Don’t call it a sandwich: The top 5 Oaxacan tortas in LA, ranked

This story was originally published by The LA Local on Feb. 26, 2026.

Oaxacan cuisine is often defined by two pillars: mole and quesillo. They anchor dishes like tlayudas, memelas, tetelas and tamales, and their flavors travel well — you can find versions of them across Los Angeles and many parts of the world.

But one of Oaxaca’s most satisfying street foods rarely gets the same spotlight — the torta Oaxaqueña — messy, crunchy and loaded with individually transformed ingredients.

Unlike other regional tortas that use either freshly baked bollillo or birote saladao, the Oaxacan variety always features a flat toasted telera roll. It also always has plenty of melted quesillo and refried black bean paste. Then it’s loaded with strips of cecina enchilada (marinated pork), fried Oaxacan chorizo or tasajo (thinly sliced beef).

A chalkboard decorated with bright flowers and a drawing of a torta greets customers at Tortas Mexico in Pasadena.

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Cristabell Fierros

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The LA Local

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In Old Town Pasadena, Tortas Mexico has served Mexican and Oaxacan dishes for 26 years. The family-owned restaurant, operated by the Ramos family, is open seven days a week and offers a menu ranging from breakfast burritos and chilaquiles to birria tacos and enchiladas.

At the entrance, a chalkboard decorated with bright flowers and a drawing of a torta greets customers with the phrase “Hecho con amor y tradición” — made with love and tradition.

“The start of this restaurant business came from an idea by my cousin Francisco, his wife Patricia and my Aunt Macuca,” said Esteban Ramos, who later purchased the location with his wife Blanca.

Esteban and Blanca Ramos outside their Pasadena eatery Tortas Mexico.

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Cristabell Fierros

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The LA Local

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Inside, the space is modest and warm, decorated with artisanal Mexican décor. Above the counter, a sprawling menu lists dozens of options. In the kitchen, at least three cooks work the grill, including Blanca Ramos.

“The recipes primarily stem from my husband’s side of the family, specifically his Tía Macuca,” Ramos said. “She inspired the majority of the menu.”

In recent months, Tortas Mexico has attracted new customers through Instagram and TikTok videos, thanks to Esteban’s son, Neftali Ramos, who runs the restaurant’s social media.

“I want to continue building a spot where you know you’re getting real, authentic Mexican food — that tastes like your mom or your grandma made it,” he said.

Across Los Angeles, other Oaxacan kitchens are crafting their own versions of the regional specialty.

Here are the best Oaxacan tortas in Los Angeles ranked.

No. 5 Tlayuda Restaurant

A Oaxacan torta from El Valle Oaxaqueño in Pico-Union. They also have a second location in South LA.

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Cristabell Fierros

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The LA Local

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Best known for its heart-shaped tlayudas, Tlayuda Restaurant in East Hollywood also turns out a satisfying torta Oaxaqueña. A soft bolillo holds refried black beans, mayonnaise, melted quesillo, avocado, diced chorizo and thin-sliced beef — a balanced, filling torta without any unnecessary flash.

No. 4 El Valle Oaxaqueño

A Oaxacan torta.

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Cristabell Fierros

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The LA Local

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Part bakery, part market and restaurant, El Valle Oaxaqueño presses its house-baked telera rolls on a flat iron for extra crunch. The carne asada torta melts into layers of mayonnaise, black beans and quesillo. Other options include salchicha roja Oaxaqueña and chile relleno for vegetarians.

No. 3 Los Compadres de Oaxaca

A Oaxacan torta from Oaxacali in South Central.

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Cristabell Fierros

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The LA Local

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One of the newer Oaxacan additions to LA, Los Compadres De Oaxaca opened in 2025 and isn’t afraid to lean bold. Its torta Oaxaqueña arrives on a toasted bolillo stuffed with chorizo and carne asada, refried black beans, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and fresh quesillo. Fries and tortilla chips with house-made mole come on the side.

No. 2 Oaxacalifornia

A South LA institution for more than two decades, Oaxacalifornia blends Oaxacan flavors with Southern California influence. The vegetarian torta Oaxaqueña is the way to go here — crisp telera bread layered with refried black beans, mayonnaise, avocado, tomatoes and lightly salted quesillo. It comes with nopalito salad and smoky red salsa for extra depth.

No. 1 Tortas Mexico

At Tortas Mexico, their Oaxaqueña begins on a flat-top grill, where a sliced telera roll toasts while strips of cecina enchilada sizzle beside it. The paired grilling adds a rich flavor to the telera roll. That richness is enhanced by every ingredient. The bean paste adds texture that compliments the crunchy bread, followed by the gooey quesillo and the perfectly charred meat.

At the prep station, mayonnaise is spread on the top half of the roll. Lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, white onions and jalapeños follow. The torta is pressed together — warm, heavy, built to drip.