Burrito Bar the Victim of City Lighting Curse
So I finally overcame my hatred of that awful sign (who's 5-year-old niece came up with that design?) and had dinner at Burrito Bar on Flatbush.
It sucked.
My "Fajita on the Pita" was damned near tasteless. Same for my wife's fish tacos. My happy hour margarita tasted like an alcoholic slushy. I was surprised not to find Apu behind the counter.
So here you have a great space, and yet, this is the second consecutive establishment to take over the corner and botch a good opportunity with a thoroughly bland menu. At least the food was properly cooked, something the folks at City Lighting had a lot of trouble with.
So what gives? Will I ever be able to have a decent meal in that space?
It sucked.
My "Fajita on the Pita" was damned near tasteless. Same for my wife's fish tacos. My happy hour margarita tasted like an alcoholic slushy. I was surprised not to find Apu behind the counter.
So here you have a great space, and yet, this is the second consecutive establishment to take over the corner and botch a good opportunity with a thoroughly bland menu. At least the food was properly cooked, something the folks at City Lighting had a lot of trouble with.
So what gives? Will I ever be able to have a decent meal in that space?
Comments
-
Subject: Re: Burrito Bar the Victim of City Lighting Curse
BurritoMan wrote: So I finally overcame my hatred of that awful sign (who's 5-year-old niece came up with that design?) and had dinner at Burrito Bar on Flatbush.
First off nothing should ever be named "Fajita on a Pita". Ever.
It sucked.
My "Fajita on the Pita" was damned near tasteless. Same for my wife's fish tacos. My happy hour margarita tasted like an alcoholic slushy. I was surprised not to find Apu behind the counter.
So here you have a great space, and yet, this is the second consecutive establishment to take over the corner and botch a good opportunity with a thoroughly bland menu. At least the food was properly cooked, something the folks at City Lighting had a lot of trouble with.
So what gives? Will I ever be able to have a decent meal in that space?
Secondly, "Alcoholic Slushy" is my super secret special superhero name. Expect a call from my legal team to be forthcoming. -
Subject: Re: Burrito Bar the Victim of City Lighting Curse
daveb wrote: Secondly, "Alcoholic Slushy" is my super secret special superhero name. Expect a call from my legal team to be forthcoming.
Thats awesome. BTW, what happened to your wood-carved avatar? -
Subject: Re: Burrito Bar the Victim of City Lighting Curse
dan.h wrote: [quote=daveb]Secondly, "Alcoholic Slushy" is my super secret special superhero name. Expect a call from my legal team to be forthcoming.
Thats awesome. BTW, what happened to your wood-carved avatar?
He had to go to the bathroom. Damn fajitas on pitas! :x -
Let me add my Burrito Bar experience:
My mother and i went there for dinner and drinks. We ordered margaritas and they were horrible. It was too heavy on the ice (frozen) and we could barely taste the booze, and my mother and I were hoping for a quick buzz before our food was served. We didn't even finish half of it.
Then, when we got our food, it sucked. I ordered a burrito and it was the most bland and dry burrito I've ever eaten. I don't remember what my mom got, but her food was edible.
We were lucky -- the owner noticed that we didn't finish our margaritas and he asked why. My mom piped up, "They didn't have enough BOOZE!" Like she was some lush. (She is, kinda) The owner felt really bad and not only did he not charge us for them, but he gave us two "get a free drink card" for our next visit. Doubt we'll be back though.
And we would have rather just drank a strong margarita. -
I like the place. I went there last night and it was full. Can I have your free drink cards?
- Alex -
i went two weeks ago for the first time.
i don't see much of a reason to go there besides the semi-occasional break from Santa Fe Grill. for burritos, their $10 burrito is not $4 better than La Taqueria's $6 burrito, and may be about $4 worse, with less variety.
somehow, it seems to be getting a lot more traffic than City Lighting. then again, so is Lobo, so people must really like bad, bland quasi-Mexican around here. -
Subject: burrito starved
So I know the east coast is not known for its Mexican food, but as a San Francisco transplant I've been craving real mexican rice and beans for the past two years. The closest I've gotten is Pequena, but that's still not close enough. Any suggestions?
oh and yes, Burrito Bar blows. Why do all burrito spots in NY havbe to smother their burritos with sauce? Where can I get a burrito wrapped up in foil ready to eat on a stoop? -
I keep going back, and back, and back again -- even though I'm disappointed every single time. I keep saying, this time it will be different. I'd really like it to be a great place. Really.
I always get confused by the people who write here that they are from "San Diego" and that this place's food is just like the kind of "authentic mexican" one finds in southern california. Having NOT lived in San Diego, I don't want to start an argument (uh, yea, sure .. hmmm). But hey, I suspect they must have been spending too much time at the mall or something. I don't know.
And the sign doesn't really cause me that much problem either. It's the food and the service. -
Subject: Re: burrito starved
lulu's momma wrote: Why do all burrito spots in NY havbe to smother their burritos with sauce? Where can I get a burrito wrapped up in foil ready to eat on a stoop?
When I lived out in the asscrack of Park Slope, I used to go to Taqueria DF on 5th Avenue between 22nd and 23rd all the time. It's a teeny little hole in the wall, but it's cheap and the SF-style burritos are huge and tasty. And not covered in sauce. They also make rotisserie chicken that's dee-lish as well. Might be worth the travel sometime! -
lulu's momma wrote: So I know the east coast is not known for its Mexican food, but as a San Francisco transplant I've been craving real mexican rice and beans for the past two years.
I moved here from Oakland myself, and I miss all those Mission taquerias, especially Cancun and Farolito. Matamoros in Williamsburg and El Paso in the Barrio both make me happy.apollonia666 wrote: I used to go to Taqueria DF on 5th Avenue between 22nd and 23rd all the time
I am going to try this tonight. -
Subject: Re: burrito starved
lulu's momma wrote: So I know the east coast is not known for its Mexican food, but as a San Francisco transplant I've been craving real mexican rice and beans for the past two years. The closest I've gotten is Pequena, but that's still not close enough. Any suggestions?
There's a tiny place on Elizabeth Street in Manhattan called Cafe el Portal that has very authentic, delicious Mexican. My husband is from Tucson and is very picky about Mexican (same complaint about the smothering!) and it's by far his favorite in the city.
oh and yes, Burrito Bar blows. Why do all burrito spots in NY havbe to smother their burritos with sauce? Where can I get a burrito wrapped up in foil ready to eat on a stoop?
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/35693194/new_york_ny/cafe_el_portal.html
FLUTE, I'm confused about your question. Do you not understand why people from the American southwest are pickier about Mexican? It's because there are TONS of real live Mexicans living down there, and therefore a far greater number of good quality Mexican restaurants. I don't get what malls have to do with anything... -
bluedove wrote: FLUTE, I'm confused about your question. Do you not understand why people from the American southwest are pickier about Mexican? It's because there are TONS of real live Mexicans living down there, and therefore a far greater number of good quality Mexican restaurants. I don't get what malls have to do with anything...
FLUTE was implying that Burrito Bar is as authentic as Southern Cali mall food. -
Subject: Re: burrito starved
bluedove wrote: FLUTE, I'm confused about your question. Do you not understand why people from the American southwest are pickier about Mexican? It's because there are TONS of real live Mexicans living down there, and therefore a far greater number of good quality Mexican restaurants. I don't get what malls have to do with anything...
Sorry if I was unclear Bluedove. In fact, that was (intended to be) my point exactly. But let me start again and try to get it right this time ... :?
I have been confused by the couple of people who have made posts here (granted weeks or months ago), claiming they were from the Southwest, and saying that Burrito Bar's food is just as good as what they got at home. I just found some of those statements really hard to believe.
My comment about the mall had to do with me speculating on what would make them so (excuse my term here, it's all i can think of) clueless. I was wondering whether even though they lived in the Southwest, perhaps they really hadn't had real Mexican and, like much of America, use mall food as a standard.
Again, just asking. Not trying to be judgmental. -
qtrain wrote: FLUTE was implying that Burrito Bar is as authentic as Southern Cali mall food.
Yeah!! That's it too!! Thanks qtrain !! :oops: -
Subject: Re: burrito starved
lulu's momma wrote: I've been craving real mexican rice and beans for the past two years. The closest I've gotten is Pequena, but that's still not close enough. Any suggestions?
I really love the rice and beans at Los Pollitos II on 5th Ave. -
Subject: Re: burrito starved
FLUTE wrote: I have been confused by the couple of people who have made posts here (granted weeks or months ago), claiming they were from the Southwest, and saying that Burrito Bar's food is just as good as what they got at home. I just found some of those statements really hard to believe.
GOT IT. Sorry! Even though I read your post like eight times before asking about it, I still misread it...For some reason, I guess your quotes around "authentic Mexican" one finds in Southern California threw me off and made me think you were being sarcastic about that aspect.
Also because your post immediately followed one from a Cali transplant who was complaining about Mexican food here being BAD.
In the other Burrito Bar thread where that crazy lady from San Diego posted, I agreed with you. And, I believe, pontificated on certain people with an inexplicable taste for cheap, bland food. -
Subject: Re: burrito starved
bluedove wrote: made me think you were being sarcastic about that aspect.
What? Me? Sarcastic? :shock:
:P
-
I happen to like Calixico on 5th avenue (can't remember the name of the intersecting street. Carrol, maybe?)
Anyway, it's actually run by Spanish people (gasp!) and it's damn good. Cheap, too. Don't expect anything fancy, though. -
PHeightsGirl wrote: Anyway, it's actually run by Spanish people (gasp!) and it's damn good.
Do they sell tortillas de patatas and cervetha? -
Not sure if they have that annoying spanish-from-spain lisp. I would guess they are Mexican...
-
qtrain wrote: [quote=apollonia666]I used to go to Taqueria DF on 5th Avenue between 22nd and 23rd all the time
I am going to try this tonight.
Let me know what you think! Man, I haven't been to that place in ages. I may just have to haul myself down there soon. -
Subject: Re: burrito starved
stacey wrote: [quote=lulu's momma]I've been craving real mexican rice and beans for the past two years. The closest I've gotten is Pequena, but that's still not close enough. Any suggestions?
I really love the rice and beans at Los Pollitos II on 5th Ave.
Los Pollitos II on 5th Ave is DA BOMB! -
PHeightsGirl wrote: Not sure if they have that annoying spanish-from-spain lisp. I would guess they are Mexican...
Forgive me; I was being snarky. -
Subject: Re: burrito starved
lulu's momma wrote: So I know the east coast is not known for its Mexican food, but as a San Francisco transplant I've been craving real mexican rice and beans for the past two years. The closest I've gotten is Pequena, but that's still not close enough. Any suggestions?
Lulu's momma. the best burrito i've ever had over and over is at Kitchen Market. never mind the comments on the link (except the last one)
oh and yes, Burrito Bar blows. Why do all burrito spots in NY havbe to smother their burritos with sauce? Where can I get a burrito wrapped up in foil ready to eat on a stoop?
No its not in Brooklyn, but I've picked up there and come back to Brooklyn to eat it! -
i know it's a chain and all, but i have to briefly sing the praises of Chipotle... they make a giant, delicious burrito and you totally control what does and what doesn't go in, and you can definitely eat it on a stoop. it comes wrapped in foil- it's a little expensive, like 7 bucks or so, but so damn good. it inspired the title of my website, www.awesomeburrito.com
i've also sung the praises of yummy taco on numerous occasions. not in any way authentic, but, in every way, delicious (and so cheap).
Taqueria's good too but definitely a fork and knife burrito- just too messy. -
Chipotle is good, despite being owned by Micky D's. Aside from Los Pollitos, Taqueria, and Pequena, all of which I enjoy, I also like Rincon which is on 5th and 19th. Not in Proho but if you're ever in the area, they are very solid. As for Burrio Bar, never been and given the reviews, not overly inclined to try. For me, quality eating options are one of the trade offs we get for living in this crowded, dirty, smelly city. Restaurants that serve mediocre food should know better - it's survival of the tastiest baby! I often think that some entrepeneurs underestimate the science of food service, they think a slick looking place can overcome quality issues. I've had a lot of one and dones b/c, despite all the promise of a location, the service was poor, the food was uneven, and most importantly, you just don't feel that the proprietors and staff are working hard enough to please you. Places that do it right on the otherhand, won't find a better advocate.
-
apollonia666 wrote: Let me know what you think! Man, I haven't been to that place in ages. I may just have to haul myself down there soon.
It was pretty good, but not exactly what I'm looking for. I snagged a takeout menu -- it says "Mission style burritos" and "San Francisco style Cal-Mex"; I ordered the "Bay burrito" (heh) with spicy pork. First problem was the tortilla; it was steam pressed and a little moist, but Mission tortillas are usually grilled, dry and toasty. I ordered it to go, and they gave me a fork and knife and packed it in a plastic container... and flattened it. It was the shape of a Jamaican patty. Not exactly cheap, either... $7. The burrito itself tasted good, but it was a little soupy inside. One final bitch -- no adventure in the meat choices. No cabeza, no lengua, no sesos.
Thanks for the recommendation, though, apollonia666! I love going on food missions. -
Dang! Sorry it didn't work out so well. I always dug their food, but I'm far from an expert in burritos.
If you ever go back, they do have several types of meat available in their tacos, which are pretty good. -
apollonia666 wrote: Dang! Sorry it didn't work out so well. I always dug their food, but I'm far from an expert in burritos.
I'm no burrito expert myself, but I do miss Taqueria Cancun. I'm thinking of going back to DF to try their tortas.
If you ever go back, they do have several types of meat available in their tacos, which are pretty good. -
qtrain wrote: I'm no burrito expert myself, but I do miss Taqueria Cancun. I'm thinking of going back to DF to try their tortas.
I love tortas, and haven't found a good one around here yet. Please report back on them if you try them! :shock:
Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
- 40K All Categories
- 27.1K Neighborhoods
- 5.1K Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
- 7.1K Prospect Heights
- 2.3K Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy
- 8K Park Slope
- 549 Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick
- 442 Flatbush/Midwood/Ditmas Park
- 657 BoCoCa (Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens)
- 151 Red Hook
- 104 Gowanus
- 304 Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst
- 130 Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay
- 270 Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and Downtown
- 598 Windsor Terrace / Kensington
- 673 Greenwood Heights and Sunset Park
- 749 Brooklyn and Beyond
- 6.3K Stuff
- 86 Brooklyn Back When
- 1.2K Brooklyn Pets
- 257 Brooklyn Kids
- 241 Brooklyn Eats
- 51 Brooklyn Booze
- 3.6K The Lounge / Random Stuff
- 611 Brooklyn Politics
- 122 Brooklyn Sports and Fitness
- 111 Brooklyn Photos
- 339 Site Issues
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 6.2K Listings
- 1.1K APARTMENTS and REAL ESTATE
- 1.3K Sales Openings Events
- 2.3K The Classifieds