Watch CBS News

Best Tortas In The Detroit Area

(credit: Thinkstock)

A torta is a type of Mexican sandwich that's served on a soft, round roll called a "telera." Mexicantown in Detroit is your go-to spot for some of the best tortas you can find north of the border.

Armando's Mexican Restaurant 
4242 W Vernor Highway
Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 554-0666
mexicantown.com/armandos

Armando's is located in Mexicantown and serves one of the best tortas you'll find in the area. It's served on a hard roll (telera) with your choice of breaded steak, chicken or fish and is topped with lettuce, tomato, avocado and mayonnaise (you can request all veggies too). These tortas are served with french fries for a complete, delicious meal. For $9.50, this torta is big enough to share, so bring a big appetite or a friend to help you out. Armando's is open late. Satisfy your late-night craving with one of these sandwiches.

Los Galanes
3362 Bagley St
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 554-4444
losgalanesdetroit.com

Los Galanes is a cantina located in Mexicantown where you'll hear live Latin, Tex-Mex and Mexican music on the weekends. The restaurant is known for its torta sandwiches, which are served on authentic Mexican buns filled with your choice of meat (steak fajita, steak milanesa, chicken fajita, chorizo and eggs, chicken milanesa or marinated pork) plus lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, onion, jalapeno peppers and sour cream. At $5.95, it's one of the best deals in town for a torta.

Xochimilco Restaurant
3409 Bagley St
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 843-0179 ‎
facebook.com/Xochimilco-Restaurant-Detroit

"Xochimilco" may be hard for most folks to pronounce but this restaurant, located on the main strip of Mexicantown on Bagley Street, serves up a mighty fine torta. The interior is nothing fancy, so if you're looking for white linen table cloths and finely-dressed waiters, look elsewhere. But if you're the type that loves Mexican comfort food and doesn't care about hole-in-the-wall locations, this is a great spot to come get an authentic Mexican torta. The torta is a bit greasy, so grab plenty of napkins, but the bread roll is delicious and the torta is available with a variety of options including chicken, fish, beef or vegetarian.

Related: Best Guacamole In Detroit

El Rancho Mexican Restaurant
5900 W Vernor Highway
Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 843-2151
elranchomexrest.net/menus.htm

El Rancho has been around a while, since 1983 to be exact. So you know it's doing something right. It was one of the first Mexican restaurants in Detroit to offer authentic Mexican dishes like carne asada, menudo, polle en mole and chiles rellenos. The place is open seven days a week and offers one of the best tortas in Detroit. El Rancho's torta is loaded with your choice of filling (fried chicken breast, grilled steak, ham and cheese or bean and cheese) and stuffed with fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, guacamole, mayonnaise and jalapeno peppers. The restaurant has a full-service bar and dessert menu that you'll want to save room for as well.


Sagebrush Cantina
28 S Broadway St
Lake Orion, MI 48362
(248) 693-0100
mysagebrushcantina.com

To get this torta, you'll have to travel a little north of the city, but the drive is worth it. Sagebrush is one of the top-rated Mexican spots in Michigan and the authentic Mexican sandwich doesn't disappoint. It's layered with refried beans, rice and your choice of seasoned chicken, shredded beef or pork verde. Then it is all topped with cheese, sour cream, guacamole, fresh lettuce, pico de gallo and sliced jalapenos. Wash down your torta with a chilled glass of tequila. Sagebrush has one of the best selections you'll find anywhere.

Related: Best Mexican Food Around Detroit

Head to CBS Detroit's Best Of page for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food,culture and more!

Scott Christ is a resident of Rochester Hills, MI who is passionate about all things local. He currently works as a copywriter for a healthcare communications firm in Ferndale. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.