Tortas Frontera

I had a Pepino torta. Flavor = amazing.
I had to wait 10 minutes for it to be ready, but they gave me a buzzer so that was just enough time to find a seat nearby and get settled in anyway.
I would say it’s a bit overpriced, even for airport food. I paid over $ 13 for my torta with no drink.

The Cubana is really great! Salsa that came with was also good. Side salad was so so and I’ll try chips and salsa in the future. Raspberry Prickly Pear soda is very acidic but good.

Best airport food ever! Sure there is a line of people waiting; they have been here before and know it is worth the wait. Don’t expect the typical taco or burrito here; order something new and you won’t be disappointed.

Quite arguably the best airport food I’ve ever had in my life. Period.

My latest discovery is the breakfast bowls which is now a new favorite. The Tortas are yummy too and the Molette is a great option if you are in a rush and can not wait for the other made to order items.
As for beverages, I like the lime juice and raspberry prickly pear. Smart Water and Fiji are also retailed along with a few other popular beverages.
Prices are in the $ 10 range which is more expensive than chain food but a much better value for the money.
If in Terminal one, stop at this location which also has a bar area and other seating available.
Love the eggs and chorizo and. eggs and bacon. The Guac bar is also very good and a perfect inflict snack.

A layover in Chicago means an opportunity to explore the airport and find some spots that defy the stereotype of bad airport food. Airports are turning it around — see LAX! I was very happy when I saw a four-​star place at O’Hare and in the same area as me.
The tortas here are pretty good and they rejuvenated me after our flight from SNA.. We ordered the Cubana and the Pepito. I think one is enough to share for two but my fiancée and I got excited and just tried each other’s halves. Out of the two I like the Cubana more! We ordered the mango agua fresca but it was too sweet for us. Maybe our tastebuds were affected from the flight. Altitude maybe? Eh. Save a dollar and get a drink at McDonald’s.
At the end of it all, if you’re coming through O’Hare, come through this place and treat yo’self… cause it’s pricey. But the pickings are slim out there and this is probably miles ahead of whatever else is out there.

Rick Bayless’s fast-​casual airport restaurant almost makes you forget that you have a layover in O’Hare. Of the celebrity chef airport ventures, this is the best I’ve tried. A torta is the Mexican version of the panini, and Rick Bayless’s are packed with authentic, locally-​sourced ingredients. They also serve open-​faced molletes, soups and salads, «fully dressed» guacamole, margaritas, and aguas frescas. The tortas are $ 10 and up and guacamole will set you back $ 8. Seating is limited.

I stopped in to Tortas during a 30 minute layover. I’ve heard that there is usually a bit of a wait here, so I was unsure if making the stop would be the wisest idea. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the wait was just over 10 minutes for my food, and so I was able to make the trek to my gate in good time.
The service staff was fine, though efficient. The cashier helped me figure out what I wanted, and the young woman who handed me my food was a bit brusque.
What can I say about the food? Well, it is airport food, but it’s pretty dope airport food. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it really was not very expensive for what I got. Everything I saw coming out of the kitchen looked great, and I certainly didn’t have any complaints about my own food.
Come here to turn a layover into an adventure. Going to McDonald’s at the airport feels sad. Going to Tortas is an experience.

Let’s just get an important point out of the way: even with all the hype, you’re still eating in an airport.
With that said, you might be eating the best thing you could possibly eat in an airport and certainly the best in Terminal 3. I had the Milanesa. Fried chicken, cheese and pickled jalapenos doused in a little cilantro crema (which is out of this fucking world). This thing is awesome. The pickled jalapeño seemed like more of a giardiniera from a jar, but aside from that this is a damn near perfect sandwich. The place was a mad house when I got there as about a million flights had been cancelled in the previous 24 hours but even then it was only about a 10 minute wait for a piping hot, melty and delicious sandwich. It was almost enough to make you forget that you’re surrounded by hundreds of angry holiday travelers that would just as soon cast a satanic spell on you as smile. I’ll be snagging a sammy here whenever I fly out of O’hare going forward.

First, the only vegetarian soup (corn and poblano chowder) was out of stock at noon which is really early to be out of a popular menu item.
Then, the cashier tried to sell me the tortilla soup instead claiming that it’s vegetarian too when it clearly states on the menu that it’s made with chicken broth.
We sat down at the Frontera bar around the corner to wait for our food, and it was more than 5 minutes before we were greeted even though there were only 12 – 15 people around the bar.
Grace ended up eventually helping us out very unenthusiastically, presumably because we’d already ordered food at the counter instead of at the bar, which she’d assumed cut into her tip.
Then, I asked her if the Michelada had Clamato in it and she had no idea what I was asking. I was basically asking her if it was vegetarian and since I did not see any non-​vegetarian ingredients, I went for it. Then I saw her put Worcestershire sauce in there and realize that it has anchovies in it after she had already made it. We told her that I’m vegetarian so I cannot drink that so if she can make a vegetarian version of it that would be great.
She proceeded to huff and puff without an apology and maid another version and dumped one third of the Modelo Especial bottle in the drink instead of giving a fresh Modelo. We ended up asking for more beer in the drink like needed, and she added Modelo Negra which is not even the same beer from the tap like it was the same thing.
I ended up not drinking any of the «drinks» she’d made for me because they were so awfully wrong and she was quite rude and unapologetic the whole time. Grace is one of the worst bartenders I’ve ever come across.
The only salvation was that she didn’t bother charging us for the drink (s) I never touched.

My rating is comparing this to other airport food I’ve had. This is really a great option if you’re at ORD. I’ve been subjected to too many terrible meals in airports (sadly) and I can say this was definitely some of the best food I’ve had in an airport ever. I love that it’s quite a casual spot since I was traveling alone and didn’t want to go to a proper sit-​down restaurant. I ordered at the counter a Chipotle Chicken torta which was described as being accompanied by artisan Jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, cilantro crema, tomatillo-​avocado salsa ($ 11.00). I was starving so I opted for a chicken tortilla soup as well and was handed over a buzzer as I waited for my food. I appreciate that they don’t have a bunch of the tortas pre-​made and just sitting under a heat lamp. Loved that they make each torta fresh. Within 10 minutes, my buzzer notified me that my food was ready. I perched myself at the long counter opposite the bar. They had outlets all along the wall which was a nice touch to have.
As I dug in, I was so happy. Fresh torta, great ingredients and flavorful. All the items worked really well together. Chicken can sometimes be bland/​dry but this wasn’t the case at TF, moist with a punch of flavour that was helped by the crema and salsa. Loved this sandwich and it’s pretty huge, I definitely didn’t need to have also gotten a soup but I had a long flight ahead ;D The chicken tortilla soup was quite nice as well with shredded chicken and chunks of ripe avocado. The broth was slightly spicy and had good chicken flavor.
It isn’t a cheap meal, especially considering it’s fast casual; however, I would happily pay these prices for what I received. Plus, you’re in an airport so they know they can up the prices. I was impressed at the quality of the food as I’ve definitely had way worse food outside of an airport. Anytime I’m flying through ORD, this will be my pre-​flight meal!

Chef Rick Bayless deserves the culinary equivalent of knighthood for the gifts he has given to foodies in the way of Mexican fare. He first garnished my attention by challenging Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America. I don’t remember if he won or not but to me it doesn’t matter. In comparing Flay’s food in person by eating at Bolo Bar & Restaurant and the more famous and now defunct Mesa Grill –both in New York City– and comparing those two vs. Frontera Grill and Topolo –both in Chicago-​, Bayless wins.
Why? Chef Bayless’s creations were memorable to this day. Of course he was there each time I have dined at his dives. Flay’s food was only memorable I suppose for bragging rights. Rather than another Chicago vs. NYC argument I suspect the real line is celebrity vs actual chef.
Failing to mention another gift to us foodies, Chef Bayless’s PBS TV series «Mexico, One Plate at a Time» would be an oversight of course as having seen every episode, I can say I’ve enjoyed every plate I’m been served that has this gentleman’s name on it, now including from a paper plate at O’Hare.
We shared the Chorizo & Queso Torta that came with fresh Haas avocado and a meal sized Shrimp Salad entrée. And aside from a great little place in the Narita International Airport just outside of Tokyo this is truly some of the finest food at an airport that I can remember. Note I am not calling it «airport food». Another culinary gift from Chef Rick Bayless is just this; bringing world class food to the airport.

I went to the real restaurant in the city and was sorely disappointed but oh boy did the airport stand deliver. Ordered an Agua Fresca, pepito torta, molette and a garlic shrimp salad. The hype is real! I was stuck at ohare for 10 hours and this gem was in my terminal
Special mix of Agua Fresca ⁵⁄₅: The cashier made a special mix of her favorite juice flavors and it was fantastic.
Garlic shrimp salad ⁵⁄₅: delicious. Best shrimp salad I’ve had and I are this cold 6 hours later. It was fragrant, avocado was fresh, grilled onions and peppers were so good.
Pork Molette 3.75÷5: it was good but not great. It was crunchy, cheesy with bbq pork. Reminiscent of bbq chicken pizza but on a toasted piece of bread. A little more American than Mexican.
Pepito torta ⁵⁄₅: I ate this 12 hours after I got it and it was so tender delicious and regret inducing. Why? I regret not eating it hot!

I have always had a huge crush on Rick Bayless — he is so cool and makes great food! I also like to binge watch his PBS show and his season on Top Chef Masters, swoooooon.
He really is a genius to put this delicious Frontera spin-​off in O’Hare airport. It is clearly the most popular place in the entire terminal. I definitely walked about 20 minutes just to get to it.
It is flavorful, appropriately priced, and you totally get your money’s worth. You can also find something healthy, fresh, and unbelievably satisfying here, which can’t be said for most airport food. I don’t feel that they increased the prices at all compared to what they would be downtown. I ordered a taqueria salad that had high quality ingredients, plus fresh avocado, and pork pibil. I also got a fully dressed guacamole, don’t even get me started on that. By the way, the portion size is huge.
Do what you need to do to try this place when you are in O’Hare!

I’ve been a fan of Rick Bayless ever since I started watching Mexico One Plate At A Time on public television so it was quite a thrill to see Frontera at O’Hare. Airport food has always been limited to overpriced mediocre food. Frontera falls in line with being overpriced but the food is exceptionally good.
During a 10 hour layover at O’Hare, I got a chance to try the Pepito and man was it good. $ 12 for a tortas might sound outrageous but for airport food. You can’t beat it.

Awesome as far as airport food goes!
i didn’t get to eat it hot since my flight was boarding and I didn’t whip this baby out until we were at cruising altitude but it was still flavorful!
–pepito torta: tender & tasty braised short rib! loved the spiciness with the green sauce on the side. I wish i had mine hot because i could see the bread’s potential even when cold
NOTE: order at the front & they’ll quote you a wait time before you pay in case you’re trying to make a flight

Usually the food in the airport is just what you eat to get by. This is actually something I would eat outside the airport though. That’s saying a lot. At $ 10 for pretty substantial sandwich, I don’t think the prices are too bad either.
I had the mushroom torta. They warned me at the register that it would take bout 10 minutes to make. I would much rather wait for something to be made fresh then get something from a food court that has been sitting there for who knows how long.
My torta was mostly composed of oyster mushrooms and arugula, and the overall flavor of the sandwich was smokey due to the smoked mayo and the salsa it comes with. It even had a little heat to it from the peppers. The creamy goat cheese neutralized most of it.
My husband had the albondigas with meatballs and bacon, peppers, and cheese. He was quite happy with it.
My favorite thing was the prickly pear Agua Fresca. It’s very tart and tangy. I love prickly pear!
I’d definitely come back if in the Chicago Airport.

I’ve been not so secretly planning how to get my hands on a sandwich from Tortas Frontera ever since I learned they’d be coming to O’Hare. But actually getting my hands on a torta never seemed to work out since all of my precious time ended up being eaten by TSA. So when I finally flew First Class for the first (and likely last) time in my life, I breezed pass all the poor people and went straight for Gate K4 even though we were flying out of H18.
My Husband ordered the Pepito — braised beef short rib, artisan Jack cheese, pickled jalapeño, cilantro crema, black beans, wild arugula. I went with the Cubana — smoked pork loin, Gunthorp bacon, artisan Jack cheese, black beans, cilantro crema, chipotle mustard, avocado. Both were delightful, but we agreed that the Cubana was our favorite of the two. The Pepito is a bit hot and you lose some of the flavors to the heat. The Gunthorp bacon on the Cubana really sets it apart.
I washed it all down with a Prickly Pear Raspberry drink. It might be too sweet for some people, but I like a good sugar kick every once in a while. It definitely lifted my mood before liftoff.

Best airport food ever! Thanks to chef Rick Bayless for creating this restaurant inside the international terminal.
The food is Latin American with Bayle’s twist. Yum. Yum. Yum.
I ordered the Choriquezo torta and I loved it! The torta was panini style — with the bread toasted and flattened. The torts had chorizo, grilled green peppers, onions, avocado and cheese. Yummy.
The cherry on top was the green sauce that comes with the sandwhich — a green salsa that’s not too hot and not too mild.
PS the service is phenomenal.

For airport food this place is legit. Even for non-​airport food, this place is legit. But when you’re traveling all day and you’ve got a two hour layover and you’re hangry? This place rules.
Being a former resident of Chicago I know Rick Bayless well and have an affection for Frontera, especially since their outpost in Macy’s on State was my very first Unilocal review. I’ve been to several of his restaurants and in general I’m way more into his casual style spots. Xoco was a personal fave in particular. So, I was happy to dine at Frontera and see some of the Tortas I loved here. They’re all solid options but this particular time around I went with the roasted mushroom torta (cremini, shiitake + oyster mushrooms, smoky garlic mojo, poblano rajas, goat cheese, black beans, wild arugula, & lime) and it was excellent. I also got a naked guac and chips to go for the plane later. GOOD CALL! Especially for a 5+ hour flight.
Not a lot of seating so be mindful when you order during a busy period. It may be harder to eat some menu items on your lap.