Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana Brings Mexico City to Memphis

Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana Brings Mexico City to Memphis

If you're tired of your usual Tex-Mex spot, don't need a bucket of queso today, and want to try some fresh, tasty Mexican food "just like you would find in Mexico City", then Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana is the place for you.

Let's get a few things out of the way first: chef and owner Pepe Magallanes is not messing around, and it's his way or the highway. He doesn't serve cheese dip or fajitas or burritos and whatever you do, do not ask for sour cream!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by John T Edge (@johntedge) on

In fact, there are signs up around the restaurant to explain that the staff doesn't care where you're from or what kind of Mexican food you're used to this is their shop, and that if you just give it a try, you'll love it.

Authentic Mexican Food In Germantown and Memphis

It sounds a bit much, as do the prices, but this little restaurant has been extremely popular for many years, and there's a reason that people just keep coming back: the food is great.

When I went, I had an order of fish tacos made with red snapper topped with cilantro, avocado, and some creamy, spicy green sauce wrapped in palm-sized corn tortillas. There are no flour tortillas here, of course. The tacos came with a side of chips, pico de gallo and more of the tasty green sauce.

Las Tortugas prides itself on serving the sort of authentic dishes that you would find at an upscale taqueria or torteria in Mexico City. Instead of the usual Tex Mex fare, the restaurant serves tacos and tortas, elote, frescas, a perfect tortilla soup, a chicken tostada (pictured above)

The tiny, popular restaurant's original location in Germantown and the East Memphis location  are run by the aforementioned Pepe and his son Jonathan. There are posters on the walls of Pepe skydiving, laminated copies of articles about the restaurant, and plenty of those "instructional" signs. It's all part of the experience. Just go with it.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ying Kaewta (@yingkaewta) on

Go There:

Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana

1215 South Germantown Road
Germantown, TN 38138
6300 Poplar Ave #115
Memphis, TN 38119

Comments Make Us Happy

8
Leave a Comment
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Kalisa
That green sauce is called "Tayde sauce." It's named after a girl named Tayde who was a St. Jude cancer patient from St. Jude that the Magallaneses knew. Oh why am I talking in past tense? Tayde is alive and well and beautiful and WORKS at St. Jude now!
January 14, 2010 5:58pm
Kirk Gipson
Kerry, Out of curiosity, did he mention where he shops for his ingredients? I would love to know where he gets some of the ingredients...
January 14, 2010 6:09pm
cara
Wish they had vegetarian options...
February 4, 2010 10:52pm
ADM
@cara They do have vegetarian options! The Tortuga Queso Fresco Oaxaca sandwich is totally veggie, and you can get it without the cheese if you want a vegan option - it's just beans, avocado, tomato and queso fresco - and it's fantastic!! I think I saw some veggie tamales on the specials menu last time I was there too....
March 2, 2010 5:02pm
Elissa
@cara There are lots of Veggie options. The other day they had Balck Bean Tamales . . . yum!
March 31, 2010 11:40am
Christian Mommy
Thought provoking and interesting, thank you. I was brought up in mexico but moved to england at such a young age I barely remember anything apart from the tasty food and fiery people. I finally found some authentic mexican food if you want to have a look, I thought I’d share it with you!
November 4, 2010 10:35am
Barry S
I am blind and use a guide dog. I was refused service because I require the use of my guide dog for mobility. I tried to explain to no avail that they were violating ADA laws. They were rude.
July 14, 2012 4:41pm
I Love Memphis…
[...] can also hit up any number of Memphis’ best Mexican restaurants – try La Guadalupana, Las Tortugas, Cafe Ole, Fuego Maya or Las [...]
May 5, 2010 11:51am