The Best Mission Burritos: September 2013

What's this about?

San Francisco's Mission District is synonymous with burritos. Where else can you find multiple taquerias in a two-block radius? It seems like everyone has an opinion on what place makes the best burrito in the Mission. Or you can go on Yelp and find testimonies on the most amazing, mouth-watering burritos. Often, those recommendations have disappointed me every time.

However, what credentials do those reviewers have? Are they from the Mission? Are they Mexican? Do they make Mexican food?

No. No. No.

I am 4th generation San Franciscan from the Mission District and a proud Chicana. My mother is an excellent cook and taught me to make tacos, enchiladas, burritos, posole, tamales, etc.

I have decided to create a blog about my quest for the best Mission burrito. I will eat a burrito from every taqueria in the Mission and rate them according to a scorecard. Check for my results.

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.

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.

EXTRAS
Free chips? No.

Free salsa? No. Salsa and hot sauce are not left on the tables for customers to use.

FINAL THOUGHTS

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.