574558 Sun Nov 23 10:25:28 -0800 2008 36 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 4195867 I'll be in SF for a week and am looking to try some taquerias outside my usual routine. I would love to get SF Hounds' reccommendations for places with good structural integrity (no knife-and-fork burritos) and an emphasis on chicken, al pastor, and asada, in that order. To give you a sense of my preferences, my gold standard is the super burrito with chicken or al pastor at Taqueria San Jose. I'm also a fan of the super burrito al pastor at El Farolito, and the veggie burrito at Taqueria Cancun. I'm not such a fan of the burritos at Pancho Villa (poor structural integrity), La Taqueria (no rice) or the al pastor at Cancun. I'd also welcome any thoughts on these places specifically: La Cumbre: I was practically raised on asada burritos from La Cumbre. I love the way they steam the cheese in the tortilla. But I've read some reports that the asada is a pale shadow of what it once was. Is this true? Is it still worth trying the chicken? For some bizarre reason, good chicken is hard to find in LA taquerias... Papalote: I've heard some great things about this place. One thing I'm not so keen about is the refried black beans (I get too much of that at Oaxacan places in LA). Is this place worth trying if I get other beans? El Castillito: I understand they do the cheese similar to La Cumbre. Is this true? El Faro: Supposedly the first to sell a Mission burrito. Worth trying? Sun Nov 23 10:25:28 -0800 2008 18466 a_and_w 1 4196198 One exceptional burrito joint not mentioned is La Corrneta. But then again I also like the burritos at La Taquaria and Pancho Villa (as a civil engineer, I find the structural integrity just fine, lol), so La Corrneta might not be your thing. Excellent Spanish rice and carne asad though. One small note, if you mean beef for asada, you need to include the carne part, as in carne asada. One of my favorites is the pollo asada (chicken) with extra pollo, spicy salsa, and the rice & beans on the side at Cinco de Mayo on San Bruno. Sun Nov 23 13:49:06 -0800 2008 4195867 13300 Civil Bear 2 4198331 Many thanks for the info and correction. That just shows you what a low priority chicken is at LA taquerias. Down south, ordering "asada" gets you beef most of the time. Perhaps I had bad luck at Pancho Villa. Between them and La Corneta, which do you prefer? Mon Nov 24 11:26:54 -0800 2008 4196198 18466 a_and_w 3 4201305 Good question, but without a doubt the carne asada at La Corneta reigns supreme. I just had one yesterday with no rice & beans but extra meat and mixed salsa. With a little salsa verde added from the the plastic squeeze bottles to cover each bite -- very juicy and flavorful. It has been awhile since I have been to Pancho Villa, but I usually order the carne/shrimp combo burrito or the shrimp quesadilla without disappointment.. Tue Nov 25 11:56:43 -0800 2008 4198331 13300 Civil Bear 4 4203597 Awesome -- I believe La Corneta will be my next stop. Wed Nov 26 09:53:11 -0800 2008 4201305 18466 a_and_w 5 4207234 Sadly, La Corneta was closed when I went by today for lunch. Also, I was a little turned off by reports of veggie niblets in the rice, which is a pet peeve of mine. Fri Nov 28 15:57:00 -0800 2008 4203597 18466 a_and_w 6 4207466 Yup, La Corneta has some vegies in the rice. I find it to be a nice touch. Sounds like we are just on different wavelenghths when it comes to taquarias! :>) Fri Nov 28 18:33:29 -0800 2008 4207234 13300 Civil Bear 7 4208081 Chacun a son gout! Sat Nov 29 09:08:02 -0800 2008 4207466 18466 a_and_w 1 4196491 Taq. Guadalajara and Taq. San Francisco are also worthy contenders. Papalote is def. worth trying, as is the El Tonayense taco truck. Sun Nov 23 16:02:19 -0800 2008 4195867 79880 xanadude 2 4198339 Thanks. I'm a little OD'ed on taco trucks in LA, but I'll give Taquerias Guadalajara and San Francisco a look. Regarding Papalote, is it worth trying even if I don't want the black refried beans? Do they even have other options? Mon Nov 24 11:28:54 -0800 2008 4196491 18466 a_and_w 3 4198530 As a mission native now also living in abstencia, i have found both guadalajara and san francisco to be superlative in thier offerings. while its not traditional (and by this i mean in the tradition of the mission, without regard to any debates over authenticity) the chile relleno burriot at Taq. SF is a cheesy hunk of deliciousness. Consult your cardiologist before conusming. salivating from afar . . . Mon Nov 24 12:43:31 -0800 2008 4198339 108056 tex.s.toast 4 4206850 I tried the chile relleno burrito at SF but it had a moldy taste and no avocado!!! I got a grilled chicken one for my daughter, and also, no avocado!! I was specific, paid for same. How sad to get home to discover the omission. Didn't like enough to ever return. Who else has a good chile relleno? Farolito's on 24th seems to always drip all over the place. La Taqueria does not sell them. Fri Nov 28 11:38:47 -0800 2008 4198530 12520 walker 3 4198948 They have other kinds of beans. I like their grilled prawn burritos. Even if you eat it there, try to remember to have them wrap it in foil. Great salsa; (it's pureed). Mon Nov 24 14:55:39 -0800 2008 4198339 12520 walker 1 4196619 I'm certainly no burrito expert, but I do eat a lot of them since they are tasty and economical. If you're in town for an entire week, I'd suggest you have the luxury of being able to sample a variety. So you needn't worry about sampling something uncertain like El Faro (and there are several scattered around town), since you'll certainly find something to satisfy you while you're here. I work at 16th and Mission, so I'm familiar with many of the burrito places in that area. While the food at Pancho Villa is fine, I've never quite understood the raving mania about that place. I fail to see the point of standing in a long line for food I can just as easily get across the street. I'd much rather get a "spicy chicken" burrito at Mariachi's (I'm slightly addicted to that one these days) on Valencia near 16th, or a carnitas burrito at Los Coyotes (on 16th between Valencia and Mission). For health and financial reasons, I've been getting a "regular" burrito these days, which doesn't include cheese. But a flavorful meat, some creamy pinto beans and some hearty rice can be a quite satisfying combination, in my humble opinion. Sun Nov 23 17:13:07 -0800 2008 4195867 184315 weem 2 4198344 Thanks for the tip. I actually like cheese on my burrito. Is the "spicy chicken" burrito you mention grilled or stewed? Mon Nov 24 11:30:20 -0800 2008 4196619 18466 a_and_w 3 4202552 I love cheese, too. In fact, I love it with the works. Even "wet", with enchilada sauce. But lately I've been economizing on my money and calories with just a regular. And the "spicy chicken" meat that I've been getting lately is stewed, not grilled. Tue Nov 25 20:39:09 -0800 2008 4198344 184315 weem 1 4196631 The pollo asada at La Cumbre is definitely worth ordering. I think it's the best in SF. Great marinate, big chunks and usually fresh since it produces high turn over yet it sits okay as well. For the carne asada at LC, it can be good like the old days *IF* it's fresh. If I see it being grilled I'll order it and ask for it. If I was coming out of town, I'd ask for a fresh piece. The thing is, beef has gone semi-out of style at many taquerias, or chicken is just order more. This has effected turn over and thus quality. Grilled skirt steak (or any steak) shouldn't sit around. Another thing, they tend not to salt the beef. My strategy when going to LC is to plan on ordering the pollo asada and often order both if the beef looks good. The pollo asada will not disappoint. Sun Nov 23 17:19:44 -0800 2008 4195867 27275 ML8000 2 4198348 Awesome -- La Cumbre is definitely on my list this time. Like I said, chicken is an afterthought at most LA taquerias, so I'm excited to taste places that do it well in SF. Mon Nov 24 11:32:07 -0800 2008 4196631 18466 a_and_w 3 4203557 La Cumbre was my first stop yesterday. Ordered a super chicken with no lettuce. Chicken was moist and the burrito was very well constructed -- I have no doubt it would have passed my test of making it through SFO security with no burstage. But the overall result was a little bland. I was disappointed that I couldn't taste the cheese, which is what I remember most about La Cumbre. ML800, have you tried the chicken burrito at San Jose Taqueria? They marinate the chicken in red-chili abodabo. I like it with black beans. Wed Nov 26 09:36:04 -0800 2008 4198348 18466 a_and_w 4 4207252 ML800, demoted or decimated? Fri Nov 28 16:07:09 -0800 2008 4203557 105235 wolfe 5 4207339 Hard to say. I never order a super or get cheese on my burritos, or lettuce. Burritos are not only subjective but the possibilities of combo makes it a very difficult comparo. For example, if you picked the following basic options: 1 type of meat (pollo asada, carne asada, carnitas and al pastor) 3 types of beans (pinto, black, refried) 2 options for rice (yes or no) 2 options for cheese (yes or no) 2 options for sour cream (yes or no) 2 options for salsa (hot or mild) With these you end up with 48 possible options plus the subjectives like quality and preferences. If you pull one option you still have 24 possible combos. My point is that it's not always a straight ahead comparo. THAT SAID - if any one doesn't like what they ordered, nothing else really matters. Side note: I can't remember if it's burritoeater.com or the other SF burrito review site but orders the exact same combo -- a carne asada with certain things ( I think black beans, cheese and sour cream). Scientifically this makes for a better comparison but cusine-wise (or if that's not "your" combo), the point is somewhat lost in my opinion. Also, for taquerias, I stick to the assumption most mom and pop ethnic places (heck, any mom and pop) usually prepares 2-3 things exceptionally well, and another 4-5 well -- and it's your job to figure out what works for you best. Additionally, if you factored in 4 types of meat options at a taqueria, you're at 192 combos from the list above, which simply means it's even more difficult to compare taquerias head to head vs. just one type of burrito. Side note #2: My order varies to situation, like if it's pollo asada to go - I order refried beans (hold up better IMO) and I will only eat some burritos there, like Cancun's toasted tortilla. As they say, YMMV. Fri Nov 28 17:05:09 -0800 2008 4207252 27275 ML8000 6 4208075 ML8000 (sorry for the typo above LOL!) I'm talking strictly about the chicken here. Have you tried the pollo asado at Taqueria San Jose? If not, I urge you to give it a shot, as I'd be curious to get your thoughts. Also, to clarify, doesn't Cancun steam and toast the tortilla? Sat Nov 29 09:06:25 -0800 2008 4207339 18466 a_and_w 7 4208886 Honestly I haven't been to TSJ for at least 10 years. It use to be the place to go, a long, long time ago because they use to stay open until 3 a.m. (or maybe that was El Faralito). My late night go to place has always been Cancun (La Parilla Suiza for you real old timers). A few friends like TSJ. I don't live in the City any longer, moved to the East Bay 3 years ago, so I only go to a handful of places in SF. If I'm in the hood, I'll have to check out TSJ, unless someone wants to go to La Taqueria...which many feel is safe in that area (I find a bit bland). Sat Nov 29 17:34:48 -0800 2008 4208075 27275 ML8000 1 4196943 El Burrito Express. I get the shredded chicken, but be warned it's a classic SF burrito...with rice. I tried Papalote recently and don't get all the fuss. The burrito on the plate thing loses points for starters. Sun Nov 23 19:49:00 -0800 2008 4195867 145096 sugartoof 2 4198351 Thanks -- I'm not at all averse to rice in my burritos. Does Papalote wrap its burritos in foil or is it a knife-and-fork affair? Mon Nov 24 11:33:15 -0800 2008 4196943 18466 a_and_w 3 4198670 I imagine takeout comes with foil, but if you eat in at the 24th St. location, they'll tell you to take a seat, and bring you a burrito on a plate without tin foil. Might be tolerable if my carne asada wasn't so tough. Mon Nov 24 13:25:56 -0800 2008 4198351 145096 sugartoof 4 4206639 Try the grilled chicken -- it was well seasoned and delectable. Fri Nov 28 09:03:32 -0800 2008 4198670 18466 a_and_w 1 4199383 Might wanna search for burritoeater.com (I think) A local SF fanatic who's been blogging burritos for a while. Adam Mon Nov 24 17:44:13 -0800 2008 4195867 154787 adamshoe 2 4206635 Thanks -- I'm a big fan of burritoeater.com. Fri Nov 28 09:02:30 -0800 2008 4199383 18466 a_and_w 1 4202736 For the first time in like a hundred years I went into Pancho Villa yesterday. Got a regular al pastor. It was pretty ok. It was also $7 which is --way-- too much for a rice-beans-meat regular. But tasty and there's a salsa and jalapeno bar in the back. I guess technically I spent $8 because the mariachi guys did the come begging with the hat thing. I figured, I'll give this guy a dollar and maybe he'll tune his violin. The carne asada itself at La Cumbre hasn't changed. I think it's the rice. Something about the regualr with cheese is just drier and bulkier than it used to be five, six years ago. Tue Nov 25 23:16:50 -0800 2008 4195867 25310 Chuckles the Clone 2 4203567 Yes, I was a little overwhelmed by the rice, which dominated the burrito. I'm generally pro-rice on burritos, but I think we ordered them without rice when I was a child. Wed Nov 26 09:39:05 -0800 2008 4202736 18466 a_and_w 1 4206654 Tried Papalote the other day and was really impressed. Ordered a super chicken burrito with whole black beans and wrapped in foil. Chicken was well-marinated and juicy. Burrito was smaller than most but had great proportions and distribution of ingredients. That orange salsa they make is ridiculously good. I will definitely be back, particularly for a lunch burrito. Fri Nov 28 09:16:43 -0800 2008 4195867 18466 a_and_w 1 4207231 Tried Taqueria Guadalajara for a super burrito al pastor. I think I must have hit them on an off day. The main culprit was an extremely watery pico de gallo that left the burrito cold. The al pastor had a rubbery texture and lacked flavor, though it may have been dulled by the pico liquid. Fri Nov 28 15:53:43 -0800 2008 4195867 18466 a_and_w 2 4217727 i have had good and bad al pastor from guadalajara, though the bad was not as bad as you mention. the oddest experience was when it had (many) large chunks of obviously canned pinapple in it. so strange. i find their burritowork to be above par, in general, however. Wed Dec 03 11:16:24 -0800 2008 4207231 108056 tex.s.toast 3 4217951 They were clearly competent -- the burrito was otherwise well constructed. I tasted the pineapple just a bit. I'm not averse to pineapple with my al pastor, but I wonder if the juice contributed to the liquid in the burrito. Wed Dec 03 12:24:27 -0800 2008 4217727 18466 a_and_w 1 4219392 El Balazo on Haight. Yum! Wed Dec 03 23:25:38 -0800 2008 4195867 245067 naberens 1 4824923 Was only able to hit my two favorites, Taqueria San Jose and Taqueria Cancun, on a recent visit. The super chicken with black beans was as good as ever at TSJ. Unfortunately, my veggie burrito at Cancun fell short of the gold standard I've come to expect. In particular, there was way too much rice on my burrito. Thu Jul 02 11:37:26 -0700 2009 4195867 18466 a_and_w