586974 Sun Jan 11 11:19:21 -0800 2009 62 19 Outer Boroughs 0 4316238 I am on a quest for the best burrito in new york. When I was living up in Williamsburg I tried Loco Burrito and LA Burrito (affiliated) and found they're burritos lacking. Their 3 bean taco special is a can't beat price-wise (though they can be a touch soggy). As Far as the downtown brooklyn area, I've tried Calexico, Castro's, Bigote's; all just didn't live up to my expectations, though all are decent in a pinch. I suspect the key might be to venture up to Queens. I am looking for something along the lines of Cancun Taqueria in San Francisco. Amazing. Something you don't have to eat with a fork and knife: you know, Mission style. Of course I am not interested in big chains like Qdoba or Chipotle's. I know I a not being very specific in terms of locale, but I just can't seem to find anything that matches my expectations: fresh cilantro, sliced aguacates, etc. Sun Jan 11 11:19:21 -0800 2009 256196 ftgsandwich 1 4318202 not mission style, but the Chicken Mole burrito at De Mole is awesome and everybody I've recommended it to seems to agree. Mon Jan 12 07:25:29 -0800 2009 4316238 78039 Widmark 1 4318392 I would not bother coming to queens for a burrito. I wouldn't consider NYC a burrito town. If you are looking for a mission style burrito close to new york, get on the chicken bus to Boston and hit up Anna's Taqueria for a super burrito. I have eaten burritos at almost every place you mention above as well as the burritos at De Mole...we do not have mission style in NYC. Anna's steams the torillas with cheese then adds rice, whole beans, and excellent meat with amazing salsa and guac. It's like eating at Chipotle except not gross. I would suggest switching over to tacos while in NYC... www.annastaqueria.com Mon Jan 12 08:22:13 -0800 2009 4316238 61595 Intangible 2 4318977 Anna's Taqueria is the shit! I grew up in Watertown and used to go there all the time. thanks for the input, intangible. Mon Jan 12 11:08:42 -0800 2009 4318392 256196 ftgsandwich 2 4319693 You would not bother eating burrito's in queens ? is that what you're insinuating ? you obviously have an aversion to queens.. If you're basing your opinion based on what you've been able or unable to find on roosevelt ave -- you should re-consider. In Queens, if you know what you want or how you want your burrito prepared, all you really have to do is ask and it'll be done. It's a NY thing, sometimes you have to be a little clearer, work a little harder, look a little deeper to get exactly what you want. Mon Jan 12 14:12:17 -0800 2009 4318392 192208 hboogz 3 4320778 no aversion to queens...I've lived here in sunnyside/woodside areas for the last 7 years. You just haven't been to burrito heaven my friend... a steamed tortilla style burrito with whole bean. I know there is good mexican in queens, I eat it all the time but it ust never compares to something like anna's in boston. Mon Jan 12 20:40:13 -0800 2009 4319693 61595 Intangible 4 4343924 I always thought boca grande was better than Anna's. Either way those are SF mission style burritos. Wed Jan 21 06:44:34 -0800 2009 4320778 21954 2slices 5 4353963 i assumed it was the other way around. i prefer anna's Sat Jan 24 11:50:06 -0800 2009 4343924 256196 ftgsandwich 3 4322308 I understand the reasoning--there is a lot of good MEXICAN food in Queens, but burritos are CAL-MEX. It has to do with regional specialties. The great cooks of Jackson Heights did not come up cooking in the Mission District. Tue Jan 13 10:42:49 -0800 2009 4319693 15750 Mandymac 3 4324762 Hmmm....funny, I don't understand your comment even though I live in Queens and adore its food--the best in NYC. But "Missions Style" Burritos ain't recent immigrant fare in Queens, and if you're looking for skippy-doodle williamsburgh or even Park Slope food in Queenz you'll be sorely disappointed. So, Queens supporters, if you thinkn you're being dissed then come out and tell us where to get a good "Mission Style" skippyburgher in the royalist of boroughs! I'm not sure I'm up for just walking into any of my neighborhood's Mexican groceries or delicious taco joints (the two combined in Astoria off Bwy and 29th St. in the grocery store with lunch counter thre are excelelnt) and directing them as to how to make a proper West Coast burrito...In fact, ,given the way beans are used in those places it'd be quite hard Wed Jan 14 06:04:03 -0800 2009 4319693 38753 zemilideias 2 4319712 and you think Chipotlle's gross ? that's pretty damned harsh and, personally, pretty dumbfounding. Chipotle is probably one of the more neutral, freshest tasting "tex-mex" or what i would call "amex" foods around, for the price and sheer convenience. Gross ? please, stop it... IMHO of course. Mon Jan 12 14:17:52 -0800 2009 4318392 192208 hboogz 3 4319815 Got to agree with the comments above. You can get anything in Queens and Chipotle's is hardly "gross." I don't go there often, but the few times I've stopped in, I've found the food to be exceptionally fresh and pretty tasty. Also Intangible, you suggest that the poster skip Queens and instead hop on a bus to Boston. Great advice. Practical too. Mon Jan 12 14:51:28 -0800 2009 4319712 11497 Claire 3 4320789 Chipotle is gross, sorry. Chowhounds might find it tasty and "fresh" but come on... maybe when I'm drunk and it's convenient. Mon Jan 12 20:47:05 -0800 2009 4319712 61595 Intangible 4 4321177 That may be the problem. Try going when you're sober. Tue Jan 13 05:04:49 -0800 2009 4320789 11497 Claire 4 4321181 Agreed. Chipotle is gross. All that capital from Micky D's and they couldn't even steam the tortilla. The whole thing was chalky in my mouth. Erstaz "fresh" does not mean not gross. In Poblano-heavy NY, Mex restaurants just make burritos for skippy doodle. Yeah, so stick to the tacos. Tue Jan 13 05:06:00 -0800 2009 4320789 36291 guide boy 5 4321896 What's "erstaz" about it? And what does "skippy doodle" mean? Tue Jan 13 08:57:59 -0800 2009 4321181 11497 Claire 6 4327805 Heh, it's true: if you want to use a fancy word, you should spell it right. But I think a chain restaurant attempting to recreate and standardize Mexican or even Cal-Mex cuisine on a national basis will always appear "ersatz" to some types of people. No idea what "skippy doodle" means exactly, but I assume it's a pejorative term directed at people who don't obsess over culinary authenticity when patronizing ethnic restaurants. All that being said, I think a valid point is being made. If you must have a burrito in NYC (and we all get specific cravings), you might find a decent one, but you shouldn't expect it to taste like an SF-style burrito. Just like you shouldn't expect bagels or pizza out in SF to taste like what you get here. And I agree, if you're out for Mexican in NYC, tacos are usually the superior option, though most of my experiences have been in and around Sunset Park, not Queens. Can't comment on Chipotle, as I've never eaten at one. Wed Jan 14 22:52:33 -0800 2009 4321896 218541 hhhippo 5 4337607 This talk of steaming tortillas being good surprises me. Steaming is common, yes, but it's common because it's fast. The best places do not steam, which leaves a soggy and insipid tortilla. Instead, they toast the tortilla. Sun Jan 18 18:41:57 -0800 2009 4321181 26511 Andrew Hyatt 1 4318570 BTW, I think Bigote's didn't make it. I've passed by several times in the past week at all times of the day and the gates were down. Mon Jan 12 09:11:46 -0800 2009 4316238 12428 bobjbkln 1 4319912 Head to Sunset Park. The best burrito I've had in 5+ years here was at Tacos Matamoros. Now, it came on a plate, knife and fork style, but the taste was every bit as good as you'd find at el farrolito, pancho villa, or any other good mission joint. Mon Jan 12 15:23:14 -0800 2009 4316238 20346 bhill 1 4320188 Many decent Puebla/Guerrero places are adding burritos for the gabachos I guess. The tipping point will be when the big commercial Brooklyn tortilla makers come up with a fresh daily tortilla grande de harina like you'd get in South Tucson, East LA or the Mission. Mon Jan 12 16:52:16 -0800 2009 4316238 73175 Flaco 2 4324768 Exactly...there's the difference between Brooklyn and Queens...Brookly in increasingly Skippy Doodle Wed Jan 14 06:07:02 -0800 2009 4320188 38753 zemilideias 2 4324942 And with lard, si Dios quiere. And makers of said burritos might want to skip the lettuce and rice that makes Chipotle/McD's such a sockful of bland swill. Orale, Flaco. Wed Jan 14 07:00:01 -0800 2009 4320188 36291 guide boy 3 4325054 I'm curious. Every burritto I've had in New York, and I'm not counting Chipotle's here, has included rice. We usually order them from Tacos Nuevos Mexicano and similar places. My husband grew up in a Mexican neighborhood in LA, and he's never said anything about rice being an usual ingredient in a burrito. We've had them with rice in CA when we visit, too. Wed Jan 14 07:35:09 -0800 2009 4324942 11497 Claire 4 4327662 Yeah, lots of burritos have rice in them, and beans and cheese and meat and salad and maybe sour cream and guacamole. Gringo food, and maybe some people's sock full of goodness. But less is usually more, and Mexican burritos tend to simpler, like carne enchilada wrapped in a tortilla, or whole beans and machaca together. Sometimes 7-11 sells nice frozen ones with beef and cheese, that you heat up in the microwave, preferably when drunk. Still way better than Chipotle. Wed Jan 14 21:08:22 -0800 2009 4325054 36291 guide boy 4 4331143 SF style= rice in the burrito, i think it's nasty myself... SoCal style= no rice... and yeah, while there are tons of places that do SF style burritos in NYC, i have never had a decent SoCal style burrito here... gave up and have switched to tacos... Fri Jan 16 02:57:26 -0800 2009 4325054 250135 pgunn 5 4334196 SF claims they invented the burrito! The whole "where's my Mission burrito, where's my fish taco" is just gabacho whining. Sure, I miss Anelcys in LA (now Guadalupe's Place? at Melrose & Western) and Guero Canelo at 12th and Utah in South Tucson but I've switched to tortas and cemitas without complaint. NYC has great Mexican food... Sat Jan 17 07:08:58 -0800 2009 4331143 73175 Flaco 6 4334412 Yes, agreed. The carne asada cemita that I had at Tacos Matamoros was better than any burrito I've had in San Francisco. Trying to find a great burrito in NYC is like trying to find an Italian Beef sandwich in San Antonio. Regional foods don't successfully travel unless there is a mass migration (Buffalo chicken wings in Raleigh or Charlotte) and even so the result is never the same as it is on home turf (i.e. bagels in South Florida--yuck.) Sat Jan 17 09:25:04 -0800 2009 4334196 13865 PAL 7 4334506 Agreed as well on tortas: your very average NYC torta is much tastier than an above average NYC burrito. Also: In San Antonio?! I'd love to be able to find an Italian Beef here in NYC! (Off topic, I know, but I've tried to recreate them here by asking sandwich shops to slather jus and hot peppers on Bklyn-style roast beef. Just isn't the same!) Sat Jan 17 10:17:18 -0800 2009 4334412 218541 hhhippo 6 5087303 I agree. East L.A. style is the best. I like El Tepeyac out there. But I did see that the new taco place on Lafayette has machaca on the menu. Wed Oct 07 19:53:21 -0700 2009 4334196 12325 Barry Strugatz 1 4320863 I rather like Taco Chulo. Not what I would call Mexican, but still a tasty burrito nonetheless. http://tacochulo.com/ Mon Jan 12 21:28:02 -0800 2009 4316238 150440 rodmur 2 4321550 I like Taco Chulo as well, and the burritos at Cinco de Mayo in Bayside (on Bell Blvd) are good. Neither offer mission style (I love Taqueria Cancun in SF! and Anna's Taqueria in Boston!) but the closest I've had to mission style burritos are at places like Benny's/Harry's Burritos and Blockheads in Manhattan. Steamed tortillas folded loooooooooong, yummy rice, whole beans, etc. Tue Jan 13 07:22:52 -0800 2009 4320863 53423 PlomeekSoup 3 4337713 Thanks for the input, guys, i'll try em out. Sun Jan 18 19:38:23 -0800 2009 4321550 256196 ftgsandwich 1 4321897 Buddy's Burritos (on Court Street in Cobble Hill) makes burritos that are huge and pretty tasty -- I think they are Mission-style, but then again, I'm not exactly sure what that means. Worth a try if you're in the neighborhood; probably not worth traveling great distances for. Tue Jan 13 08:58:00 -0800 2009 4316238 43763 Puppimus 2 4853458 I'll have to check 'em out. Thanks! Mon Jul 13 08:18:13 -0700 2009 4321897 256196 ftgsandwich 1 4322277 Taco Chulo is run by the nicest people you will ever meet. Their ingredients are always fresh, and organic when possible. Having said that, it is not exactly what I would call great Mexican. It is pretty mediocre taste wise. I prefer Hecho en Dumbo's little burritas. Tue Jan 13 10:37:41 -0800 2009 4316238 94651 NYJewboy 2 4322492 Hecho's burritas are great. Tue Jan 13 11:32:02 -0800 2009 4322277 11497 Claire 3 4323619 where in DUMBO is Hecho's ? Tue Jan 13 16:38:26 -0800 2009 4322492 192208 hboogz 4 4323663 Hecho En Dumbo is on Front street, next to the galleries. Tue Jan 13 16:55:02 -0800 2009 4323619 94651 NYJewboy 5 4324505 Here's place info (plus links to previous threads) ... Wed Jan 14 00:39:05 -0800 2009 4323663 10496 squid kun 1 4323294 La Taqueria in Park Slope. My husband is a CA guy and he loves their Al Pastor. Closest thing he's found to a Mission style burrito in NY. Tue Jan 13 14:50:50 -0800 2009 4316238 19455 AimeeD 2 4347429 I totally agree, Aimee - Taqueria in Park Slope rocks. I eat there at least once a week and it's spoiled me for other burritos. They have a good selection, the ingredients are fresh and the food is plentiful. They also recentty redid their dining room at the one on 7th ave, so it now includes a bar that serves two for one margaritas for happy hour. There are two locations, the one on 5th ave has a garden. http://www.rachelstaqueria.com/ Thu Jan 22 08:55:49 -0800 2009 4323294 241973 CGFoodie 1 4323555 Al pastor from Los Dos Compadres. Oh crap that is in Santa Clara CA. Well just enjoy what we do well here in NYC. Which luckily is about everything else. I don't mind Benny's but that may just be because growing up here in NYC was the first burrito I ever had. But they are cheap and so are the margarita's. But for a more exploratory eating experience I suggest La Vega in Corona Queens. Although I haven't tried their burritos' La Vega right below the 7 way out on Roosevelt and 103rd has great tacos, sopes and tostadas. A little bodega with a side restaurant and surprisingly good. Tue Jan 13 16:21:44 -0800 2009 4316238 193087 SpiceJunkies 1 4333675 Assumeing it still exists: Kitchen Market, like 8th ave and 20th I think. http://www.trafficeast.com/archives/issue-four/bright-food-shop-and-kitchen-market Fri Jan 16 19:44:59 -0800 2009 4316238 14468 Geo8rge 2 4333966 Closed a year and a half ago ... http://www.chow.com/manhattan_digest/2964 Sat Jan 17 01:08:20 -0800 2009 4333675 10496 squid kun 1 4334490 Taqueria de los Muertos on Washington between St. Marks and Prospect in Prospect Heights has a quite good, though not entirely authentic SF style burrito. The beans and rice taste right and the meat is moist if not quite as flavorful as some of the best in the Bay. They put their tortillas on the grill instead of steaming them, and they don't wrap them in foil, but other than that... pretty damn tasty. Proportions good, not too goopy with sour cream and guac. I think the owner and the cooks are from California. Definitely better than La Taqueria and Rachel's in Park Slope (WHO PUT LETTUCE IN THE BURRITOS) Sat Jan 17 10:10:13 -0800 2009 4316238 257892 guyonatlantic 2 4335430 I agree, Taqueria de los Muertos is one of my favorites, probably the best burrito in Brooklyn I can think of. It also has good tacos. And it clearly has the coolest name. Sat Jan 17 18:06:48 -0800 2009 4334490 12047 millerd 3 4337180 How far do they deliver? I'm guessing not Cobble Hill eh? ;) Sun Jan 18 15:04:46 -0800 2009 4335430 10971 Nehna 4 5075227 Not even into Park Slope unfortunately. Fri Oct 02 14:12:17 -0700 2009 4337180 129952 aravenel 2 4337735 I'll have to check em out. Thanks, guyonatlantic! Sun Jan 18 19:47:40 -0800 2009 4334490 256196 ftgsandwich 2 4356412 I tried it yesterday, and while I couldn't pick it up, it was quite tasty with really friendly service. My one criticism is that the tortilla could've been more fresh. The tomatillo salsa was great, though Sun Jan 25 13:24:54 -0800 2009 4334490 256196 ftgsandwich 1 4341653 Anyone ver try Blockheads on 2nd avenue around the 50's in manhattan. That place is great and the burritos are amazing. Im probably not a good person to answer this debate though. I love every burrito ive evr eaten. I even love a steak grilled stuffed burrito from the always delicious taco bells !!!! Tue Jan 20 10:27:11 -0800 2009 4316238 229286 montoya040 1 4358072 It is probably not "the best in NY" as the OP requested, but the burritos at Fast and Fresh Deli on Hoyt just above Atlantic are very very good. The only drawback? They close at 6:30, which is before I get home from work. Mon Jan 26 07:09:43 -0800 2009 4316238 51967 gangly handful 1 4853470 I am coming to realize the way to go is along the lines of the trucks at the baseball fields in Red Hook. The best I think I've had in Brooklyn is the Mexican family that has a cart on Bedford Ave near metropolitan ave. They'll even through some asparagus in if you ask them and they make some insane fresh watermelon juice! Mon Jul 13 08:20:53 -0700 2009 4316238 256196 ftgsandwich 1 4853667 newly opened La Copenita in Woodside, same people as Super Taco truck, make a really nice classic burritto...not mission style. Mon Jul 13 09:06:33 -0700 2009 4316238 78039 Widmark 1 4855947 I'm from the bay area and love burritos. Chibutthole is horrible. Cancun is great. I recently discovered a great burrito in New York! Never thought it would happen. In Williamsburg (or maybe its Bushwick) there's a place called Taco Santana. They have a great al pastor burrito. Its on Kent, just off of broadway. I've tried other things there, but the al pastor is by far the best. Also, around the corner is a little mexican market called Mexico 2000. They have great tacos. Again Al pastor is the way to go.... Mon Jul 13 20:53:48 -0700 2009 4316238 1093455 sircharles 2 5086574 This is old, but for the record, Taco Santana is on KEAP off B'way, not Kent. Wed Oct 07 14:56:41 -0700 2009 4855947 43763 Puppimus 1 5048636 I suggest a little trip to the Brooklyn Fleamarket in Fort Greene on a saturday. You won't find burritos, but you will find some nice tacos, quesadillas, tortas, grilled corn and aguafresca. There's also a pupusa stand that's very popular. The vendors are from Red Hook. http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-hook-ball-fields-brooklyn Tue Sep 22 07:26:56 -0700 2009 4316238 1111098 sparerack 2 5091640 I've always liked the burritos (and pretty much everything else) at Lupe's on 6th Ave and Watts just above Canal St. Plus it's been there a long time and reminds me of Hank's Wild Years. Fri Oct 09 12:33:22 -0700 2009 5048636 63035 HankyT 1 5093346 You've gotta come to Sunset Park for real Mexican Food! The mole Burrito at Eclipse on 43rd and 4th avenue is TO DIE FOR Sat Oct 10 09:22:48 -0700 2009 4316238 1115267 Allieschwa 1 5165425 The answer is Calexico. I've been searching over 5 years for a killer burrito in NYC and I finally found one. At $10, it's about 2x as expensive as a burrito in SF, but the ingredients are really fresh and the flavors are amazing and well-integrated. The Pollo Asado is cooked on a grill and appears to be mostly thight meat. Crispy and juicy at the same time. The steak is also juicy and delicious- not your usual thin meat reheated on a griddle. They use an avocado/lime sauce that really pulls the whole thing together, but I've ordered guac and sour cream as well to get the ultimate flavor explosion. They get my vote, hands down. Sun Nov 08 13:50:21 -0800 2009 4316238 20346 bhill 2 5165452 100% agree with bhill. Sun Nov 08 14:04:53 -0800 2009 5165425 61801 BigV 2 5173317 I tried Calexico last night based on your recommendation, and I have to say, I have found a new destination for burrito nirvana. I had guac and chips to start, and enjoyed a tofu asado burrito and a black bean taco. I found everything super fresh, tasty, and well prepared. The tofu was cubed and blackened on one side; very light and soft without being watery or tasteless. Their "crack sauce" is a creamy, delicious chipotle sauce, and I sampled several of the free salsas available near the counter. Everything was delicious, and it didn't hurt that they were playing the Ramones while I was there... Truly a great discovery, so thanks! Wed Nov 11 12:14:34 -0800 2009 5165425 53423 PlomeekSoup