I recently set my sights on trying a new restaurant. After I arrived, I found a taped note on the window stating that they were closed for the holidays and would re-open on Jan 2. Not wanting to waste the drive, I did a quick Yelp perimeter search and found Tortuga Bay, a place that looked promising.
Tortuga Bay is located in a strip mall on Manchester Blvd., three blocks west of Market in downtown Inglewood. The parking lot only has 12 spaces; fortunately, street parking is also available. Tortuga Bay proclaims to be authentic Guadalajaran cuisine and their signature dish is the torta ahogada.
The menu is predominantly Mexican, but there are some American food items such as their Southwest Caesar Salad and a variety of different burgers, including a veggie burger. The torta ahogada is a Guadalajaran regional sandwich made with carnitas and served with sliced onions with a red tomato sauce.
I purchased everything “to go” and that was a mistake. After unwrapping the torta ahogada, I poured a portion of the red sauce into the carnitas. I thought the sandwich was on the dry side and after seeing customer photos, I realized that I didn’t prepare the sandwich the way it was intended. Had I done so, the bread would have absorbed the sauce adding moistness and additional flavor.
My wife and daughter both loved the Cubana. This is a meat forward sandwich with pulled pork, milanesa, and ham. It is combined with panela, a creamy milk cheese, tomato, onion, jalapeno, mustard, mayonnaise, and avocado. The combination of flavors is quite delicious and with the avocado and condiments, it is much more moist than the torta ahogada.
I also tried a couple of their street tacos The barbacoa was marinated and prepared so that the edges were crispy. The lengua (beef tongue) was cut into cubes and was extremely tender. I’d definitely order these again.
They have a self-serve beverage refrigerator with many of the popular sodas. They also feature Mexican soft drink vendor, Jarritos. The better choice is the agua fresca such as their pineapple or their hibiscus.
The price for my haul that day was only $27 including tax, a definite bargain. I look forward to trying their other tortas.
Tortuga Bay, 147 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301; 310.671.1800
tortugabayla.com