La Perla Tapatia

La Perla Tapatia


This is the second grocery store on my list.  I have a nose for these kind of things.  They usually get very fresh ingredients, and I was not disappointed.  I think I found my favorite burrito in Oceanside.

Ingredients:  I ordered a carnitas burrito because I just made a tomatillo avacado salsa that tastes great with carnitas and I wanted to test it out..  I also bought a pound of milanesa so I can make some homemade jerky.    


The burrito included: Carnitas, rice, pinto beans, quacamole, a number of different salsas to choose from, pico de gallo.

Size:  I wasn't blown away by the size of the burrito, but it was the right size for me.  Definitely a one serving size.

Freshness:  The ingredients were very fresh.  Actually, some of the freshest ingredients I have had since I was back in the bay area.  The rice tasted like it was just cooked.  The beans were very moist, and the tortilla must have been made within 24 hours.  The only part I was not in love with was the greasiness.  It was a pretty sloppy burrito, but very tasty.



Salsa bar:  No chips.  It is located in a decent size grocery store, so you could buy chips.  There wasn't a salsa bar, but I think if requested, you could ask for a couple cups.  The one I chose in my burrito was a chile de arbol.  But, there were 5 others to choose from.  


Overall Taste:  As I said earlier, La Perla Tapatia is probably the best burrito in Oceanside.  Outside of the greasiness, which was partly due to me ordering carnitas instead of carne asada, it was a great burrito.  There are only a couple of other times where I have had a tortilla as fresh.


Price:  The burrito is ~$5.00.   With no salsa, no chips, no carrots, it was a bit on the high side for Oceanside, but I will be coming back because it's hard to find a tortilla this fresh in  San Diego.


Other good menu items:  There was apretty diverse menu.  I had my mind made up because of  the tomatillo avacado salsa.  I will have to update this the next time I stop by.

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Taco-Taqueria

This was a hungover hunt for a breakfast burrito.  and....they didn't have one.  In fact, they didn't have many options at all.  But, if I had to choose between a mediocre taqueria and subway.  Subway is TERRIBLE!!!.  


Ingredients:  I ordered the regular burrito, and they charged me for a super. The burrito only had rice, beans, beef, pico de gallo, and lettuce.  The options were only chicken or beef.

Size:  The size of their burritos are pretty good.  It's definitely a one man job.

Freshness:  For having a very limited menu, the food was pretty fresh.  I like the rice inside the burrito.  I actually enjoyed the lettuce but it felt just like filler.  The salsa was a watery, chipotle style which I also enjoyed.



Salsa bar:  No chips, not even a salsa bar.  They gave me a single cup of salsa and I usually go through at least 5 cups for a regular sized burrito, so I had to ration my portions of salsa.  I most likely will never visit the place again for that reason alone.  Salsa is very cheap to make, and it can appease so many hungry patrons.


Overall Taste:  I was more satisfied with the burrito than I thought I would have.  The tortilla was nice and thick, and the ingredients were pretty fresh.  But, no salsa bar, and general chincy feeling make me want to find a better option the next time I go up to South Lake Tahoe


Price:  The burrito is ~$6.00.   With no salsa, no chips, no carrots, just a styrophoam plate and a decent sized burrito, I don't recommend it.  It should be under $4


Other good menu items:  They really didn't have much on the menu.  I think they offered some tacos and I'm not even sure they offered nachos.  

Taqueria San Jose

Much like El Favorito, Taqueria San Jose is made of the 
same ilk.  It is tucked underneath the 101 freeway in San Rafael and is always busy.  I have been stopping here for almost 15 years.


Ingredients:  Choice of Meat, whole beans, sour cream, rice,  Jack cheese, avacado, and pico de gallo.  
Size:  The size of their burritos are Large.  I don't want to eat this much burrito large.  I shared this on the last time I ate there because I didn't feel like stomach pains.  I usually get through about 3/4 before I get that signal from my stomach saying, "overload"

Freshness:  The tortillas are extremely fresh, the meat is fresh and very tasty, the jack cheese is a unique addition to a super burrito.  The burrito is very juicy on the inside, but the tortilla doesn't get soggy...your hands mind depending on how careless you are while eating this amazing burrito.  The chips were a little stale, but that is very rare.
                                                 
Salsa bar:  Taqueria San Jose has a great salsa bar.  They offer free chips, fresh, thin flour tortilla chips under a heat lamp.  They have an awesome tomatillo avacado creamy salsa, a spicy pico de gallo, and a mild pico de gallo.  They offer hot carrots and jalapenos as well.


Overall Taste:  I was just told it was the best burrito ever.  I think it is a great burrito, the size is awesome, the service is great, and all the ingredients are good.  I don't know what more someone would want in a super burrito.


Price:  The burrito is ~6.00.  It is a great value considering the chips.  Two full stomachs for only $3 each is awesome.


Other good menu items:  I have not tried other items on their menu, although they have a some very authentic items, such as pazole and menudo.  I'm sure everything is great at this joint.


Parking is kind of difficult, especially during lunch rush hours, and the lines can be long, but its worth the wait and the hunt for a parking spot.

Cuatro milpas

HOLY $#&%!  This is the most unique restaurant I have ever been to.  The four ladies that run this joint have got it figured out. Simple, Fresh, greasy, and absolutely amazing.  This place should be a national landmark.  If I'm ever in the ghetto, I come to Cuatro Milpas.


Ingredients:  Niche.  Your choice of chicken, or pork, mexican cheese, pico de gallo, lime, onion and cilantro. 

Size:  The size of their burritos are pretty small, but it is because they are simple.  
Freshness:  The tortillas are made daily, the meat is fresh, and the mexican cheese is powerfully fresh.


Salsa bar:  There is no salsa bar. but they do offer salsa in little cups. This may sound gross, but it is a chili salsa with bits of pigskin in it. IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!  the combination of the salsa and the mexican cheese could probably make a table taste good. 


Overall Taste: I love the ghetto.  Barrio Logan is admittedly a scary place.  Fortunately this place is only open from 11am-3pm.  I'm not even sure if they are open on the weekends.  The place is lined up out the door every single time I have been there.
The only thing I wish they would do would be to use the beans and rice, lettuce, sour cream, and throw it all into the fresh-made tortillas and offer a super burrito.  But these ladies don't have to change anytthing.  That line isn't getting any shorter.


Price:  The burrito is Under $4. the other items are all under $3.  I am salivating as I'm writing this.  


Other good menu items:  Everything.  they have fresh made tamales and tacos that are only $1.50.  They also have a beans and rice dish that is very popular.  


Few people know this, but San Diego is in the top 10 of most overweight cities in the United States.  I have a suspicion that Cuatro Milpas has something to do with it.

littickers

Alright, I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for a good salsa bar.  Litickers is just like that.  I love these hidden gems.  This is the second taqueria inside of a grocery store, but this blog is all about obscure places to find great food. The funny thing about this place, and probably the most hygenic, is that you actually order from the cook and then pay at the cashier.  

Ingredients:  This place has a lot of great seafood, obscure choices, and very diverse menu.  I have the link to their online menu at the bottom of this page. They have the spiciest food I have reviewed so far.  

Size:  I like the size of Litickers' burritos.  They aren't overbearing, but they definitely leave you full.

Freshness:  After the last 3 reviews not having good quality meat, Litickers has great freshness. The tortillas are tasty.  Their salsas are made fresh daily, they pan fry everything, and it has a very intimate feel as you can watch them prepare your food right in front of your face.

Salsa bar:  By far, the hottest salsa bar I have ever enjoyed.  I love hot, and they have 2 different Habañero salsas.  They also have a very good pico de gallo.  The people behind the counter are pretty friendly and sometimes you can lobby for a few chips with your burrito, but they are a little stingy with it

Overall Taste: This place is unique.  It is a hidden little gem with some of the best homemade salsa.  The meat is tasty, the ingredients are fresh, and the portions are good.

Price:   ~$7.50. It is a bit pricey considering you just walked into a grocery store and found out they have burritos.  There isn't much sit down area, but it is a gem and if you're in the area, I highly recommend it.  Take your dog to dog beach, then take a little walk up Voltaire and stop in.

Other good menu items:   They have a huge menu with specials every day.
litickers Menu

Diego's

I don't like to taut a burrito joint I don't like, and I'm not really gonna do that here.  It is right next to my house, and it's basically standard half-assed burritos.  Diego's is just like hundreds of other 24 hour taquerias.  If I do go there (because nothing else is open), I usually order the California burrito.

Ingredients:  Meat of your choice, guacamole, cheese, sour creme, french fries.

Size:  It's enough.  Not quite big, not that small.  I consider these places as "Hangover Preventers".  It wouldn't make sense to eat one in any other circumstance

Freshness:  The tortillas are flakey, the guacamole is some strange green concoction that  sparsely resembles guacamole, the meat is cafeteria grade, and salsas are runny, completely lacking freshness.

Salsa bar:  They do have hot carrots.  No chips though.  They have a red salsa, and a tomatillo salsa, but neither is hot, and both are on the bland side.

Overall Taste: It's like ordering fast food: the idea of it is so much more appealing then the actual taste.  As I said, this place taste like so many other joints I've been to.  

Price:  Under $4.  The price is worth what you get.  There are so many good burrito joints out there that I just don't need to fill my stomach with these guilt-full calories.

Other good menu items:   The carne asada fries are probably a much better option.  I think they run about ~$6.  They fill the Styrofoam box.

El Cilantro

I have now ventured into Los Angeles County.  El cilantro sparked my interest through Yelp.  The Monster Burrito is probably the largest burrito I have found in Southern California.  The aren't the freindliest bunch but the portions are huge and the salsa bar is excellent.  And They offer free chips!


Ingredients:  Choice of meat, choice of black or pinto beans, rice, cheese,lettuce.  The unique thing about el Cilantro is that they have 4 different tortillas to choose from.
Size: I have eaten here 3 times and the size is consistently massive.  I did manage to get through about 80% before my stomach quit on me.  The other two times I split it with my date.


Freshness:  The beans are very fresh. The meat is mediocre. I have had both chicken and carne asada.  The real freshness is in the tortillas and the greens.

Salsa bar:  I love their salsa bar so much that I took a a picture.  They have a wonderful pineapple chunky salsa, 3 red salsas, and a pretty good tomatillo salsa.  But really? how can you ignore the lack of stinginess with the chips.  There are so many SoCal taquerias that don't even offer chips.

Overall Taste:  I found this about a couple months ago, and I've already been 3 times. I only go up to Long Beach once a week, and Usually don't eat when I'm up there.  It's a    go-to spot especially if you love good salsa.  I'm not a huge fan of guacamole (I would much rather have avacado), but the salsa bar keeps me coming back.

Other good menu items:  The sell all kinds of stuff. I just only eat burritos, so I haven't enjoyed their hamburgers, tacos or tortas.


Price:  ~$8.00.  It seems a bit pricey. but if you were to divide the price by the calories this monster has in it, I'm sure it would be a steal.  If Mogadishu, had a potluck, you would only need one of these.

El Torito Market

This place is unique in that it is just a small grocery store on the coast highway.  It does come with a secret; the best burrito in north county san diego.  The people who work there are friendly, and the portions are generous.  I might love this place because they only offer burritos and tacos.  Or that it's a diamond in the rough


Ingredients:  Steak or Chicken, beans, rice, cheese, salsa.  Many burrito joints in san diego are only meat, salsa, and don't have the beans and rice that I like to see in my burrito.

Size: I can finish it before my stomach hurts. It definitely carries some weight to it.   [image of burrito eaten coming soon]

Freshness:  The tortillas aren't fried very much and it's a bit softer then many other taquerias.  The beans and rice are always pretty fresh, and the meat comes right from the meat counter from which you order your burrito.

Salsa bar:  They don't even offer chips, but you can buy a bag considering it is inside a grocery store.  But, you do have to buy a big bag.  They usually offer 3 types of salsa.  A red, green, and a pico de gallo.  They are pretty generous with the salsa, but when you got no chips, it's hard to enjoy the fresh salsa they have.

Overall Taste: I'm a big fan of the simplicity of this place.  I think the meat is excellent and you can taste the intimacy. It's not a popular place, but it's hard for me to drive by and not stop in for a burrito.

Other good menu items:  They do sell tacos, but I haven't ordered anything else from this place.


Price:  ~$3.75. It's so cheap and big that I usually buy a soda and the two come out to about $5

Señor Grubbys

Ingredients:  Standard burritos come with meat of your choice, cheese, salsa, avocado.  They have a lot of "Gringo" style burritos.  They also have street tacos and other mexican food.  My favorite item is the Carlsbad burrito; a California burrito with carnitas and pineapple. 

Size: They are a little small for my taste.  Great size if you are being healthy.  No stomach pains.  


Freshness:  The tortillas are on the dry side for my liking.  But they are fresh, just pan fried before the ingredients are put in.  The meat is very good, the chicken very healthy and fresh.  Señor Grubbys is probably one of the healthiest burritos joints in my neighborhood.

Salsa bar:  they aren't very generous with the chips. I think you have to pay to have them with your meal. So, the enjoyment of the salsa bar is limited, but they have a great selection. They have a true tomatillo salsa, avacado/tomatillo salsa that is on the thinner side compared to some northern califrnian burrito joints, Their best salsa is probably the chipotle, and they also have couple tomato salsas.  Hot Carrots aren't very hot, but they are clean and fresh.

Overall Taste: When I'm feeling like eating healthy, this is on top of my list.  I also only like to go when I want a meal that is light.  Grubby's is great after the  bars, but so is every other crappy taqueria. It's a gringo joint, and I think this warrants me having an explanation of how I feel about gringo joints.  A lot of taquerias in the area don't have salsa bars, and I give this place 5 stars for freshness.

Other good menu items: street tacos, american beers carne asada fries

El Favorito

let's start with the greatest, and let you all try to take the king off his mountain.

Ingredients:  Meat of your choice, beans, rice, cheese, salsa, avocado.

Size: I can finish about 3/4 before my stomach hurts.  [image of burrito eaten coming soon]

Freshness:  The tortillas are steamed and the beans and rice is made daily.

Salsa bar:  they aren't very generous with the chips,which are corn tortilla chips, but the avacado/tomatillo salsa has generous amounts of avocado in it, and there are 2 kinds of tomato salsa, mild and hot.

Overall Taste:  It is something I could eat every single day.  The place looks ugly and is hidden on the outside, but inside the foil wrapper is my favorite burrito and I challenge anyone to give me an authentic Northern-California Style Burrito.

Price:  ~$6  The price has be gradually going up but it is easily two meals and two people can split it with chips and be plenty satisfied.

Other good menu items:

the Burrito Review

Here is my introduction to the burrito review.  I can't really remember when I had my first burrito, but my first memory of burritos was in Healdsburg, Ca when I was about 10 years old.  the joint was called El Farolito in the  Safeway Shopping center.  My next love came from a now defunct taqueria  in Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa called Sonoma Taco Shop.  The fresh salsa bar was the first I was introduced to and to this day remains the best salsa bar I have ever enjoyed.  In High School, at Rancho Cotate, there was a taqueria across the street that made the best burritos until they sold out to the place that is there today.  When they sold out, I discovered what is currently my favorite burrito, so much so that I have never had anything else on their menu besides the burrito. It is called El Favorito.  I have travelled the world (oh and by the way, most of the world doesn't have burritos), and have yet to find burritos as good as the ones made here in California, and none as good as El Favorito.

I want to create a rating system here, I would love to get your opinions on the best way to go about it.  If I could make this blog be the yelp of burritos, I would be a proud man.  For now, I am just going to post my experiences and hopefully allow for comments.  any help is gladly appreciated.