There was a bump in my belly and it's all my fault....
Had I known the giant sandwiches from That's It Torta were each going to be bigger than my outstrethed hand and cost $10 each, I would've ordered just one to share. I was hungry, hot, and dazed and stumbled on the idea of a torta dinner for two while leaving Walgreen's on Mission at 23rd Street. I learned an important lesson, too late: ask how big a torta cubana is before ordering. Tortas can come in different sizes, depending on bread size and type.
Since Oscar's grandmother is Cuban, I figured he'd enjoy the Cuban version of a torta and that it would probably be familiar. We'd already heard great things about the store's torta cubana from a beefy looking bartender at the simply titled BAR next door (if you live in the Mission, you've probably seen BAR's red on black sign). Turns out the torta cubana is at least two meals in one- a huge monster, weighed down with a delicious mix of: pickled jalapeno, grilled onion, tomato, avocado slices, lettuce, two fried eggs, bacon, mayo, queso, sliced ham & chicken, Mexican chorizo, shredded chicken and pork, refried beans, and cubed ham.
The best part about That's It Torta is pulling up a stool and watching the senora work her magic. Her food prep area takes up 1/4 of a liquor store, where folks of all ages stream in and out buying Lotto tickets, sodas, candy, and Spanish magazines. One wondered aloud in Spanish if Castro was dead yet. No? Shrugs and sighs all around. Sweet and savory meat smells filled the air as each layer was prepared. Much of the chorizo's fat drained away on the hot griddle. I sipped a bottle of water while I waited, since I had a grumbling stomach and sudden hunger headache. I should've guessed that hunger would soon be easily obliterated by one torta.
We were in for too much food. She cracked four eggs and continued working. Gulp. Oscar didn't know I was bringing these babies home-I hoped he hadn't dug into his favorite meal: a gourmet peanut butter & jelly sandwich! Although there are many ingredients, the senora is a pro at keeping it all stacked up just so as she works. Carrying the tortas home, it felt like five pounds worth of food. Eating the torta cubana turned out to be a drippy, juicy, meaty, heavy affair, but a happy and satisfying effort. A four or five napkin minimum is required, as well as a plate to eat over. Using a fork and a knife helps when you first dig in, but it's fun to hold the torta up to bite once you are able to. The torta cubana tasted out of this world served cold for lunch the next day, with hot, strong coffee. I strolled around the block to decrease the fullness of my belly, which barely helped.
There are many other sandwich and breakfast options at That's It Torta. I can't wait to work through the menu, and eat a torta at the counter while watching the Mission world go by. Make sure you have ample room in your belly. This may very well be the biggest sandwich in the City.
That's It Torta, Mission at 23rd.
I'll split one with you!
Posted by: Tea | August 10, 2006 at 05:12 PM
Tea: Maybe we can get one later this month, some Tuesday?
Posted by: Mary Ladd | August 15, 2006 at 11:57 AM