The Burrito Blog

July 2005

Bright Green Sauce, Take Two

Location: Purple Cactus in JP.

Specimen: Chicken burrito.

Green Stuff: El Yucateco Habañero Sauce.

Analyst: DJ Turbz

Verdict: Good if you've got a sinus infection.

This Purple Cactus meal was rated: 6.0.

Thursday, July 28, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Bright Green Sauce, Take Two

Bright Green Sauce, Take One

Location: Picante in Cambridge.

Specimen: Potato burrito.

Green Stuff: Homemade aguacate sauce.

Analyst: Jonah.

Verdict: Good if you're a vegetarian.

This Picante Mexican Grill meal was rated: 5.3.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Bright Green Sauce, Take One

A Changing Of The Card

With only two purchases remaining before this frequent buyer card matures into a free meal at El Pelon, I am forced to cede my investment to John Furnari.

This card has history. One time the staff caught me doing a pass-back and wrote Zach's name on the card.

I've gotten some complaints (Betsy, Carl) about my ratings for El Pelon. The truth is I like it there; I nearly filled the repeat burrito buyer card.

Sadly, I will never reap the reward of my consumption.

This entry is filed in El Pelon Taqueria.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for A Changing Of The Card

The Eagle Has Left The Nest

Today is my last day of work, and we've got one last place to check out.

When I started working at Overdrive, I ate Anna's almost every day. While some might think that's a fitting way to finish, I offer an alternative hypothesis. Overdrive has helped me explore my horizons/lunch options, and that's how we're going to end it - with something new.

This is certainly not the end for Burrito Blog, only the end of Brighton, MA as a base of operations.

This entry is filed in {News}.

Friday, July 22, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for The Eagle Has Left The Nest

What Dreams Are Made Of

You just can't beat laying in an empty field on a sunny day, working on your tan, all alone with a Mexican plate.

If only all meals could all be this peaceful.

This Anna's Taqueria meal was rated: 8.8.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for What Dreams Are Made Of

All Points West

I might never understand girls. My friend Lisa, a former resident of Cambridge, is afraid of being seen at lunch time.

In the true spirit of journalism, Burrito Blog has obtained footage proving she actually eats. This was her last Mexican meal, at Picante, before moving to LA.

I know, I know, Picante as a last meal just isn't right, but I was in a mad rush to go see March of the Penguins (which ruled) with Sean and Nik so we didn't have time to find parking at Felipe's.

Oh yeah, Lisa got two tacos and was shocked to find they each came on their own plate.

This entry is filed in Picante Mexican Grill.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for All Points West

Weekend In Chicago

I hit the windy city this weekend to visit Ethan, see the sights, and taste the tortillas.

This city is amazing. Reviews to follow.

This entry is filed in {News}.

Sunday, July 17, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Weekend In Chicago

Shrimp Burrito Falls Short

Last weekend a few of us hit the Purple Cactus in JP for dinner. I was in a wacky mood, so I got the wackiest thing on the menu.

I ordered the shrimp burrito with a spinach tortilla (an option I did not expect) and waited patiently.

It was so close to being excellent, but a few details blew it. So, if anyone who reads this frequents the Purple Cactus, please give the chef my recommendations:

1. Heat the shrimp. They're waiting on ice. Cold shrimp + hot beans = bad burrito.

2. Change up the cheese. They use this super fine shredded cheese that just didn't sit well with me.

If they take care of that, this burrito would be killer. Let's see how much recipe influence I have...

This Purple Cactus meal was rated: 3.8.

Friday, July 15, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Shrimp Burrito Falls Short

Welcome To The Purple Cactus

The Purple Cactus is a modern burrito joint in Boston's Jamaica Plain - right on Centre Street (Map).

They serve burritos, wraps, and smoothies.

The first time I went to this place was with Rich and Tim, who is now in Iraq. I remember Tim got two burritos, and then the three of us got drunk.

This entry is filed in Purple Cactus.

Friday, July 15, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Welcome To The Purple Cactus | Comments (2)

I Hit The Airwaves

Burrito Blog will be appearing on Phantom Gourmet this Saturday at 11 AM on UPN 38 (Boston area only) for their Mexican food episode.

So, if you still own one of those trash boxes formerly known as television, check out the show. It's one of the few that actually encourages you to get off the couch and do something.

This entry is filed in {Press}.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for I Hit The Airwaves

It's Not His Fault

Note to readers: Do not fault your Lead Burrito Analyst for never trying Pedro & Vinny's Burrito Cart.

Although the cart has been serving Washington since 1994, it is only open during the lunch rush for downtown offices building.

This entry was written by Burrito Chris.

This entry is filed in Pedro & Vinny's.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for It's Not His Fault

Free Slurpee Today Only

While unrelated to all foods Mexican, it is my obligation to report on the slurpee give away available today only at 7 Eleven.

Details are available here.

The no cost slurpees are smaller than shown at right.

This entry is filed in {News}.

Monday, July 11, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Free Slurpee Today Only

Oh, It’s Supreme Alright

Though Taco Bell has not yet wowed Lead Burrito Analyst, Jonah Feld, they hit one out of the park with the new Crunchwrap Supreme, if you ask me. This has to be the best Taco Bell creation since the Cheesy Gordita Crunch. My love for Taco Bell developed in college when we needed to stuff our faces with "Mexican" food for next to nothing.

My item of choice had, until recently, been the Cheesy Gordita Crunch. It’s pretty much a taco with a layer of flat bread (not to be confused with the soft taco shell) outside of the hard taco shell, and enough cheese melted between them to hold the flat bread on. The new Crunchwrap Supreme has taken the hard/soft texture combination idea and advanced it. On a huge soft taco shell, they pile beef, melted cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. They also include a layer of crunchy "tostada" shell. It’s hard to describe, but then they fold the soft taco shell over all of that, and grill it. When it’s done, it doesn’t look like a taco, or a burrito, or a wrap, but more reminiscent of a flying saucer. And it tastes awesome.

I had 5 of these puppies in the first week that they were released (not yet more than 2 at a time, but no one has dared me yet). They’re bigger than expected for the $1.79 they cost, although reports of $1.89 have come in from the Midwest. I don’t pretend to say that they rival a real, quality burrito, but dollar-for-dollar this thing made me pretty happy. Plus, there aren’t too many options for quick, cheap food late night in my area of Miami. My biggest complaint with Taco Bell's Crunchwrap is that it’s virtually impossible to get the hot sauce inside without being a skilled surgeon. I did it, but it wasn’t easy. Maybe it’s better to just put some on each bite.

This entry was written by Phil.

This Taco Bell meal was rated: 7.5.

Monday, July 11, 2005 by Phil. Permalink for Oh, It’s Supreme Alright

No Meat Equals No Problem

A couple weeks ago, Big Mike returned to Washington DC, and he and Burrito Chris headed down to "The Burrito Cart." Big Mike was skeptical at the prospect of a burrito with no meat, but he was to be pleasantly surprised.

Chris went with the medium size black and tan (both types of beans) with guacamole. Big Mike went with the large black and tan with sour cream and cheese. All the ingredients are well distributed throughout the burrito and the beans are amazing. Apparently the black beans are spiced with cinnamon, or at least that’s what the menu says. Either way they are incredible.

The quantity is just as good as the quality. A full Big Mike had to endure a 3 hour meeting following this meal and Burrito Chris reports that work productivity fell during the ensuing digestion time.

Was it worth it? Yes, it was.

This Pedro & Vinny's meal was rated: 7.5.

Friday, July 08, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for No Meat Equals No Problem

Welcome To Pedro & Vinny's Cart

As your lead burrito analyst has pointed out, it’s hard to find a good Burrito in Washington DC. That search has brought this junior burrito analyst to 15th and K, NW (Map) to what most K Streeters call "The Burrito Cart." In fact, its called Pedro and Vinny’s (he even has a website), but it's really just one cart, one man, a whole lot of hot sauces, and one mean veggie burrito.

The line moves rapidly, just make sure you know how to order. There are five tortillas, three sizes and either black beans or spiced refried pintos, plus salsa, guacamole and sour cream - medium and large sizes come with rice.

You will be moved swiftly, but kindly, so be ready. As you wait, enjoy free chips with the dozens of hot sauces to try. Then choose your favorites to put on and your burrito will be made right under your nose.

Photograph of Mike taken by camera shy Chris, the author of this entry.

This entry is filed in Pedro & Vinny's.

Friday, July 08, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Welcome To Pedro & Vinny's Cart | Comments (5)

Jambalaya Burrito De Furnari

Foreground: Jambalaya Burrito.

Background: Junior Burrito Analyst John Furnari, creator of the previously mentioned burrito.

According to Wikipedia, the only site better than Burrito Blog, Jambalaya is:

Jambalaya is a variety of rice-based dish common in Louisiana Cajun or Creole cooking. It probably derives from the Spanish dish paella, possibly brought to Louisiana when Spain controlled the territory comprising the future Louisiana Purchase.

According to me, a Jambalaya burrito is:

Free breakfast

This {Other} meal was rated: 6.0.

Thursday, July 07, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Jambalaya Burrito De Furnari

Consumer Price Index And Tacos

While lunch at Anna's Taqueria may not be included in the market basket of goods used in calculating the consumer price index, it is in my personal edition of the CPI.

July marks a flat $.10 increase in all items at Anna's.

Crack open your piggy banks, you now have a good use for your dimes.

This entry is filed in Anna's Taqueria.

Wednesday, July 06, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Consumer Price Index And Tacos

Even The Milk Tastes Chocolaty

Check out the difference in color between the carnitas super burrito (left) and the al pastor super burrito (right).

Remember that Count Chocula ad from when we were little - about how the Coco Crispies were so strong they would make the milk taste like chocolate? Well, I was never allowed sugar cereals, so instead of a sweet tooth I became addicted to starches.

Yeah, starches, like rice and tortillas.

This Anna's Taqueria meal was rated: 6.6.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Even The Milk Tastes Chocolaty

Anna's Latest: Horchata

It is rare that Anna's adds items to its menu, with the notable exception of the Al Pastor.

Horchata is another such exception. It's a cold, rice drink with cinnamon and almond flavors. Allegedly, it is dairy free.

Although it does not photograph well, it tastes good.

Happy 4th of July!

This entry is filed in Anna's Taqueria.

Monday, July 04, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Anna's Latest: Horchata

From Broadband To Broadcast

Burrito Blog is reaching into new markets. And by new markets I don't mean California, sadly, but television.

Details to follow.

This entry is filed in {Press}.

Friday, July 01, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for From Broadband To Broadcast