Las Tortugas

I hadn't been here in about 15 years. My friends and I used to come here after high school in 2006-08 and get the cantaloupe drinks. I had been telling my (now pregnant) wife about this place for years but we rarely had the opportunity to drive out here since we leave 30 minutes away. It has not changed one bit, the food and drinks still taste how I remember them from the mid/late 2000s and I’m grateful for that. The food was great and the cantaloupe drinks taste like you put a straw straight through an actual cantaloupe. My wife was especially a fan of the elote. So good. Definitely won’t wait another 15 years to come back. Best Mexican food in Memphis!

This restaurant is truly a gem. The owners come from Mexico City and deliver an authentic, non Tex-Mex food it's expensive but worth every Penney. They also have fantastic guacamole and truly provide a unique experience. Incredible fresh food. Try a Tortuga! It's an incredible Mexican "sandwich" filled with wonderful ingredients and amazing taste. Just all natural combinations of the freshest veggies, meat, beans, spices, sea food...I absolutely love this place! Staff are friendly, patient and will explain everything to you. 100% recommend!

The food... is incredible. Always super fresh and made with very high quality ingredients. I eat here probably 5-6 times a year. There is no other restaurant around that serves food at such a consistent and high-quality level. It's expensive, but you get what you pay for. I wish some of the fine dining restaurants would serve food that is as well prepared. Today we had the Red Chile Mole Steak tacos, Brisket tacos and Shrimp Tortuga. Outstanding. The Shrimp Tortuga might be the best sandwich that I have ever had. Today, my son ordered it and I tried something different. So good. Go here. Have some tacos and a beer or a freshly squeezed fruit drink. You will love it.

We love Las Tortugas (Deli Mexicana)! They are the only place I've ever been that upon ordering Elote you are given the choice of whole, split in half, or in a cup. I love that they give you the option. Their Elote is amazing too! The Sandwiches come cut in half, which is another especially lovely touch. We always get the De Aguacate (Avocado) and the De Queso Fresco Oaxaca (Cheese) Sandwiches and trade halves so we both get to have some of each. Honestly they are both so amazing. It's hard to choose just one, so sharing makes the decisions easier. It's nice they have 2 Vegetarian Sandwiches to choose from. A trip wouldn't feel complete without their fresh juices as well. His favorite is the Mango, while mine is the Cantaloupe (Melon). Everything is made fresh by super nice people. The only downside is that it is expensive. 2 sandwiches, 2 Elotes, and 2 Juices will be over $70. We absolutely love this place, but the prices do make it a special treat place for us instead of an everyday lunch place. Quality does cost extra though, and they are super high quality. We really appreciate that since everything is made fresh on location that they know exactly what is in their food and are able to accommodate my food allergies.

We decided to check this place out for dinner on Cinco de Mayo. A small group of us went in the evening, expecting some sort of celebration, but there wasn’t any party or event happening—just a few people casually dining in. This is a self-service, deli-style Mexican spot that has apparently been featured on a TV show and received some media attention, so it’s somewhat well-known. The person taking orders at the counter—possibly the owner or manager—was friendly and chatted with us a bit. He mentioned that one of his parents is from Mexico, and they aim to keep some of the recipes pretty authentic. We started with house-made baked chips and guacamole. The chips were great, and the guac was fresh and flavorful, although the portion size felt a bit small. They also served salsa on the side, which surprisingly had pomegranate seeds—an unexpected twist, but it worked well. For the main course, each of us ordered different items. I went with the al pastor tacos. They were decent, but I’ve definitely had better tacos, even around Memphis. That said, all the ingredients were fresh—especially the avocado and salsa, which stood out. On a fellow diner’s recommendation, I also tried the mango juice. It was on the pricier side, probably made from real mango rather than concentrate, but it was a bit too sweet for my taste—perhaps they added sugar. Overall, I’d say it’s an average spot. The vibe is chill and laid-back, and everything tasted fresh, but flavor-wise, it was average.

Great lunch spot! Enjoyed conversation and hearing the family history of the owner! My food was delicious! Especially enjoyed the tostado and guacamole! The FRESH made juice is absolutely delicious! I tried the watermelon flavor🥰!! When in the area again, I'll definitely revisit!

I promise to god I have no reason to lie or spread hate!!! If it was good then I’d leave a great review. I was visiting Memphis with my girlfriend and we wanted some Mexican food. We decided to come here because of the rating. The inside of the restaurant didn’t really look bad but it was very pricy especially for the food. The chips were pretty hard; it looked like they’ve been dipped multiple times in the fryer. The pico de gallo was over saturated with tomato’s, and the guacamole did not taste like anything. I asked for a steak taco with cilantro and onions. When the plate came the green salsa and red salsa were not good and were very dark. The taco itself was very small. Everything was very small portions. The tacos came with the same pico de gallo that I did not ask for. I asked for cilantro and onions and it came with avocado, tomatoes and a little bit of cilantro. The lettuce they gave did not look pleasant at all. Looked very cheap and very very small portions. I left hungry with the same taste in my mouth and $60 bucks less. $60!!! For 8 tacos total.

One of the most flavorful, hidden Mexican restaurants in MEMPHIS, Tennessee!! Yes! Ladies and Gentlemen! This is coming from a very picky Hispanic man who has an absolutely horrible time finding true Mexican flavors and you seriously have to look no further. It’s somewhat pricey BUT!!, they offer King Crab 🦀 tacos, filet mignon tacos 🌮, brisket tacos and what my wife loves, the yummiest tamales 🫔 almost as good as her mother’s. The meat protein selection is prime and not cheap cuts as majority of Memphis offers,,, 👏👏👏 bravo Forgot to take fotos and realized it after I was completely done 🤷🏻‍♂️

I had heard about this place years ago but I didn't go because it is tucked away off Germantown in a small center kinda hard to find and hard to see from the street. Recently, we were looking for a place to eat and happened to be sitting on Germantown next to the turn into its location. We made the turn. WOW. This is real Mexican food! The menu is short about a dozen or so items which can be ordered either as tacos or tortugas (open face sandwich). I got the Tilapia tacos. Price was about $17. Add $5 for a Mexican Coke. Add a tip and tax brings lunch to $25+. Some people complain about the prices. Oh, but what you get for your money! First, they don't do beans and rice. Or salsa and chips. Or burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, enchiladas, etc. Typical Mexican Restaurant fare. Served in an attractive arrangement, my tilapia tacos were 4 hand holdable soft tacos stuffed with slices of freshly cooked fish topped with a thick slice of avocado. On the side to the left was freshly shredded lettuce topped with a couple of slices of savory seasoned cucumber, and a wedge of lime to squeeze over the tacos. On the right was a small cup of fresh guacamole and a cup of homemade salsa. Along with these were a generous handful of unsalted, non-greasy chips. In all, a tasty, satisfying meal. It felt worth the price. Since that first visit, we've been back several times to both locations. With minor differences they are identical.

We always enjoy coming here! Great service and great food. It is expensive, but worth it for us on occasion.

Excellent service and delicious food Best tortilla soup in Memphis, their aguas frescas are awesome.

We love good Mexican food and since moving from the West have found it hard to find the depth of flavor and quality of ingredients that Las Tortugas offers. It is a wonderful place for lunch or dinner. Very clean, not fancy, place your order and pick it up as it is available. There red chile beef tacos are my go to when offered. There el pastor tacos are also very flavorful, and the meat is so tender in both. There chips and guacamole while simple are just perfect, totally fresh, simple and so good. Must get the Guava Fresca if available but any of there fresh drinks are just that, fresh and very tasty. We highly recommend Las Tortugas, it is a family run, 2nd generation mexican family that really knows what they are doing from the service to the food.

In the race between la tortuga and the hare, la tortuga wins! Themis Mexico City inspired deli takes a little more time than fast food, but it is well worth the wait! Nestled off Germantown Road, you could drive by many times without giving it a glance. But you would be missing out! Run by the Mexico City native founder's son, Las Tortugas ("the turtles") is the real deal with a family touch. Order at the counter and wait for joy. I started with a guava smoothie. With the texture of slurpie and the flavor of fresh fruit, it melted in my mouth. Not too sweet which can be a fault in Mexican drinks. Then came the tortuga chicken sandwich. Bulky and bustling with flavor, the slow cooked dark meat seaped with delight. Coupled with fresh chips and house creamy salsas, the meal was a delight. There could have been a few more chips thrown in. For Mexican casual, the prices are a bit high. But for good reason--the food is a cut above the competition. A Germantown sensation!

I've been to a lot of Mexican restaurants; but never a Mexican deli. Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana is in a strip mall in Germantown, a suburb of Memphis where my brother and sister-in-law live. This is run by a guy named Pepe, who's met celebrities like football legend Walter Payton and the greatest boxer in history, Muhammad Ali, among others, and was featured recently on the hit Food Network program, "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives." She told me his story; but I don't remember it to save my life. But, anyway... We all had chips with guacamole dip, which is different from all of the Mexican restaurants, who usually serve chips with salsa. Really good, though, to be honest, I was hoping they would have salsa as I'm having a bout with a cough that seemingly won't go away. I had the chicken tacos, which were phenomenal; I also had the fish tacos, which were good (my SIL recommended them), but not as good as the chicken tacos. And I washed it down with Coca Cola made with real sugar cane in Mexico, which was a real treat. The only real downer was the watermelon drink that I had, which was a little bitter for my blood. 5 out of 5 for service, 5 out of 5 for atmosphere, 4 out of 5 for food. Overall, 4 out of 5. Oh, and don't look for a sign that says "Las Tortugas " It's a simple block sign that says "Deli Mexicana." And it's in a strip mall.

ABSURDLY good Mexican food. The prices are high and the wait can be long but the food is absolutely worth it. Try the crab tortuga if it's on the menu; it's one of the best sandwiches I've had in my life.

Best Mexican food in the state!! An absolute must-visit every time I return to Memphis with great service and fresh ingredients. Ask for the fried cheese

Best Mexican restaurant in Memphis/Germantown area. The Sandwiches are amazing. Treat yourself and go here asap.

Fresh and Famous This spot is not fancy. It is not Tex Mex. It is not cheap. It IS the best Mexican food we have ever had. It IS great food period. They pride themselves on their "Mexico City" fare. It is one of two family-owned locations that have received terrific publicity nationally, locally and on TV shows like Guy Fieri. Everything is fresh, made by hand and delicious. We had the Chicken Tienga Tostada, guacamole, Al Pastor Tacos and Tortilla Soup this time. Have never had anything that was not wonderful.

Excellent. The Quesadillas are very good. The guacamole is very good and flavorful. The chicken, filet, and el pastor tacos were excellent so juicy and packed with flavor (the filet being my favorite). The service was nice. The ambiance was great so many creative decorations within the restaurant.

I'm going to start my review by saying that I don't eat meat. I came here hoping for some good fish tacos, but alas, like many places in the Memphis area, the only option is Tilapia. Didn't y'all get the memo that tilapia is garbage fish and not good for us???? So, I paused to peruse the menu. The signs say don't sit until after you've ordered, so I stood. Someone came to take my order & was a little snippy when I told her it was my first time & I might be a minute. In the end, I settled on a veggie Tortuga. Y'all $20 for a veggie sandwich and a handful of chips is insane! Add the tax & tip and I was close to $30. There's nothing there that would make me return.

It was great experience and was able to have a personal conversation with the owner. The food was fresh and tasted incredible. Will definitely be back!

Overall the food, I would definitely revaluate coming to dinner to this establishment. Pricing on items are extremely high for the quality of each food item. I will definitely not revisit this location.

As an international traveling service and food industry critic while unbeknownst to the owner nor staff, the following is what I experienced: + Superb care from the owner, his son, and entire staff, which yielded a positive attitude to do what's right for the customer and the business model. + Extremely high quality Authentic Mexican food in every aspect. Compliments to the head Chef, the Sous-Chef, and the entire kitchen staff. + Casual, comfortable, and clean environment. If you are in the area and don't take the time to dine here, you missed out on a quality experience.

I brought my two employees here for lunch recently. We each got an order of the tacos and a soda. It was $73. I tipped them ten percent (because it was serve yourself) and spent $80 for twelve tacos. Complete transparency they were great tacos and all the ingredients tasted fresh. I looked over at the store today on my way to grab lunch and thought about going there again but I realized that would basically be $160 for two lunches. The food is good, but the prices seemed extremely high for this kind of food.

5 stars all the way! The carnita torta was excellent. The steak tacos were cooked perfectly. The chunky guacamole was probably the best I have had in a while. The cost matched the quality, and we will be back! Oh, and don't forget to try the fresh limeade.

I ordered the gulf shrimp tacos and for about $30 I thought there was going to be a lot more food. It came with 4 tacos and a small batch of chips and some guacamole. The items tasted amazing and fresh, but like most people I think it's priced a little high.

A total waste of money. No sauce for my tamales. The coke machine was broken. Also the cashier was rude. Don't waste your money.

A little pricey but definitely worth it. Office outing. Fresh and yummy! Give them a whirl.

Always good, always fresh, always about $15-20 per person. Not the most inviting sitting are but everything is locally sourced through the Farmers Market which certainly affects price but can be tasted on the tongue.

Love this place! Expensive for hole in the wall Mexican food but worth every penny I had the brisket tacos and they were delicious. The guacamole was amazing. And I had a delicious cantaloupe drink that I will dream about forever. This is going to be a must stop for me from now on when I am in the area

Waaayyy overhyped. The tortas are supeeerrr expensive. The fish tacos have NO flavor. The Chicken tacos are tinga. The only thing I really loved was the vegetarian torta. Sooo good. The waters (Aguas frescas) waaaaaaaaaayy expensive for the size. I'm sorry you guys. But that's just my opinion

Quality, tasty Mexican food with friendly staff made dining a pleasure. Small business just inside Germantown on Germantown Parkway.

Beautifully presented to mask the blandness of the Carnitas Tortugas. I was excited to eat here based on the 5 star reviews. That's probably why you're here too, huh? Let's move on to their "juices." If you are not a frappe texture fan, then please ask them how they prepare their "juice" drinks. FYI -- If you request no ice in your juice, there is a $2.25 extra charge. I apologize to the gentleman at the counter who had to explain the pricing and the menu to me. Needless to say, I walked out there confused, thinking "what the inflation did I just pay for?!" I kept wondering why the woman across the room kept putting salt on her meal? NOW! I know! I will gladly pay the extra $2.25 for flavor should they ever decide to put flavor on the menu. I'm sure today was just a bad day, so if this is your first time and don't mind paying $26-$27 for a flavorless sandwich and a fruity frappe, definitely check this place out!

I love this place! Every visit is always so pleasant and the owner is the sweetest! He loves having a good conversation with anyone who walks in! The food is simply amazing and very true to its culture! Everything is always so fresh and packed with flavor! It's like Memphis has a piece of Mexico! I recommend getting the chicken tortilla soup, chicken tostadas, and the chicken flauta!! The shrimp tacos are good as well but I like a crunch with my tacos. You really can't go wrong with whatever you pick! You're going to get the same experience at both locations but unfortunately the Poplar location is temporarily closed due to staffing issues. If you love authentic Mexican food or just really good food stop in and stay a well!

Didn't even get to try the food. Got there at 7:30 (they close at 8:00) and we were told they will only do takeout orders. There were four tables of customers dining in. That to me is poor service.

I was told by a friend that Las Tortugas was a must-try while in Memphis for my sons baseball tournament. So glad we stopped in before leaving town. We visited the Germantown location. We met the owners son (missed his name) and he ensured our first time was memorable, throwing in some extras to sample. The homemade chips and guacamole were a great start. Unlike any chips you find in the US. These chips are thick and crunchy like ones you get when traveling to Mexico. I especially loved the seasonal Pomegranate salsa. It was fresh and sweet with the perfect amount of heat. My son said his brisket tacos were the best he had ever eaten. We also enjoyed trying the Elote and the special Crispy Pork Belly Tostada that was equally beautiful and delicious. Can't wait to take my husband when we return to Memphis again.

This is authentic Mexican flavor! I go here at least 2 times a week! Best sirloin Tacos I've ever had! Everything is fresh!!! Everything is wonderful!!

Absolutely the best Mexican I have ever had, including all of Mexico & I have sent weeks & weeks in Mexixo from Baja to Quintana Roo. Upon our arrival John greeted us at the counter (you place your order a single place) and quickly determined that this was first visit. He began to tell us the story of how this place came to be. His father Josè (people call him Pèpe) is from Mexico City & his mother is from Memphs. Pèpe retired and moved back here to his wife's homeland. He then decided that what this area needed was a real Taqueria like the ones he grew up with and that he was the man to make that happen. After sampling several of the dishes here I can honestly say that Pèpe brought the best of Mexico to Germantown, the food is awesome!! The juices are freshly made, I had the guava made from small fruits, the ingredients don't come from Sysco or some other generic truck but rather they get local sourced stuff or import It from Mexico. You can certainly tell the difference. Everything we had was really authentic, fresh and delicious and we will be certain to tlreturn because this is my favorite for everything Mexican. As you can see, by the many pictures I posted, there are lots of photos, awards and fun stuff on the walls that make it fun to be here. Check it out, you'll be glad you did!!

Brought two grandsons in since shopping at Lowes. Chicken Taco / $17.95 Al Pastor Torta $17.95 Cokes in can since fountain not working $2.76 EACH!! zFood quality is average snd taste is sub-par! Taco,Torta, and 2 cokes= $45 Not a friendly owner - aloof and caustic attitude. Tiny cafe Not clean. Yelp has a real problem with apparently untraveled and undiscriminating taste buds giving this joint a 5 Star rating. Very, very misleading to reviewers.

Yummy fresh food. My guest and I enjoyed fresh tilapia sandwiches. They included lettuce, tomato, and jalapeños. Served alongside were a very spicy green sauce and a milder red sauce with nacho chips made on-site that are thick and crunchy.

Different prices online and in the deli. Said two tamales per order but it was one cut in half (disappointing) Nice location. I like honesty and consistency

Authentic Mexican food from a specific region of Mexico. It's not what you typically find at most Mexican restaurants, yet it is every bit genuine. Expand your horizons and go eat there. You're welcome.

This is a terrific restaurant! Authentic and flavorful Options. I love the tamales and the street corn. The blended drinks are a special treat. Costs more and worth it.

The very best Mexican anywhere in Memphis bar none! Great ingredients and made to order every time. I really like their juices as well.

Excellent food and health ratings are at 100% as well. It is not cheap but it is high quality food.

I don't know why I haven't written a review before because this is one of our favorite places to eat. We live over an hour away and have driven just for the fish tacos. They are consistently delicious!

Used to LOVE! But yesterday was super offensively smelly and dirty looking. Most disappointing. Oh and their "outdoor " table is from Costco!!! No cover no effort. Kind of pathetic for the exorbitant prices!!!! SAD DO BETTER

Since they have a sign talking about how they don't like california people judging their food...here it goes. The food is OKAY, not that special . The prices are ridiculously high too . The tacos they offer are .75 cents on a street corner in L.A anytime...yet L.A tacos are better. The owner seems very douchy

We ordered tacos al pastor, sirloin tacos, chips and guacamole, the elote and a limonada. The guacamole, the elote, and the limonada was very good. The tacos were just average. For the amount of money we spent (the most we've ever spent on Mexican street food) we expected better.

Yummo yum! What a lovely place. Fairly easy to spot if you're looking for it. It is quaint on the inside with maybe about ten or so tables. Menu is nice in size. Order at the counter, sit down and wait for your number to be called. I love that owner was so pleasant and shared the history of the restaurant. They don't contract with any outside folk and the obtain the food themselves. This is totally evident in the freshness and taste of the food. They really do a stellar job. I tried the shrimp tacos and the elote. For the taco order you receive four small tacos, with a side of chips guac and salsa. The tacos are packed to perfection with meat and fresh ingredients. They were just delightful. It is totally enough to leave you satisfied and not feeling heavy.... I have always been afraid to try elote because of that mayonnaise thing BUT it looked too good for me to leave it there. It had an awesome creamy flavor with just enough cheese, it was nothing that I have ever tried before. If I'm ever in the Germantown area I would love to return and try something else.

Food is sub par. You'll probably still be hungry after spending 25 on your meal. And yes, I'm from southern California and have had my time hanging out down in Tijuana. Maybe if you didn't have signs everywhere showing your passive aggressiveness towards Mexican food in California, your food would taste better.

if I could give it a negative star I would. I was excited to finally go and have a bite to eat. However, when I got there and ordered my food .. I went out back to get my order. I accidentally made a mistake of picking up another order. It wasn't intentional at all .. When I took the order I sat down and the host approached me and rudely told me (in Spanish so English speakers wouldn't know what he was saying that I had taken someone else's order. I apologized for the mistake and he just ignored me and didn't want to speak with me at all.) I was embarrassed by this, and felt like I was discriminated and just left.

We haven't been to this location in 3 years ( pre Covid) and very little has changed. The food is still fresh and delicious. The prices seemed high for lunch until we got our meal. I had the brisket tacos with lots of tender meat and my husband had the shrimp tortuga, overflowing with shrimp. Knowing todays markets, I felt the prices were reasonable. And again, the presentation was appealing and the food was delicious.

Tried to place a lunch takeout order over the phone. The person answering the phone literally hung up on me three times in a row. I'm new to the area & was looking forward to ordering a meal from this restaurant. However, after having such a negative first impression I will be taking my business elsewhere. To the restaurant: when a customer calls your phone number, a warm and friendly voice answering the phone is a huge benefit to you. It will a make a big difference in the essential process of acquiring and retaining loyal customers.

Excellent, fresh Mexican. I had the shrimp tacos and couldn't be happier with the quality and taste! I highly recommend Las Tortugas

Consistently exceptional food with friendly staff and positivity. A meal at Las Tortugas will make your day better and satisfy your palate. Both locations are winners!

I really want to knock a star because of how damn expensive this place is and how rude/weird the son of the founder (who seems to run the place now) is toward customers and employees..... But..... This might be best Mexican food I've ever had. The king crab tortuga was out of this world. The chicken tostada was above par and the chicken tortilla soup was uniquely delicious and well apportioned. The salsas were phenomenal - the beet-red chipotle being my personal favorite. Would def eat here again!

This is real Mexican food and not TexMex. The staff was very helpful in guiding us in choosing our meals and , while not large, there is outside seating which is very nice on a pleasant day