Between the Bread

I still have yet to try the best tortas in town, at either Tortas Los Picudos or La Torta Gorda, depending on who you ask. I hope to check at least one of them off my sand wish list soon, but until then, I tend to my torta cravings elsewhere, including my new neighborhood taqueria, El Rancho Grande.

Our neighborhood needed a good Mexican place, and while El Rancho Grande isn't particularly noteworthy, it's also not bad — and it's right there. Plus, they have tortas! I ordered the barbecued chicken torta to go, which was a little too barbecuey for my taste, but I tend to prefer less sauce.

Avocado, refried beans, and creamy cheese joined the chicken on a fluffy, toasted roll. Unlike other tortas I've tried, this sandwich wasn't enormous but a perfectly satisfying size.

Seeing Anna and Jonas's honeymoon photos makes me want to fast-forward our wedding to the vacation part. They rented a lovely house in Sayulita, near Puerto Vallarta, where it was hot. One day, after a particularly exhausting and sweaty walk, they stumbled upon this torta spot.

While they were waiting for their sandwiches, the proprietor of the shop sat them at a table and chairs in an adjacent garage with standup fans positioned to blow right on them. By the time the tortas were ready, the happy couple were nice and cool. I'm sure the cold beer didn't hurt either.

Got your own sandwich to share? Email your photos to nancy@betweenthebreadblog.com, along with a description of what's on your sandwich.

After an extended Friday night happy hour and the burlesque show at El Rio, I was ravenous. Thankfully, El Farolito was there, shining like a beacon in the night. Though I usually go for the burritos, this time I ordered a torta.

The fluorescent lights and grainy cell-phone photos might make this look disgusting, but do not be fooled: it was delicious. Really, really delicious. Grilled chicken with an obscene amount of melted cheese, served on pillowy soft bread toasted to a slight crisp on top. Combined with the spicy but not too spicy peppers, it was a fiesta in my mouth.

Check out some more disgusting but delicious photos.