Crispy chicken torta from Cocina Tortas (Alicia Mazzara).
Dish of the Week: Tortas
Where: Cocina Tortas pop-up at Songbyrd Cafe, El Chucho, El Sol, Taqueria Distrito Federal
Many moons ago, DCist lamented the dearth of Mexican food in the District. And while the city is still no Los Angeles, we’ve certainly come a long way. We finally have some decent tacos. And you probably drank something with mezcal in it recently, or you will as soon as D.C.’s first mezcalaria opens this winter. But this week we’re celebrating a lesser known, but no less delicious, artifact of Mexican food culture: the torta.
Tortas are Mexico’s answer to the sandwich. Where Nordic countries offer delicate open-faced flatbreads, the torta is serious meaty, bready, overstuffed business. These puppies are often hefty enough to feed two, though they’re so tasty that you might think twice about sharing.
Despite the name, Taqueria Distrito Federal (3463 14th St NW & 805 Kennedy St NW) has been serving tortas loaded with meat, avocado, melty cheese, and slathered with mayo long before it was cool. And El Chucho’s (3313 11th St NW) massive tortas arguably rival their tacos and guac. But there are also some intriguing newcomers to the torta landscape. El Sol’s Columbia Heights and new Shaw locations both boast a decent selection of traditional tortas, including a cemitas with ham, beans, and avocado, and a breakfast-y egg and chorizo number.
And the newly launched Cocinas Tortas, which operates out of Songbyrd Cafe (2477 18th St NW) on Monday nights, features some modern, if not slightly unholy combinations. Consider the tortaguesa, a sort of Tex-Mex patty melt with queso, avocado, and a dry-aged beef burger. There’s also a head cheese carnitas with pickled jalapenos, a tempting squash, mushroom, and goat cheese combo, and, my favorite, a fried chicken torta topped with a bright apple pico de gallo and tangy red cabbage. Diners can add a fried egg or crispy pig ears to their sandwich for a dollar. Throw in a few mezcal cocktails from the bar and this pop-up is a pretty sure bet for some Monday night fun.
Got a torta you could write poetry about? Let us know in the comments.
Small Bites
An apple (cider) a day
Celebrate all things apple at The Prospect’s (1214 U Street NW) Cider Week, taking place February 8-12. Each night of the week will feature a different tap takeover, complimentary tastings, cider cocktails, frozen cider, flights, and more. On Friday the bar will celebrate with a closing party and live music. Check out the entire schedule here.
Swipe right for love
Single on Valentine’s Day? While restaurants all over the city are trotting out romantic menus for February 14, McClellan’s Retreat (2031 Florida Ave NW) is offering a special just for the unattached: Anyone bold enough to attempt a first date on the most romantic day of the year will be rewarded with a free drink. Aside from it being a first date, the pair must have met through an online dating app, like Tinder, in order to land the gratis booze. The bar has even designed a special “Swipe Right” cocktail menu for the occasion with goofily named drinks like the Lover’s Lane and Bitter Heart.
Burgers and beers
On Tuesday, February 23 at 7 p.m. the Dupont Circle Shake Shack (1216 18th Street NW) will host “Burgers n’ Brews D.C.”, a one-time, limited-seating, four course meal with guided beer pairing provided by Brooklyn Brewery. A $37.92 ticket(including tax and service fee) will buy you “four rounds of Brooklyn Brewery beers specially paired with Shake Shack burgers, Chick’n Shacks, and frozen custard.” A previous iteration of this meal, which took place in Philadelphia, included treats such as a scoop of mint chocolate chip frozen custard in a glass of vintage 2006 Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout—so chances are good that the meal will be a memorable one. Plus, how many people can say they went to a four-course beer dinner at a Shake Shack? —Jacob Dean
DC Brau is turning five
DC Brau (3178-B Bladensburg Rd NE) is celebrating their fifth birthday with a beer and music festival on April 16. The day-long celebration will feature five bands, headlined by The Sword, as well as local punk band Loud Boyz. DC Brau will also release five new beers that day, each one a collaboration with another craft brewery from around the country. Various local food trucks and Red Apron will be on hand to feed hungry concertgoers. Tickets go on sale today and are $45 in advance/$60 at the door. Food and beer sold separately.
