California Burritos

When I lived around DC, I liked what one shop called "california burritos", which were 2 in a bowl of chili.

Other places have them with white sauce.

Is there one real definition of what they should be?

Just curious.

I've lived here all my life and have never heard of a California burrito.

White sauce?

I always thought of California style burritos as those big tortillas filled with meat, beans, rice, cheese and all those vegtables. Somthing like this.





joe

That looks like a burrito from Baja Fresh? Am I correct?

My bad i didn't see the table before i saw the burrito....where is it from?

I'd call that a Mission Burrito. they don't put all that stuff in the Socal ones.


Mr. Mayor was kind enough to add this pic of a burrito from a place in Grants Pass, Oregon.
from the mexican food in oregon thread:
"My daughter and I went to buy a "vintage 1972 Corona" and in the process found a tremendous Place in Grants Pass on Redwood Avenue(Parallels Redwood Highway)-Casa Amiga. Fresh soup each M-F+Menudo on Saturdays
She had Sopitios and I an Al Pastor Burrito.
Both quite tasty.
They are Lengua advocates, though I am not.
Horchata, Hibiscus Tea & Lemonade(No Refills)
No MSG no Lard
(This is Oregon)
Phone: 541 956 8602"

Lived is So Cal for over 25 years until I moved 2 years ago never heard of them. My wife lived in California her whole life (until 2 years ago) and she has never heard of them either.

thegman,

Your question demonstrates my contention that there are no good burritos east of the Mississippi. Texianjoe has a great example of what I left behind when I left San Francisco. What is frustrating is that many places serve only beef or chicken burritos, enchiladas or tacos. Where are the pork/carnitas?
The truth is two real California style burritos in a bowl of chili would be impossible to eat in one sitting.

As much as it seems I am complaing, there is one place that -many- people know about. It's just that I have to drive about 25 miles to get there. Most burritos are served dry, but they can be wet too. This one is accompanied with a great mole sauce and melted cheese. This place is so good that I do plan to write a review for it in the future. I just need to order other items on the menu,. It's just thatI am hooked on this burro....




mark

Holy Cow!!!! This is my first posted picture that actually fits the screen in a correct size!!!!
Thanks Uncle Vic, the check is in the mail.....

mark

quote:

Originally posted by doggydaddy



thegman,

Your question demonstrates my contention that there are no good burritos east of the Mississippi. Texianjoe has a great example of what I left behind when I left San Francisco. What is frustrating is that many places serve only beef or chicken burritos, enchiladas or tacos. Where are the pork/carnitas?

Or the lengua? The barbacoa? The cabeza?


Now that is a burrito. (referring to your picture)

I'm still trying to get my head around white sauce on a burrito.

I actually have seen white sauce IN a shrimp or fish burrito. However, a "California Burrito"---"ay chihuahua!!!"

Doggydaddy and TexanJoe have Mission style Cal Burritos. Most of them here in the Mission District of S.F. look like these. You can get Chile Verde, Carnitas, Al Pastor, Cabeza etc. Most come dry but some of the sit down places you can get Mole's or gravys over them. Also some places will put the meat in Mole sauces and use it in the stuffing. IMHO San Jose Taqueria on 24th and Mission is the best, but haveing said that there are so many excellent ones you could probably go to a different place for about 6 months and get different variations on the Cal Burrito style. The main thing is the Freshness of the ingrediants, they are usually very fresh because of the location near the great Central valley. Also don't just stay in S.F. but go over to the East Bay and South Bay.

quote:

Originally posted by EdSails

I actually have seen white sauce IN a shrimp or fish burrito. However, a "California Burrito"---"ay chihuahua!!!"

Well that, yeah, you expect it in a fish product. It's usually crema flavored with whatever. Kinda like Mexican tartar sauce.

Maybe that's what a California Burrito is...... shredded Chihuahua.

quote:

Originally posted by seatown76

That looks like a burrito from Baja Fresh? Am I correct?

That is from Mission Burritos.

joe

quote:

Originally posted by Texianjoe

Originally posted by seatown76

That looks like a burrito from Baja Fresh? Am I correct?

That is from Mission Burritos according to the site I snatched it from.

joe

enginecapt,

I love my lengua. If I could find it, I would make my own burritos. The sad truth is that I used to get it at this great Latino grocery store that burned down a year ago and I do not think it wil be back.

They also had these great lamb ribs, but that is another story. I can't find either of them anywhere now.

mark

quote:

Originally posted by enginecapt

Maybe that's what a California Burrito is...... shredded Chihuahua.

So that's what happened to the Taco Bell Dog?

You can get carnitas,barbacoa,lengua and other tacos around San Antonio.
Never has the lengua(tongue tacos).Doggydaddy,funny you mention lamb ribs.
I think Davila's BBQ in Seguin does lamb as well as beef,pork,and chicken.
I'm sure you will find another place,but it may take a while.

I prefer my burritos without the rice in it,just beans and cheese or beans,meat and cheese.

quote:

Originally posted by EdSails

quote:

Originally posted by enginecapt

Maybe that's what a California Burrito is...... shredded Chihuahua.

So that's what happened to the Taco Bell Dog?

In California, don't they say, "Yo quiero Del Taco."?

Hollydolly wrote:
=== Doggydaddy,funny you mention lamb ribs.
I think Davila's BBQ in Seguin does lamb as well as beef,pork,and chicken.
I'm sure you will find another place,but it may take a while.===

I sure hope that I can find a place closer to where I am living in Connecticut. Texas is a bit of a drive...
One of my favorite places that I ever went to was in Orange Co., CA. on Beach Blvd. this place was fantastic with every type of meat that can be put in a tortilla, which they were making in front of you. There were a variety of tamales, a meat counter and a great selection of fresh squeezed agua frescas. I know that there are some folks from this region who may know what and where I am talking about. There are no seats, so be prepared to sit outside. This place is a Roadfood destination at its best.
The beauty of this place is the more obscure the item that you put in your burrito, the more you get inside. Just ask for more, and they will put it in.

mark

quote:

Originally posted by Big Ugly Mich

quote:

Originally posted by EdSails

quote:

Originally posted by enginecapt

Maybe that's what a California Burrito is...... shredded Chihuahua.

So that's what happened to the Taco Bell Dog?

In California, don't they say, "Yo quiero Del Taco."?

Cali burritos must have fries and carne asade in them. An SD specialty of sorts.

quote:

Originally posted by doggydaddy



thegman,

Your question demonstrates my contention that there are no good burritos east of the Mississippi. Texianjoe has a great example of what I left behind when I left San Francisco. What is frustrating is that many places serve only beef or chicken burritos, enchiladas or tacos. Where are the pork/carnitas?
The truth is two real California style burritos in a bowl of chili would be impossible to eat in one sitting.

As much as it seems I am complaing, there is one place that -many- people know about. It's just that I have to drive about 25 miles to get there. Most burritos are served dry, but they can be wet too. This one is accompanied with a great mole sauce and melted cheese. This place is so good that I do plan to write a review for it in the future. I just need to order other items on the menu,. It's just thatI am hooked on this burro....




mark

That is one fine looking burrito. I cannot wait to read your review and hope you tell us where to find this culinary delight. I hope I don't have to come all the way to CT!!!

Anything closer, in Sacramento???

Where's BT? He lives for them!

BT has been in transit from San Francisco to Tucson and forgot to tell the local cable company to reconnect his internet service ahead of time.

If I order a burrito anywhere in SF, unless I specify otherwise, I'd expect it to look like this:



as Joe said. On the other hand, most places do offer what they call a "wet" burrito which looks pretty much like this:



I don't generally go for those myself and those who do are a minority. You can't pick 'em up and eat 'em and they get soggy by the time you get 'em home as take-out.

That wet one in the photo looks like really good shredded skirt steak, by the way. I'd go back to wherever it came from.