I have often wondered how this place, when mentioned at all on this forum, has usually been cast in a negative light. I personally think it serves the best tortas in the city and, as a completely unconvincing data point, so does a friend that lived in Mexico for a year. Maybe the name is fooling people because you should definitely not get tacos here. Instead the real star is the massive selection of tortas.
Now, don't go in expecting those crusty breaded and refined tortas from Xoco or its ilk. These are of the rich, over-the-top "street" torta category served on high quality soft teleras rolls and piled high with greasy meats of any types (or all types for the big eaters), melty cheese and slathered with mayo and beans and then finally some fresh avocado, lettuce and tomatoes. They offer a gigantes version that will feed two people for like $11, but even the normal is a hefty meal.
So I am not a fan of the huge selection of tortas names after soccer players that just mix up the toppings, but I have actually seen this theme for tortas in multiple places. At this point they should just let you choose your toppings. However, here are my picks:
Maradonna - al pastor and hot pineapple, basically a high quality version of my favorite of the Mexican meat standbys in a torta. Ordered every time. Get the Palencia to replace the pastor with their usually quite good chorizo.
Maza Rodriguez - A huge helping of guacamole with greasy, delicious chorizo and breaded steak.
Carlos Vela - Smoked pork chop with chorizo and eggs. Not much else needs to be said.
Honorable Mentions - If I can tear myself away from the tortas the lengua in salsa verde is actually very good (I wish they had it on a torta!) The mole (red or green) tortas are pretty good too.
The other amazing innovation here is the ham pico de gallo. Yes, they put pork in their pico and it is glorious. Also I should mention that the red and green salsas are usually exemplary, though I think the red could use a touch of sugar for balance of the smoky chile flavor. Finally, the Clark location seems slightly more consistent.
Rocky's Tacos
7043 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60626
or
3111 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(website seems to have gone kaput)