Cook's Tortas in Monterey Park

Ricardo Diaz opened Cook's Tortas with in-laws Elvira and Antonio Zamora, making Mexican sandwiches with house-baked sourdough ciabatta. The shop is named for Captain Cook, who discovered the Sandwich Islands on behalf of the fourth earl of Sandwich. Diaz has compiled 500 torta recipes, with daily offerings written on a massive blackboard. He's made No. 96 since he was 7 years old, pairing tender beef tongue with mustard, mayo and jalapeño. No. 71 is a "fruity" option, combining mango, apple, orange, cream cheese and honey. Each sandwich comes with a side. Think sweet potato fries dusted with shichimi togarashi and watermelon pickles. Baked goods include biscuits with apple-loquat marmalade and corn cake with strawberry-orange jelly. 1944 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park, (323) 278-3536