Let's face it. While notable chefs and bold food visionairies in NYC have conquered Korean BBQ, Vietnamese sannys, kebabs and Jamaican Jerk chicken, there is a noticeable gap in mind-blowing delivery of Mexican-inspired street cuisine in the Big Apple.
Why, pray tell? I mean, for one, the Burrito is really an American invention. Albeit, a variation on the theme of a "bigger is better" melding of the chimichanga, enchilada and taco. Ok, ok, the purists at Wikipedia will state that the Burrito (little donkey en espanol) is actually Mexican. A super genius taco vendor named Juan Mendez used the donkey to transport himself and his tacos around Ciudad Jaurez (or C. Wha to us natives), and used to wrap the frijoles, potatoes, rice, etc. in the tortillas to keep them warm. They incidentally looked like the donkey's ears (something Senor Mendez had been staring at routinely on his daily commute), and voila!
The concept is simple - tortilla, bean or meat, rice, cheese, salsa, extras - warm it, wrap it, eat it. Yet, as in life, it's difficult to make everyone happy. Californians such as yours truly passionately defend the structural integrity of the proper burrito, and lament the until-recent void in good burrito options in our fair Gotham. Chicagoans have a different take as well (yes, there is a huge Mexican population in the Windy City), Texans, Floridians, heck even Arizonans (although they won't admit it without a valid drivers' license) all claim superiority to the "Little Donkey".
Well, thankfully, the last few years have produced some solid Mexican-themed food spots. Maybe it's the recession, maybe it's the pork revolution, whatever it is, I'm happy to renew my Brooklyn lease a little while longer knowing I don't need to move back to Cali to get my fave food on.
We live in an era of rankings, and such, I've divised a Top 10 Burrito list for NYC. Am I qualified??? Obv! A Brooklyn resident, native Californian who's lived in LA and SF (thus unbiased) who makes guacamole that inspires the conception of children and can chug a whole bottle of Tapatio in a single draw. Is it scientific? No. Will you dispute it? Sure. But, go try them all for yourselves and let me know what you think.
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#1 Dos Toros - Union Square (137 4th Avenue, NY, NY 10003)
www.dostorosnyc.com
To all you burrito lovers, can we all agree that the way to our hearts starts with a steamed tortilla and a silky smooth fitted sheet of cheese??? Dos Toros has nailed the start, and like Usain Bolt, continues to break records at this NYU/Union Square Mexican Mecca (aka Mexca) right through the finish. Started by two Bay Area brothers, Leo and Oliver Kremer, it closely resembles Berkeley's own Gordo's Burritos and would make Mayor Newsom cry.
For meat lovers, the chicken is free range organic, the carnitas melts in your mouth and the asada isn't overcooked - just tender delicious pieces of beef. On the veggie side, the beans and guac burrito (for under $6 no less) are beyond filling. And don't forget the chips!!! Yes, they're unhealthy, but for those of us who scoop our burritos as much as we chew our burritos, the chips - thin but not too flaky, salty but not too oily - are the perfect shovel for this garden of eden.
Pros - Steamed tortilla, excellent meats, great guac, tomatillo salsa, "burrito salad" which is a burrito without the tortilla.
Cons - Small space, long lines at lunch, wish they'd rotate the counter to provide more line space (for the staff), no horchata.
Other Menu Greats - The quesadillas and tacos
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