15 replies to this topic

[StephanieL]

I have to say, if you're stuck at Terminals 1 or 3 at O'Hare for any length of time, Tortas Frontera is a pretty decent option as far as airport dining goes. I think it's an offshoot of his casual place Xoco. It features tortas (cooked on the griddle), molletes (open-faced sandwiches), aguas frescas, soups, and salads, plus there are breakfast options. The full menu is here. The tortas take about 10 minutes to make, but you can have a (not bad) margarita at the little bar while you wait. My colleagues and I had dinner here on Friday night as we tried to get home; I had the chicken chipotle torta and the mango-lime agua fresca. The roll didn't seem quite traditional, but the flavors were good and the poblanos rajas properly spicy.

[rancho_gordo]

Agree 100%. I wish he had them in every airport. I was able to take mine on the plane.

[Daniel]

I have been there 4 or 5 times in recent months.. It's the best place in the airport for sure, in fact, I eat there after my plane lands as it will most likely be the best meal I get that day.. I look forward to this chain growing..

[Suzanne F]

I wish there were one at NY Penn Station and all the NY area airports. Paul said the one at O'Hare had terrific options.

[Daniel]

for all the hype made over jet blue terminal, the food kind of sucks.

[Suzanne F]

for all the hype made over jet blue terminal, the food kind of sucks.

That was the first (and I think only) place I've had a Pat La Frieda burger. It was . . . okay.

Usually I'm going through too early for anything to be open, although once I had an okay, if boring, breakfast at the Italian place.

And the options you can order for delivery to the plane REALLY look disgusting, and about 2000% of the RDA of sodium.

[Daniel]

I ate the Cochinita Torta the other day.. I usually get the molletas but, that night i was pretty hungry.. The sandwich was excellent.. I was really impressed with the heat of the habanero salsa.. It was shredded pork with beans and pickled red onion.. The bread was terrific too.. For anyone that is use to getting those sandwiches out of those fridge cases with the soggy bread, this place is heaven sent.. If this place was not in an airport I would go there.

[Sneakeater]

I would just like to note that there are Pat LeFrieda burgers and then there are Pat LeFrieda burgers.

(Meaning that the ones that get all the attention are custom blends, not whatever he grinds out for the mass market.)

[Daniel]

Flew in and flew out same day yesterday... Was able to happily eat there twice.. Green Chile and Queso Molletas for dinner and then the Egg and Bacon for breakfast.. The egg and bacon breakfast sandwich was pretty amazing. The best thing I think I have eaten there perhaps.

But yeh, this place is super to have in zn airport.. Especially one I spend so much time in.. I hope if they grow the locations, they can keep the quality.

[Daniel]

A couple of days ago I flew into Chicago airport.. I was suffering from 3 poor hours of sleep, nursing several self inflicted ailments, I was really looking forward to hitting up Tortas Frontera.. I knew that there was one inf the B terminal or terminal 1 I think it is also called but, I landed in the K gates terminal 3.. I was prepared to walk or taxi or commandeer one of those beeping golf carts just to get myself over to his place.. However, to my surprise, I noticed that there was a location by the K gates.. This is a lot more pleasant of a set up.. In addition to a bar with a server where you can order food and sit an have a drink, there is a near by food court which offers plenty of tables to sit at.. I stood in the line and placed my order.. I was deciding between a Milanese Sandwich or the Pebito.. The Pepito being braised short ribs, the Milanese is a chicken cutlet..

I asked the girl behind the counter which she preferred. .She gave an enthusiastic delightful eye roll when she said "oh yeh, get the Pebito" How could I pass with that endorsement. One Pebito please . Now it was 9 in the morning so, I beer most likely would have done the trick but, it was a work day..

When I got the sandwich, I was less impressed than other sandwiches I have had.. The bread was still crunchy and amazing but, the beef look really fatty, and really sloppy.. The sandwich had a large amount of pickled jalapenos, some cheese, a lot of fresh arugula, and black beans. The jalapenos were over whelming, the meat was cold, the arugula too overwhelmed the ribs.. I think the problem was the meat was under seasoned.. Especially when you are tasting meat that is not even hot and it tastes under seasoned..

The sandwich came out to almost 13 dollars.. It was very disappointing...

This was the first item that I had from here that was not enjoyable..

[SLBunge]

I had the Cubana yesterday when I was passing through. Best airport food I have ever eaten.

[Daniel]

I had the Cubana yesterday when I was passing through. Best airport food I have ever eaten.

I was passing through yesterday too! Did you see me, I was the guy with the suitcase.

[SLBunge]

I had the Cubana yesterday when I was passing through. Best airport food I have ever eaten.

I was passing through yesterday too! Did you see me, I was the guy with the suitcase.

I thought that was you but I'm shy so I didn't say anything. I was the guy in jeans.

[SLBunge]

Ate lunch here this past Wednesday. Had the Milanesa: fried chicken breast cutlet, pickled jalapeno, avocado, black beans, cheese. Another great sandwich. The pickled jalapenos were very good.

Also got chips and salsa. I liked the tomatillo cilantro salsa better than the chipotle one.

I can't believe people in that terminal eat anywhere else.

Daniel: were you there again?

[Daniel]

I was not there but, there three weeks ago.. Though, I opted to not eat either time. Trying to show a little restraint.. But the Milanese is next on my list!