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As a matter of preference I chose LA because I really don't care for the (in)famous Mission burritos. I think they're way too bloated. OTOH my favorite taqueria is La Taqueria in SF on Mission (they've just recently closed the original San Jose location--shameful). For the quesadillas, not the burritos. Moreover, the mission burritos don't sit or reheat well what with all that crap like lettuce, sour cream and guacamole in them.
SJ could have gotten the nod, since downtown around the corner from La Taqueria's old location was a little place that may not be around anymore called the Guadalajara Market, although I'd always order the burrito with chili Colorado, which I think is more Tex-Mex. Delicious. After work, getting off the light rail, meat that had been simmering all day in red sauce... But they served their burritos normal the way I'm used to. If you wanted extra sides besides rice and beans they'd serve them in a cup on the side. Where they belong.
I would also have to say LA. I know that I've had better Mexican food in LA than anywhere outside of Mexico including Laredo, Tx. I have found that Laredo and San Antonio have good Mexican food, just not as good as LA. The funny thing is that other Texas cities like even Austin and Dallas and Houston don't really have good mexican food for some reason. It's like it ends at New Braunfels in Texas for some reason. That's not say that it doesn't exist in those places, it's just not wide spread. I have found New Mexico to have very good Mexican food as well as phoenix. I like San Diego and San Franciscos as well, but haven't really had enough time in those places to comment. They may be better than LA, but I wouldn't know. I havefound some of the best Mexican food in the states in NYC surprisingly. It's just not common to NYC and good mexican restaurants in NYC are hard to find and are definately not the norm. There is definately more bad mexican restaurants than good in NYC.
Coming from Austin, TX where there is A LOT of fantastic Mexican Food... I have to give it to San Antonio, which is even slightly better! Cali-Mex is good, just a different style. Texas is 100% Norteno, so it is spicier and beefier. California has that whole Asian-Mexican thing going, which is pretty good. But San Antonio beats that too, in my book.
I'm not trying to say the Mexican food is not good in the Bay Area or that it doesn't have some great places, I just never thought it was anything special. I just like the places, variety, and types of dishes down here more overall. There is just more too choose from and I love CA Burritos and Fish tacos, two things I really don't find much of up north.
I don't really remember the names of the Taco shops and restaurants I went to up there b/c I never really had a regular one that I always went to b/c never thought any were anything special. But some of the ones that I like in SD would be Wahoo's (just for fish tacos not a "real" mexican place though), Somberos, Santana's, El Zerape, El Agave are some that come to mind.
The Bay Area may have some places than can be just as good as down here or that serve a good burrito but overall there is just more to choose from and better variety in Southern CA and Baja CA.
Good post. Thanks for the rundown. One day I'll eventually check it out and see what I think!
OTOH my favorite taqueria is La Taqueria in SF on Mission. For the quesadillas, not the burritos.
I concur. The quesadillas there are bomb, but the burritos....eh, not so much.
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Originally Posted by Bunjee
Moreover, the mission burritos don't sit or reheat well what with all that crap like lettuce, sour cream and guacamole in them.
Very true. That's why I either kill mine right away or order it regular if I think I'll need to reheat it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunjee
SJ could have gotten the nod
That's what I often hear, but I haven't found too much down there that has impressed me. There used to be an excellent taco truck at King/Story behind King's Burger that's gone now, and Las Flamas on Monterey (I think?) has decent tortas, but other than those I've never been impressed. Do you or anyone else have some REALLY GOOD SJ suggestions??? I'd love to try some of what I always hear about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunjee
I'd always order the burrito with chili Colorado, which I think is more Tex-Mex. Delicious. After work, getting off the light rail, meat that had been simmering all day in red sauce...
I love really good Chile Colorado. Unfortunately they're not all created equal. Tapatia in SSF has a really good one tho IMO.
I hate this thread. Every day I check my updated threads and it makes me fiend for mexican Especially now living in California. I eat it pretty much every other day. I've been out here about a month and have eaten El Farolito 6 times already among others I haven't differed from asian/mexican theme yet...there is so many options and so much better than most other places. Yeah it isn't the BEST but for the price, it can't be beat. I prefer the simple corn tacos w/ carne asada over any burrito though, or mexican seafood dishes (i.e. a flash fried whole red snapper). Burritos are just too much carbs for me.
I havefound some of the best Mexican food in the states in NYC surprisingly. It's just not common to NYC and good mexican restaurants in NYC are hard to find and are definately not the norm. There is definately more bad mexican restaurants than good in NYC.
Which ones do you like? I agree about more bad than good mexican restaurants. Rosa Mexicana and Dos Caminos are good, not earth shattering. I've tried various Burrito outposts, and found them disappointing. Burritoes remind me of pillows; I've enjoyed La Esquina and some taco truck on 14th, west end.
If Burritos remind you of pillows then you have yet to try a good one. If done right, they are as good as food can get!
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Originally Posted by gichicago
Which ones do you like? I agree about more bad than good mexican restaurants. Rosa Mexicana and Dos Caminos are good, not earth shattering. I've tried various Burrito outposts, and found them disappointing. Burritoes remind me of pillows; I've enjoyed La Esquina and some taco truck on 14th, west end.
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The quesadillas there are bomb, but the burritos....eh, not so much.
I haven't differed from asian/mexican theme yet...there is so many options and so much better than most other places. Yeah it isn't the BEST but for the price, it can't be beat. I prefer the simple corn tacos w/ carne asada over any burrito though, or mexican seafood dishes (i.e. a flash fried whole red snapper). Burritos are just too much carbs for me.
