn't all that for me. I read some of the reviews below and I'm kicking myself for not trying anything else, but I figured I love Mexican food already, this should be pretty delicious. So sad, I was wrong. -
Review from Mayra R.
San Jose, CA
9/29/2011
OMG this place is amazing!
i loved it!
food was great and so was the service=] the people here are very friendly and joke a lot very very good deff will be going back=] -
Review from Lily W.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2011
This place was very cute-looking. Walked in noon-ish, and there were plenty of seats.
I split a Pollo and a Pierna Enchilada torta with a friend. They were both good, but in different ways.
The Pollo was really good and perfect for tasting every aspect of what was in the torta. The meat wasn't overly seasoned, so you could actually taste to avocado, beans and everything.
The Pierna Enchilada was good, but I got more of a texture of everything (other than the onion, which is really too strong to mask with anything).
Both torta's were made very well, and the crispy bun outside was DELICIOUS. It didn't get soggy, and just was all around amazing.
The service was ok, The woman was very nice. But it wasn't busy and she gave us far too much time for everything. Took a long time getting us the menu's, and the check. I'd give it 3.5 stars, and normally round down to 3 because service is huge for me. But the food was delicious, and I saw the waitress a little faster with other people. So maybe my table just looked slow. ha. -
Review from Lee S.
San Francisco, CA
12/24/2011
I had breakfast with a friend the other day here. The owner told us about the breakfast specials and... well, his passion for his dishes shows through brightly. And the meal was excellent! A great breakfast experience. Some of their waitstaff don't speak English but that's ok.
-
Review from Natasha R.
San Francisco, CA
11/11/2010
The San Francisco culture has penetrated my soul and after reading The Food Revolution by John Robbins I have spent the last two months avoiding meat. I've nibbled on some chicken, and one time I broke down and scarfed some beef carpacchio- but otherwise I only allow myself to look at the vegetarian entrees when I eat out.
La Torta Gorda is a place for the meat lovers- Period. Do not come here and order a veggie torta thinking you are going to get sauteed veggies. Its basically a tomato mozzarella sandwich with guac, refried beans, and jalapenos. Weird combination, partially cold, and not good. The fresh torta bread was the only redeemable quality.
I wish I could join the rest of you carnivores and come back for a savory meaty torta- but not sure how soon that will happen. -
Review from Angela M.
San Rafael, CA
9/9/2010
La Torta Gorda brought tears to my eyes today. The food is absolutely delicious and prepared with love, made apparent by the delicate flavors in the dishes and the pride and joy the staff displays. Today was my first visit, inspired by an article written about LTG my friend had passed on. She and I are constantly on the search for good Mexican food in the bay area - this place certainly delivers.
*Tortas are not the only thing on the menu. Other items were featured in the article I had read, so I went with those (below):
1) Quezadillas con Huitlacoche (mushroom that grows on corn, subtle-sweet-earthy flavor)
---This is not a quesadilla at all in the usual way. A handmade corn tortilla, filled with fresh corn, fresh epazote, huitlacoche, and a LITTLE bit of cheese is filling yet light, and very tasty.
2) Tlacoyos al Albanil
---This handmade refried-black beans filled corn tortilla, topped with a light tomato sauce, fried egg, and sliced avocado, was my favorite of both dishes.
Accompanying my meal were three hot sauces from three different types of chiles, roasted - two red & a green. Those were lovely.
I complimented my server (perhaps also an owner) on the unusual and yummy dishes and he seemed to take pride, very graciously. He explained that the kitchen of La Torta Gorda was a unique one in The Mission; dishes prepared at LTG are traditional to central/southern Mexico, or Puebla.
As I was settling up, a woman who also worked there was waiting for her own lunch to arrive. She pointed to a picture of a dish near the "specials" board, called" CHILES EN NOGADA": a pork, peach & pear-stuffed chile, smothered in a light walnut crema sauce, garnished with pomegranate seeds and fresh parsley. When it arrived, she insisted that I take a bite and try it. In a word: Ambrosia. Again, obviously prepared from the heart!
Another selling point to this place - the atmosphere: It is spotlessly clean and lovingly maintained, including the bathroom - a rarity in the business! Also, the old diner feel gives this place a genuine charm, complete with antique looking lights and wall sconces.
Finally, the service was FANTASTIC.
Go to La Torta Gorda and perhaps try something other than a torta. And go before they remove the "Chiles en Nogada" from their seasonal offerings. -
Review from Fancypants X.
San Francisco, CA
6/18/2010 4 photos
Standing at the doorway, we are greeted with cheers & hollers. No, the celebratory exuberance was not for us (I wish!) but for the World Cup game playing on their TV (MEX & FRA, i think? Not sure, since I don't follow the sports.)
The narrow diner has counter seating to the left & tables (that seat four) to the right. There's something very comfortable about La Torta Gorda; I don't know if it's the warm service or the open kitchen or even the familiar food, but I liked the easy going, laid back feel.
I ordered the junior sized chicken milanese torta, which was big enough to share with my lunch partner (who had a quesadilla with huitlachoche, basically a mushroom & corn filling that she said was great.)
I think if I'd ordered a more traditional Mexican meat (like carne asada), I would have enjoyed my torta more. The breaded chicken would have been good at an Italian restaurant, but I can't say it belonged in a torta. Also, I would have liked different textures in my sammy (something crispy, please.) I did appreciate the spice level from the jalapenos.
While I won't be a regular at LTG, I don't hesitate to recommend it. Their simple food & wallet friendly prices ($11 for lunch!) seem to be crowd pleasers. On to the next torta joint!Listed in: Dirt Fuckin' Cheap...
-
Review from Melody T.
8/20/2011
Pierna enchilada torta - wow. Had a few bites of the boy's and wish I had my own. Will definitely be walking over there and getting one for myself.
-
Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
3/25/2010 2 photos
Love the old school diner look, open kitchen, counter seating, booths - and the Mexican menu combined with some diner standbys like pancakes, egg dishes and omelettes. The Mexican menu includes their famous tortas, tacos, chilaquiles, and quesadillas. For beverages, choose from fresh squeezed juice, coffee, and Mexican sodas.
Tortas come in two sizes, junior and regular - the juniors are mostly $5.45 and the larger size is $7.75.
* Piernas enchilada torta - it sounds like an enchilada but it's actually a torta. The torta starts with grilled, soft, thick bread, and it's filled with savory pulled pork, refried beans, avocado, queso fresco, jalapenos, onions and mayo. The bread soaks up the juices. It's warm, flavorful and creamy - but too saucy and a bit soggy. I like a little more textural contrast in my sandwiches. I had the junior size and it's smaller than what I'm used to - but most tortas are probably too large. -
Review from Janice C.
8/26/2009 2 photos
* 4.5 stars *
I get excited easily.
When the brilliant Patty P came up with the idea of getting together for lunch so we can cross off another item on the Big Eat SF list, I wanted to respond with something cool, but can only come up with "YAY!"
On the 7 x 7 list is:
#39 Pierna Enchilada from La Torta Gorda
I love how this place is casual and homey. Spanish music playing in the background, there's counter seating available, fresh juices in their big containers on your left when you walk in.
I was sipping on my sweet cantaloupe juice while looking at the menu and noticed that a lot of the names are in Spanish. (you know this place has got to be authentic) Our server was more than happy to help us with the translation.
Patty and I dug into that delicious Chile Relleno ($9.45) served with rice and beans. It was stuffed with (cotija?) cheese and swimming in tasty sauce! Tortillas are provided with this dish so you can sop up the saucy goodness. The rice and bean portions are on the smaller side. (or maybe I'm just so used to seeing rice and beans that fill up half my plate?)
That torta was akin to a sammy, but this one didn't leave me hungry two hours later. It must be from the avocado, refried beans, queso freso, mayo , onions and jalapeno that filled the torta. The tender pork just pulled everything together. I now think that torta translates to "so good" in English. Get the junior size for $5.45 and it's enough to tide you over til the next meal.
If the affordable prices and the good food here don't get you excited, then you my friend, are just hopeless.Listed in: 7 X 7 Magazine's Big Eats SF…, Gourmet Ghetto, Mission Possible
-
Review from Vivek N.
San Francisco, CA
11/28/2010
You are likely to walk past LTG without it even occurring to you that its totally worth checking out. I personally think, LTG is one of the few well kept Mission secrets. I like LTG for the following reasons:
1. its a clean restaurant
2. the service is good
3. the prices are reasonable
4. there isn't usually a wait
5. and there is backyard seating -
Review from Raw W.
Brisbane, CA
11/7/2011
I was craving some authentic Mexican food and this place claims to have it. I have had more flavorful tacos from a taco cart on the street than this place.
This place is a little runed down and looks like it's had better days.
We ordered the Jr. Steak torta, a regular carnitas taco and Taco Placero Al Pastor. The Steak Torta had no flavor, the carnitas taco was moist yet also lacking in taste, now the Placero Al Pastor taco was a little better but the nopales tasted like the came out of a jar.
With all that being said, the only reason I would stop back into this place would be if it's raining and I needed to get out of the rain. -
Review from Earl G.
3/26/2009
Not as divey and hole in the wall-ish as Tortas LP down the street. I think that's why the torta didn't taste as good. Or maybe just because it wasn't as flavorful and the toppings were somewhat lacking.
Ordered up a tinga torta, which is shredded chicken cooked with onions, tomatoes, and chipotle. Wouldn't order it again because the tinga was really wet and made my torta super soggy. Plus, it didn't have that kick I was looking for with the chipotle. Tinga tu madre. Just kidding, these workers are cool. So they said they had avocados in the torta. Really? Didn't notice.
They also have those bacon wrapped hot dogs here ($4). Way to early to order one of those for lunch tho. Those only taste good at 2am.
Great place to go with coworkers. -
Review from Art O.
San Francisco, CA
1/3/2009
After getting hooked up with my new board at Mission Skateboards, I wandered down 24th St for a bite to eat. I remember reading about La Torta Gorda on Yelp and decided to seek it out. Luckily, I'm a visual learner and remembered what La Torta looked like based on the signage since I had no clue what the cross street was.
I was the second or third person in the restaurant and was served promptly. I ordered a mango agua fresca and a large torta with carnitas. This thing was pretty huge but served on a flat round roll which I never had before. The torta was good but the flavors didn't really pop as I would've expected. The agua fresca was excellent though.
Overall, more like 3.5 stars. Great service and a pretty decent torta. -
Review from Jen C.
7/28/2009 1 photo
They close at 8PM so it was totally cool of them to keep the place open for us and let us lounge around even though we rolled in at 7:45. Plus they were super helpful with the menu and actually told us to get a smaller size.
Pierna Enchilada Torta + Chorizo & Egg Torta - the junior size is a good portion
Caldo de pollo - they were nice enough to split the soup for us and we both got a large piece of chicken in our bowls and it's serve with a side of diced onions, cilantro, jalapenos and limes.
Champurrado - a hot chocolate mixed with corn...super rich and yummy -
Review from Jason B.
8/3/2009
Can you picture a more quintessential 24th street scene? Spanish music playing. The guy who yells "GOAL" doing his thing on TV. Tortas being served. It was my sister's first time in this part of town, and I was hoping La Torta Gorda would deliver the goods. Indeed they did.
We both got the junior grilled chicken with refried beans, which we agreed was anything but junior. The guy taking our order was very accommodating, adhering to our requests to leave the bad stuff (cheese, mayo) off and put the good stuff (spinach, tomato) on. We also agreed it was absolutely delicious.
Splendid service, quintessential atmosphere, great prices, fantastic food. And an Obama picture on the door. The Mission at its finest!Listed in: Lunch
-
Review from Jan C.
Kentfield, CA
10/31/2011
This restaurant is an absolute treasure in the heart of the Mish. Friendly, kind of a retro kooky diner look, exceptionally clean, and with a unique menu that you just have to explore. I've ordered things where I didn't know what the heck the ingredients were but they were delicious! Maybe I was eating cactus or eggplant or mushrooms. It doesn't matter; it's all great! Be prepared if you order a torta "regular" it will be HUGE (ideal for sharing).
It is so clear that the owners care a great deal about preparing and serving excellent fresh food and making sure that you are glad you stopped by.
Like others, I had passed this place by countless times. It was shocking when I opened the door, walked in and felt like....this is the place.
Went for Halloween/Dia de los Muertos time the last three years and they always have a beautiful altar set up in the front of the restaurant.
Great food, very reasonable prices, great vibe, great people.
Go!
ps: be sure to leave your generous tip in the tip jar at the front, next to the cash register. -
Review from Dave F.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Man, this is one of the best Tortas I've had, ever. I've passed this place a hundred times and finally decided to try it. The carnitas was tender and not too greasy, the blend of ingredients was portioned just right and the bread was truly amazing - crispy on the ouside yet tender and moist on the inside, not chewy or tough at all. The topper was the homemade chipotle sauce.
This sandwich was so good I went back the next day. For people with normal sized stomaches, I recommend the "junior" size. The "regular" is enough to feed 2.
Nom nom nom... -
Review from Cindy L.
7/31/2011
3.5 stars for the al pastor torta which has marinated pork and pineapples! The pineapples and jalapenos were a good touch since they made the torta a lot juicier! The cubana had too much meat and was dry compared to the al pastor. Also, I don't think hot dog slices should be in my sandwich, so I wouldn't order the cubaba again. The tortas are huge, so share with friends if you don't have a big appetite. We split 2 among 4 people and I was stuffed!
-
Review from kdub ..
Oakland, CA
1/20/2008
My girlfriend and I have a Saturday morning ritual. We wake up, blisteringly hungover, having consumed the better part of a bottle of Jack Daniels the night before, our mouths feeling like the cat shit in them, heads pounding away like a porn star. We lie there quietly and start whispering "Torta" to one another.
At some point one of us poor bastards actually has to get out of the bed and be the one to go downstairs and pick up our tortas. I'm not gonna lie to you--it's usually her because let's face it, she's whipped.
She comes back with our chorizo, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich or our torta con al pastor and two fat Gatorades and we hunker down on the couch for another useless Saturday.
I'm gonna tell you right now, there are very few things in life that one of their tortas cannot cure. Cancer? Maybe. Tourette's? Quite possibly. A hangover large enough to stop a herd of oxen in their tracks? Fuck yeah.
As a bonus, all of the guys who work here are SO NICE. If you're dining in though, the music will make your eardrums bleed. -
Review from Scott W.
San Francisco, CA
2/25/2008
This is one of my favorite spots so far in my new home. I've always been a fan of the Torta, but this place is a whole other level.
The first time I went in there it was during the lunch rush and it was quite busy. It took 15 minutes or so to get my sammich, which is excessive, but again, it was busy so I just chilled up at the counter. The lady who took my order was friendly despite being pretty overwhelmed with annoying customers....
On that note, let me just say that I hate white people. I know, I know...I'm white...but believe me, I hate myself too. If your new age hippy diet isn't in line with what's on the menu, go somewhere else. Don't waste the staff's time with a barrage of questions about the ingredients and then expect them to build you a custom tie-dyed torta for you and your fellow Berkeley faculty members. I'm a hater. I know.
Back to the Gorda. Fabulous. My first sammy was a carne asada and i was a happy little clam. One thing to note: They offer both "Junior" and "Regular" size tortas. Since I'm a wannabe, I order the regular and so far have not made it trhough more than 3/4 of a sandwich. Apparently I'm not a boy, but not yet a man.
My second trip I had to try the Cubano. What a crazy sandwich that thing is...pork, turkey , hot dogs...you name it. It was yummy and deadly all at the same time. I foresee many trips to the Gorda in my future. I think the next trip will involve a breakfast torta. Should be good times.... -
Review from Yuri K.
6/14/2010
BEST TORTAS IN TOWN. best quality ingredients, incredible bread, amazing carnitas, and mango smoothie - fresh, whole mango smoothie for 3 bucks? and watermelon aguas frescas (which tastes like smooshed watermelon but without any sugar added... 16 oz for 3 bucks? unheard of... watermelon is expensive). Um... what else - clean restaurant, great breakfast... amazing sauces, great quality of QUESO FRESCO, my favorite cheese, oh and, I don't know, the food speaks for itself. And the left overs keep well, too. Just turn the oven onto 400 degrees and cook for 10-15 in the paper. Don't bother with the tortas at El Farolito (even though it's amazing) or Cancun (even though it's fantastic). Don't bother. Walk the few extra blocks to La Torta Gorda and have your meal here.
Oh, and thumbs up to the awesome staff. Truly a great mom-and-pop shop. -
Review from Hallie R.
Oakland, CA
8/24/2007
DONT EAT HERE THEY SERVE DOG! Kidding. But their takeout menu does say they offer "Toasted Beagles." Note: please don't ever change that! I'm cheesy enough that it makes me giggle every time.
Tasty tortas, probably my favorite on 24th,the junior is definitely big enough for one. I've also had the grilled vegetable and goat cheese sandwich, very nice. Sometimes though you got to be assertive to get attention. The ordering location is ambiguous and when it gets busy folks just spread down the counter, looking lost and hungry.Listed in: "As the World Turns" around…
-
Review from Anjali V.
San Francisco, CA
5/10/2010
VIVA LA TORTA!!!!!!!!!!!
* dangerously affordable
* fast & friendly service
* DELICIOUS
* clean, kitchy, randomly awesome interior decor
* the "junior" size is plenty of food to fill you up & the "large" will induce sudden and instantaneous food-coma. (yes, while you're still seated, with food in your mouth).
fyi: watch out for the random open/closed hours - but shift your life accordingly to make the trip happen.
no doubt: best torta in sf! -
Review from Anne Marie B.
Manhattan, NY
9/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
this place serves a 5 star torta. we were at SFGH yesterday for work so we walked down the street to La Torta Gorda per the recommendation of an SFGH employee. Smart move on our part to listen.
We were seated out on the back patio and had a delicious lunch. Two of us opted for the regular sized carnitas torta. We both only ate half and had the other half for dinner. It was chock full of delicious carnitas, and the saucy flavors (including my fav: mayo) tied it all together. If I worked near here I'd probably grab a junior torta on a regular basis for lunch. Our other lunchmates went for a quezadilla and taco. neither seemed to have any complaints, so i call it win-win. Our misison mexican food craving was beyond satisfied with these giant sandwiches of deliciousness. -
Review from Susan L.
New York, NY
8/9/2008 1 Check-in Here
This was my first torta experience, which is surprising seeing that I've been living in the deep Mission for 3 years now. I didn't find anything all that special with tortas but I did appreciate a Mexican cuisine that wasn't just some other arrangement of tortilla, meat, cheese, and salsa. I ordered a junior carnitas torta (definitely appreciate the junior size) and was pleased with the thick fresh bread and well-seasoned meat.
La Torta Gorda gets 4 stars because they provide a quick, cheap, simple option for when you're hungry. Also, service was great - we got the royal treatment when they set up a table for us in the back patio. I'm completely satisfied with this torta joint and don't feel the need to try out any others in my hood. -
Review from Sarah C.
San Francisco, CA
3/19/2010
So I am pretty insistent on getting my 7X7 List 100 Things to Eat list done and in my belly. So out to the Mish we went for lunch today with my trusty sidekick Loren.
This place was awesome, the pierna enchilada torta was tasty and even the junior size filled my belly and made me very happy. Tasty panini like bread (nice and crispy), juicy tender pulled pork, jalapenos for crunch, pickled onions and a spicy smoky flavored salsa to top it off. The owner was very friendly and suggested some other unique options they specialize for us to try our next trip around. They specialize in really fresh, homemade corn tortillas and different dishes surrounding these. Will DEFINITELY be back... we got lucky and had a sunny day in which we were able to sit on the patio and enjoy our meal with some Mexican coke.
PS- If you are hitting the list as well, Dynamo Donuts is across the street and Humphrey Slocombe ice cream is about 2 blocks down. We hit 3 spots in one hour... woohoo!
