COLLEGEVILLE — Around here, there are plenty of local hot spots to frequent for good, authentic Italian, Asian and Pennsylvania Dutch food. But where do you go to satisfy your hunger for authentic Mexican? Tortugas Mexican Eatery, of course, located at the MarketPlace at Collegeville Shopping Center, 305 Second Avenue.

“We are the best Mexican food around,” says owner Cathy Hvazda who takes great pride in the quality of their ingredients and homemade sauces. “Everything is fresh made to order, and nothing comes out of a can. All sauces are made from scratch and our chips, salsa and guacamole are made daily.”

The area’s eaters seem to agree with such sentiment, having voted it “Best Mexican” the past three years in The Times Herald.

And like any good Mexican eatery, the kitchen cooks up much more fare than just nachos, burritos and quesadillas. The hefty menu also includes a number of tasty delights made with fresh seafood, huevos (eggs), pollo (chicken), mexican sausage and carnes (beef).

Hvazda says their most popular dish is the Creamy Chipotle Chicken, a grilled chicken marinated in their trademark chipotle sauce (a smokey jalapeno cream sauce), served over rice with a side of beans and flour tortillas.

Other specialties include their Chipotle Shrimp, Carne Asada and Pescado Acapulco which is fresh catfish marinated in lime and cilantro, served with lettuce, tomato, rice and sauteed veggies.

To get some extra Mex for your buck, the Platos Combinados menu lets you make your own meal by choosing any two or three main items and filling them with your choice of fillings, all for a low price.

The menu also features a number of entremesas (appetizers), sopas (soups), ensaladas (salads), sandwiches, burritos and quesadillas.

Hvazda opened the restraurant nine years ago because she thought the area was in need of a good Mexican place. At the time, her sister was already running a successful Tortugas in Princeton, N.J., which has now been open for 18 years.

The dining room can comfortably accommodate large parties and is BYOB. They also provide take out service.

Phone 610-489-0600 or go online to www.tortugasmv.com for their full menu.

Tortugas is open for dine in and take out seven days a week, located at the MarketPlace at Collegeville, 305 Second Avenue, Collegeville. Hours are Mon. thru Thurs., 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. (lunch) and 5 - 9 p.m. (dinner); Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. (lunch) and 5 -10 p.m. (dinner); noon - 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

The flourishing Collegeville area has seen a lot of change through the years, but few places have been a part of the community’s growth as much as Speck’s.

In business since 1953, and at their Ridge Pike location since 1965, the family owned and operated Speck’s has become a renowned community staple, thanks largely in part to their tradition of serving all guests “real food, real fast.”

And their trademark broasted chicken certainly hasn’t hurt their reputation either.

Speck’s began by serving serving burgers, hoagies and steak sandwiches, but business really began to boom after they introduced the broasted chicken in the 70’s.

Today, Speck’s is still run by the Landis family and retains their classic 70’s look in a clean, welcoming atmosphere. And the food is served as fast, and as fresh as ever by a friendly and dedicated staff.

Speck’s broasted chicken is available by the piece (breast, leg, thigh or wing), the bucket (4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 50 or 100 pieces) or as dinners, all at an affordable price. Guests who plan to order a bucket of more than 24 pieces are advised to call ahead.

But there is more to Speck’s than just chicken.

The sandwich menu features quarter-pound burgers, chicken or beef steaks and cheese steaks, hot dogs (with cheese, chili, or kraut), hot ham and cheese, tuna with tomato, fish (cod) fillet, chicken fillet and chicken nuggets. They also offer small and large hoagies (regular, tuna, ham, or turkey).

Sides include french fries, cheese fries, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and garden salads. Macaroni & cheese, baked beans and mashed potatoes & gravy are available by the cup, bowl or large size. Chili is available by the bowl Wednesdays only.

Coleslaw, potato salad and macaroni salad are available daily by pint, quart, gallon or individual size.

Speck’s is open for dine in and take out, seven days a week and is located at corner of Ridge & Germantown pikes, Collegeville. Hours are 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Monday thru Friday; 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m, Sunday. Call 610-489-2110. More info online at www.dineindie.com/specks.

COLLEGEVILLE — The folks at Collegeville Italian Deli & Market know what makes a great sandwich. Great ingredients, of course!

That’s why the family-owned and operated eatery, located at 3855 Ridge Pike in Collegeville, makes every sandwich fresh with their own bread and rolls baked daily on the premises.

The freshness doesn’t stop there either. Every sandwich is filled with the finest ingredients, including Boars Head meats and imported cheeses.

They even have a fresh new location. After a decade at their previous location, owners Alex and Barbara recently moved the deli across the street to a bigger establishment to better serve their growing family of loyal customers.

But it’s the variety of their menu that’s really grown the most over the years. The deli started by serving hoagies, but has gradually expanded to include dozens of other specialty sandwiches, cheese steaks, clubs, burgers, specialty pizzas, sides, Italian import cookies, pastries, soup, salads, wings, homemade breads, pastas and more. The menu is lined with specialties and customer favorites. When the Muncher stopped by for a bite, one customer mentioned she treks all the way from Allentown for their pulled pork sandwich.

Other customer favorites include chicken salad sandwiches, their classic Italian Hoagie and the Chicken Italiano (a chicken cheese steak with spinach and imported provolone cheese).

They also have a wide selection of imported and domestic dry and canned goods, cooking needs, espresso coffees, candies and other assorted snacks.

The deli also provides full menu catering service which is popular during football season and around the holidays. Especially if your party is looking for a 6-foot hoagie.

But even as the Collegeville Italian Deli & Market has grown throughout the years, one thing has remained constant.

“Great customer service,” says Barbara.

Visit them online at their Web site www.collegevilledeli.com.

The Collegeville Italian Deli & Market is open for eat in and take out seven days a week and is located at 3855 Ridge Pike in Collegeville. Hours are 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Call 610-489-1850 to place order for take out.

Are you the type of person who can't wait for Friday? Me either.

But this summer, Fry-R-Tucks is putting a new spin on Fridays with their "Fry-Day Cruise & BBQ" nights.

Every Friday from 6-9 p.m., Fry-R-Tucks invites guests to bring out their show cars and appetites for a night of good food, outside barbecuing, cars, and fun! Just park your car in the grass and mosey on over to the outdoor BBQ pit for some ribs, hotdogs or hamburgers. And the best part is that show-car owners who bring out their ride get a 10 percent discount.

Fry-R-Tucks is located at 500 Gravel Pike in Collegeville, right across from Perkiomen Valley High School. Call 610-489-3336 if you have any questions.

COLLEGEVILLE — There’s lots of spots around here that serve some great food, can’t argue that. But the food at Fry-R-Tucks is in a league of its own.

Owners Jim and Valerie Pizzo pride themselves on serving some of the best home-style meals and fried specialties around.

Since opening last December, the full-service eatery has already established a number of signature menu items popular among regulars, including deep fried turkeys, deep fried hot dogs, dry-rub pork ribs and a unique offering of sandwiches.

“I wanted to separate myself from what’s around,” said Jim, discussing the menu. “We really try to give our customers something new.”

And if you’ve seen the full menu, you know he ain’t pulling your leg. (Although, you can bet he pulls plenty of turkey legs!)

For instance, you can get a steak sandwich at just about any place these days. But at Tucks, you get a juicy Grilled London Broil Steak Sandwich with homemade horseradish and your choice of cheese on your choice of roll (try it on a kaiser roll with swiss for some extra mmmm).

Other popular sandwiches at Tucks include the Turkey Dagwood (turkey, homemade stuffing and cranberries on a steak roll), Turkey Salad Sandwich, Turkey Club and an Open Face Hot Turkey Sandwich.

They recently expanded their menu to include hoagies and angus burgers too.

Some of the popular fried specialties at Tucks include deep fried hog dogs, hot sausage, red bliss potatoes and fresh sliced french fries or sweet potatoes fries, which make great sides.

Of course, the deep fried turkey makes for quite a meal too.

Likewise, the wings aren’t to be missed either. Flavors include mild, hot, suicide, sesame-teriyaki, cajun or garlic.

For breakfast, Tucks offers basic fare including eggs, sandwiches, meats, hashbrowns and coffee.

But perhaps even more noteworthy than the food is the amount of care the Pizzos put into it.

Pizzo says everything is made from scratch, including the stuffing, gravy, mac & cheese, and soups. All sandwiches are served on Conshohocken Bakery bread.

“I won’t serve anything here that I won’t eat,” says Pizzo. “And we cater to anyone as best we can.”

That includes bike riders and trail users from the Perkiomen Trail which runs right behind Fry-R-Tucks. Parched trail users can come in from the trail, which goes from Schwenksville to Phoenixville, and enjoy some world famous Via Veneto water ice, a cold beverage or even a bite to eat.

Every Friday this summer at Tucks is Fry-Day Cruise & BBQ night from 6 to 9 p.m. Not only will Tucks be firing up their outdoor BBQ to serve ribs, hotdogs and hamburgers, but guests can bring their show cars along with their appetite for a 10 percent discount on the bill. Just bring your car, park it in the grass, and stop by the BBQ.

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Fry-R-Tucks is open for dine in and take out Tuesday through Sunday. Hours are: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday; 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday; and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday.
Fry-R-Tucks is located at 500 Gravel Pike (Route 29), Collegeville, across from Perkiomen Valley High School. Call 610-489-3336 for call-ahead take out, or visit www.fry-r-tucks.com for more information.

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