California Burrito Company

[Member #1164]

Anyone know where it is I read the article in Yahoo news last week that it was in downtown BA anyone know the address?

[Savoy]

Lavalle 441 nuevo bajo.

[Hafrbo]

Here's the website. You'll find a location map and menu:

http://www.californiaburritoco.com

[Mpexy]

Near the corner of Lavalle and San Martin. Read the article on this place in the BA Herald and stopped by a couple times in the last couple weeks.

Personal tastes and all, but I didn't find it too bad. If anyone is familiar with gourmet burrito chain in California (and possible elsewhere) called Chipotle, it's a bit like that - although not as good.

However, it's the closest to a California burrito I've had since living down here - or anything like a back home burrito for that matter.

[El Perro]

I ate here a few weeks ago. I'm not an expert on burrito fare, but I thought the food was only average. The atmosphere cafetaria like. If you are in the area around lunch and you got a jones for this type of grub-OK. Otherwise I'd pass.

[JengisKhan]

This is the best burrito in Buenos Aires, bar none. That doesn't mean that its as good as the best places in Texas or California, but its pretty darn good. I recommend the shredded beef. If anyone finds a better burrito in Buenos Aires, please let me know as I am a big burrito fan. They make real guacamole and have some nice salsas and even their own hot sauce. They even make their own sour cream. Which is not as easy as it sounds.

[Alan23]

They even make their own sour cream. Which is not as easy as it sounds.You have touched on an interesting subject with regards to sour cream. What is the spanish name for sour cream - have been battling to find it locally.

Additionally, why is cilantro so hard to find in Buenos Aires? Does anyone know where I can buy so fresh cilantro?

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Hi Alan23,

Sour Cream is labeled as "Casen Crema" (spelling not entirely accurate) in the grocery store.

Thanks,

Jackson

[Capt Dave]

You have touched on an interesting subject with regards to sour cream. What is the spanish name for sour cream - have been battling to find it locally.

Additionally, why is cilantro so hard to find in Buenos Aires? Does anyone know where I can buy so fresh cilantro?Sour cream is called Casan Crema -cilantro is cilantro, as far as I know.

David

[Lunico]

Being a cilantro addict me self, I scoured the back alley's of BA searching for the staples of Mexican food. I found them only when peddled by the Bolivian indians outside the markets of BA. The bolivians also sell quick soup packets of diced squash, corn and carrots which I found delicious. Bolivians also sell maiz and serano peppers. I would love BA more easily if it had more diverse food. As it is I have to cook me own damn meals to get authentic Mexican.

[BundaLover]

"Chiptole" is a gourmet burritio chain? It's owned by Coca Cola and is passable if you live in Oklahoma and don't know what mexican food is. Just when I thought I was missing BA and the bikini contests.

[JengisKhan]

"Chiptole" is a gourmet burritio chain? It's owned by Coca Cola and is passable if you live in Oklahoma and don't know what mexican food is. Just when I thought I was missing BA and the bikini contests.I'm from California and have been to the best burrito joints in San Francisco's mission district and in LA and SD. And I have to say that Chipotle (at least a few years ago) makes a very high quality product for such a large burrito chain. It was started by a professional chef, and while their food doesn't have the "authenticity" cred that Mariscos in Santa Monica or Gordo's in San Francisco, it does use fresh ingredients and has a good formula. If they opened up here, I would be the first one in line.

[Alan23]

Being a cilantro addict me self, I scoured the back alley's of BA searching for the staples of Mexican food. I found them only when peddled by the Bolivian indians outside the markets of BA. The bolivians also sell quick soup packets of diced squash, corn and carrots which I found delicious. Bolivians also sell maiz and serano peppers. I would love BA more easily if it had more diverse food. As it is I have to cook me own damn meals to get authentic Mexican.Lunico,

Wasn't clear on your answer - where are the markets that I should look for the Bolivians outside of selling cilantro? Don't mind doing a lot of "leg-work", just need to be headed in the right direction.

For the others who helped with the "Casan Crem" - have a batch loaded with chives in the frig now, just waiting for my next baked potato (or maybe some potato skins)

Thanks again,

Alan

[Lunico]

Sorry I wasn't clear on that. Wherever there is a market on a busy street, you may or may not find a Bolivian woman just outside the door with a little blanket where she sits with her goods. I found one at North West corner of Avenida de Mayo and Avenida de Julio. I also found one near the train station of China town, I think its the blue line Rivadavia on the way to Tigre? Also if you go into the little chinese shoppettes, they usually have Bolivians working the produce section, ask them. They'll know for sure how to get cilantro.

[Alan23]

Lunico,

Perfect - the search begins!

Many thanks,

Alan

[Walnuts]

I purchased Cilantro at a small market called "Bonanza"

I believe it is at 3013 Charcas.

The cilantro is stored in the refrigerator so you must ask for it.

AR$ 1.5 for a big bunch.

If someone goes, please ask if they are Bolivian.

[WorldTravel69]

I eat there the first day of my one month visit to B. A., and the last. Both times I thought the flour tortillas on the Burritos did not have the right texture, as compared to the ones in S. F. Bay Area.

They should be soft and do not fall apart in your hands.

One of the owners said that they just bought a new Machine to fix that problem.

Has anyone found them to be better?

[JengisKhan]

I eat there the first day of my one month visit to be. A. And the last. Both times I thought the flour tortillas on the Burritos did not have the right texture, as compared to the ones in S. F. Bay Area.

They should be soft and do not fall apart in your hands.

One of the owners said that they just bought a new Machine to fix that problem.

Has anyone found them to be better?Yes, the tortillas aren't perfect. For a tourist, especially one from the southwest, I can't see any need to go to the CBC. For those of us who live here, it is still the best burrito in Buenos Aires though.

[WorldTravel69]

My question was, did the new machine help the tortillas?

I was there on November 25th.

Has Anyone been there since?


Yes, the tortillas aren't perfect. For a tourist, especially one from the southwest, I can't see any need to go to the CBC. For those of us who live here, it is still the best burrito in Buenos Aires though.

[BadMan]

I had been craving some good ol' california burritos, so I decided to try this place out today. It is actually about a 12 peso ride from Las Canitas, but it seems like one of the only burrito places in all of Buenos Aires. Anyway, so I walked in and the decor was allright, kinda cafeteria style. The place was packed with tourist types and buisiness types getting a quick bite. The menu is small, so me and my guest asked for two fajita burritos and 4 tacos. The lady tells me she ran out of tacos, I mean WTF does that mean, how can a taco place run out of tacos, anyways I let it slide. We ended up getting two burritos, an order of chips and guacamole and two coronas (mind you, I don't drink 343 days out of the year but I couldn't help ordering the burrito and Corona beer, they just seemed to go together) Anyway, the service was pretty fast and efficiant, though there was some " worker " having a full on conversation in front of the bathroom doorway and I had to more than once ask him politely to get the fuck outa the way. On to the food, the seasoning isn't that good, The lomo seasoning was pretty bland, I am sure if they try a little harder (possibly adding some of that very same Corona beer into the seasoning,) They would have some much tastier beef. But the burrito was good, not great but it wasn't bad, though if the rice and beef were seasoned better, it would be a place I would want to go to more often and not just because it is the only burrito place in town. The guacamole was actually good, it seemed fresh, a little acidic, but that is probably because they must use some citric acid to keep the color just right, The chips were good, though probably store bought. I would have to say that this place is pretty good for what it is. Though it would be nice to see them put more effort in seasoning the lomo and the rice. This restaurant leaves alot of room for competition, too bad I am not a restauranteur, because this place does leave something to be desired.

If you are in town and in need of a quick burrito and taco fix, I would recommend this place, it won't be as good as a La Salsa in Los Angeles, but it is still good. And the prices are pretty cheap. We ordered two fajita burritos a side of chips and guacamole and two beers and I believe the grand total was around 36 pesos, or 12 dollars. Not bad for lunch.

Badboy

[Rock Harders]

Mongers-

Gave this place a try today around noon as I found myself in the area conducting other business and figured I'd stop by. The place was busy and the service is quick, cafeteria style, you tell the counter people what you want, they put it in the burrito, and thats that. The burrito cost $14 AR and included a bottle of water. The guacamole is without a doubt the best in Buenos Aires, exactly like something you'de get in San Diego. The burrito shells did not fall apart as reported earlier. As to be expected, the "spicy" sauce was anything but, but I cannot fault the owners for the food not being spicy, they are trying to run a business in a country populated by people who despise spicy food. Overall, as authentic as your going to get to a real USA burrito in Buenos Aires, though its definetly modified to please the local consumer.

Suerte,

Dirk Diggler

[Fretta]

I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with CBC. Granted, when I went there wasn't another soul around and it didn't look like the food on the line was super fresh, but who really knows. It's pretty clear, right down to the dining room's design, that they are modeling themselves after Chipotles in the US, but it wasn't nearly as fresh tasting and good. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I suppose that if I didn't go in with such high expectations it would have been better to me, though.

Still, I would probably go again, I just wouldn't be expecting so much.

[ComeOnDown]

You can really tell that inflation is fast catching up when the inexpensive places that you used to visit are no longer "inexpensive". The last time I ate here was like two months ago when the burrito meal was A$ 14 which is really reasonable. To my surprise its now up to A$ 22 which is like a 50% increase. I hope that at this price they can still compete with the numerous restaurants in the microcentro which offers a complete menu del dia (w / dessert) at the same price.

[Redondo]

EDITOR'S NOTE: This post was deleted because Redondo is limited to posting factual accounts of his personal experiences in Argentina, and is specifically not permitted to post questions, comments or opinions.

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Hey Redondo,

Your deleted post was your opinion of what business owners should do in response to rising prices.

Exactly what part of "limited to posting factual accounts of his personal experiences in Argentina" do you not understand?

Let me ask you another question: Do you have any factual accounts of your own personal experiences? For example, do you have any factual accounts of your experience with an internet escort, or a chica you picked up in a club, or anything of a similar nature that might be of interest to the rest of the forum?

This is a retorical question. Don't answer it, just post your factual account.

Thanks,

Jackson

[Guiller]

Additionally, why is cilantro so hard to find in Buenos Aires? Does anyone know where I can buy so fresh cilantro?Hi Alan,

Cilantro is popular in other latin-american countries, but not in Argentina. So, for average argentinians, cilantro is a sort of exotic food that is not incorporated in their daily diet. Having said that, cilantro is available in speciality stores. Very frequently I find it at reasonable prices in herb stores ("dieteticas") There are several scattered all over the city, some are better than others. The one I tend to use is in the Belgrano area, close to the market square. In addition, there are some more trendy stores that sell cilantro, but at much more expensive prices.

All the best

[Rock Harders]

Mongers,

In an effort to minimize the mis-information often posted here, I will correct the earlier poster who stated that the burrito meal at CBC has risen to $22 AR. I stopped in here today and the burrito "meal", which included your choice of soft drink, was $17 AR. A fair deal, considering there is no cubierto and no propina involved in the transaction.

Suerte,

Dirk Diggler

[Daddy Rulz]

Hi Alan,

Cilantro is popular in other latin-american countries, but not in Argentina. So, for average argentinians, cilantro is a sort of exotic food that is not incorporated in their daily diet. Having said that, cilantro is available in speciality stores. Very frequently I find it at reasonable prices in herb stores ("dieteticas") There are several scattered all over the city, some are better than others. The one I tend to use is in the Belgrano area, close to the market square. In addition, there are some more trendy stores that sell cilantro, but at much more expensive prices.

All the bestActually next to it on the Coto side there are so ancient Bolivianas that usually have cilantro and Serrano peppers. Cheap too.

[Redondo]

Seems to me it's 18 peso now, still cheaper then a nice pasta at Galarias pacifico

[Member #3319]

Well, not new, but the tortillas certainly have improved. I have been here 2 times in the last month, and yesterday was the first time that I felt like the tortilla had the right texture. This is not the dry, perfect flour tortilla that you would expect from Chipotle, but rather the slightly elastic variety that are often found in 24hr burrito places in the US.

Not perfect, but significantly better than what I had eaten just 2 weeks ago.

[WorldTravel69]

It looks like they are doing good.

They opened 4 more places.

I ate there the other day. I had the economico burrito. 27p includes a drink.

http://californiaburritoco.com/