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LA Weekly's Jonathan Gold takes on burritos of the north and south in a question from a local reader about her Berkeley loving Burrito friend who is visiting. Says Gold:
Bay Area residents tend to have peculiar ideas about burritos, which they regard as monstrous things wrapped in tinfoil, and filled with what would seem to be the contents of an entire margarita-mill dinner, including grilled meat, rice, beans, guacamole, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, orange cheese, and probably a lot of other things that neither God nor man ever intended to see the inside of a tortilla, much less the soggy steamed pup-tents that are but mandatory up north.
Jeeez, that reminds us of the porno burrito found in Cypress Park. Anyway, Gold suggests Al & Bea's, among others, in Boyle Heights for their "classic Los Angeles burrito: refried beans, a bit of cheese, and a ladleful of stew if you want it."
Of course, this has San Franciscans riled up in the comment section of SFist. "Awwww. LA, their burritos are as cute as their hipsters," one blogger told Editor Brock Keeling, who personally thinks his city's burritos taste "vile."
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In addition to all the LA hatin' going on SFist (also some collateral damage Portland bashing) someone just said that SF burritos come with veggies and so are more inclusive. Seriously, instead of a fence on the Mexican border, can we get serious about one on the NoCal/SoCal border, which I consider to be just North of UCSB
I know a lot of people in NorCal and especially here in SF who would love for California to be divided into two states. If it were already the case, we'd have legalized same-sex marriage in NorCal while SoCal would have an embalmed Reagen of governor.
The state of california has looked at this possibility seriously over the course of the past decade. They came to the conclusion that one cannot do without the other. Northern california would wither without the money coming in from los angeles. I can't remember why souther california would sink but it was an equally compelling argument. Right brain vs. Left brain.
There's a reason the abbreviations are "NO" Cal and "SO" Cal. Needless to say, I'm from SO-SO-SOCal (even if I'm living in DC at the moment.
Those people are idiots.
Those people are idiots.
SF people are cute with their higher cost of living, longer commute times, not-so-much-better-than-LA public transport, impossible parking, and lack of local culture (sorry, being "not-LA" does not count as having some).
But yes yes, you all are much more civilized, whatever. BTW, your hipsters are so much cuter with your hoodie+brightly colored accessory requirements.
I was born and raised in Venice but went to school in SF, so as someone who has lived in both places I can say with certainty that everything you just wrote is completely false.
Public transportation is much better, commute times are faster, SF has a fantastic city culture, parking is moot b/c NO ONE DRIVES A CAR, and the hipsters are just a much a problem down here as up there.
And, unfortunately, their burritos are leaps and bounds better than LA. Just like our tacos are leaps and bounds better than their tacos. Just a fact of life.
I absolutely agree, El Jefe! I too lived in both places and while the tacos here in LA (best from Taco Trucks, of course) I really miss the Nor-Cal burrito. In fact, every time I go back to visit, it's straight from the airport to El Faralito in the Mission for my carne asada burrito fill.
I've tried numerous burrito places in LA and I can't seem to find one that comes close. Any recommends?
pst, your burritos are secretly much, much better.
LOL. true story.
Brock, you traitor! [/joke] Though I am surprised more Sfist-ers aren't crapping all over this comment section, too.
The biggest tastiest burritos I know of come out of East L.A. at a little place called El Tepeyac, 812 N. Evergreen Ave. 90033. I've never been able to finish the famed Hollenbeck Burrito in one sitting, and they have an even larger one called the Manuel Special.
As for SF, I've never tried a burrito there. I usually go for Chinese when I'm in San Fran.
Opinions about tacos/burritos/hamburgers are like a*******, everybody's got one. Let go. SF and LA did not invent the burrito.
El Tepeyac is great if you like eating something the size of a pillow. If you want a SF style burrito in LA, your best choice is to head down to Gloria's on Venice. That's **their** idea of a burrito. Not better or worse... just different from what you're used to @ Ciro's, El Tepeyac, La Supe Rica, El Indio, El Tarasco or King Taco. Embrace regional street food, even if it's a 2 hour drive to San Diego or a 5 hour drive to San Francisco.
I daydream about the burritos I used to get when I went to UC Santa Cruz... I have to admit they sound an awful lot like the SF ones described. Of course, when you're an undergrad you need your burrito to last a whole day!
YES! It is all about PLANET FRESH in Santa Cruz! And I was BORN in L.A. I totally prefer north cal burrito's to our's hands down. Id MUCH rather have tomato's, veggies in mine rather than refried frijoles.
Tomatoes! Veggies! How bout alfalfa sprouts? Now just take the beans and meat out and......
Sorry Ross, last reply was for caliking01
I had a burro in SF once. It reminded me of the best burro in my hometown, Albany, NY.
UPSTATE NEW YORK IS BURRITO HEAVEN IF BY BURRITO YOU MEAN DESPAIR.
I seem to agree that SF is a burrito town and LA is a taco town. That seems right to me, and equally delicious.
I'm not sure if that's a compliment, Caleb. In Buffalo we have a fast food chain called Mighty Taco. Which is great but it's NOTHING like real Mexican, or even tex-mex. They use a slice of white swiss-like cheese, and top their tacos and burritos with lettuce, tomato, hot sauce and sour cream. That's what an upstate NY taco IS. I vaguely wonder if, after living in LA for 5 years, I'll even like Mighty Taco when I finally have it again. (Oh, gotta try the bbq beef taco in the summer. No, I'm not kidding. Also, they JUST got guacamole like 2 years ago and the chain was started in 1973.)
Sadly, having had a Mighty Taco burrito recently, they are nowhere as good as they used to be. Another reason never to return...
wait, mighty taco sells burritos? who ever got anything but the mighty pack? -- eating all 6 disgusting tacos in a sitting... and didn't they use Alpo (dog food) at one point? i think almost everyone at my high school worked there, or at Wegmans, at some point.
wow, its ON over on the SFist thread.
i'll say it once and i'll say it again - La Taquiza on Fig and 30th.
the only burrito that really matters is the breakfast burrito at lucky boy.
I grew up in Oklahoma, stayed there way too long before moving to California, so this conversation sounds a lot like "what's better: scotch, or absinthe?"
Point is, burritos in LA, especially Boyle Heights, = awesome. Burritos in SF are equally awesome for different reasons.
Here's something that will cause you all to short circuit: Tex-Mex is awesome too, and I sincerely wish it could be successfully imported to CA.
I've been saying for awhile that LA is a taco town while SF is a burrito town.
I love SF's burritos, but man, I love tacos now!
yes! i totally agree. LA is known for tacos and not for their burritos.
if you're in SF, try out El Farlito on 24th and Mission. they have the BEST burritos EVER!!!
SF is for the whiteys.
I agree with the SF dude. The LA burritos are dreck. The only good burritos I know of are at The Cantina in Isla Visa (Santa Barbara) and that Mexican place in South Park in SF (on the north side of the park).
La Estrella has amazing Burritos.
La Estrella #3 on Fig and 60th. Best fish burritos.
I can see a burrito induced smug building up over SF.
Maybe LAist needs to do a Burrito Series...
funkrocks.com, another sorta LA-ish blog, already did it.
http://www.funkrocks.com/10-days-of-carne-asada-searching-for-the-best-carne-asada-burrito-in-los-angeles/
Thanks for that link. But that shouldn't stop LAist on having a burrito series, since there are plenty of other places (size of LA county alone) that serve good carne asada burrito.
best burrito near sf... mountain view. la costena. ive been eating pollo en mole burritos from there since 92. honestly, SF burritos are not good. i eat tacos and burritos everytime i go visit SF and there is no comparison. LA has way better asada, carnitas, al pastor, shrimp tacos, fish tacos... i don't care what yall say... nothing beats straight up asada, rice and beans with cilantro and onions and hot sauce. im hooked on tacos mexico at the moment. you don't need all that "cali" style ingredients. just keep it simple.
Love the cat burrito pic by the way. LOL.
Tacomiendo Super Burrito de Azada. Nuff said.
I couldnt agree more Pablo.
sssshhhh on Tacomiendo. That shit is getting too popular.
I'm going to come out on the traitor side of things and say that the SF Mission burrito is burritos in the truest sense. Hell, they were developed there, not Mexico or LA. As far as El Tepeyac goes, I'm more concerned about the quality of the ingredients in my burrito, not the quantity. A burrito the size of a baby filled with substandard fillings is still substandard.
A Mission burrito features things like whole freaking chunks of fresh avacado, more meat than rice OR beans, and some of the best salsa verde I've seen other than the taco stand by my house.
LA food is tacos, not burritos. That said, SF can't make tacos for shit.
LA does tacos well, no doubt. But sir, do try the El Tonayense trucks before you knock the SF taco.
Now if someone in California could make a decent slice of pizza...
IMO the El Tep burrito has quality ingredients.
The Hollenbeck is the only burrito I can order as is without asking for any alterations done on it.
As for the size? OK I admit it. I kind of like the idea of getting two big meals, or three medium meals, out of a $7 burrito. But I wouldn't order one at all if it didn't taste good.
You want vegetables with your burrito? Eat some curtido or rábanos. Keep that shit away from my burrito.
Best burrito I've had: Taquería Jalisco, Atlantic & Gage, Bell. Order it without pico de gallo. Wrapped in tinfoil, but great.
I've never understood this battle. I was born and raised in the Mission District, and at the places I frequent when I'm there, my burrito is grilled, not steamed, and filled with whatever I ask for - which in my case is carne asada, cheese, avocado, and maybe beans, but NEVER rice.
Generally I like and respect Mr. Gold, but this time around, I gotta disagree.
I can't beleive there's even a debate. SF burrito? I thought they were called "wraps."
hey we are in the same state, lets not fight each other. instead we should be fighting new yorkers. now they have such shitty food they are known for their hot dog stands. taco trucks are much better (& cheaper).
Don't even GET that shit started, Photo_LA. Hotdogs in NYC (and upstate NY - try the Hoffmans - AM I RITE CALEB?!) absolutely kill the hotdogs out here. But you're also forgetting the great street food culture that many NYCers live on, just like trucks and stands out here.
Kim's Aunt cart, Hallo Berlin, the roving falafel and schwarma trucks... NYC is no slouch to street fare.
But that's not what this post is about.
I am relocating from LA to SF very shortly and I will write a detailed review. I need a list of contending places. From here I have Hole Mole (LB), Burrito Factory (San Pedro), Taco Mesa (Costa Mesa), where else??
I don't get the rivaly.
San Fran is a great town. It's not better or worse, it's just different. L.A. is a great town too. I wouldn't live here if it weren't, and I wouldn't visit San Fran if it weren't.
Try a visit to San Fran on April 20th! Wheeew,fun,fun,fun!!!!
I agree. I hate when people say, "Oh, this bagel isn't like a NY bagel. This pizza isn't like a NY pizza." then fucking move to NY. I have certainly found a lot of worthwhile places to eat in LA. Yeah, it's different from most places... it's a totally different city! Gotta appreciate it for what it is.
I've never had orange cheese in a burrito served in an SF taqueria.
Everyone in L.A. needs to have a burrito at Puebla Taco's in S. Pasadena on Lake.
You'll be happy to hear that Puebla is opening on Green St. soon, a block and a half before PCC in an old gas station attendant booth ... But I have to say that Puebla does not compare to Estrella ...
fyi thats not south pasadena, just normal pasadena
Although not officially LA, the blackened calamari tacos at Taco Mesa are the final word in local Mexican fast food.
Of course I have recommendations! First, check out burritoeater.com.
But here are my reccos:
Papalote on 24th and Valencia (mission)
Gordo on 26th and Clement (Richmond)
Any Taqueria Cancun in the mission
theres also a burrito joint on South Park in South Beach which is decent, but the big draw there is the park where you can eat it.
Ahh - yes yes - thanks for the recommends in SF (El Faralito and Taqueria Cancun in the Mission are my faves). But I live in LA and I need some good recommends here, closer to the mid city area. All I seem to find are awesome tacos from taco trucks (shout out to the one on La Brea and Olympic) but burritos here have been so disappointing!
I live in SF, and we got some good burritos up here, but nothing beats an El Tepeyac burrito. Those things are the shizz. So, rock on LA with your bad ass burritos. Not all NorCal folks are haters.