Let’s talk Mexican sandwiches. Okay, the most popular ones on Roosevelt Ave are the Torta and the Cemita. First thing’s first, Forget the Torta! It’s a poor man’s Cemita. Unless you are heavily lactose intolerant (or live in fear), the torta should lay by the wayside and those seedless buns should remain stale indefinitely.
This is a cemita:
Milanesa de res from Tacqueria Coatzingo
This is a cemita:
Cemita al Pastor from El Poblano
This is a cemita:
Milanesa de Res Cemita from Mi Bella Puebla II
Cemita al Pastor from El Sol de Azteca
-
What is in a Cemita?
Sesame seed bun
Bean spread
Avocado
Chipotle pepper
Main meat
Onions
Lettuce
Tomato
Papalo herb (sometimes cilantro)
Oaxaca cheese
… give or take a 2nd layer of meat, another cheese, onions and a tomato
Never a torta. Always cemita.
Links:
How to make a cemita from Homesick Texan
i dunno, i’m loyal to the torta, but i guess it all depends on the bread itself. and i think the ingredients are pretty much identical in tortas and cemitas (besides the bread), though i guess tortas don’t have the chipotle?
By: planet claire on November 22, 2009
at 22:07
I’ve had a few killer cemitas in sunset park. Xochimilco on 5th ave is my favorite though by far.
By: SPS on November 22, 2009
at 22:38
[...] Links: Coatzingo is a municipality in Puebla, Mexico Frequently Mentioned on Chowhound Experiences at Coatzingo More Chowhound chitchat about Coatzingo 50 people have reviewed it on yelp, and not one has reviewed it’s 82nd St location?? A Jackson Heights trip from Beyond Burritos (cool site!) What is a Cemita? [...]
By: Taqueria Coatzingo – Jackson Heights Mexican « Jeffrey Tastes on December 22, 2009
at 12:20
[...] Links: What is a Cemita? [...]
By: Mi Buella Puebla II – Elmhurst « Jeffrey Tastes on December 31, 2009
at 11:43
I strongly disagree, I actually prefer the taste of a torta over the cemita. I have tried several of both, a torta and a cemita from Sabor Mexicano, and tortas from Tacos Guichos. Papalo kind of gives the cemita a minty like flavor which conflicts with the spiciness of the chipotle. I also prefer the softer texture of the bollilo roll which is really French bread. All the tortas and cemitas I ate at both carts were either pork or chicken based.
While the pork at both carts on Roosevelt were excellent, I really could not find decent carne asada there. None of the carts on Roosevelt avenue make a proper carne asada, it usually has a stringy steakum like texture from almost every establishment I visited. However there is one place that makes good quality carne asada, that actually is steak, its a truck near the Jamaica Library off of Hillside avenue, the truck does not look like much, but I bought three carne asada tacos, and was blown away by the quality of the beef, it was pretty good for a truck, and nicely seasoned with a garlicky lemony flavor. Their pork is not as tasty as the establisments on Roosevelt though. Its also more expensive than the Roosevelt avenue carts, $2.50 a taco, they also have a special, 3 tacos and rice and beans for $8. Their torta is also superior to what is found in Jackson Heights.
By: Mike on April 18, 2010
at 19:03
I will have to check that one out. I can’t get a grip on why anyone would choose a torta over a cemita though.
I agree, the carts aren’t the best places to get them. Coatzingo and Mi Puebla II have been my favs thusfar. Tia Julia does a huge one. I don’t have as much Torta experience though, ever since I found out about Cemitas I haven’t wanted another torta.
By: Orlick on April 28, 2010
at 18:25
[...] What is a Cemita? Sara on Serious Eats Searches for a Cemita in Queens Cabrito’s Cemita looks great – [...]
By: Beky Bakery Raises the Cemita Bar – Corona, 103rd St « Jeffrey Tastes on July 10, 2010
at 11:22
[...] at Boozy Burbs got all excited that maybe we’d see the like of tortas, cemitas and other more authentic Mexican foods at this joint! But alas, the menu it filled with more [...]
By: Brand New: Tex-Mex Grill (in Tenfaly Convenience Store), Tenafly, NJ (Mexican Food) | Boozy Burbs on February 27, 2012
at 17:28
[...] has it’s own specialties, but many carry some of the same items like tacos, tamales, tortas, cemitas and many others. Our guide Jeff tried our best to order the best from each and as a group we [...]
By: Boozy Urbs: Queens Midnight Food Crawl (A Recap) - Boozy Burbs on December 5, 2012
at 22:30