Burritos have always been a big part of my life, from those that I would have made in my family kitchen, to my (still) favorite restaurant Panchero’s back in New Jersey. Once I had decided to come to USC, and began to tell people about my choice, I was frequently told about the great and diverse food scene that Los Angeles had to offer.
From my time here, I‘ve become aware of a few different spots for a Trojan to grab a burrito, at pretty much any time of day. These next few restaurants range from franchises to stands, and is by no means an exhaustive list. Still, here are my thoughts on a few local options, with ratings out of 10.
The first, and arguably most convenient option is Taco Taco. Formerly known as Verde, Taco Taco is stationed in Ronald Tutor Campus Center, right next to the bookstore, and in the middle of campus. Students can order on their phone or at the kiosks in the center, and pick up right from the counter. As for the food, I would have to go with the following ratings.
Tortilla : 4
Meat: 3
Toppings: 5
These are however somewhat saved by:
Convenience: 9
Next up is a favorite of many, Chipotle. There isn’t much more to be said about Chipotle that hasn’t already been said. Still, there are two Chipotles within near walking distance of the campus, and while I am personally more of a Chipotle quesadilla person, I can give these ratings for the burritos:
Tortilla: 6
Meat: 7
Toppings: 6
Convenience: 6
The third to be analyzed is Taco Zone, which is less of a restaurant and more of a USC cultural phenomenon. Instead of having a brick and mortar location, they are a food stand located within Fryft, on 30th and Vermont. Here, we get closer to the quintessential LA edible experience. Food is cooked in front of you, and walking by you encounter the sights, smells and sounds of fresh cuisine. I’m unsure of the official hours, but I can say that I have never once wanted Taco Zone and they’ve been closed. Rating wise:
Tortilla: 7
Meat: 8
Toppings: 7
Convenience: 8
Finally, is another Trojan classic, El Huero. Again a staple in the USC community, this restaurant is located within Fryft on the corner of 30th and Figueroa. One of the main selling points of El Huero is its 24 hour status. No matter the time of day, you can go to El Huero to have your cuisine needs met. Of course this comes with some tradeoffs, like the fact that at points when it is one of the only restaurants open, the line and wait can get rather long. Nonetheless, ratings:
Tortilla: 6
Meat: 8
Toppings: 7
Convenience: 7
Unfortunately, despite my rankings, I don’t think I can confidently say that I have a favorite. There are invaluable strengths that each restaurant presents, and some weaknesses that I have to remind myself to consider whenever I feel one making its way towards the top. Morale of the story is, I am never out of luck when it comes to finding a good burrito. Whether I am on campus, or hungry post-nighttime-Lakers’-game, I can trust that I’ll finish my meal satisfied.
