I’ve written before about this little gem of a restaurant hidden away on Germantown Road. But after numerous visits and trying nearly everything on the menu and most of the specials, I thought an update was in order.
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana, affectionately known to me and my friends as “Deli Mex,” never fails to impress — even on the rare occasions when they are sold out of what you came in for and have to suggest other options.
And that is, in fact, how I have discovered my newest favourite Mexican specialties. I loved the brisket tacos from my first visit, but there came the inevitable day when I couldn’t have them, because they were sold out. Jonathan, the super-salesman who so impressed my boss, asked me several questions about what I was in the mood for, and suggested the chicken mole tacos. I was a little dubious (chocolate? on chicken?!) But it was delicious!
Last week, I decided I wanted something different. I’d fallen into the habit of dropping by for the tacos “huachinanga de Vera Cruz,” some seriously delicious fish tacos. But I wasn’t in the mood for fish that night. I noticed a new special: chili steak and cactus tacos. Now, I have long been curious about nopales, but I’ve never been brave enough to cook with them. Scared I wouldn’t get all the spines out. There’s nothing that kills a good dinner faster than a mouthful of sharp spikes. So, I tried them. Oh, my goodness! My new favourite. Just enough chili to “put a sticker in your tongue,” and fabulous, fresh flavour.
I have also tried some of the little bites: their tamales are superb, and the “chilindrina” (a sort of crunchy puffed bread topped with guacamole, lettuce, cucumbers, a drizzle of cream and a drizzle of hot chili sauce) is exquisite.
I’ve also been in a number of times to get the fried cheese … and when Pepe Magellanes overheard me telling my mother that I was trying to figure out how to make it, he personally showed me exactly how to cook them myself.
The people at Deli Mex understand customer service. They understand good food. And that’s why I keep going back for more.