Tortas Casas Grandes

Surprised this place has no reviews, considering that it's right on Central. Granted, it's in what I still know as the War Zone and is a Mexican restaurant catering to Mexican immigrants---who I suspect aren't Yelping much---but you'd still expect someone to have ventured in here and felt compelled to write a review. Maybe not. Until I came along, of course.I'd seen this place a few weeks and couldn't find reviews on Yelp, so I was determined to be the first to review (foolish pride). I passed by once about a week later, but the place was already closed---typical ABQ. Interestingly, today I only managed to pass by after Coda Bakery closed right as we arrived and El Pollo Real Colombian was randomly closed until Thursday, so it was sort of a stars-aligning type of event.My wife and I arrived to an empty restaurant but were undeterred considering that we'd made two failed eat out attempts already and because I was intent on trying the place.The menu was very simple, with no more than 20 items, but there were some items that caught my eye. I'd wanted to come by for a torta since I love this style of sandwich and I'd seen the huge banner advertising them. After some deliberation and the temptation to try the tacos, flautas or the torta de carne (grilled beef in this case), I went with the carne de deshebrada, which is like shredded beef on a torta. The meat was tender, the avocado was fresh and tasty and the mayo and fresh bread all worked well with these two. If there were beans and cheese, I couldn't tell and I guess this contributes to my three-star rating. Tortas can be jaw-droppingly good when prepared right, so this one, while good, lacked flare.My wife had the flautas and they too fit a similar description. They too were authentic and looked enticingly devourable, but tasted rather normal, even when I was piling the refried beans, saucy guacamole, sour cream and green salsa (which was spicy and good) on top. The place has been open seven months and is a bit of a ghost town, so it's tough to say whether it will survive. I personally would like to see it remain in business just because it's so damn hard to find food after seven, so this is like late night food by ABQ standards. Anyhow, time will tell with this place. Give it a try and see if you agree with my assessment.

Don't go here! The food was bland and the service includes a front row seat to the lady at the counter and the guy in the kitchen making out. My plate of tacos de carne asada consisted of soggy corn tortillas sprinkled with dry meat crumbles and a bed of warm undercooked onions covered in oil rather than the caramelized ones advertised. No sides. $7.50. Waaaay overpriced to begin with and unsatisfying. My boyfriend ordered a torta de barbacoa and though it was large and had a good amount of meat, it only came with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Sad, little torta :(. What about jalapeños? AVOCADO?! And crema instead of mayo. Yuck! I'm surprised this place has remained open. The last reviewer commented that this place caters to the many Mexican immigrant customers and claims to be authentic cuisine from the region of Paquime but it is neither a proud nor remotely unique representation of good Mexican food. I am still on a quest to find a decent torta in ABQ. Summary: Tortas Casas Grandes is TERRIBLE.

So we went because we were in the mood for tortas. 1st you have to order at the counter. Service is not top notch. My wife ordered the chicharon gorditas and it was probably the worst pork we have ever tried. Not very please with everything else we ordered. Needs improvement

Been here a couple times, the food has progressively gone down a little, the food doesn't seem as authentic as it was when it first opened. I would stick to the tortas, the Mexican plates leave something to be desired.