El Sabor del Gorge: Las Tortas from Taqueria Los Hermanos
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By Arturo Leyva
Hood River, Ore., February 23, 2024 – This week I tried the tortas from Taqueria Los Hermanos and it was amazing. So, I’m going to tell you all about it in this review.
But first off…I’m sure some of you are asking…what is a torta?
A Torta is the Mexican version of a Hamburger and the torta can basically have anything from beans to fish or anything you want to put in the middle of the bread (Telera). One of the quickest Lunches that I remember my grandmother used to make for me was a fry beans torta which was basically cutting the bread in half and smearing refried beans and voila that solved the dilemma of what the child was going to eat at recess time at school.
On top of being a fast and convenient lunch, Torta also has some funny connotations. There are several phrases in the Mexican lexicon where torta is used to imply a fact, such as: “She ate the torta before recess” which refers to when a woman became pregnant before getting married. As slang it can also refer to a woman’s behind.
But back to food. I love Tortas. In my town I ate different versions of this street delicacy and one of my favorites is Lomo (Pork) and Chicken, which is meat marinated with spices and a little spicy. Another of my favorites is chicken breast or roast chicken.
I tried the tortas from Taqueria Los Hermanos.
When I received my torta the smell of toasted bread and chili filled the air.
With the first bite I realized they had that seasoning that I remember and that combination of ingredients that transported me to my school days in my beloved Michoacán and since then it has been my favorite dish from this taco Truck. I remember that one way to look good with a girl back in those high school days was to buy her a torta and show off when they asked you if you wanted it with chile or how hot, and then I’d say “very spicy or with a lot of pickled chilies”, which is what they commonly put on tortas.
An ingredient that an authentic torta has to have according to me are pickled chilies and avocado and if it is possible to iron it and making it panini style make it even better. Some taco trucks have the option of ironing the torta and removing a little from the middle of the bread making it thinner, which helps make the bread thinner and can even taste better.
My favorite torta at Los Hermanos is the chicken torta, although I plan to explore all the options. One reason why I like the tortas from this taco Truck is because of the flavor of the marinade they put on the chicken. It is muy rico. (That means it is very delicious for those of you who don’t know.). It must be said that they have tortas of Asada, Adovada, Chicken, Carnitas, Tongue, Tripa, al Pastor, chorizo and Cuban tortas. And surely if you like they can make you one with fried beans like the ones they gave me for my lunch at school.
La Taquería Los Hermanos began delighting us with its meals in April 2022 and since then they have become a success.
Part of what makes Los Hermanos tortas so special is the mother daughter duo behind the counter. The torta recipes here are from Dona Lupe, Cinthia Espinal's Mom, the two run and own the business together. Such recipes for authentic Mexican food are like a treasured secret that our grandmothers pass on to future generations.
Also, I think kindness and how the people treat you is also very important in any business. And every time I have gone to eat at Los Hermanos they have treated me very well and it has been a very pleasant experience.
So, that is why I would like to invite you to try the tortas from this Taco Truck and give me your opinion! For me they are the best tortas we have in Hood River and possibly in the Gorge.
You can visit and enjoy their great food at 1120 Tucker Rd, Hood River, OR 97031
In the following weeks I will share more places where you can eat the best food of my people.
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