Somewhere between my apartment and the AT&T store in Los Feliz I decided that I was going to finally try the burrito at Yuca’s. I’m pretty sure I came to this conclusion as I was driving up Hillhurst towards Los Feliz. What sparked the idea? Why, driving right past Yuca’s, of course! There was a small crowd gathering — normally the stand is packed during lunch hours — and I had a fresh $20 bill burning a hole in my pocket. There’s no better time to try a long-desired burrito than when you’re just trying to scrape by until September’s rent check clears, that’s what I always say!
I first discovered Yuca’s when I was trying to find the supposed “best burrito in Los Angeles.” When you’ve eaten as many burritos as I have, there comes a time when run-of-the-mill taco trucks and East LA eateries just won’t cut it anymore. Like an aged Fentanyl addict who has grown tired of the same old high, I’ve been ready for quite some time to move on to the black tar heroin of Los Angeles burritos. Chowhound, Yelp! and CitySearch all seem to contain a plethora of options, as written in by other burrito fanatics. Those sites, to keep with the drug references, are like the Erowid Vaults of the burrito underworld. Most people cite the same few eateries: El Gran Burrito, El Tepeyac, and Yuca’s. I’ve eaten at El Gran Burrito (it was “meh”, as far as my palette was concerned. The meat was a bit fatty and the “hot” salsa left me unimpressed. I haven’t yet visited El Tepeyac, probably because it is an actual restaurant and not a stand or truck. People like me (poor, worthless sacks of shit) are generally diffident towards sitting down to enjoy a wholesome meal. I’ll try it soon, but for now I’m all about Yuca’s.
I ordered up a carne asada burrito. My total came to $4.90, and it was prepared and ready in under ten minutes. There’s no salsa at the stand, they make their own house salsa from tomato, onion and cilantro. The meat was tender and juicy, much more flavorful than other area Mexican establishments. The lack of a true hot sauce enabled the flavor of the cheese and the homemade salsa to assert itself, and as I consumed the burrito I wondered whether a true salsa would even make the food more enjoyable. I neglected to ask for free jalapenos this time, but I’m pretty sure I’ll request them on my next visit. Some other websites swear by the pulled pork burritos, so that’ll probably be what I try next.
I think there was a post here that ranked my favorite burritos, but I can’t locate it at the moment. It doesn’t matter, Yuca’s now stands alone at the top of that list. Try it and you’ll understand. I proudly endorse the burrito, and give it my highest burrito grade yet: eleven-thousand refried beans.
5ive – The Hemophiliac Dream (Remix By James Plotkin)
Wold – Ray Of Gold
Sigh – Me-Devil
Son House – Death Letter
Mogwai – Devil Rides (featuring Rocky Erickson)
