The Burrito Blog

February 2006

The Rolled Taco (Taquito)

The rolled taco from Benitos is better known as the taquito in many parts, though the two are, in fact, the same. The shell is hard, and the filling is minimal.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of taquitos in general due to the grease factor. This one was no different.

This Benitos Taco Shop meal was rated: 4.6.

Monday, February 27, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for The Rolled Taco (Taquito)

My First Machaca

Like many new things I see on the menu, I was compelled to give the machaca a try. What is machaca? It's shredded beef with scrambled eggs.

What's not to like? Nothing. It was delicious and a deal at $3.29. This particular photo was taken at breakfast time, though the machaca can be prepared at Benitos any hour of the day.

This Benitos Taco Shop meal was rated: 7.3.

Sunday, February 26, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for My First Machaca

You Can't Be Mr. Serious

Ray had warned me about the famed, "Mr. Serious" burrito at Los Primos. I had no idea until I saw for myself.

The picture doesn't represent its true size. It wasn't my burrito, and I felt rude enough photographing a stranger's food, so I didn't get the nickel as close to the burrito as I should have. Amazingly, the nickel is in the foreground.

This was by far the biggest burrito I've ever seen as a regular menu item. Seriously.

This entry is filed in Los Primos Cantina.

Saturday, February 25, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for You Can't Be Mr. Serious

Welcome To Los Primos Cantina

Everyone has their favorite burrito spot. While on a flight to Sarasota, I met a local burrito expert we'll call, "Ray." And Ray was extremely passionate about burritos in his home town.

Well, aren't we all. But Ray had some serious conviction behind his words, so I went to go check it out.

Los Primos Cantina has two locations in Southern California, one in Costa Mesa (Map) and one in Huntington Beach (Map).

Unlike most spots I've hit in Los Angeles, Los Primos uses a steamer to heat its tortillas. That's key.

With Ray's recommendation, the steamer, and the decent sized line, I knew this was going to be good.

This entry is filed in Los Primos Cantina.

Saturday, February 25, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for Welcome To Los Primos Cantina | Comments (3)

Finally, Not Highway Food

Phil previously posted about his 3,000 mile road trip. Those who know Phil personally will not be surprised to hear that he did it in record time.

However, after an estimated 40 hours with almost no sleep and nothing but McBurgers to eat, Phil did take the time to have a real meal.

Boy, was that kid happy to see a burrito. Carne asada, con todo - his only complaints were the lack of black beans and the parking ticket he received for having a truck with a sign on it.

This Benitos Taco Shop meal was rated: 6.6.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for Finally, Not Highway Food

Welcome To Benitos Taco Shop

With four locations in the West Los Angeles area, Benitos offers burritos, tacos, tortas, and more 24 hours a day.

Benitos claims to be LA's original taco shop, though I don't know how true that could possibly be. They also claim to be home of the rolled taco, a.k.a. taquito. Prices are low, the floor is dirty, and the burritos are filling.

Here are the locations:

• Beverly and Fairfax (Map)
• Santa Monica Blvd. and Highland (Map)
• La Cienega near Pico (Map)
• Santa Monica and Federal (Map) - my favorite

Check it out, any hour of the day. The official site can be found here and the menu here.

This entry is filed in Benitos Taco Shop.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for Welcome To Benitos Taco Shop | Comments (1)

Ethan With The Sour Cream

This picture is a few seasons old. But it was Ethan's birthday yesterday, so I dug it out.

Fortunately, while sour cream will go bad and spoil after a few weeks, pictures do not.

Happy Birthday, Ethan.

This entry is filed in Angela's Burrito Style.

Sunday, February 19, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for Ethan With The Sour Cream

Stingy With The Hot Sauce

Though lacking the supreme authority of Hot Sauce Blog, occasionally we delve into the world of bottled condiments.

My local Wahoo's puts a bottle of Tapatio on every table, and hides the lone Cholula bottle by the fountain soda machine.

Why? Cholula is a coveted resource, second only to pure gold (and potions known to more knowledgeable hot sauce lovers). Tapatio is like gravel.

This entry is filed in Wahoo's Fish Taco.

Friday, February 17, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for Stingy With The Hot Sauce

Like The Exxon Valdez

In March of 1989, Exxon was responsible for spilling 30 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. The environmental devastation was immeasurable.

In early 2006, Del Taco was responsible for the eruption of a slightly smaller volume of unidentifiable goo into the lens of my camera. My own personal horror was immeasurable.

I've had burritos break on me before - some are even served broken. In this case, a combination of low viscosity, moisture, and pressure led to the rupture.

Del Taco, you are responsible for the biggest structural burrito disaster known to man. And what exactly is that goo?

This entry is filed in Del Taco.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for Like The Exxon Valdez

Burrito Blog On The Washington Post

Last week Burrito Blog was mentioned in Sunday's Washington Post. They were doing a story on 'Non-Chain Burritos' and consulted Burrito Blog as an expert in the field.

It seems no local street corner is safe from "Chipotle creep," a phenomenon that has made the burrito chain almost Starbuckian in its ubiquity. But if you'd prefer to get your carb-and-cheese fix from Mom and Pop instead of the Man, don't despair. There are plenty of indie spots in the area serving up fresh, authentic and downright innovative burritos.

Just ask Jonah Feld, who runs Santa Monica-based Burritoblog.com, a compendium of his and his pals' "burrito eating adventures" across the country. Feld went to George Washington University (he loved the Well Dressed Burrito, below) and recommends sussing out local joints in your neighborhood and beyond. Burrito hunting "is a great way to explore," he says. Plus, smaller eateries often offer unusual fillings that you won't find in the corporate chains. (Goat, anyone?) "There are so many varieties, you can have a different burrito every day," Feld says.

They picked out these places in and around DC which I'll have to check out soon:

• The Burrito Joynt, 6113 Franconia Rd, Alexandria
• Casa Blanca, 1014 Vermont Ave NW
• El Charrito Caminante, 2710A N Washington Blvd, Arlington
• La Sirenita Restaurant, 4911 Edmonston Rd, Hyattsville
• The Well Dressed Burrito, 1120 19th St NW

You can find a link to the article here, though it may expire soon.
This entry is filed in {Press}.

Sunday, February 12, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for Burrito Blog On The Washington Post

I'll Take The Best Thing On The Menu

At $3.99, the Macho Chicken Burrito was the top of the line at Del Taco. It even had it's own special tin foil. Wow. Red carpet. I kid.

I was mortified.

This entry is filed in Del Taco.

Friday, February 10, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for I'll Take The Best Thing On The Menu

There Is No Way I'm Eating Here

So said John Furnari at Del Taco.

This was the first visit for us both. He was intimidated by the signage, the McDonald's style menu, and the rubber decor. Combine that with a drive through and there was no convincing him.

Am I fearless or foolish? The world will find out soon.

Del Taco employee to me:

Welcome to Del Taco, may I take your order?

Me to Del Taco employee:

Um, I'll give it a shot.

This entry is filed in Del Taco.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for There Is No Way I'm Eating Here

Welcome To Del Taco

From a restaurant management standpoint, Del Taco is amazing. They've got over 400 locations in Los Estados Unidos, most of which are franchised. That makes them the second largest organization in their category: Mexican/American fast food (Chipotle counts as fast-casual, placing Del Taco behind the gargantuan Taco Bell which has over 6,500 locations).

That kind of size is impressive, but even more impressive when you take into account that it's privately held.

Warning: Del Taco serves burgers and fries.

Bonus: Most locations are open 24 hours.

Check out the official site here.

This entry is filed in Del Taco.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for Welcome To Del Taco | Comments (16)

Road Trip: 3000 Miles

Dear Readers,

I apologize. I have been derelict in my duty as a burrito analyst for the past few weeks. However, I have a good explanation. I, Phil Jonas, have just left the drab, burrito-lacking city of Miami, for the burrito-rich shores of San Francisco. The trip, made via rented moving truck, was long and difficult and involved an obscene amount of gas money, and several Red Bulls.

Now here I am, living in the heart of San Francisco's Mexican neighborhood, the Mission. Burrito establishments surround me. It seems like there's one on every corner. It's almost dizzying.

I'm not sure where to begin, but over time, I will visit each and every one of them, and report my findings back to you, the interested burrito enthusiast, or lost internet surfer.

No longer shall you call me Phil Jonas, Miami Burrito Analyst, for I am now Phil Jonas, Northern California Burrito Analyst.

This entry is filed in {News}.

Monday, February 06, 2006 by Phil. Permalink for Road Trip: 3000 Miles

A Letter For Lovers

Dear burrito lovers,

On this upcoming Valentine's day, scrape together $15 and buy the one you love an I Love Burritos shirt. If the one you love is yourself, that's OK, too.

We love our readers, but not enough to give shirts away for free.

-Burrito Blog

This entry is filed in {News}.

Sunday, February 05, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for A Letter For Lovers

Thank You, El Mariachi

Another great bit of signage.

Compare with the Sopa Sale, What Else Do You Need, and the Mad Amigo.

This entry is filed in Taqueria El Mariachi.

Saturday, February 04, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for Thank You, El Mariachi

¡Estupido!

San Loco's got some hot sauce. In a fit of intoxication in the Lower East Side on Stanton Street, I ordered a small burrito with what is known as 'The Stupid Sauce.'

I'd had it before and knew what I was in for.

This stuff is hot. When you order it, they yell back to the kitchen, "¡E-e-estupido-o-o-o-o!"

Was I stupid for ordering it? Yes.

This entry is filed in San Loco.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for ¡Estupido!