Street Food: Torta Ahogada

Simple has never been more delicious: salty loaf of bread smeared with fried beans and then filled with a batch of deep, slowly fried pork carnitas. The sandwich is finally drenched in a beautiful and light herbed tomato sauce. Devil-hot chili sauce and onion are optional.

Great with: Coke, Pepsi, Corona, hibiscus or rice agua fresca.

Cultural note: According to legend, an authentic torta ahogada can only be put together in my hometown of Guadalajara. This is due to the elevation of the city, required to properly bake the bread. I cannot vouch for the validity of these claims, but the truth is the sandwich is a local delicacy and everyone says it doesn’t taste the same if prepared elsewhere.