Photo by Morgan Timms (Post-Dispatch)
El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery
Have you eaten a torta? You probably think you’ve eaten a torta. I thought I’d eaten many tortas until I visited El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery. The tortas here overwhelm your conception of a torta. They are served already sliced in half, and each half is still too much: Your choice of meat with two cheeses and two meat garnishes (ham and carne de puerco) with carrot, jalapeño, onion, avocado, tomato and refried beans. Fausto Pizzaro, drawing on the traditions of his native Toluca, Mexico, also serves excellent barbacoa and al pastor tacos, and don’t overlook the chicken enchiladas in a bittersweet mole.
Hours: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday (closed Tuesday)
Last year's ranking: New this year
Opened: 2016
Must order: Torta with carnitas ($11.99)