In my opinion tortas should also be on your must try list while you’re in Cancun. A torta is really nothing more than a sandwich but its the ingredients and the way it’s made that make it special and so yummy.
Downtown Cancun you can find quite a few taco and torta stands but as a tourist you’ll likely feel more comfortable eating somewhere with a proper establishment name, washroom and easy to get to.
Las Tortugas de la Nader makes really good tortas, fresh licuados (shake made with fresh fruit and milk) and yes they have a washroom (although you have to walk through the back kitchen to access it). You can choose between 15 different types of tortas including chorizo (sausage), ham (jamon) , chicken (pollo), turkey (pavo), eggs (heuvos) or special combinations they’ve created like the “Cubana” and the “Hawaiana”. I always get the Pollo torta and Manuel usually goes for the Cubana.
Every torta automatically comes with delicious Panela cheese (queso), avocado (aquacate), onions (cebollas), jalapeño peppers, mustard (mostaza) and mayonnaise (mayonesa) so be sure to let them know if you don’t want one of the above ingredients on it. If you don’t speak Spanish simply say “no _______” filling in the blank with the translated words I provided in brackets.
Each torta is between $38-41 pesos (around $3 US/Canadian). You can go for a “paquete” for $55 pesos (about $4.50 US/Canadian) which includes a torta, french fries and a drink.
You can get to Las Tortugas in Plaza las Avenidas by taking the “Walmart” bus to and from the Hotel Zone. Give the bus driver both the plaza’s name and Las Tortugas and he can let you know when the stop comes up just before Walmart. It is easy to find in a very busy plaza close to a Dominos Pizza.
Don’t get tempted to eat a Subway sandwich (located right next door). Las Tortugas tortas are filled with lots of grilled meats, fresh ingredients and even the bun is lightly toasted making it so good and you’ll be glad you tried one. Happy eating!!!
