LAS GLORIAS DEL BUEN COMER (6.5)
620 Silver Lake Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 484-9090
Measurements: 8” circumference, 7” length (smaller than average)
Soy Burrito $5.21 after tax
Charming affordable hideaway on Silver Lake Boulevard south of Sunset with a plethora of vegetarian options. Whole black beans or refried pinto beans, white rice and so so guacamole. Plain tofu chicken or beef. Food reminds me of Hugo’s Tacos: only it’s cheaper, has a more charming atmosphere, and everything tastes a little fresher. They make their own salsa and hot sauce.
Value: Good Value
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6.5
ASTRO BURGER (5)
5601 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 469-1924
Measurements: 9” circumference, 7” length (standard size)
Veggie Burrito $4.71 after tax
Actually I really like this place for their great vegetarian and vegan fast food menu, but not for their burritos. Refried beans (no lard), a whole lotta lettuce and shades of high end Taco Bell.
Value: Order something else like a Maui Burger
WIZARD’S SCORE: 5
HOW TO ORDER WHOLE PINTO BEANS IN SPANISH
I’ve encountered a few places that offer refried beans, but also have whole pinto beans. If no one speaks English, you can order them in Spanish: “frijoles de la olla” literally meaning beans of the pot.
BAJA BUD’S (5.75)
11205 National Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 478-2770
Measurements: 8” circumference, 6.5” length (smaller than average)
Veggie Burrito $5.68 after tax
There are 3 general classification for grading burritos: Equal to Chipotle (6), Better than Chipotle (>6), and Chipotle is better (<6). Chipotle is better than Baja Bud’s.
Baja Bud’s has a salsa bar.
Value: Kinda bad
WIZARD’S SCORE: 5.75
POQUITO MAS (6.5)
10651 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601
Measurements: 8” circumference, 7” length (smaller than average)
Veggie Burrito $4.82 after tax
If you like Baja Fresh, Poquito Mas does something simular, only better. Fresher, better aestetics, and the staff and menu just plain “get it”. If this place wanted to expand nationally, I’d invest. The downside: if you objectively analyze the food, it’s not amazing. The salsa bar looks better than it tastes with heavily gringofied salsas, none of which is remotely spicy or particularly flavorful.
Black Beans or Refried Beans
Value: Very Good (one of their mottos high quality and low cost).
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6.5
TERE’S MEXICAN GRILL (6)
5870 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(866) 796-8476
Measurements: 8” circumference, 7” length
Vegetarian Burrito (not vegetarian) $7.96 after tax
Tere’s is great if you’re not a vegetarian. But, the beans area REALLY LARDY. Probably one of the best lard infused burritos in Los Angeles. Burritos are served plated, so ask for it wrapped if you like it hand-style. Salsa bar is above average. You could probably figure out a way to order a burrito without beans, and somehow salvage this place, but at almost $8 for a burrito, why try?
Value: maybe the worst in town.
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6
EL TONAYENSE TAQUERIA (7.75)
3150 24th Street San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 550-9192
Measurements: 7.5” circumference, 7” length (smaller than average)
Regular Veggie Burrito $5.43 after tax
Day three: burrito #8. Got this one for the drive back to Los Angeles. Solid burrito, but I’m more impressed by the salsa dome. The spicy red/ green sauce (see middle sauce in photo) is notable as well as the pico de gallo.
Value: slightly worse than others in the area.
WIZARD’S SCORE: 7.75
LA TAQUERIA (8.5)
2889 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 285-7117
Measurements: 7.5” circumference, 8” length (smaller than average)
Regular burrito $3.80 after tax
Burrito Wizard Does San Francisco. Day 3, back to the Mission. Simple no frills burrito: pinto beans, jack cheese, and pico de gallo; similar to Pancho Villa, but a little watery (from pico de gallo) and not quite the consistency. No salsa bar, but they have a killer green hot sauce on the table. They charge $.50 for sour cream or guacamole.
Value: about average
WIZARD’S SCORE: 8.5
leave a comment