Saturday, July 18, 2015
Hiatus
Sorry, folks. The Best Mission Burrito blog is (and has been) on hiatus. I am a PhD student trying to write my dissertation and graduate. I've been in Connecticut and DC researching and writing.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Taquerias La Altena
TAQUERIAS LA ALTENA
2588 Mission Street in between 21st and 22nd streets
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PRICE: $5.59 without tax
My friend and I conducted this taste test on 27 October 2013. I ordered the regular chicken burrito with whole pinto beans.
OVERALL RATING: 7
(1= lowest, 10= highest)
CONTENTS
Quality of Meat: 7
We ordered the chicken burrito. The meat tasty and fresh.
2588 Mission Street in between 21st and 22nd streets
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PRICE: $5.59 without tax
La Altena is on Mission Street in between 21st and 22nd streets (across from Wells Fargo Bank). There is indoor seating, and it is connected to a pupuseria and a produce market.
My friend and I conducted this taste test on 27 October 2013. I ordered the regular chicken burrito with whole pinto beans.
OVERALL RATING: 7
(1= lowest, 10= highest)
CONTENTS
Quality of Meat: 7
We ordered the chicken burrito. The meat tasty and fresh.
Quality of Beans: 7
Good, fresh beans.
Quality of Rice: 6
Good rice.
Quality of Salsa: 6
Nice salsa but there wasn't enough of it inside the burrito.
La Altena has a salsa bar with mild and spicy salsas as well as radishes, pickled whole jalapenos, and carrot slices. I went back for refills on the salsa.
EXTRAS
Free chips? Yes.
Free salsa? Yes. Salsa bar.
Good, fresh beans.
Quality of Rice: 6
Good rice.
Quality of Salsa: 6
Nice salsa but there wasn't enough of it inside the burrito.
La Altena has a salsa bar with mild and spicy salsas as well as radishes, pickled whole jalapenos, and carrot slices. I went back for refills on the salsa.
EXTRAS
Free chips? Yes.
Free salsa? Yes. Salsa bar.
FINAL THOUGHTS
La Altena was an experience. I enjoyed the burrito (and the horchata), and the prices are reasonable. However, it is hard to ignore the activity inside the taqueria. After we finished eating, a homeless person asked for the bottom (I call it the "butt") of our burritos. We gave it to him, and then I bought him a meal. Other folks saw this interaction and kept asking us for money. Also, we sat next to the restroom, and there were people using the bathroom without flushing (you get the idea). I was born and raised in San Francisco so I am used to homeless people and drug usage. I just wanted people to be aware.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Big Fat Burrito- Toronto
The Best Mission Burrito was on the road again! During a trip to Toronto, I came across burrito shops! The craze has hit TO. Of course there were cleverly named places such as Fat Bastard Burrito Co. and dull ones (Bar Burrito).
As in the UK, I was ready for the challenge. My friends and I chose Big Fat Burrito (due to a holiday, many places were closed!?!).
Big Fat Burrito has three locations in the city with a catchy slogan, "I love 'em big and fat." Don't we all! ;-)
BIG FAT BURRITO
112 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M7A 2C7
(416) 340-0340
PRICE: $8.50 CAN for a small size ($11.25 for a large)
This location has indoor seating (just a few tables). The counter is L-shaped. You order at the short end and watch your burrito being made along the other end. The menu offers burritos and tacos. Interestingly, you can get a yam burrito. It seems like it would be awful or great, but I didn't try it. My friends ordered the breakfast burrito with eggs, bacon, and potatoes. I ordered a small chicken burrito with hot salsa.
I conducted this test on September 2, 2013.
OVERALL RATING: 5
(1= lowest, 10= highest)
CONTENTS
Quality of Meat:5
I ordered chicken, and it came in mole sauce. I like mole, but that's an overpowering flavor. Grilled chicken would have been better. There was a good amount of meat.
As in the UK, I was ready for the challenge. My friends and I chose Big Fat Burrito (due to a holiday, many places were closed!?!).
Big Fat Burrito has three locations in the city with a catchy slogan, "I love 'em big and fat." Don't we all! ;-)
BIG FAT BURRITO
112 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M7A 2C7
(416) 340-0340
PRICE: $8.50 CAN for a small size ($11.25 for a large)
This location has indoor seating (just a few tables). The counter is L-shaped. You order at the short end and watch your burrito being made along the other end. The menu offers burritos and tacos. Interestingly, you can get a yam burrito. It seems like it would be awful or great, but I didn't try it. My friends ordered the breakfast burrito with eggs, bacon, and potatoes. I ordered a small chicken burrito with hot salsa.
I conducted this test on September 2, 2013.
OVERALL RATING: 5
(1= lowest, 10= highest)
CONTENTS
Quality of Meat:5
I ordered chicken, and it came in mole sauce. I like mole, but that's an overpowering flavor. Grilled chicken would have been better. There was a good amount of meat.
Quality of Beans: 5
No pinto beans. Black beans are the only option. The burrito was sprinkled with beans. There should have been a better rice to bean ratio.
Quality of Rice: 6
Rice in red sauce (tomato) was used. It was okay.
Quality of Salsa:5
The hot salsa was not hot or spicy. I had to order a small container of El Yucateco Salsa Picante de Chile Habanero for some kick. My friend's boyfriend added some on his burrito too.
FINAL THOUGHTS
No pinto beans. Black beans are the only option. The burrito was sprinkled with beans. There should have been a better rice to bean ratio.
Quality of Rice: 6
Rice in red sauce (tomato) was used. It was okay.
Quality of Salsa:5
The hot salsa was not hot or spicy. I had to order a small container of El Yucateco Salsa Picante de Chile Habanero for some kick. My friend's boyfriend added some on his burrito too.
EXTRAS
Free chips? No.
Free salsa? No. Salsa and hot sauce are not left on the tables for customers to use.Free chips? No.
Big Fat Burrito was mediocre. What shocked me the most is that the tortilla is grilled! That's just odd. The tortilla is normally placed in a steamer to add pliability. Grilling a tortilla makes it stiff.
Overall, the burrito was bland. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't memorable. On the positive side, it did not make me sick like the one from Oxford.
Overall, the burrito was bland. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't memorable. On the positive side, it did not make me sick like the one from Oxford.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Mission Burrito-- Oxford, UK
When I arrived in Oxford, the college town has a burrito place called Mission Burrito. Yes, the place is named after my neighborhood. I saw it as a challenge. I had to order one.
Mission
Burrito in Oxford (created by 2 Brits who lived in SF over a decade
ago).
Hmm. There is a board in the window explaining Mexican ingredients: pinto beans, guacamole, tomatillo. For some ingredients, there is a pronunciation guide, chipotle or "chee-POT-leh."
When
I entered Mission Burrito, I had a strange flashback. The walls contain
large photographs of Mission District taquerias.
Should I eat here even though the owners are advertising taquerias in SF?
Mission Burrito has great advertising. The comment cards are brightly-colored and humorous postcards.
They also give out a cardboard wrestling ring for thumb wars.
I decided to take the burrito challenge. The restaurant was busy, and there were few seats available. Like most taquerias, you order at the counter and tell the person what you want in your burrito. Ordering took FOREVER because the customers asked the workers about all the ingredients. "Which salsa is not spicy? What's in the chicken? Which beans are better?"
It was a little comical to hear the customers mispronounce words. When it was my turn, I was ready.
A regular chicken burrito with pinto beans and lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo, and habanero salsa.
Of course, my American accent gave me away. I was a woman on a mission--a Mission burrito mission. Here is my burrito and my review.
MISSION BURRITO
8 St. Michaels Street (at Cornmarket), Oxford, OX1 2DU
http://missionburrito.co.uk/
PRICE: $8.29 total
Menu
Mission Burrito is located on a side street off of Cornmarket. There is indoor seating, either bar stools along the walls or two large communal tables. The interior is clean. The menu includes burritos, tacos, and burrito bowls.
I conducted this taste test on June 25, 2013.
OVERALL RATING: 4
(1= lowest, 10= highest)
CONTENTS
Quality of Meat: 4
I ordered chicken. It was spicy with chipotle flavor. A little too overwhelming.
Hmm. There is a board in the window explaining Mexican ingredients: pinto beans, guacamole, tomatillo. For some ingredients, there is a pronunciation guide, chipotle or "chee-POT-leh."
Mission Burrito has great advertising. The comment cards are brightly-colored and humorous postcards.
They also give out a cardboard wrestling ring for thumb wars.
I decided to take the burrito challenge. The restaurant was busy, and there were few seats available. Like most taquerias, you order at the counter and tell the person what you want in your burrito. Ordering took FOREVER because the customers asked the workers about all the ingredients. "Which salsa is not spicy? What's in the chicken? Which beans are better?"
It was a little comical to hear the customers mispronounce words. When it was my turn, I was ready.
A regular chicken burrito with pinto beans and lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo, and habanero salsa.
Of course, my American accent gave me away. I was a woman on a mission--a Mission burrito mission. Here is my burrito and my review.
MISSION BURRITO
8 St. Michaels Street (at Cornmarket), Oxford, OX1 2DU
http://missionburrito.co.uk/
PRICE: $8.29 total
Menu
Mission Burrito is located on a side street off of Cornmarket. There is indoor seating, either bar stools along the walls or two large communal tables. The interior is clean. The menu includes burritos, tacos, and burrito bowls.
I conducted this taste test on June 25, 2013.
OVERALL RATING: 4
(1= lowest, 10= highest)
CONTENTS
Quality of Meat: 4
I ordered chicken. It was spicy with chipotle flavor. A little too overwhelming.
Quality of Beans: 3
The pinto beans had a strange taste. I realized that they are peppery. The chef flavors the beans with black pepper, lots of it.
Quality of Rice: 3
Mission Burrito uses Basmati rice which is great for Indian cuisine. California burritos use CA long-grain rice which doesn't separate as easily as Basmati and is softer.
Quality of Salsa: 6
The habanero salsa is spicy which surprised me. It had a good kick. The pico de gallo does have diced jalapeno in it.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The pinto beans had a strange taste. I realized that they are peppery. The chef flavors the beans with black pepper, lots of it.
Quality of Rice: 3
Mission Burrito uses Basmati rice which is great for Indian cuisine. California burritos use CA long-grain rice which doesn't separate as easily as Basmati and is softer.
Quality of Salsa: 6
The habanero salsa is spicy which surprised me. It had a good kick. The pico de gallo does have diced jalapeno in it.
EXTRAS
Free chips? No.
Free salsa? No. There are bottles of Cholula hot sauce on the tables.Free chips? No.
Mission
Burrito did surprise me. I thought the burrito would be awful. The
owners really tried to duplicate burritos from the Mission District.
However, the owners are not chefs. They do not know which ingredients to
use. Also, some produce is not the same in the UK. The avocados,
chiles, and tomatoes do not have time to mature.
At first, I gave the Mission Burrito a higher rating, until the next day. Not to be disgusting, but I spent my morning on the toilet. After all the burrito taste testings I have conducted, this is the first time I got sick.
Lesson: Never again.
At first, I gave the Mission Burrito a higher rating, until the next day. Not to be disgusting, but I spent my morning on the toilet. After all the burrito taste testings I have conducted, this is the first time I got sick.
Lesson: Never again.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Brits Heart Burritos...who knew?
I'm back in San Francisco for the summer having survived my first year as a PhD student. I must say that there is nothing like being back home. I take my walks to the mercado for fresh produce and veggies or to La Palma for homemade tortillas and chicharrón. And I can't stop picking up some pandulce in the morning.
But let's talk about burritos. British burritos.
I went to the UK in late June for a conference. I have a friend who lives in London so I spent time in London before traveling to the conference location at Oxford.
I was shocked that London has joined the burrito craze. And unlike San Francisco, burritos are not cheap eats.
Adobo "Healthy, Fresh Mexican" on Holborn. About $9.05 for regular size.
Burrito Cafe with 2 locations in London. About $8.36 for a regular size.
Chilango with 5 locations in London. Almost $9 for a regular burrito.
Chilango is slang for someone from Mexico City. One of the owners is American, from Chicago.
Cafe Don Quixote. The owner must be confused because the menu lists paninis and other sandwiches. It's not even Spanish food.
Freebird Burritos with 5 locations. Since 2007!
Loco Mexicano near Victoria Station. More than $15 for a burrito!
Mi Casa Burritos with 3 locations. This one is inside Victoria Station.
Taquitos near Victoria Station. About $8.36 for rgular size.
Tortilla with 11 locations! "Real California burritos?" The cheapest place I found with $7.60 for a regular size
When you visit London from the Mission District of San Francisco, you seek pub food or Indian curry not a burrito made from Londoners. But I was curious. How would it taste? Would the salsa be authentic or just spicy ketchup? Would the tortilla be edible?
I went to the local Sainsbury's for some groceries and noticed that there is a Mexican food aisle now. Brits have access to Old El Paso brand (which is owned by Betty Crocker) or the scarier Discovery brand with its salsa ketchup, or liquid guacamole, and flatbread-like tortillas.
A better bet might be saving for a trip to San Francisco with room for tortillas stashed in suitcases.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Los Coyotes
TAQUERIA LOS COYOTES
3036- 16th Street in between Wiese and Mission streets
http://www.taquerialoscoyotes.com/
PRICE: $6.25 without tax
Menu
My friend and I conducted this taste test on January 5, 2013. I ordered the regular chicken burrito with whole pinto beans.
OVERALL RATING: 7.5
(1= lowest, 10= highest)
CONTENTS
Quality of Meat: 7
We ordered the chicken burrito. The meat tasty and freshly grilled.
3036- 16th Street in between Wiese and Mission streets
http://www.taquerialoscoyotes.com/
PRICE: $6.25 without tax
Menu
Los
Coyotes is located near the 16th Street BART station across from the
Wells Fargo Bank. There is indoor seating, and the interior is brightly
decorated with flags and banners as well as a large stain-glass image of a calendar stone (piedra del sol). The bright
tabletops are adorned with large reproductions of lotería cards. The menu
includes burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and nachos.
My friend and I conducted this taste test on January 5, 2013. I ordered the regular chicken burrito with whole pinto beans.
OVERALL RATING: 7.5
(1= lowest, 10= highest)
CONTENTS
Quality of Meat: 7
We ordered the chicken burrito. The meat tasty and freshly grilled.
Quality of Beans: 6
Good, fresh beans.
Quality of Rice: 6
Good rice.
Quality of Salsa: 8
Nice salsa. The salsa inside the burrito was good with chunky tomatoes and corn.
EXTRAS
Free chips? Yes. There are baskets of red, blue, and yellow tortillas chips available by the register.
Free salsa? Yes. Salsa bar.
Good, fresh beans.
Quality of Rice: 6
Good rice.
Quality of Salsa: 8
Nice salsa. The salsa inside the burrito was good with chunky tomatoes and corn.
Los
Coyotes has a salsa bar with mild and spicy salsas as well as mango salsa. The
mango salsa was tasty! The bar also has radishes, pickled whole jalapenos, and
carrot slices.
EXTRAS
Free chips? Yes. There are baskets of red, blue, and yellow tortillas chips available by the register.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We enjoyed Los Coyotes, and the chicken burrito was tasty. The décor is bright
and fun. I enjoyed the creative menu selections; Los Coyotes offers French
fries covered in guacamole (yum, avocado). I also ordered an horchata, and
there were four agua fresca options (strawberry, melon, pineapple, and
Jamaica). It is 16th Street so you will see anything and everything (e.g, public urination,
fights, people shouting at the air).
I
would return. I am still thinking about those guacamole fries.
El Buen Sabor
TAQUERIA EL BUEN SABOR
697 Valencia Street in between 18th and Sycamore streets
PRICE: $7.18 ($6.60 without tax)
El Buen Sabor is located on the corner of Valencia and 18th streets. There is indoor seating with colorful murals painted on the inside and exterior walls (the columns are painted as palm trees). The menu includes burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and dinner plates.
My friend and I conducted this taste test on January 5, 2013. I ordered the regular chicken burrito with whole pinto beans.
(1= lowest, 10= highest)
CONTENTS
Quality of Meat: 4
We ordered the chicken burrito. The meat was not flavorful and pretty bland. However, there was a good amount of meat used.
FYI: When you order, the meat selections are in front of you. I noticed that there is a tofu option. I like vegetarian meals, but I was not ready to order a tofu burrito.
Quality of Beans: 6
Good, fresh beans.
Quality of Rice: 6
Good rice.
Quality of Salsa: 6
Nice salsa.
EXTRAS
Free chips? Yes. You are given chips at the register.
Free salsa? Yes. However, you are given one little plastic cup of salsa at the register.
Good, fresh beans.
Quality of Rice: 6
Good rice.
Quality of Salsa: 6
Nice salsa.
EXTRAS
Free chips? Yes. You are given chips at the register.
Free salsa? Yes. However, you are given one little plastic cup of salsa at the register.
FINAL THOUGHTS
El Buen Sabor is in a great location for the Valencia residents and hipster partiers. The murals give it a nice, fun atmosphere. We were disappointed by the flavorless meat and the lack of a salsa bar.
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