Sunday on Restaurant Row

I've always liked restaurant reviews.  It gives all of a chance to see the opinion of some over-puffed, obnoxious, "do you know who I am?" demanding ass-hat tell us what is good and what isn't.  Friends, most of those assholes wouldn't know a good roux if you spilled it in their laps.  If you know me, you know my heritage, and that lots of my friends ask me all the time where is a good joint to grab a bite.

In that sprit, and with Sundays being Funnies day over at Inside Jeff's Empty Head, Sundays here will be Marco's Day on Restaurant Row.

El Burrito - Colton Avenue near Tennessee Street, Redlands CA

This former hamburger stand, in the shadows of US Highway 99, is the perfect roadside stop for those on the way to the desert delights of Palm Springs and environs.  Established just after US99 was officially decommissioned, El Burrito offers exactly what the name implies - massive, heart stopping burritos and tacos overflowing with mama's touch of goodness.

The Relleno Burrito at 4 dollars will leave you happy and satisfied. I am a relleno freak, and the one El Burrito served up was full of gooey traditional relleno cheese, with a batter that screams home made with love.  The poblano pepper is perfect, and the traditional queso Oaxaca makes me cry for more.  The rolled chicken tacos, overfilled with fantastic chicken and goodies, will satisfy all who cry for authentic Mexican food.

By the way if you think Taco Bell or El Torito is "Mexican" food, please stop reading now.  You are too stupid to be able to appreciate the delights of great southwest cooking.  Try the Avila's El Ranchito in Costa Mesa or Newport for some great sit down Sonoran style food.  Then come back.

El Burrito is cheap, easy, and friendly - if I only could find a woman so accommodating.  Be prepared to stand in line and wait a few minutes, while this is no trendy Pink's pilgrimage,  the locals - bikers, skinheads, doctoral candidates from UofR, engineers from ESRI all manage to hang out and wait together.

Marco's scale of 10, with 10 being impossibly the best - a sold 8