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We enjoy visiting Charles Hodgkins' Web site, Burritoeater. Not necessarily for the opinions within his numerous reviews of taquerias (which can be a valuable resource), more because we just like his writing. He's got a funny, quirky style that, in our opinion, transcends simple food reviews. He obviously enjoys doing it, but doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. And, hey, his ratings system is based on 10 mustaches. That's just funny, as is the use of terms like "burstage abatement." Or check out his description of Papalote's burritos as "rendered with such mechanical consistency, some have wondered if there’s a mustachioed robot assembling them in an unseen corner of their tiny kitchen." Hee! We chatted briefly with Charles about his favorite food and another hobby of his, hiking:
1) So, you must eat a ton of burritos -- and you've been doing so since, what, about '03? How is it that you can still enjoy a burrito? Is it hard to be objective at this point?
Yeah, I started laying the groundwork for Burritoeater on New Year's Day, 2003. I went to Chino's on Balboa that day, and my word, was that burrito lame. Four mustaches! An inglorious start.
My friend Parker said to me one night at Taq. Can-cún last summer, You're so fair. So I guess objectivity's one of my strengths. It was awkward a few years ago to have my acknowledged favorite taqueria in town, Taq. San Francisco, pretty much give away the crown on the last night of the tournament. But they didn't deserve to win.
I never eat burritos on consecutive days, so I don't plan on hitting the wall anytime soon. I mean, I really enjoy burritos. Do you think I'd be pushing 500 reviews on Burritoeater if I didn't? I never think to myself as I'm heading to a taqueria, Good grief, not another burrito. The day that happens, I'll knock Burritoeater on the head, move to Montreal, start Poutineeater.com, and wait for the Expos to come back.
After the jump: we ask Charles about hiking and food/beverage pairings
2) You've told us offline that you're an avid hiker -- How'd the interest begin? What's the most memorable hike you've taken recently?
One of San Francisco's finest attributes is how easily you can drive a few miles north or south and get rural real quickly. So it's easy to find great trails within a short distance of town. I kind of have a split personality when it comes to my favorite places...a city such as San Francisco is endlessly fun, and yet I'm happy to while a day away by the Yuba River in Sierra County, or at Salt Point on the Sonoma coast, or up in the Marble Mountain Wilderness.
I go hiking from time to time with Aaron and Dan from Burritophile.com...they're both good friends of mine. We rented a big, dumb SUV and went hiking in Death Valley for a few days this past winter. It was a terrific trip, even though we didn't eat any burritos. We just talked about them as we gnawed on creosote bushes.
3) What about beverages? Are there any can't miss (or "can't hit") drink pairings with burritos? Beer? Wine? What about for teetotalers? Any opinions?
I like my burritos heavy on the spice, so I can generally be found swilling either horchata, Jarritos, Negra Modelo, or perhaps just some of Hetch Hetchy's finest when I'm on business at the taqueria. File any of those on the can't-miss side of the ledger. As for the can't-hit side...I'm pretty sure a white Russian would qualify as off-key accompaniment. Same goes for a tall, cool glass of Clamato.
Mmmmm, Clamato. Maybe with a burrito con camaróns? No? Thanks for the time, Charles!
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But has Burritoeater come around to the supremacy of the San Diego style burrito?
The SFist readership has clearly spoken on this issue!
Hey, San Francisco doesn't need to style it's burritos - they are the essence of burrito - the original - no need for geographical prefixing to explain things.
I thought we weren't going to discuss the creosote bushes! How will my reputation survive?
And, when someone from San Diego actually bothers to put together a website dedicated to burritos from San Diego, then maybe we'll take the city seriously. Snarky drive-by comments doth not a burrito paradise make.
What in the hell is poutine?
what DOES clamato taste good with?
poutine is:
a) french fries smothered in cheese curd and gravy. . .
b) very yummy. . .
c) probably very bad for you. . .
d) all of the above. . .
As much as I enjoy Burritoeater's site and insight, I must take issue with the Clamato comment. A drop of Clamato in a light Mexican beer, with a bit of salt, lime and chile, equals a fine variation on the "michelado" beer available all over Mexico.
If you can stand to leave SF, try it at Tacos Zamorano, 4345 International (corner of High) in Oakland. But don't get a burrito. I think they are sub-par. The ceviche is good there.
If you go, get one of the 32-ounce Tecates done michelado. That way, you thin out the Clamato as you refill your glass.