Tortas at El Rey de Pavo in Mexico City

El Rey del Pavo

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.

slicing tortas at el rey de pavo

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.

taco at El Rey de Pavo

El Rey del Pavo, Calle de la Palma 32, Centro Histórico, Ciudad de México

Comments

24comments inEl Rey del Pavo

  1. 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.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jun 04

      Super!

  2. 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!

    1. Pati

      Aug 01

      Gracias, Federico. Email: hola @ patijinich.com

  3. 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.

    1. Pati

      Jul 26

      Oh I hope you get to try them soon, Chloe!

  4. 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

    1. Pati

      Jul 25

      Thank you for sharing your memories with me, Ro!

  5. 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.

    1. Pati

      Jul 25

      Thank YOU Joyce!

  6. Nathalie

    Jul 24

    Am in Mexico City for the next 2 weeks so will definite try this! Any other recommendations?

    1. 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!

  7. Rosie Rose

    Jul 24

    Do you have a recipe for the telera bread?

    1. Pati

      Jul 27

      I don’t have one right now, Rosie…

  8. 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

    1. Pati

      Jul 26

      Keep having lots of fun in the kitchen, Diann!

  9. 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.

    1. Pati

      Jul 24

      Thanks for sharing you memories, Velia!

  10. Susan Ringler

    Jul 23

    I love turkey sandwiches

    1. Pati

      Jul 24

      Oh me too, Susan!

  11. Bernice

    Jul 23

    How about his recipe for sandwiches and broth

    1. 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.

  12. Sue Galles

    Jul 23

    I would love to help you taste foods of Mexico! Please come make these for me..

    1. Pati

      Jul 23

      🙂

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