The Mexican Sandwich
The Mexican torta, that delicacy we all love, is basically the Mexican sandwich, but with its own identity, homemade and street-style flavor, and tons of variations! And although it seems simple (stuffed bread), its history is much richer and more well-traveled.
Where did the idea come from?
The concept of putting things inside a piece of bread comes from Europe. Some say that Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg brought the idea of the sandwich to Mexico in the 19th century, since it was common in Europe to stuff bread. But like good Mexicans, we tropicalized it: bolillo or telera bread, beans, avocado, cheese, salsa... and boom, something truly ours was born.
Why is it called "Torta"?
In Europe, "torta" is a pastry. Here we turned it around: the stuffed bread was called "torta." In the north of the country, they call it "lonche," from the English word for lunch, because it's taken to work or school as fast food. In Guadalajara and the Jalisco region, the most common order is a "lonche," while in Mexico City it's simply a torta.
And how did it end up in Puerto Vallarta?
Here's the interesting part: Puerto Vallarta was originally a fishing port, and in the 1950s and 1960s, it became a tourist boom. Many of the workers who arrived were from Guadalajara and the Bajío region, and they brought their lonches and tortas ahogadas with them. So the custom of eating tortas spread among locals and tourists for their convenience and flavor.
For example:
● The Guadalajara-style lonche de cordero (leg lonche) was one of the first to arrive.
● Later came lonches bañados (bathed lonches), precursors to tortas ahogadas (smothered sandwiches).
● The people of Vallarta added their own twist: seafood. And so, shrimp, marlin, octopus, and other sandwiches were born, which you can't find as easily elsewhere.
What other names do they have depending on the region?
● Lonche: In Guadalajara and Jalisco in general.
● Torta: In most of the country, especially in Mexico City.
● Sanguche or sangüiche: On the northern border and in Baja California, due to American influence.
● Pepito: In Spain, but it's different there, without bolillo bread or beans!
The Vallarta Torta
Today in Puerto Vallarta, you can find classic sandwich shops serving everything from simple ham sandwiches to breaded fish sandwiches, fresh tuna, or garlic shrimp, because seafood is a must here! There are even vegan options that have emerged to cater to conscious tourism.
Some famous places are:
● Lonchería Don Jorge: with its traditional sandwiches.
● Tortas y lonches El Carboncito: if you're looking for something with more coastal flavor.
● El Guero Lonches: a classic among classics in downtown.
Did you know?
● Tortas ahogada has even been sold on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, accompanied by an ice-cold beer. Something that was unthinkable 40 years ago.
● In some Vallarta restaurants, there are "burrito-torta" tortas, which combine the northern burrito with the classic torta.
Tortas arrived from Europe, transformed in Mexico, became a "lonche" in Jalisco, and in Puerto Vallarta, they added seafood and their own beachy touch. Isn't it a cultural and culinary gem?
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