FAST TACO (6)
2901 Ocean Park Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-4255
Measurements: 9” circumference, 7” length (standard)
“Just $5” for a vegetarian burrito
Food across the board is above average for lunch accommodations (especially for the price).Ripe looking salsa bar. Black mole-esque salsa (semi-BBQ tasting), Verde that is hot and limey, Rojo (watered down thai sauce with Mexican spices), and pico de gallo that is acceptable. Going to Del Taco or Taco Bell should be an arrest-able crime as long as Fast Taco is close.
Value: Amazing for Santa Monica adjacent
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6
EL TEPEYAC (6)
812 N Evergreen Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 267-8668
For years El Tepeyac has been considered one of the best burrito joints in Los Angeles, it may be time to knock them off that hill. Famous for making the largest burritos in L.A., but bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. Their burritos are large, expensive and generally impractical. A family of four can eat their giant $22 burrito, but why would they want to? Go to most other burrito stands and get everyone their own burrito, and walk away for 18 bucks.
For burritophiles this place is guaranteed NOT to please.Don’t believe the hype. And, for vegetarians the place is do-able, but nothing special. The menu is extensive almost exhaustive, with all sizes, prices and configurations imaginable (they even have a temporary Lint menu). Their salsa is disappointing, their hot sauce is O.K.. They offer table service inside or outdoor via window and picnic tables both are very, very slow.There is a charm to the place and it is an East Los Angeles institution.For anthropologists and tourists it’s worth the trip.
Value: Absolutely Not
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6
GALLEGO’S MEXICAN DELI (6.75)
12470 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista, Ca. 90066
(310) 391-2587
Rice: chicken base
Black Beans: vegetarian
Measurements: 8” circumference, 7” inches long (slightly smaller than average)
Gallego’s Burrito $5.30 after tax
Moved from Santa Monica to Mar Vista in 2002 Gallego’s still has an old fashioned quality that reflects its rich family history. Don’t let the strip mall exterior fool you, they have been family run for over 60 years and has the one-off integrity that no chain can replicate.
Gallego’s is tough to define. Kind of an old school Gringo joint meets authentic Mexican Deli with fresh baked goods, tamales and great tortas. The salsa bar is rich, but not their shinning achievement. No jalapenos in the pico de gallo and the salsas are heading in the Gringo direction: light lime verde; hearty verde; and rojo (recommended).
Closed on Sundays and holidays.
Value: Great for the Westside
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6.75
RICO’S TACOS (6.5)
6330 Pacific Blvd, Huntington Park, CA 90255
(323) 585-2624
Veggie Burrito $5.25 after tax
My buddy and I ventured down to Huntington Park in his totaled though still running Ford Jr. pickup truck to: La Flor De Loto, but it was closed, ended, no bail-out = kaput (news travels slow in L.A.). Loving Huntington Park, but being far from home we decided to find someplace else. Heading up Pacific Blvd I randomly called out Rico’s Tacos. We decided to give it a try.
Not too busy at lunchtime, they made our burritos exactly how we instructed, mine with whole pinto beans (not refried) and wrapped in foil, which they didn’t quite figure out, but did oblige.
Amazing salsas!!! This is one of the truest examples of a “Los Angeles Burrito”.
Value: Fair
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6.5
Huntington Park Vegetarian Burrito
ANTIGUA BREAD (6.75)
5703 N Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 259-9345
Measurements: 8.5” circumference, 7” length (slightly smaller than average)
Veggie Burrito $4.60 after tax
Feels like a Starbucks coffee shop with laptops, lattes, and mostly locals. The food is good, but clearly they haven’t put enough thought towards vegetarians. I ordered the Veggie Burrito, which is a breakfast burrito with eggs, potatoes (fresh), cheese and vegetables. They have one salsa: a light red chipotle very well constructed. Maybe they can put together a vegetarian lunch burrito (not on the menu)???
Value: Yes
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6.75
Highland Park Vegetarian Burrito
TACO SPOT (6)
2006 Colorado Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 256-7001
Measurements: 8.5” circumference, 6.5” length (smaller than average)
Vegetarian Burrito $6.31 after tax
Look at the salsa bar:
The salsa bar is disappointing, and there is black pepper in the pico de gallo.
Amazing “real” vegetarian burrito w/ black beans (refried option). Very well constructed.
Value: No. Seems really expensive for what you get.
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6
eagle rock vegetarian burrito
VIVA FRESH (6)
505 Washington Blvd Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 827-8775
6515 S Sepulveda Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 338-9153
Measurements: 9.5” circumference, 7” length (slightly larger than average)
Veggie Burrito $6.01 after tax
Veggie burrito w/ black or pinto beans, rice (red), cheese, guacamole, and lettuce. Four salsas and pico de gallo (no jalapenos) at the salsa bar. Salsas are “jar” like, but it’s always nice to have a salsa bar. The non-chunky hot sauce was my favorite.
Value: Average
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6
Marina Del Rey Vegetarian Burrito
MARIELA’S TACO (5)
3662 W 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90020
Measurements: 9” circumference, 7” length (standard size)
Vegetarian Burrito: $5.41 after tax
This is one of my best friend’s favorite spot, so I frequent this spot far more often than I would choose to myself. You’ll pay a vegetarian tax, the meat burritos are almost a dollar cheaper. But, the vegetarian burrito is decent: rice (chicken stock), re-fried beans (lard), lettuce, onions, cheese, avocado, and sour cream. Red and green hot sauce (with no heat): salsas are below average. No salsa bar, you have to ask for them. Also, they have a cheaper bean, rice and cheese option. There is something redeeming in the experience here ,Je ne sais quoi.
Value: Pricey for what it is
WIZARD’S SCORE: 5
Koreatown Vegetarian Burrito
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