The beautiful thing about Maine is that there seems to be a never-ending abundance of delicious restaurants. I was reminded of that this past weekend when I went to one of my favorite hidden gems that truly deserves more attention.
Just over the Casco Bay Bridge in South Portland is a very unassuming little shop that quite possibly serves some of the best Mexican food in the state: Tres Leches Cake’s Flor.
Now, it’s easy to miss this little gem, as it’s right on Broadway but looks more like a small bakery or specialty shop than an all-out banging Mexican joint. But don’t let those looks deceive you. This joint is the real deal.
Tres Leches Cake’s Flor via FacebookTres Leches Cake’s Flor via FacebookWhat Can Be Found at Tres Leches Cake’s Flor in South Portland, Maine?
I first found out about Tres Leches from a chef buddy of mine. We were in the area looking for a place to eat, and he suggested it. The bottom line is that you never turn down a recommendation from a friend who is a chef. They tend to know what’s good.
I remember walking in and immediately thinking it looked more like a bakery than a restaurant. There were sheets of tres leches and other cakes that all looked delicious, so I certainly started to get excited.
The food menu itself was so much different from what you find at the majority of Mexican restaurants around here. Sure, there were the standards like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. But they also have other favorites like tortas and cemitas (traditional Mexican sandwiches), huaraches (corn tortillas topped with delicious stuff), and some of the best tamales around.
Tres Leches Cake’s Flor via FacebookTres Leches Cake’s Flor via Facebook
My first meal there was a mixture of goodies that included chorizo and carnitas tacos and a pork tamale. Simply put, I was blown away. Everything was so darn delicious. The meat was cooked and seasoned beautifully, the tamale was steamed to perfection, and after eating it all, I was perfectly full. It was just an incredible first impression of a restaurant that I knew I would return to often.
Since then, I have experienced many of the menu options and have never had a miss. In fact, just the other day, I finally tried one of their torta sandwiches, and now I’m not sure I can ever get anything else.
It was one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in Maine. I went with the Torta de Milanesa de Pollo. It was made with thin chicken cutlets covered with Oaxaca cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, jalapeños, refried beans, fried onions, and mayonnaise on a delicious roll. It was basically the size of a Frisbee and served with perfectly cooked fries.
It was unbelievable.
I had no chance of eating it in one sitting, so it ended up being a great second meal, too.
So, let’s get to the cake, because the place is called Tres Leches for a reason. That reason is the massive amount of cakes they have available. In fact, they have something like 10 varieties of tres leches alone, and the ones I’ve tried have been amazing. They have just the right amount of sweetness and a great texture.
You can also enjoy other styles of cake, flan, and even milkshakes. I’m telling you, this place is like adult Disneyland for food lovers.
So, if you’re looking for proper Mexican food and some delicious sweets, it’s time to check out one of the greatest hidden gems around: Tres Leches Cake’s Flor. It’s a place that certainly deserves plenty of attention, considering the amazing flavors they’re kicking out.
READ MORE: Portland BBQ Joint Recognized as Maine’s Best by National Food Website
Where is Tres Leches Cake’s Flor Located in South Portland, Maine?
It’s right on Broadway in South Portland and open Tuesday through Sunday. You will not be disappointed.
And now, I’m definitely craving a torta.
30 Restaurants to Try Outside of Portland, Maine
Thanks to our great listeners we were able to compile a list of many of Maine’s great restaurants outside of the foodie town of Portland.
These great spots can be found across the state and waiting for you to give them a try.
How many have you been to? How many would you like to try for the first time?
Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka
LOOK: The top burger restaurant chains in AmericaStacker gathered YouGov Ratings to rank the top 20 burger restaurant chains in America, according to customers in the third quarter of 2024.
Gallery Credit: Stacker
Dining and Cooking