Home              
 

El Toro Meat Market (Mexican cuisine)  $

 9
JaT Rating

142 North B Street, San Mateo, 94401  (Directions)


(650) 579-2805


Website  Menu  vCard

            
    
Hidden gem along San Mateos B street "Burrito Alley"


Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 1040
Reviewed: 8/11/2004
Rating: 9
My photo gallery 		You wouldnt know El Toro Meat Market served burritos unless you knew someone who ate there, read the sign Taqueria, or walked by the front window and saw steel trays of burrito fillings. I wasnt planning on going here, it was just on the way to the other restaurant I was going to try. Ive always had great luck with markets that serve burritos. Tonight was the shizzo to the rizzo...omg...this might be premature, but El Toro is the current leader for Burrito Alleys best burrito of San Mateo.

The burrito stand shares the space with a market. On the left side is where you order the food and you pay on the right. While walking towards the back, I saw the BIGGEST pork rings...holy sh*t..they were nearly 2 to 3 feet big!! it was awesome...I had to snap a photo. Back to the food, the trays looked almost empty and but luckily the cook had just thrown some asada on the grill. My order was regular asada burrito with refried beans and rice.

Tortilla - legit...reminds me of San Diego style. After she wrapped the burrito in foil, she threw the burrito in the steamer.

Beans - refried heaven...it was just about white and melts in your mouth. I dont recall beans this GREAT.

Rice - perfection...no improvements needed

Meat - first bite sent chills down my spine. Lightly seasoned meat chucks with a crisp texture. FINALLY a burrito stand that can do carne asada the right way.

Salsa - mildy spicey and very unique.

I know I normally get carnitas to test taquerias but once in awhile I'll get Carne Asada. Reason why I get it so rarely is because everyone messes it up...most taqueria joints serve it chewy with no flavor..the meat looks grey.

If you come to El Toro Meat Market, all food is takeout. Parking is limited as I had to walk 2 blocks. If you want no thrills, the real deal burrito, spanish speaking, or culture rich experience, visit El Toro Meat Market. Whatever it was tonight...a full moon...burrito cupid....perfect mixture of rice, beans, and meat...all I know is, El Toro Meat Market serves one of the best damm Carne Asada burritos in the bay area.
 
  RETURN VISIT for Jason! 9/7/2004 - 9 Rating: Ive been burrito-less for the Labor day weekend...thats 6 DAYS!!! I was beginning to get the withdrawal shakes. I wanted to check out burrito alley in San Mateo to try a new spot ...La Pinata...b*tch *ss place is closed again...Ive been trying to visit for 2 months now but they dont post when theyre open or close. It was 4:30pm when I swung by and they were closed on a Weds?? Maybe its a dinner only place.

Luckily for me, I was surrounded by 4 other taqueria joints. I needed to confirm that El Toro Meat Market wasnt a fluke so I walked 3 doors down. There burrito was so damm good on my first visit, I had to order it again carne asada burrito with refried beans and rice.

Well...my burrito withdrawals have been deeply satisfied..hell yeah, this place is good. I would say this is the closest you can get to a San Diego style burrito..more runny than the norm..omg the beans are deadly good. Hard to believe this hole in the wall is my frontrunner for Burrito Alley. Although La Cumbre and Panch Villa has quite the selection for food..this is going to be a tough call.
 
9
Agent Rating


Reviewer: Michael
Total Reviews: 40
Reviewed: 9/14/2004
Rating: 9
My photo gallery		 I finally decided to try El Toro. Jason has been telling me about this place for the past month on how good it is. Funny thing is it's only a couple blocks from my house I just haven't got around to it. Well here we go.

It 8:30pm and I need something fast cuz in crashing from not eating since 11:30am. I drove down and waltzed into this very authentic carniceria. I walked to the order counter and got 2 super chicken tacos to go, they were done in 2 minutes. The bill was measly $2.50

I sat a home and ate them or should I say devoured them. All I can say is OH MY GOD. I should have been coming here sooner. I can't believe how good the chicken is. I am totally blown away by this place. I cant wait to try a burrito now. The only catch is the taco's are a bit small so order 3 if you are really hungry. Still for the price you can't go wrong. People this place deserves a sold 9!


 
Disclaimer
User submitted quickies (help)

Login to write a quickie.

wolf1 ate...

Super Burrito Carne Asada & Nachos

“Hands down my new go to taqueria. $4.99 for a super burrito?!?! You've got to be kidding me! Walk up to the order counter and pay at the register. Thank them for their little slice of burrito heaven.....”

9/16/2008 9:47:17 AM