Tortas Frontera

Tortas Frontera Restaurant Review:

A far cry from other offerings at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, Rick Bayless’ counter service sandwich shop serves namesake sandwiches similar to Xoco --- along with fresh, lime-y margaritas --- in a small nook in terminal 1. Its handful of seats fills quickly, though, and the fast food concept takes some time. Orders get screwed up, and creature comforts are next to nil. The rewards, though, are as wait-worthy as the frustration level is high. Step up to the counter and order the fall-apart, beer-braised short ribs torta, which arrives in a brown, cardboard-like container, griddled and stuffed with black beans, pickled jalapeños, gooey Chihuahua cheese, cilantro crema and arugula. Warm, open-face molletes --- blanketed in cheese --- are an option, too. And don’t forget to order fully-dressed guac from the guacamole bar: it comes topped with Nueske’s bacon crumbles, sun-dried tomatoes, toasted pepitas, spicy roasted peppers and queso. There’s a yogurt bar, breakfast sammies, fresh-squeezed OJ and refreshing agua frescas as well.