Torta

A Mexican bakery and kitchen on Research Boulevard that bakes pan dulce every morning and lists well over a dozen tortas. The Infatuation's pick is the Cubana, with milanesa, sausage, ham and cheese; the Hawaiana adds pineapple.

Margarito Pérez's former food truck, now a taquería on North Lamar a few blocks south of Airport Boulevard. The Infatuation calls its torta "near-perfect": toasted bread, a thick layer of meat, melted cheese, refried beans, grilled jalapeño and onion, and mayo spiked with Valentina.

Chef Mariha Hinojosa's fast-casual counter on East MLK, where the torta gets a loose, chef-driven treatment: brisket barbacoa, carnitas, buffalo fried chicken, or pulled pork with smoked bacon, ham, mustard and pickles. The Infatuation counts it among Austin's best tortas.