There aren't really THAT many reasons to go to San Diego, other than some nice beaches and maybe Shamu if you like captive orcas. However one thing you can sample there is a San Diego style burrito.
A San Diego style burrito is something I only learned about recently. Down there, they like their burritos very basic: just meat wrapped up in a tortilla. Beans are not included, and don't even think about rice. The "San Diego" style burrito can be found around here if you go to Tito's and get a "Meat Only" burrito.
As you move north, more things are added. The LA area burrito has meat, pinto beans (usually very soupy or refried) with some onions and cilantro, perhaps pico de gallo. The classic LA burrito is what you will get at just about any taco truck. Now of course it being LA there are 8000 other kinds of burritos around, but the standard kind is the one described above. (This is also in my opinion the best kind of burrito.) To a San Diego purist, the presence of beans in a burrito is offensive.
Then of course, there is the San Francisco burrito. Here, many things are added in: rice, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole.... The beans are now black beans. Sometimes things like corn or roasted peppers are added. These burritos become so big they have to be wrapped in aluminum foil. To some, these burritos are fantastic as they have so much stuff in them. Others feel there is too much going on in there, like an overdecorated Christmas tree. In any event, the San Francisco style burrito can be sampled locally at any Chipotle or (in a way) Baja Fresh, though Chipotle is a pretty low quality example.
Anyhow.....I decided since I was visiting San Diego I would sample a truly authentic SAN DIEGO style burrito.
So I googled and found the most popular place was called Luche Libre. It was the top find on Yelp and a few other places.
Here is what it looks like from the outside.
I was very glad I was there off-peak, because judging from this Disneyland-esque sign, it looks like the line can be quite lengthy.
Luckily there wasn't much of a line.
Entering, I noticed a very heavy Mexican wrestling theme going on.
To call out the orders, there was even a microphone that pulled down from the ceiling, just like in the middle of a wrestling or boxing ring.
So now it was time to order. Should be simple because the San Diego burritos are so basic.
But.....this place was apparently not following the San Diego rules. The menu listed all kinds of burritos, all of which had so many ingredients, they made a San Francisco burrito look like a supermodel's lunch.
No problem, I figured. So I decided to just get the signature burrito, which was listed as having been featured on "Man Vs. Food." I noticed it had shrimp in it, but didn't look much past that.
Strangely, the burrito came with fries. Don't usually get fries with your burrito.
As I waited, I got my drink. I would say this drink dispenser alone means you have to go down there. (I am referring to the one on the left. If you get this joke, you are officially old by the way.)
Finally get the burrito. But wait, where are the fries?
Guess they forgot.
But no. Fries are not WITH the burrito, they are IN the burrito.
Yes, this burrito is filled with steak, shrimp, FRENCH FRIES, avocado, cheese, "special secret sauce," lettuce, and sour cream.
This is not a San Diego burrito, it is a San Francisco burrito on steroids.
Of course, this being San Diego, there are still no beans.
Was it good? Actually it was, yes.
(By the way, the salsas were very different down here. The one on the bottom right was the best.)
