Roosevelt Avenue-Style Cemita Sandwiches

Cemitas are a type of Mexcian sandwich that originally hails from the State of Puebla, but they've taken on a life of their own in New York City. This recipe creates a cemita sandwich as served in the restaurants and taco trucks of New York, in particular along Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights. These are gently warmed sandwiches served on a griddled sesame bun with taco-meat fillings of your choice, avocado, lettuce, tomato, chipotles, refried beans, mayo, and queso Oaxaca, a Mexican string c...

Cemita Burger With Refried Beans, Chipotle Mayo, Avocado, and Oaxacan Cheese

What do you get when you take Mexico's greatest sandwich and combine it with a good ol' all-beef burger from the U.S. of A.? Why, the cemita burger, claro! Refrieds, chipotle, avocado, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, and more come together for this extravaganza of burger toppings.

Cemita Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A grilled cheese inspired by cemitas—the Puebla, Mexico sandwich specialty. Stringy Oaxacan cheese surrounds a spicy, creamy mash of avocado and chipotles in adobo, while a layer of whole papalo leaves add an herbal pop. This sandwich may not have the meat or the classic cemita roll, but it still manages to capture the bold, fiery flavors of the original.

Cemitas (Mexican Sesame Seed Sandwich Buns)

The cemita, a brioche-like bun from Puebla may well be the ultimate sandwich or hamburger bun. It has a sweet and savory flavor with a dense-yet-light crumb that can stand up to stacks and stacks of toppings without disintegrating or being overly firm.

Chorizo, Avocado, and Egg Cemitas with Chipotle Mayonnaise

A messy, yet satisfying Mexican sandwich of chorizo sausage, chipotle mayonnaise, avocados, tomatoes, lettuce, and Oaxacan cheese all topped with a fried egg.

Pork Carnitas and Oaxaca Cheese Shooter's-Style Sandwich With Spicy Refried Beans and Pickled Red Onions

Mexican tortas are delicious, but messy. This sandwich, inspired by the same flavors, solves that problem by packing them all into a bread boat and pressing them under heavy weights until they form a single, intensely flavorful package with juicy pork, pickled onions, jalapeños, beans, and gooey melted Oaxaca cheese.

Cemitas de Lengua (Mexican Tongue Sandwiches)

A Mexican beef tongue sandwich with black beans, avocado, and crema.

Mexican Fried Eggplant Sandwich (Vegan Tortas and Pambazos)

Hearty vegan Mexican-style sandwiches made with fried eggplant, refried beans, roasted chilies, and pickled red onions, served in a toasted roll doused in enchilada sauce.

Pepito (Mexican Steak Sandwich)

This Pepito (Mexican steak sandwich) combines juicy steak with avocado, beans, and jalapeños. These easy sandwiches only take 20 minutes (or less) to make!

Spicy Tortas de Milanesa

Of the many great torta fillings that can be used, one of my favorites is definitely the Milanesa, or a thin pork cutlet that is breaded and fried. And when I mean thin, I mean very thin. It should be 1/4-inch thick and golden brown, and yet it should still remain tender and juicy. It's hard to get right, but this version from Marcela Valladolid manages to really get the pork right, while also adding some intriguing toppings.