La Tortilla
33 N. 9th St., Allentown
A couple of months ago, if someone had told you about a Mexican Restaurant adjacent to PPL in downtown Allentown, you probably would have thought of Johnny Manana's, the much-ballyhooed (but soon to be shuttered) establishment along Hamilton. However, a new, authentic Mexican restaurant has opened in the former 9th Street Loop cafe location: La Tortilla.
After a recent lunch visit with my fellow ethnic food adventurer, Rob, I've concluded that La Tortilla is big on quality, but small on variety. The menu features rather conventional fare: tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tortas, tostadas and a handful of entrees.
But this is no Taco Bell. The homemade flavor starts immediately with chips and freshly made salsa -- nicely tangy with finely chopped tomatoes and fresh cliantro. Outstanding. My chicken taco had seasoned chunks of succulent chicken with a bit of onion and cilantro and a light sauce. Having recently visited San Diego, I had to try La Tortilla's take on the fish taco -- lightly breaded and fried chunks of white fish with cabbage and a creamy tartar sauce. Definitely California-worthy. The accompanying beans (toothsome) and rice (flavorful and fluffy) rounded out the meal.
Judging by the rash of PPLers filing in, La Tortilla has quickly garnered a reputation for quality food and good service. Its hours (Mon-Fri 7-7 and Sat 12-8, closed Sun) are more conducive to a quick lunch than a long dinner.
Monday, September 01, 2008
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4 comments:
Apparently lightning does strike the same place twice. I was just at La Tortilla last week and wrote a brief review on my blog. How funny! We may have been dining there at the same time and making notes.
I liked their food so much I went back this weekend with two other people, who also loved it. I think they have the best tamale I've ever tasted.
I can't wait! Last time I ate Mexican near PPL the wait staff asked me how to spell "Dos Equis".
it's good, as a native california i'd steer clear of the fish taco, cut up fish sticks with tartar sauce (so weird to have tartar sauce in a fish taco) in a tortilla, nothing like a real fish taco. but the relleno and enchiladas were decent, delicious salsa, and what a nice staff!
Eaten their several times now. Food was GREAT. I used to have fish tacos in Southern California at a place called "Ceviche Loco" and they used tartar sauce and cabbage in the fish tacos. I haven't had "La Tortilla's Fish Tacos, but looking at the menu, it's done the same way.
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