175058 Mon Aug 01 09:58:09 -0700 2005 23 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 941468 Today's edition of the Post Express has coupons for free burritos from California Tortilla. The coupons expire at the end of the month. Mon Aug 01 09:58:09 -0700 2005 0 Lori D 1 941471 Even for free, I wouldn't eat there again. Horrible. Mon Aug 01 10:35:41 -0700 2005 941468 0 Spike 2 941480 This place seems to be expanding like crazy; they must be doing something right. Seems hard to mess up a burrito to the point that it's inedible. What makes CT so bad. Poor ingredients? Lack of flavor? Bad construction? Mon Aug 01 11:49:15 -0700 2005 941471 0 Dan 3 941492 This is the chowhound board. This board doesn't take the bland tastes and mindless cattle like attractions that make places like CT expand like that. If most people were chowhounds, McD's would be a chain of maybe 30 in California. Mon Aug 01 13:03:23 -0700 2005 941480 0 Dennis S 4 941498 Exception please, sir! Some of us have our personal "guilty pleasures." Nothing we're proud of, but as mentioned below, sometimes you just seriously need a Tipy's Taco or a Big Mac (have I described how much better a Filet-O-Fish is when you ask for it without cheese, 'cause then they'll make it fresh?) Mon Aug 01 15:02:08 -0700 2005 941492 0 Wayne Keyser 5 941509 I agree. There are some food skeletons in every pantry. Mon Aug 01 16:02:19 -0700 2005 941498 0 Tugboat 6 941520 Indeed I did say I eat at Tippy's about once a year, and indeed I do grab a McMuffin here and there (though in Reston I will try to go to Lake Anne Coffee if they're open and I have time). I was responding to the sentence, reposted here: This place seems to be expanding like crazy; they must be doing something right. There are multiple reasons chains like this do thrive, and yes, CT is doing it right: - they have *cool* graphics and a name that appeals to the masses - the have multiple locations (Chains thrive due to their multiplicity - it's safe and recognizable) - they also have the food that is easily comprehended and accepted by the masses; such as no lengua, etc. By comparison, ECC in Arlington is so successful that Jose is going to kill himself keeping it going. Luckily though, the masses don't know of him or stay away from fear. In my humble opinion, given the choice, I'm going to the non chain. However, to stay on the topic as it's developing, someone asked why CT is expanding. I'm not knocking the food or saying I'm above it, I'm offering the reasons why it is so successful in our short sighted society. Mon Aug 01 16:51:57 -0700 2005 941509 0 Dennis S 7 941548 What is "ECC in Arlington?" El... Charro? Carro? Coyoacan? Capitan? Capital? Tue Aug 02 09:45:18 -0700 2005 941520 0 DC in DC 8 941552 It was El Charro when he was in the cart, now it's El Charrito Caminante. Just south of Pershing on Washington, between a chinese place and the 7-11. I rec the chorizo, either burrito or taco, but I've not had anything bad there. As to the wisenheimer poster @!@, I would say that I do have issues with our throw away society, and the chain (herd) mentality is a large factor. The fact that chains are so prevalent is a major symptom of the root problem. Tue Aug 02 09:59:18 -0700 2005 941548 0 Dennis S 9 941562 But how is California BUrrito any less of a "throw-away" place than the precious ECC? Tue Aug 02 11:39:40 -0700 2005 941552 0 @!@ 10 941566 Well, if you're in a hurry, TECC is not the place to go. The wait for delicious food can sometimes be maddening! And although I've never been to California Tortilla, I imagine that (like most chains) fast service is paramount. Tue Aug 02 12:00:10 -0700 2005 941562 0 Steve 7 941572 Amen! Tue Aug 02 14:14:54 -0700 2005 941520 0 Rosco 5 941603 Tippy's taco isn't a guilty pleasure is it? I never felt guilty. Its just... damn good. and cheesy, and greasy. yum. Tue Aug 02 22:09:15 -0700 2005 941498 0 Neil Cooler 6 941615 For me it's a guilty pleasure b/c it takes me back to my mom using Old El Paso everything. Since then I've discovered all the different 'authentic' styles, from southwest, tex mex, different mexican variations and variations from further south, etc. On a thinly related note, we need to get together some hounding in Herndon/Reston on some of these places, and maybe have a comparison of all. Qdobo, El Dorado, the other places in KMart, Teocalli, Anita's, etc, etc, etc. One a week? Wed Aug 03 09:22:50 -0700 2005 941603 0 Dennis S 4 941508 So there is nothing you like that may not be viewed as Chow-worthy? This is a board that regularly touts Trader Joes as a mecca of good food. Those posts show up every week. Please. Mon Aug 01 16:00:53 -0700 2005 941492 0 Tugboat 3 941524 The reason their food can be described as bland is that it pretty much is. They leave it essentially sauceless/spiceless and expect you to spice it up with one of the huge selection of hot sauces they have there. Unfortunately, none are reasonable substitutes for a good fresh hot salsa. If you are willing to tinker with them a bit, they aren't half bad. A co-worker requested that we take her there for a going away lunch and they were great to us...clearly happy to have the business...and while it wouldn't be my first choice for lunch I didn't think it was as bad as people had made it out to be. It may help to go for tacos rather than burritos. The two people who ordered the "buffalo chicken" burrito both liked it. If you are looking for authenticity forget it though. Mon Aug 01 17:47:43 -0700 2005 941480 0 Lowbar 1 941472 Worth the price, but not a penny more . . . . Mon Aug 01 10:43:44 -0700 2005 941468 0 Bonz 2 941491 So I can calibrate your review, which big-fat-burrito place do you like? Mon Aug 01 12:56:57 -0700 2005 941472 0 Tugboat 3 941567 Personally, I'm not a burrito fan, but I would go for the goat burrito at Taqueria El Charrito Caminante in Arlington. ALthough Bonz may have missed your post, I know he's a fan of the place too. Tue Aug 02 12:03:37 -0700 2005 941491 0 Steve 4 941592 Ooops, yes, I did miss this post, and yes, I am a big TECC fan. When not getting the tacos, or papusas, or chicorrone (sp?), I like the burrito supreme, either goat or chorizo. I think the supreme goes for the princely sum of $4, tax included. Tue Aug 02 19:16:13 -0700 2005 941567 0 Bonz 1 941593 the coupon you get if you're willing to embarrass yourself by singing Happy Birthday to the cashier amongst a lot of strangers... Tue Aug 02 19:22:40 -0700 2005 941468 0 LooLoo 2 941619 Changing the subject line messes up the use of the hot posts feature. The moderators have pointed out that if you must change the subject line, add your changes AFTER the original subject line to keep hot posts intact while letting others see your change. Thanks, Kevin Wed Aug 03 09:38:11 -0700 2005 941593 0 KOK 1 941654 Bummer - I was on the Metro Monday and was browsing a copy of the rag but didn't see a California Burrito coupon. I'm on their e-mail list and got an announcement for a 2-for-1 deal, but free (if you don't want to eat two, if that was the coupon deal) is better. And I'll bet you don't really have to sing Happy Birthday to get a free cupcake if you come in on the right day. I rather like the place myself, but I wish they gave at least a small handful of chips with the burritos. I like a little crunch to go along with lunch, but a whole order is more than I want to eat. To keep the moderators at bay, I think that when commenting about these places, we need to take into account that while they may be chains, there are local variations which may be worth discussing locally. I agree with the general blandness of California Tortilla's food, but that's pretty much to be expected anywhere but an exceptional restaurant. For an everyday lunch, it's just fine. I like CT much better than Mo's (Bailey's X-Roads, couple of doors from Trader Joe's). Mo's was pretty good when they first opened, but I guess the HQ management went home after a couple of months and now it's kind of blah. Among this sort of chain, at least around here, I think Baja Fresh gets my vote, but there's really quite a difference among the local shops. I was pleased to see one open on the West end of Fall Church (near Staples/Giant) since it's closer to me than the one at Lee Highway & Nutley Street and easier to park at than Clarendon, but everything I've had there just doesn't seem to be as good as the Lee Highway one. The Baha Fresh shops in California have a grilled mahi mahi taco that I like, but they don't seem to have that one here. Guess I'll have to refresh myself at Taco Poblano. Wed Aug 03 12:36:00 -0700 2005 941468 0 Mike 1 941665 I've eaten at California Tortilla and wasn't impressed either. They continuously have promotions, which probably isn't a good sign. One of the better chain joints in this area is Baja Fresh, which has great pico de gallo, but are cheap with the tortilla chips. Both Chipotle and Buritto Brothers are average, with the latter being worse. Wed Aug 03 14:18:19 -0700 2005 941468 0 RL