(Dined 12/13/14 SA @ 7:00pm & 12/17/14 W @ 5:00pm): You found more than tortas at this Mexican restaurant!
I used to eat at Tortas Mexico when I was a poor starving college student in the 90's at their hole-in-the-wall location in La Canada Flintridge. Then, I saw this Groupon deal (i.e. two $10.00 drinks/food vouchers for $6.00 each) that brought back memories of inexpensive Mexican food in the Foothill communities when that was all I could afford. I reconnected myself with them after all these years and here was my first experience after nearly 20 years:
Strawberry Margarita ($4.99) - As inviting as it looked, there was nary any alcohol and tasted like a melted Otter Pop (Strawberry Short Kook)! Neither blended nor on the rocks, it had multiple ice chips throughout. This was a total fail, but I drank it anyway. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=qAA5FpvPYfBq6qY2iuPnVw
Ultimate Wet Carnitas Burrito ($8.79) - Filled with my choice of meat (carnitas), refried and pinto beans, rice, onions, cilantro and salsa all wrapped inside a large flour tortilla, I "ultimized" this sucker and made it all wet covered with more cheese, guacamole, lettuce, pico de gallo and sour cream. The meat was plentiful and cut into perfectly chewable pieces. While I was happy with most of the ingredients, I wished there was more cilantro, guacamole and lettuce. Otherwise, I threw this down! http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=35EBgY6HyAfzxVUFmUDiqA
Complimentary Fresh Tortilla Chips and Pacifico Beer ($3.00 HH) - I loved fresh warm tortilla chips! You helped yourself to any level of salsa hotness to accompany the chips. And I was in a Pacifico mood... http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=byEEQPspohxJB_W5QfDjgQ
Grilled Tilapia Fish Taco ($2.99) - Battered and fried with bits of onions on two soft white corn tortillas, this needed some lettuce or even pico de gallo. No worries, I added some carrots and salsa myself. Hot off the grill, I was happy with the amount of fish. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=PPXybsswIwdjRUDSWiVohQ
Carne Asada Tostada Bowl ($8.49) - Crispy flour tortilla shell filled with refried beans, lettuce, choice of meat (carne asada), cheddar Jack cheese, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo, the meat was plentiful but varied from moist and supple to burnt and hard. The pieces were good chewable size but not a fan of having to really chew the meat. Also, the other ingredients (especially lettuce) were kind of lacking; thus, the bowl seemed a bit shallow. All the ingredients were fresh so it was still an enjoyable entrée. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=zAlXuN0U40ls2o9Wbhx5pA
Service - Without being greeted, you walked up to the order counter, looked up at the menu located on the wall behind it, placed your order, immediately given a drink or drink cup if you ordered one as well as an order number, paid, and then seated yourself until your number was called. You gathered your own salsa, sauces and vegetables at a separate condiment bar as well as your own napkins and silverware. In about 15 minutes your ordered arrived freshly prepared at your table. Once you're done, you either left your dishes on the table or kindly threw away any trash yourself.
Parking (Free) - Located in the Indian Springs Plaza outdoor shopping center, they shared a relatively large parking lot with a Vons, CVS and other smaller businesses. They had several spots directly in front of the restaurant. Just in case, there was some street parking along the main drag of Verdugo Blvd., but this shouldn't be necessary.
Atmosphere, décor, ambience - Plenty of wooden tables decorated with colorful Mexican tiles and chairs, this long and narrow layout was kind of crammed http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=H7YPy1_owUHlcEn_2UiktA. On the walls were lovely framed paintings and pictures that added a splash http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=rctRWdHhB1YayCZBeOX9tQ. Easy access to the refillable drink machine and salsa bar, and there was a small nook at the front with two arcade games. Natural lighting shown through the front glass doors and windows. Otherwise, bright electric lighting hung from the ceiling. There were two TVs but no background music.
Attire - Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
Overall, the return to Tortas Mexico was only good. The prices were very good and issues I had with the drinks and food can easily be remedied. The service was a tad slow. They appeared to have a decent happy hour and lunch specials. I found good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (total paid experience was around $31.00 BEFORE discounts and tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 3.0 STARS read more