The name "Tortugas" is derived from the word "torta" Torta is the name of Mexican sandwiches which are as traditional and as popular as tacos for Mexicans. The bread is an oval shape much like the shell of a turtle, thus, the nickname "Tortuga," which means turtle. This kind of establishment in Mexico is not called a deli, but rather a "torteria" if it specializes in the sale of tortas, and "taqueria" if it specializes in the sale of tacos. Both types of eateries offer 100% fresh, natural fruit juices.

For the past 24 years I have been waiting for someone to open something like this in the Memphis area so I could enjoy this type of authentic Mexican food without having to go to Mexico. I thought 24 years was long enough to wait, so I took it upon myself to bring to the American people this kind of fresh, delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine!

Mexicans on the go make a quick stop in one of thousands of "taquerias" and "torterias" to replenish energies with a nice sandwich, or an order of tacos and fresh fruit juice before they head back to work. Sometimes they are seated or often standing up on the sidewalk in a small place that has little or no room for seating.

In Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana our pledge is not only to serve authentic Mexican food, but also to serve the highest quality food as if the client were in one of the more upscale "torterias" or "taquerias" in Mexico City. To assure freshness and quality, the owner, Pepe Magallanes, takes no delivery of produce, fish, or meat or any food item that is to be served. On the contrary, he is shopping every morning to purchase what will be served during the day. Every avocado, piece of fruit, fish, meat, etc., is hand picked personally by Pepe Magallanes in local stores in the morning for that day’s consumption. Yes, it is a lot of work, but he is proud of what he is doing! As Pepe Magallanes says, "Unless you do it yourself, it might not be done right."

At Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana everything is made fresh, even our bread, which is prepared every morning and throughout the day from scratch by our in-house baker. We work as fast as we can, but in order to deliver the "real thing," the food is prepared when you order. Therefore, you might have to wait a few more minutes than you would if you were at a fast food establishment.

By coming to Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana you no longer have to guess if what you enjoy is or is not authentic Mexican food. Rest assured that while you are eating, you are enjoying the exact same food as people who are eating in Mexico City in an upscale "torteria"/"taqueria."