Much to my chagrin the Fruitvale's plethora of excellent Mexican food is out of reach at lunchtime, but downtown does have a gem in Tamarindo. While Tamarindo's menu is better-suited to sitting down at an actual table and having a proper meal than eating while staring at the screens, their tortas are eminently portable for the desk-bound.
Tamarindo's torta poblana is an excellent sandwich. The bottom roll is spread with aioli, then gets a smear of not-quite-pureed, not-quite entire frijoles negros, atop which goes the grilled chicken breast, which is pounded thin, sports serious grill marks, and is not the least bit dry. Above the chicken is a layer of very-well-melted jack cheese, followed by rajas (roasted poblano chile, cut into strips), slices of avocado, shredded romaine lettuce and thinly sliced red onion, with the top roll again spread with aioli.
The chicken is very good, but it is the rajas and avocado which really elevate this torta. At $7.61 and a bit on the small side it's not a bargain, but considering the quality of the torta it is fairly priced. When dining in at Tamarindo I'd probably eat half a torta as part of an assortment of antojitos, but taken with the thick, fresh tortilla chips which accompany it, this is a delicious, satisfying lunch.
Tamarindo Antojeria
468 8th
444.1944
