Newman Farms Berkshire Pork Tacos at Las Tortugas

Published June 9, 2011 in the Memphis Flyer

Just when I thought that Las Tortugas couldn't get any better, they started adding locally sourced meats to the menu. Owner Pepe Magallanes and his son Jonathan were already very particular about every ingredient they used, shopping each morning before the store opened to find the perfect ingredients. Adding Newman Farms pork and Neola Farms beef takes everything up another notch. On a recent visit, I tried the Newman Farms Berkshire pork tacos and was blown away. Pepe and his crew obviously spent a great deal of time cooking the meat to perfection. Marinated in citrus juices and slow-cooked, it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Once shredded and put into corn tortillas with crema, spicy chile sauce, cilantro, onions, and avocadoes, it's almost too good to be true. At $11.95, it is one of the more expensive items on the menu, but each order includes four tacos, lettuce and cucumber salad, homemade chips, salsa, and avocado sauce. I'm a firm believer that the offerings at Las Tortugas are better fit for fine china than plastic baskets, but I'm happy to be able to enjoy them in such a warm and inviting atmosphere.