Mi Rancho is a special place. At the intersection of W. Beach and Walker in the industrial section of town, across from the odd murals of the old timey buildings, its a lunch spot for truckers and workers. Again, super burrito was definitely not the correct order, but I'm more than halfway through (excluding restaurants, counter order only), so what the hey.
I had to order over the shoulders of two loud, greasy men who were sitting at the counter directly in front of the register in order to visit with one of the proprietors. I requested a carnitas super burrito and was provided a basket of chips and a nice, spicy salsa at my table. I saw a paper that described the building as historic and Mi Rancho's effort to open here worthwhile. I did not read the paper and do not know the history yet.
The burrito arrived with a fork and knife, but I made due with my paws. I had not consider that such a platonic ideal could exist, but this was the very perfection of a super burrito made by someone who makes excellent food, but does not really make a lot of super burritos. It was a delicious carnitas plato wrapped up and carefully placed inside of a unheated tortilla. Just carnitas, beans, rice, and a little onion and cilantro garnish. At first resistance made me uncertain, but halfway though the beauty of the wrap revealed itself to me and the joy blossomed.
On the way out I studied the walls again and noticed a sign for Tortas Ahogadas, a specialty of Guadalajara that I have only ever seen outside of Jalisco once ('drowned sandwiches' - an especially firm bread roll covered in a spicy tomato soup/sauce). The man confirmed that they have them, and it might have been the Spanish talking, but I believe he said they only serve them between six and seven.
Next time, and there will be a next time, I will order a Torta Ahogada at 6:30pm and burn my lips.
Saturday, May 18, 2019
10 - Watsonville, CA: Taqueria Mi Tierra #1
See post 4, re: Taqueria Mi Tierra #2 for additional context. TMT1 has the same menu and same salsa bar as TMT2. The same guy who told me to stop talking to the cooks last time was working the register today and was very welcoming and friendly. I was extra hungry and I'm always tempted anyway, so I placed an order for a California Burrito. For the uninitiated, no the California Burrito is not turkey and avocado wrapped in a gigantic leaf of lettuce, quite the opposite. It could perhaps more appropriately be called the American Burrito, but given its origins in San Diego, I could see California standing in for America (in the smaller world of the border).
Anyway the California Burrito has carne asada, french fries, cheese, and usually only one or two other things unless specified. In San Diego they are best ordered at any Taco Shop with the suffix -bertos, and many of the best places make their own french fries (Aibertos, Rolbertos etc.). TMT1 does not make their own, and really probably should have thrown in a few more. Nevertheless, a California Burrito is a powerfully satisfying lunch and I left feeling quite happy. Distribution was good and the lime juiced cabbage provided an excellent balance to the heaviness of the beef and potatoes.
Anyway the California Burrito has carne asada, french fries, cheese, and usually only one or two other things unless specified. In San Diego they are best ordered at any Taco Shop with the suffix -bertos, and many of the best places make their own french fries (Aibertos, Rolbertos etc.). TMT1 does not make their own, and really probably should have thrown in a few more. Nevertheless, a California Burrito is a powerfully satisfying lunch and I left feeling quite happy. Distribution was good and the lime juiced cabbage provided an excellent balance to the heaviness of the beef and potatoes.
9 - Watsonville, CA: El Herradero
El Herradero is a little neighborhood cafe type place with a fresh fruit juice bar. It has perhaps the lowest online profile among the results of a map search for "burritos" in Watsonville. Such a search, by the way, is the traditional start of my weekly burrito lunch venture. El Herradero is one of the places at which super burrito is not the star of the menu. They're still happy to make one though.
They were out of the pork option I ordered, so I picked the other pork (I can't remember which at this point a few weeks later). The burrito felt very homemade, which I find coincides with a place that specializes in other things, and which in reality means the ingredients are good but the proportions and distribution are off. The rice was good. There was oregano and chile de arbol in little dishes on the table, which probably points toward pozole being a smart order... next time!
I would definitely come back just to sit in there, it made me wish I lived down the street.
Next time I'd order a soup or a special plato.
They were out of the pork option I ordered, so I picked the other pork (I can't remember which at this point a few weeks later). The burrito felt very homemade, which I find coincides with a place that specializes in other things, and which in reality means the ingredients are good but the proportions and distribution are off. The rice was good. There was oregano and chile de arbol in little dishes on the table, which probably points toward pozole being a smart order... next time!
I would definitely come back just to sit in there, it made me wish I lived down the street.
Next time I'd order a soup or a special plato.
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