if you love Tortas… you'll like Bánh mì
if you love...
fri 5/29/2009
If you love Mexican tortas, you'll probably like Vietnamese Bánh mì.

A Mexican torta is usually a meat sandwich made with a French roll. Prepared both hot and cold, the sandwich is usually garnished with avocado, cheese, lettuce, jalapeño, tomatoes and sour cream. Although the most popular versions of the dish feature Mexican staples like carne asada, al pastor and ham, tortas can also be made with fried eggs, fish and chiles rellenos. Tortas are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A Vietnamese Bánh mì is usually a meat sandwich consisting of a French roll. Prepared both hot and cold, the sandwich is usually garnished with cilantro, cucumbers, pickled carrots, onions and jalapeño peppers. Inspired by the French "salad sandwich," the most popular versions of the dish feature grilled pork, grilled beef or Vietnamese ham but can also be made with fried eggs, fish sauce or tofu. Bánh mì is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
hamburgers vs. tortas
versus
wed 1/21/2009
| food | Hamburger. | Torta. |
| country of origin | U.S. | México. |
| affectionately known as | Burger. | Tortuga. |
| bread | Hamburger bun. | Telera or birote. |
| veggies | Lettuce, tomato, onions, avocado. | Lettuce, cabbage, tomato, onions, beans, avocado. |
| cheese | American, cheddar, swiss, jack, mozzarella. | Cotija. |
| meat | Ground beef. | Beef, chicken and pork including chorizo, carnitas and al pastor. |
| condiments | Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, thousand island dressing. | Mayonnaise, mustard, sour cream. |
| pickles? | Cucumbers. | Jalapeños. |
| usually accompanied with | French fries and a soft drink. | Agua fresca. |
| popular variations | Cheeseburger and chiliburger. | Torta ahogada, tecolote (torta with chicharrón) and cemitas. |
| culinary cousins | Veggie burger, patty melt, sloppy joe. | Torta Cubana, torta milanesa. |
| calories | Between 200 and 1500 calories. | Between 200 and 500 calories. |
| super-sized | Largest burger in the world (134 pounds) was made in Michigan. | Longest torta in the world (48 yards) was made in Mexico City. |
| over the counter overkill | 100-patty burger from In N Out. | Torta de tamal y torta de chile relleno. |
| in pop culture | "Flipping burgers": to have a low-paying job. | "Se comió la torta antes del recreo" (She ate the torta before recess): to get pregnant as a teen. |
| songs | Hamburger Train by Primus and We Can Make Sandwiches by Detroit Grand Pubahs. | Chuy Lizarraga's La Torta and Los Espuelos' La Torta Ahogada |
| famous fiends | Harold and Kumar, Wimpy and Hamburglar. | El Chavo del Ocho. |
| festivals | National Hamburger Festival in Akron, Ohio. | Festival De La Torta in Mexico City. |
| the critics | Chow.com: "The burger is so closely associated with American culture that it might as well be emblazoned on the U.S. flag." | Restmex.com: "The torta is the staple of the sandwich industry in Mexico. Just about any city in Mexico has its own tradition of making tortas." |
