Quick Bite: Lunch at Cocina Real

A quick post to tell you about a very tasty sandwich I had at the newish Cocina Real on University Avenue. The restaurant is located where, most recently, a second Dos Reales was for a while. I can't recall what the place(s) just before Dos were, but years ago the building housed a pub-like joint called Trito's (don't admit to remembering Trito's unless you want to betray your advanced age).

Anyway. Now it's Cocina Real; from what I gather online, there are two other locations, both in Wisconsin. The interior is pretty spacious, with both booths and tables, nicely decorated with murals and interesting blown-glass hanging lamps. I can't give you a full rundown on the food, having only visited once, but I wanted to mention a sandwich I had there on a recent weekday.

It's called the Torta Ahogada. I'd had tortas (Mexican sandwiches) before, but not this type. Ahogada means "drowned," and that's because the sandwich is covered in sauce. Sounds strange, maybe, but I've read that it's a much-loved thing in Guadalajara. I also read that the traditional filling is pork; at Cocina Real you can have your choice of pork, chicken, or beef.

The large roll/bun was not (from what I've read, and seen in photos) the real Mexican bolillo roll. However, it stood up to the sauce nicely. It was a little crunchy on the outside, as if maybe it had been grilled, and was soft inside. The roasted/fried pork, carnitas-like, on the inside was flavorful. The sauce that covered the torta was described on the menu as "a creamy chile de arbol"; I was expecting it to be spicier, but it was pretty mild. The torta was served, as you can see, with slices of avocado and pickled jalapeno.

You sort of take a bath in this torta, what with the drowning sauce and all. At first I ate it with a fork and knife, but after a few bites I dove in and picked it up with my hands. That's definitely the way to go, so don't try to be dainty when you eat this sandwich. Lick your fingers and wipe your mouth and be done with it.

The torta ahogada is, in my opinion, somewhat overpriced at $7.99; there could have been more meat in it. However, it is pretty large, and it is delicious and (I thought) very filling. (For a look at the version of this torta that's served at Xoco, Rick Bayless's place in Chicago, check local blogger Jason's post about that restaurant.)

I also tried a cup of chicken tortilla soup ($2.79). The broth was great tasting, not spicy (to me) but full of flavor. My one complaint was that the soup could have been hotter. There were chunks of chicken in there, plus tiny cubes of cheese and slightly larger cubes of avocado. And, of course, strips of fried corn tortillas. A small cup of chunky peppers, onions, and tomatoes, served on the side, was just the thing to dump on the soup. I ate some of the mixture with my torta, as well.

Here's a shot of the specials for this month.

I look forward to going back and eating more meals at Cocina Real. Have you been yet? If so, what do you recommend?

Cocina Real Mexican Restaurant
1106 West University Avenue
Urbana, IL
217-328-0411
Web site, where you can see the menus, although note that there are more offerings than are listed there; for instance, there were two soups on the printed menu I got at the restaurant that I didn't see anywhere online.