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El Mundo de Mando: The Great Taco-Burrito Smackdown

By Mando Rayo in La Vida Taco

Wednesday, Jun. 24 2009 @ 10:40AM

Mando Rayo: Which one roolz?
Austin, Tex., taco blogger Mando Rayo (aka El Mundo de Mando of TacoJournalism) is in Cali this week, getting his first-ever taste of Bay Area-style flavor. We've asked him for a blog-by-blog account of his findings in the MIssion and beyond. Got a tip for Mando? Leave a comment, homie.

When I started my in-depth taco inquiry in the Bay Area this week, everyone I met kept telling me, "Try the burritos -- it's California, man!" But being a taco lover I said no guay Jose! Now don't get me wrong, I do love a good burrito. But tacos, well they just rule ... or do they? Let's compare the two:

Burritos
Pros:

Just one can feed toda la familia

Loads of extra fillings (lechuga, crema, chile y mas)

Flour tortillas (muy popular among Americanos -- they practically beat out white bread in the U.S.)

Cons:

One choice: flour -- have you ever eaten a burrito made with a corn tortilla?

Mostly one carne option per serving

The Burrito Bowl -- don't call it a burrito if it's not wrapped in a tortilla!

Ugh, Taco Bell!

Tacos
Pros:

Choices: flour or corn, fried or grilled, hard or soft

Come in orders of two or three

You can mix it up! (carnitas, carne asada, barbacoa, veggie y mas)

Cons:

May leave you hungry

Portions are smaller

All fillings don't fit

Ugh, Taco Bell!

And the winner is ... tacos! Yes!

Well, that's what I think. But that's not gonna stop me from trying burritos SF stylez! What about you? What do you like about tacos and burritos and what don'cha? Let us know.

Tags: La Vida Taco

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10 comment(s) / Post a Comment

Addie says:

Glad to see you're representing the ATX in San Fran! Hope the tacos AND burritos fuel your trip and that you come back with at least one good memory of a classic CA burrito.

Makes you glad Austinites don't call breakfast tacos "breakfast burritos," right?

Can't wait to read about your adventura...

Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 24 2009 @ 11:17AM

Megan says:

I vote for tacos. Most burritos have beans in them and I like my beans on the side. Plus, I'm right there with you Mando...tacos offer so many options! No offense to San Francisco, though. I was there in May and fell in love with the City.

Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 24 2009 @ 11:20AM

Jodi says:

Love your tacos vs. burritos list -- I'm definitely going to have to share with my East Coast friends when they visit Austin and ask where the burritos are. Looking forward to the next AUSTIN-based taco tour!

Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 24 2009 @ 11:24AM

Adam M says:

Alright dude, agreed on the one-meat thing. That's a drag. But as to those last two cons, you've got to get hip to the subdivisions within burrito sellers. Anywhere you went that has a "burrito bowl" is probably a downtown lunch nightmare and not a legitimate place to try a local blimp. Get to a place like Taqueria San Francisco or El Castillito for a prototypical example before you write off burritos entirely.
For me, the best moment is that bite about three or four from the start where you get that perfect combination of crema, avocado, meat, and hot sauce, with a bean or two working support. Tacos are great but there's just not as much going on there.

Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 24 2009 @ 11:38AM

seth says:

I'm not too knowledgeable about the SF taco scene but I got to send a shout out to Oakland's Fruitvale district. We got our own taco truck map! I would start with some buche and pastor at El Gordo and work your way down international blvd. The dude setup in front of Taqueria 16 de Septiembre makes only cabesa and tripas tacos that are really good. Those are my favs but i have hardly scratched the surface.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=111386974984487942660.00043b9b4dc191c072885&om=0&ll=37.781671,-122.218351&spn=0.029305,0.066047&z=15

Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 24 2009 @ 3:37PM

DonFUCKINSteele says:

Fuckem' both...

I've moved on...

TORTA TORTA TORTA

DFS

Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 24 2009 @ 4:14PM

Collin says:

Sorry, that's like comparing apples and oranges. Love Texican tacos and Cali burritos! Super carnitas burritos from Gordo Taqueria is what I grew up on.

Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 25 2009 @ 10:53AM

jclark says:

Unique is the key word especially in the Taco theme........

Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 25 2009 @ 11:26AM

DaFox says:

The thing I miss most about the Bay Area taqueria scene is the selection of fresh fish tacos. Don't bother looking for a burrito pescado, and run if you find one. For a rare indulgence spring for the abalone tacos at El Palomar in Santa Cruz and don't cringe at the bill. You will never find that taste sensation anywhere else. A close second is tacos lengua at Tacos El Jaliscience in Salinas. Worth every minute of the drive!

Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 25 2009 @ 7:12PM

Lorraine says:

TACOS TACOS TACOS! Not even a contest! Crunchy or soft. Hot or cold. I ask you...what is better than a warm tortilla with asadero cheese from Licon's Dairy and a freshy roasted and peeled Hatch chile????? WHAT???? The humble taco in it's simplicity.

Posted On: Friday, Jun. 26 2009 @ 7:01AM