MiZery;842084646 said:

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Enough of shove gate

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in front of Home Depot. Love their Carne Asada Taco 8-)!

okaydo;842084820 said:

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Speaking of which, I grew up near this place called Cactus Taqueria on Vine Street in Hollywood.

I'd always see big lines, but never went. But I kept hearing and seeing tweets from people who work at nearby Paramount Studios that it was the best...

So I finally tried it last August...and was very disappointed.

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Yeah, that place is not very good.

Another week, another food thread. Gotta love BI.

theres actually a few good places in richmond too, names slip my mind. the truck that used be by raley's in el sobrante was ridiculously good too, not sure if its still there. rule of thumb though, the more family owned it looks the better

okaydo;842084820 said:

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Speaking of which, I grew up near this place called Cactus Taqueria on Vine Street in Hollywood.

I'd always see big lines, but never went. But I kept hearing and seeing tweets from people who work at nearby Paramount Studios that it was the best...

So I finally tried it last August...and was very disappointed.

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I grew up nearby, and the place has good seafood tacos. That's basically it. Amazing what a 1-sentence ad accomplishes

Exactly. What a joke. Written by a New Yorker, I bet.

I am always fascinated by a good burrito thread. Calumnus - in the previous burrito thread did you link to the book from the early 1900s that discussed the origins of the burrito on the mission trail or was that someone else?

I think it's clear that individual tastes vary on what makes the best burrito (my wife likes rice and beans, I consider them filler) but it's fun to watch it turn into a religious war nonetheless.

I have to say that while I love new mexican food, I don't really think it should be considered in the discussion here. It probably merits it's own thread. As for tex-mex, I am sure it's done well in Texas, but everywhere else it seems to be an unholy abomination.

EchoOfSilence;842084792 said:

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Really cool note on Madero, didn't know that.

But the Bay Area being the originator of the burrito is disputable. Other accounts place the origins in the fields of the Central Valley, and others even in Guanajuato (which I find hard to believe.) Anyway, we may never really know its exact pinpoint, other than it evolved in different ways in 3 parts of the state.

Also, I may have missed it in the article, but I don't think it actually pointed to the region in California where Americanized celebration of Cinco de Mayo started.

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Well the article says:

Quote:

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In his book, Hayes-Bautista writes: "In town after town, camp after camp, mine after mine, ranch after ranch, Latinos eagerly absorbed the news. Those who could read shared the glorious details with their illiterate fellows, and up and down the state, Latinos savored the blow-by-blow reporting from the front lines of the conflict that had so riveted their attention."
The Cinco de Mayo victory was then memorialized through a network of Latino groups called "juntas patrioticas mejicanas," or Mexican patriotic assemblies, mostly in California but also in Oregon, Nevada and Arizona, with 14,000 members, Hayes-Bautista said.

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So while the celebrations were even in Oregon, Nevada and Arizona, you have to remember that during the Civil War and the Gold Rush, when Cinco De Mayo was started, 98% of California's population, including the Mexican-American population, was in the North where the gold, water, agriculture, cities and ports were. While still greater in the North, California's population was smaller and more dispersed before the Gold Rush. The Gold Rush attracted people from all over the world (The east Coast, China, Europe), but most had to afford ship passage to San Francisco--whereas poor Latinos from Southern California and Northern Mexico could get to the gold fields via overland routes and did so in very large numbers.

Moreover, before the Southern Pacific railroad (headquartered in San Francisco) connected Southern California to the rest of the country in the 1880s, Southern California was largely a desert, with a lower population than Nevada or Arizona. According to Wikipedia, "In the 1870's, Los Angeles was still little more than a village of 5,000." The railroads, the creation of a man-made port at San Pedro, the discovery of oil in 1892, and the importation of water, initially from the Owens Valley beginning in 1913, the subsequent development of the citrus industry, the development of the movie industry, then the aerospace industry, are among the factors that fueled Southern California's extraordinary growth in the 20th Century. This in turn attracted many immigrants to Southern California, including many from Northern Mexico.

gobears725;842084846 said:

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theres actually a few good places in richmond too, names slip my mind. the truck that used be by raley's in el sobrante was ridiculously good too, not sure if its still there. rule of thumb though, the more family owned it looks the better

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The one by across from Raleys in the gas station parking lot -- Mi Virgencita -- is still there.

I like La Flor De Jalisco in Richmond parked in the lot next to the market

KoreAmBear;842084721 said:

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I thought this place was great. They use locally grown produce and the burrito I had was fantastic. Terrific salsa bar. I liked it much better than Chipotle. Pretty decent sangria too. Went after the Furd game -- the dining experience was 100X better than that bore-fest of a game. Check out my review:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cancun-taqueria-berkeley#hrid:JK6LYr0KjrXnWgluqfb03Q

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next time up in the Bay Area will try to get there.

Random poll: Who here dislikes either rice and/or beans in their burrito? I personally don't care for rice in mine and prefer refried beans.

drizzlybears brother;842084654 said:

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Don't know if it's still there, but Picante's near Gillman and 4th I belive, down near the water was hands down my favorite.

I ended up logging lots of time down at the marina and it was a staple.

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Picante's was it for me during my time at Cal!

socaliganbear;842084838 said:

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Another week, another food thread. Gotta love BI.

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More like "Another day, another food thread."

We've had 3 food threads since President's Day.

Speaking of which, anybody try The Burrito Shop on College in Rockridge.

They charge extra for tortilla chips. Not cool.

Nastybear;842084874 said:

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Picante's was it for me during my time at Cal!

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Picante is great. It's on 6th just south of Gilman.

NYCGOBEARS;842084870 said:

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Random poll: Who here dislikes either rice and/or beans in their burrito? I personally don't care for rice in mine and prefer refried beans.

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Rice and pinto beans for me. I'm not a big fan of refried beans.

Also, no steamed or boiled meats. Grilled all the way!

NYCGOBEARS;842084870 said:

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Random poll: Who here dislikes either rice and/or beans in their burrito? I personally don't care for rice in mine and prefer refried beans.

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I grew up allergic to beans.

So I always said "no beans."

But that allergy went away in my 20s.

So I tried refried beans and I like it.

Maybe half the time I'll get refried, and half I'll get no beans.

I still don't like regular beans, however.

NYCGOBEARS;842084870 said:

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Random poll: Who here dislikes either rice and/or beans in their burrito? I personally don't care for rice in mine and prefer refried beans.

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I like it sometimes as I like different styles. I am not a burrito nazi and like all types whether El Farolito, El Tepayac in Boyle Heights (heard the owner recently died?), Chipotle, Baja Fresh, Rubio's etc. I know there is a spectrum of what's authentic and what's not but I don't get too into that. I just try and enjoy them. Besides, I am more of an L.A. street taco guy but I have to say La Tacqueria in the Mission (recommended to me by Drunkoski - so he's not all bad, folks) makes tacos that are plenty good.

NYCGOBEARS;842084870 said:

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Random poll: Who here dislikes either rice and/or beans in their burrito? I personally don't care for rice in mine and prefer refried beans.

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I go easy on the rice, it's just bland filler, and no beans. Can't eat beans.

socaliganbear;842084909 said:

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I go easy on the rice, it's just bland filler, and no beans. Can't eat beans.

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Agree on the rice completely. Shame about the beans. It's as hard to find really good beans as it is really good quality meat.

This thread is making me want to go to Dos Toros.

NYCGOBEARS;842084912 said:

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Agree on the rice completely. Shame about the beans. It's as hard to find really good beans as it is really good quality meat.

This thread is making me want to go to Dos Toros.

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I couldn't disagree more. Good Mexican rice is a must for a quality burrito. Rice also is important for holding onto sour cream/avocado/salsa and other sauces. Good refried beans can also make or break a burrito.
Rice and beans are also a complete protein, meaning the combination of the two contain all 9 essential amino acids (acids that the body cannot produce on its own).

NYCGOBEARS;842084912 said:

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Agree on the rice completely. Shame about the beans. It's as hard to find really good beans as it is really good quality meat.

This thread is making me want to go to Dos Toros.

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This thread actually reminds me that I don't really like burritos all that much, and that I need to go to La Esquina asap. Downstairs.

socaliganbear;842084919 said:

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This thread actually reminds me that I don't really like burritos all that much, and that I need to go to La Esquina asap. Downstairs.

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Funny, actually I'm not a huge fan either actually. I much prefer really good tacos.

La Esquina is fun. I used to go often but haven't in awhile.

Is it too early to create a "shove" smiley? I want to see it.

Holmoephobic;842084916 said:

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I couldn't disagree more. Good Mexican rice is a must for a quality burrito. Rice also is important for holding onto sour cream/avocado/salsa and other sauces. Good refried beans can also make or break a burrito.
Rice and beans are also a complete protein, meaning the combination of the two contain all 9 essential amino acids (acids that the body cannot produce on its own).

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Look at Holmoephobic, getting the science up in here! :bravo

sycasey;842085007 said:

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Look at Holmoephobic, getting the science up in here! :bravo

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It's what I bring to the table*

*other than sarcasm and snarkyness

Looperbear;842084657 said:

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Isn't there a Gordo's on Telegraph?
cancun on Center?

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It's in Elmwood - on College Ave about a short half block south of Ashby. It's kind of a walk from campus. There's another location on Solano in Albany. There are actually quite a few Cal students there - at least ones with cars.

BearClause;842085044 said:

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It's in Elmwood - on College Ave about a short half block south of Ashby. It's kind of a walk from campus. There's another location on Solano in Albany. There are actually quite a few Cal students there - at least ones with cars.

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There's one now on Telegraph.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gordo-taqueria-berkeley-2

okaydo;842085051 said:

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There's one now on Telegraph.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gordo-taqueria-berkeley-2

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And it's also terrible.

Holmoephobic;842085041 said:

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It's what I bring to the table*

*other than sarcasm and snarkyness

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That's hilarious.

If you're willing to venture into Oakland, I've always liked Connie's Cantina on Grand Ave. near 580. She makes an extra-extra-extra large burrito (I think it's called a "Super Connie's")....so big, I couldn't finish it....and trust me, there aren't many meals I can't finish.

gobears725;842084846 said:

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theres actually a few good places in richmond too, names slip my mind. the truck that used be by raley's in el sobrante was ridiculously good too, not sure if its still there. rule of thumb though, the more family owned it looks the better

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Portumex..... 23rd St and Downer....yum yum yum

https://plus.google.com/114142360482158208180/about?gl=us&hl=en

NYCGOBEARS;842084870 said:

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Random poll: Who here dislikes either rice and/or beans in their burrito? I personally don't care for rice in mine and prefer refried beans.

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What you are talking about here is two different schools of Mexican-American taqueria food (which is to actual Mexican food as pizza places are to Italian food -- but that's a different topic).

The dominant style in most of the country (thanks to Chipotle) is what's called Mission style. This is what Northern Californians are used to: steam trays filled with various fillings, huge "super burritos" bursting with rice, beans, lettuce and god knows what else. (Even if you order w/o rice and beans, the tortillas are so huge that the burrito just won't roll correctly with all that extra space.) Gordo's is, as I recall, solidly Mission style.

But as any San Diego resident (and I think Arizonans? citation needed) can tell you, there's also "Roberto's style", sometimes referred to as "San Diego style". If you order a carne asada at a San Diego taqueria, you will never get beans or rice in it. Your burrito will contain 3 things: guacamole, pico de gallo, and carne. The result is smaller, more consistent throughout (no rice-only mouthfuls), and really really good at 3 am. San Diego style is also where you can get the "California burrito" which is a carne asada burrito stuffed with french fries.

antipattern;842085084 said:

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What you are talking about here is two different schools of Mexican-American taqueria food (which is to actual Mexican food as pizza places are to Italian food -- but that's a different topic).

The dominant style in most of the country (thanks to Chipotle) is what's called Mission style. This is what Northern Californians are used to: steam trays filled with various fillings, huge "super burritos" bursting with rice, beans, lettuce and god knows what else. (Even if you order w/o rice and beans, the tortillas are so huge that the burrito just won't roll correctly with all that extra space.) Gordo's is, as I recall, solidly Mission style.

But as any San Diego resident (and I think Arizonans? citation needed) can tell you, there's also "Roberto's style", sometimes referred to as "San Diego style". If you order a carne asada at a San Diego taqueria, you will never get beans or rice in it. Your burrito will contain 3 things: guacamole, pico de gallo, and carne. The result is smaller, more consistent throughout (no rice-only mouthfuls), and really really good at 3 am. San Diego style is also where you can get the "California burrito" which is a carne asada burrito stuffed with french fries.

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Gordo's also offers an all-meat burrito (Carne asada, chicken, carnitas, chile verde, basically all the meat options they have) though which with guac and salsa is absolutely fantastic.

antipattern;842085084 said:

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What you are talking about here is two different schools of Mexican-American taqueria food (which is to actual Mexican food as pizza places are to Italian food -- but that's a different topic).

The dominant style in most of the country (thanks to Chipotle) is what's called Mission style. This is what Northern Californians are used to: steam trays filled with various fillings, huge "super burritos" bursting with rice, beans, lettuce and god knows what else. (Even if you order w/o rice and beans, the tortillas are so huge that the burrito just won't roll correctly with all that extra space.) Gordo's is, as I recall, solidly Mission style.

But as any San Diego resident (and I think Arizonans? citation needed) can tell you, there's also "Roberto's style", sometimes referred to as "San Diego style". If you order a carne asada at a San Diego taqueria, you will never get beans or rice in it. Your burrito will contain 3 things: guacamole, pico de gallo, and carne. The result is smaller, more consistent throughout (no rice-only mouthfuls), and really really good at 3 am. San Diego style is also where you can get the "California burrito" which is a carne asada burrito stuffed with french fries.

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I love Roberto's and Juanita's. I lived off of the rolled tacos and burritos at Roberto's.

Although I hail from the bay area, I far prefer the berto's style burrito. My only beef with berto's is that sometimes the grease can be excessive.

Shout out to burrito eater which has pretty entertaining reviews of SF burrito shops: http://burritoeater.com/taquerias.php?order=omr

They score based on the perceived quality of a variety of ingredients (including ones that people may not prefer), so in addition to the natural subjectivity which you should accord their reviews, there is also the fact that they have a set point of view which may not work for you. But as noted, it can be entertaining and I think a better source of reviews than yelp.