SENOR FISH – DOWNTOWN LA (8.5)

422 E 1^st Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 625-0566

www.senorfishla.com

Measurements: 9” circumference, 7” length (standard size)

Veggie or Tofu burrito = $6.53 after tax

Bean + Cheese burrito = $4.34 after tax

Pulitzer Prize winning food-ologist Jonathan Gold praised Senior Fish in his review almost a decade ago. Shocking to vegetarians, Burrito Wisdom has deemed Senor Fish one of the best veggie burritos in L.A.  It’s one of the best because of their fresh ingredients, original recipes, 5 different sauces at the self serve salsa bar, and fresh pico de gallo w/ jalapenos.

I awarded the Downtown Los Angeles Senor Fish with the “Best Vegetarian Burrito in Los Angeles” for the first half of 2009, but in July 2009 they tweaked their recipe and decreased the size of their burritos.  These changes lowered their score and knocked them out of the first position.

Vegetarian burrito: Zucchini/ corn based vegetable medley, whole pinto beans (no lard), Spanish rice (red), guacamole, crema, cabbage and cheese in a flour tortilla.  The Tofuritto is great!  Not a big fan of tofu in Mexican, but this works.  Breaded tofu sauteed in a Sriracha sauce (Thai hot sauce).  Similar to the veggie burrito minus the zucchini based medley, plus marinated tofu.

Best sauces: Habanero (hottest), and house salsa (mildest). In between: Chipotle, Guajillo, Verde. The habanero is a light reddish orange that has a distinct spicy flavor. The house salsa is a great burrito compliment too.  Senor Fish is unconventional, their burritos and salsas are outside of the box.  If you are a conservative burrito eater you may not “get” Senor Fish.

Value: Fair considering the salsa bar

WIZARD’S SCORE: 8.5

Downtown Los Angeles/ Little Tokyo

South Pasadena

Eagle Rock

www.burritowisdom.com

AY CARAMBA (7.5)

714 Traction Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90013

(213) 620-0274

Measurements: 9.5” circumference, 7.5” length (bigger than average)

Vegetarian Burrito $5.49 after tax

Whole Pinto Beans: vegetarian

Rice: vegetarian

Tucked away off most Angeleno’s radar in the Arts District just east of Little Tokyo, Ay Caramba is a neighborhood secret. Mini-convenience store and Owner-operated with all ingredients and sauces made fresh on-site.  No salsa bar.

Burritos are served plated with sauce on top: green (tomatillo) or red (tomato), almost identical in taste (perfect for Christmas style).  I order my burrito wrapped (hand held style), with neither red nor green sauce (they both taste like vegetable soup base to me), but get their fresh hot sauce on the side (usually on the tables).  They offer a Vegan burrito as well (guessing same as Vegetarian minus cheese).

Value: Get the $5 burritos while they last ($5.49 after tax)

WIZARD’S SCORE: 7.5