CHARCOAL GRILL (5.25)
108 W 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 687-8040
www.thecharcoalgrilldowntown.com
Measurements: 9″ circumference; 7″ length (standard size)
Build your own burrito $6.57 after tax
Vegetarian burritos are subtle by nature. The simple nuances are key to a burrito’s success or failure. Most are relegated to mediocrity. The median is a fruitful category. It’s rare for a clean, fresh, healthy burrito to fall below the average. Charcoal Grill has achieved this rare feat. Flavorless, pointless, and possibly the worst salsa in the history of time. As a burritophile this place makes me contemplate anorexia. The one plus: if you don’t add meat or veggies, you can build your own burrito for $5.99 + tax = $6.57. With Chicken $9.26.
WIZARD’S SCORE: 5.25
EL HUARACHE VELOZ (THE FAST SANDAL) (6.5)
510 South Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 617-7058
Measurements: 9” circumference, 7” length (standard size)
Vegetarian Burrito = $5.83 after tax
El Huarache Veloz translated directly is the fast sandal, but is denoting huarache (their specialty dish). Huaraches are oblong fried pieces of mesa with varied toppings, differing from sopes in shape only.
The vegetarian burrito is not on the menu, it consists of: re-fried pinto beans, Spanish rice w/ corn, peas, and carrots, grated cheese, lettuce, tomato, sliced avocado in a grilled tortilla. Beans taste lard free, rice probably made with chicken stock.
No salsa bar. Burrito comes with salsa verde: a light yet hearty mildly spiced and hearty perfect compliment to the burrito. You can ask for the red sauce: a rich pastier spicy sauce that resembles enchelada sauce.
Three locations: Pacoima, Van Nuys and downtown on Broadway (I’ve only been to the downtown location).
Value: so so
WIZARD’S SCORE: 6.5
LA TORTA LOCA (8.25)
855 Santee Street Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 627-2424
Measurements: 8” circumference, 7” length (smaller than average)
Vegetarian Burrito: $5.25 or $6 Cuban Style after tax
All beans and rice are vegetarian
Hard to find owner operated oasis at the north end of the Santee shopping strip (Santee Alley). Nice blend of multi-cultural recipes from Mexico, Cuba, and the USA give La Torta Loca an original taste. Fresh ingredients, amazing habanero hot sauce and fresh mole (on Mondays), keep you coming back. The speak easy of downtown lunch spots. Not specifically a vegetarian place, but they do a great job of accommodating. Cuban style black beans without pork, rice without chicken stock and grilled tortillas. Three different red salsas: hot, medium and mild. The hot is killer hot (and one of the best out there), medium is a well balanced serrano pepper salsa, and the mild is made with arbol chiles. No salsa bar. Not open after 5pm.
Value: Good considering the quality
WIZARD’S SCORE: 8.25
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