A great torta needs little introduction. Admittedly, I cannot claim that this list is, in any way, the ultimate roundup of tortas in Orange County. I never set out to write a story about Mexican sandwiches. However, I recently started thinking about the many great tortas I’ve eaten here through the years, so I made a list anyway. You can’t go wrong with any of these. 

Carnitas torta at El Coyotito in San Juan Capistrano (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

El Coyotito

Just like the restaurant itself, this torta is a classic: carnitas, refried beans, mayo, lettuce, tomato and jalapeños on a toasted telera bun. Goes great with a hand-made, ice-cold Michelada. ($9) 32141 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949-496-9439, instagram.com/elcoyotitomexicanrestaurant

Carnitas torta at Gloria’s Mexican Food in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Gloria’s Mexican Food

This tiny shop across the street from the DMV in Costa Mesa makes great carnitas. They also bake their own bolillo buns for the tortas. Combine those two things with refried beans, chopped lettuce and tomato, and you’ve got a fantastic sandwich. It really doesn’t get any better or fresher than this. ($12) 731 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, 949-646-9420, gloriasmexicanfood.com

Pambazo at Gonzalez’s Restaurant in Orange (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Gonzalez’s Restaurant

You’ll need to do laundry after eating this incredible pambazo, which is a Mexico City-style torta filled with a hash of chorizo and potato, the whole of which gets dunked in red chile sauce and then griddled. It is incredibly messy. ($8.50) 1740 W. Chapman Ave., Orange, 714-602-9620, instagram.com/gonzalezsrestaurant

Cochinita pibil torta at La Lucha in Santa Ana (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

La Lucha

In a very minimalist twist, this Yucatán style torta is stuffed with cochinita pibil, a scant slather of mayo and a smattering of red onions. That’s it. That’s all you get. And that’s all you need. ($10) 120 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, 657-232-0359, instagram.com/laluchamk

Pambazo at La Rana in Laguna Hills (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

La Rana

Here’s another outstanding pambazo, the best example I’ve found in South County. The guajillo salsa on this one is magnificently fragrant. In addition to the chorizo hash, it’s stuffed with shredded lettuce, jalapeños, a sprinkling of queso fresco and a generous squirt of crema. Pro tip: The best way to pick it up is to wrap it with a stack of napkins. You might also consider a bib. ($8) 27001 Moulton Pkwy., Laguna Hills, 949-643-2899, instagram.com/laranamexicancomida

Carne asada torta at Maruca’s in Tustin (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Maruca’s 

When they cook the carne asada on the griddle at Maruca’s, they let it sputter and char until the edges caramelize and turn crispy, yet miraculously it stays tender in the middle. They stuff this into a classic telera bun with beans, avocado, lettuce and jalapeños. I find it very satisfying. ($11) 137 W. First St., Tustin, 657-212-5828, instagram.com/marucasmexicankitchen

Carne asada torta at Saucedo in Garden Grove (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Saucedo

The sandwich at Saucedo is another classic: nothing fancy, just a toasted telera bun slathered on one side with mayonnaise and the other side with refried beans, in between which is stuffed with finely chopped carne asada, shredded lettuce and tomatoes. Darn near perfection. ($8) 12841 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, 714-750-9254

Toluqueña torta at Tortas Sinaloa in Santa Ana (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Tortas Sinaloa 

Upon first glance, the Toluqueña torta at Tortas Sinaloa looks almost like a burger. Look closer: It’s layered with slow-roasted pork leg, chorizo, Swiss cheese, avocado and tomato. ($10) 701 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, 714-775-6000, tortas-sinaloa.com 

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