Torta Boyz Ottawa – Delicious Fries Worth the Trip – Average EV Score: 7.5/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Torta Boyz Restaurant Overview
Torta Boyz is a bit tucked away in a residential pocket, so you might miss it if you’re not paying attention. But once you find it, you’ll be glad you did. The vibe is laid-back, almost like you’re visiting a hidden gem your friend told you about.
Parking is one of the few challenges with this spot. There’s no dedicated lot for customers, so you’ll need to find street parking nearby. Depending on the time of day, that can be easy or a bit of a hassle, but it’s something to keep in mind before visiting. The restaurant itself has a fair number of tables, but the space is on the smaller side. Because of that, I wouldn’t recommend bringing big groups — it’s better suited for 1–4 people. If you’re planning to go during peak hours, I’d highly recommend making a reservation, since it’s often very busy and seating fills up quickly.
I also remember when Torta Boyz first gained a following as a food truck. Back then, the lines would wrap all the way around the parking lot, and waiting for their food became part of the experience. Seeing them move into a permanent restaurant space felt like a big win. Not only does it mean you can now enjoy their food with proper seating, but it also adds a bit more comfort compared to waiting outdoors.
I’ve been here several times, and there’s one thing that always ends up on the table: the Asada Fries. It’s the dish that keeps pulling me back. The rest of the menu is solid too, but those fries are the star. Make sure to order the Spicy Margarita as well — it’s very refreshing on a nice sunny day on the patio.
Would return?: Yes.
Asada Fries
😋 Enjoyment: 9.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $17
🎯 Benchmark Price: $15
📊 EV Score: 9.5/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes, every time.
One of my favourite fries in Ottawa is at Torta Boyz, and I love my fries. I remember the first time I visited Torta Boyz and had these—they were so good that we came back the very next day just to order them again. The fries are breaded, which might feel like cheating for that level of crispiness, but honestly, I don’t care. It’s great. Every bite is perfectly crunchy, and the toppings are that addictive kind of mix that makes it hard to stop. It’s one of those dishes where the second you finish, you already want more.
Ceviche Tropical
😋 Enjoyment: 6.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $22
🎯 Benchmark Price: $16
📊 EV Score: 4.7/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This one didn’t really do it for me. I was expecting something refreshing and vibrant, but it fell flat. The portion didn’t feel worth the price, and the chips served with it were forgettable. The seafood was chopped into tiny chunks that I couldn’t really tell what I was eating—shrimp, fish, or something else. Normally, ceviche gives those clean, distinct flavours and textures. This just felt muddled. Not terrible, but definitely not something I’d come back for. This dish really brought down the average EV Score for the Torta Boyz.
Taco de Carnitas
😋 Enjoyment: 8/10
💰 Price Paid: $9
🎯 Benchmark Price: $9
📊 EV Score: 8/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
A great taco with a really generous pile of ingredients. The mix of pork belly and shoulder works beautifully—you get that tender bite with just enough fattiness to make it satisfying. The sauce drizzled on top ties it all together. It’s messy in the best way and absolutely worth getting again at Torta Boyz.
Pastor Taco
😋 Enjoyment: 9/10
💰 Price Paid: $9
🎯 Benchmark Price: $9
📊 EV Score: 9/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
This is my go-to taco for a reason. The individual pieces of pork on the taco are incredibly tender with a balanced lean-to-fat ratio that delivers in both texture and flavor. The seasoning is on point and the sauce ties it all together perfectly. It’s consistently good and generously loaded—never feels like you’re getting shorted.
Taco Campechano (beef brisket)
😋 Enjoyment: 8.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $10
🎯 Benchmark Price: $10
📊 EV Score: 8.5/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
A fairly new addition to the Torta Boyz menu, this brisket taco surprised me in the best way. The beef is tender and well-seasoned, and the portion is generous. The green salsa adds a nice kick without overpowering the meat. Definitely something I’d order again.
Torta Pastor
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $21
🎯 Benchmark Price: $19
📊 EV Score: 5.4/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
The Pastor Torta, overall, was decent. The bread had a nice crisp to it and held up well without getting soggy, but I found there was a bit too much of it compared to the filling. It ended up feeling more like a sandwich about the bread than the ingredients inside.
It was definitely filling, but I still prefer the tacos here—the flavour is more concentrated and focused in those, and the ratio of meat to tortilla just works better for me. With the torta, it felt like every bite made the ingredients shift and fall out the sides, which made for a pretty messy experience. Also, biting through the crisp bread ended up cutting the roof of my mouth a bit.
Not a bad option if you’re looking for something heavier, but I’d stick to the tacos at Torta Boyz.