FRIDAY FIVE
It ’s universally known that pizza is to New York City as burritos are to the Bay Area. Both are controversial subjects in their respective cities too. In SF, it’s a pastime to squabble over where to find the most perfect burrito or which style is best (the audacity to prefer a Los Angeles–style burrito over a Mission-style one?!).
For decades, SF’s Mission district has been a go-to destination for burrito enthusiasts in the region, thanks to its Latino roots. Fortunately, this neighborhood’s burrito scene has remained strong despite rapid gentrification. But it has also been talked about—a lot. So if you’re looking for a new burrito expedition, Oakland has you covered. These spots are on par with, if not better than, your favorite Mission joints.
1. Obelisco
Located in Fruitvale Village right next to the Fruitvale BART station in East Oakland, Obelisco is a low-key and charming Mexican restaurant where burrito seekers face what is perhaps one of the most diverse burrito menus in the Bay Area. You can order a regular burrito, which contains all the works (rice, beans, cheese, pico de gallo and your choice of meat), a super burrito (add sour cream and guacamole), a fish burrito (with battered, deep-fried or grilled red snapper) or a shrimp burrito. Vegetarian burritos are also a solid option.
3411 East 12th Street (Fruitvale) | obeliscorestaurant.com
2. Taqueria Los Comales
Taqueria Los Comales is a staple of the Dimond District in East Oakland; people have been lining up to devour these burritos since 1997. Here customers can choose to eat either a wet or a regular burrito. For the unfamiliar, a wet burrito is topped with a red enchilada sauce and melted, shredded cheese. Unfortunately, that is only the first of many hard decisions one must make when ordering. On the menu, you have the option of a regular burrito (rice, beans, meat and pico de gallo salsa), the super burrito (all the works topped with guac and sour cream), a gourmet burrito for fancy people (which includes grilled veggies) and a chile relleno burrito (stuffed with an entire chile relleno). You can select your own meat for each one, or you can choose to make it vegetarian.
2105 MacArthur Boulevard (Dimond District) | loscomalestaqueria.com
3. Taqueria El Farolito
Just like El Farolito in the Mission, but without all the drunk tech bros. Located just a couple of blocks from the Fruitvale BART station, it’s a lively spot—but not so lively that you’ll have to wait too long to get a table. El Farolito in San Francisco, which opened in 1982, has been written about extensively and called one of the most popular taquerias in the country. Its accolades are warranted, but the same is true for their Fruitvale location. Customers usually customize their burritos, which consist of rice, beans, fresh tomato, onion, cilantro and salsa. Meat options include carne asada, al pastor, carnitas, grilled steak, marinated pork, deep-fried pork, sesos and chorizo.
3646 International Boulevard (Fruitvale) | https://elfarolitosf.com/
4. Xolo
Pronounced “show-low,” this burrito joint is a great place to stop at if you’re seeing a show at the Fox Theater in Uptown Oakland. Located on Telegraph Avenue, Xolo is more upscale without losing its flavor (it’s like Little Chihuahua meets Loló in San Francisco). The burritos are big, so come with an appetite, and it offers quirky options, like the Machacha (stuffed with slow-cooked shredded beef, red peppers, onions, tomatoes, cheese, pintos and rice) or the Hongos (sautéed crimini mushrooms, avocado salsa, black beans, rice, cheese, tomatoes and cilantro). The Surf-n-Turf is also a favorite, filled with grilled carne asada and shrimp sautéed in butter.
1916 Telegraph Avenue (Downtown Oakland) | xolotaqueria.com
5. Best Coast Burritos
It’s all in the name with this spot. Best Coast Burritos, located in Emeryville, is a no-frills restaurant with a parking lot shared with a gas station. As one Yelper helpfully noted, it’s great because you can fuel your car and your belly. Since Best Coast Burritos sells mostly only burritos, in addition to fries and tacos, they are very good at what they do. Customers can choose from the California burrito (guacamole, cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, meat and fries), the Surf and Turf (the usual, plus shrimp and carne asada) or a breakfast burrito. The portions, as they should be, are huge.
1400 Powell Street #C (Emeryville) | bestcoastburritos.com
