Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana

Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana
1215 S Germantown Rd
751-1200

I've written about Las Tortugas many times since my first visit in June of 2006. I've talked about it even more. Finally, I got to go and eat there over the long weekend in the midst of our fabulous ride down the Germantown Greenline.

Warren, the monkeys (Satchel, 5, and Jiro, 3), and I were quite sweaty and somewhat of a spectacle when we walked into Las Tortugas in the middle of the lunch rush. They all looked pretty normal since they left their bikes and skateboard outside in the grass, but I was still on skates and decked out in all of my protective gear. (I couldn't go in only wearing my stinky striped socks, could I?)

When we made our way to the front of the line Senor Dreamy was beaming at me and immediately told me how much he missed me and how grateful he was for all of the good press I had given him. I didn't quite know what to do with all of the love being showered upon me so I simply started ordering. A BBQ sandwich for Warren, a chicken flauta for the monkeys, and a couple of soft drinks. Before I could put in my order he said, "Get anything you want, it is on me."

"Okay," I said. "I like the fish tacos."

"Excellent," he said. "And how about a watermelon fresca?"

"Sure," I said.

"Have you tried the fried cheese?"

"No."

"Let's get one of those then," he said and then turned to Pepe who was busy on the grill and inquired about what he thought I should try. He turned back to me and said, "Oh you MUST try the corn."

"Okay," I said delighted.

He rang up the order--a mere $12 for the flauta, sandwich, and two drinks--and specifically instructed me not to leave a tip.

We made our way over to the fountain to get some drinks--we were all extremely thirsty--and looked around the restaurant trying to figure out where we could sit. It was a full house. Luckily it wasn't long before someone got up and we swooped in to claim their table as our own.

As I took off my gear, Warren took the monkeys to wash their hands and freshen up. Instead of calling out our number when the order was ready, Pepe called out "Stacey" over the intercom.

My head exploded, of course.

Since I was laying claim to the table, I let Warren claim the food. He came back with our first round--the fried cheese, the corn, some guacamole, and the watermelon fresca. What a feast!

Satchel was all about the fried cheese. "This is yummy!" he exclaimed and begged me to get more.

After shoveling a few bites of guacamole in, I started on the corn.

Oh
my
god
the corn!

YUM.

I think it was smeared with sour cream and then rolled in Mexican cheese. It was out of this world! I offered some to Satchel and Jiro, but they refused. Then I heard my name again on the intercom and Senor Dreamy waved to me from the counter and said, "Stay right there!" A woman then brought us the flauta, the sandwich, and the fish tacos. Our table was overflowing with food.

Satchel begged for another fried cheese, but I got him interested in his chicken flauta. (I had to remove the shredded lettuce on top.) By now, Jiro was tired of his Root Beer and was ready to attack the corn. Had he waited a moment longer it would have been gone.

I finished off the guacamole and devoured 3 of my 4 fish tacos. (I let Warren have the last one when he was done with his sandwich.) Everything was just heavenly. Senor Dreamy came over to make sure everything was to my liking and I couldn't stop raving. He told me not to be a stranger and gently touched me on the arm before disappearing into the back.

I was happy to sit in the restaurant all afternoon, but the monkeys got a little antsy while waiting for Warren to finish up all of the food. I let them play with the camera for awhile and Satchel captured the most monkey-esque picture of Jiro I've seen in awhile.

Before we could even all get up from the table, new people were swooping in to take our seats. We headed back to the Greenline full and happy. I can't wait to go back.