By Eduardo | @cazadordelomejor
In Mexico, and many parts of the world, roasted turkey is mainly served during the holiday season. Imagine a place where shaved slices of juicy roasted turkey are served on a soft telera smothered with avocado and spicy rajas. This place exists, it’s located in the heart of downtown Mexico City and, here, you can devour a turkey torta during any month of the year.
El Rey del Pavo has been in business for over a century. It was founded in 1910 by Ramón Avellana, a Spanish man from Gironella, a small town just North of Barcelona. Ramón moved to Mexico in 1906 and brought with him homey recipes, which are still used in the kitchen, and the idea of charcoal roasting the turkeys. The first location was at Palma Street #19. After moving locations twice, Ramón’s nephew, Carlos Moreno, is in charge of the restaurant’s new location, just a couple blocks down, at Palma Street #32 in Mexico City’s historic center.
Walking in you’ll see an open kitchen and lined up are the torteros and taqueros making turkey tortas and tacos by the dozen. There are lots of options here ranging from turkey breast in adobo, thigh, and turkey chicharrón. The restaurant is simple, lots of wooden tables with blue leather chairs that make for a diner-like feel. Most of the people who go in for a bite have been visiting the place for years and bring different generations of the family to try it.
Each time I visit, I’ll start off with a taco and end with a torta, accompanied by a hot bowl of turkey broth to dip. It’s hard to leave this place without a takeout bag to enjoy for dinner.
El Rey del Pavo, Calle de la Palma 32, Centro Histórico, Ciudad de México
Comments
24comments inEl Rey del Pavo
Miguel Escobar
Jun 01
Uno de mis lugares favoritos. No puedo ir a México, sin visitarlo.
Mis tortas favoritas, pechuga adobada con dorados, longaniza y jamón serrano.
Ya se me antojó. Tengo que planear mi próximo viaje.
Saludos.
Pati Jinich
Jun 04
Super!
Federico Pier
Jul 29
Pati,
Quisiera contactarte a ti o tu management company para ver la posibilidad de un evento privado. Me podrían pasar esos contactos? Me pueden DM en Instagram flpier. Muchas gracias!
Pati
Aug 01
Gracias, Federico. Email: hola @ patijinich.com
Chloe D’Alfonso
Jul 24
I would love to try this it looks so good, easy and simple, and I am always into trying Mexican and Spanish food.
Pati
Jul 26
Oh I hope you get to try them soon, Chloe!
Rosanne
Jul 24
Pati you have made me so happy today!
I went to EL REY the very first time I visited Mexico (Sheeshay 1988!!!) very good memories, and El Rey Del Pavo became the nickname of our cat Monte due to his affinity for turkey.
So many old-fashioned places are closing, but it’s good The King is still with us. Gracias poor todo, Ro
Pati
Jul 25
Thank you for sharing your memories with me, Ro!
JoyceB
Jul 24
I love turkey and l think l would fall in love with these. Thank you Pati for introducing us to the wonderful foods in Mexico.
Pati
Jul 25
Thank YOU Joyce!
Nathalie
Jul 24
Am in Mexico City for the next 2 weeks so will definite try this! Any other recommendations?
Pati
Jul 27
Oh yes!
El Cardenal
El Bajio
Contramar
Lalo’s
Lardo or Rosetta
Los Panchos and eat Campechanos
Tortas Atlixco
Have a great trip, Nathalie!
Rosie Rose
Jul 24
Do you have a recipe for the telera bread?
Pati
Jul 27
I don’t have one right now, Rosie…
Anonymous
Jul 23
I love Mexican food such a wealth of flavors and texture. I cook Mexican food at least 2 times a week. Thank You Pati cook books and your show on PBS. Sincerely Yours Diann in California
Pati
Jul 26
Keep having lots of fun in the kitchen, Diann!
Velia Antila
Jul 23
This was a favorite place of mine to go for a torta. Whenever I went shopping down town, I would stop there for one.
Pati
Jul 24
Thanks for sharing you memories, Velia!
Susan Ringler
Jul 23
I love turkey sandwiches
Pati
Jul 24
Oh me too, Susan!
Bernice
Jul 23
How about his recipe for sandwiches and broth
Pati
Jul 27
I don’t have the recipe for them….but you should head to El Rey if you can 😉 But I’m also working on some new sandwich recipes…so stay tuned, Bernice.
Sue Galles
Jul 23
I would love to help you taste foods of Mexico! Please come make these for me..
Pati
Jul 23
🙂