El Rey

Posted December 14th, 2007 in food

We were at a holiday event at Mila’s school the other night. One thing I forgot comes with having a child in grade school is an endless calendar of school events…

Anyhoo, it was dinner time when everything wrapped up and rather than bus it home for leftovers we took the advice of another parent and hoofed it down N. Lombard to King Burrito.

Let me say that I have a serious burrito habit. I could literally eat burritos every single day of the week. And yes I am talking the real deal, the forearm sized burritos you find at your local taqueria.

La Bonita is a short walk from the shop so they see me three or four times a week. I really like La Bonita for a basic vege or bean burrito. The beans are good, the service is good, the vibe is good…and King Burrito?….man oh man…

This place is a beat up hole in the wall, the carpet is so badly worn and stained that you can’t determine its original color, the seating looks like a hodge podge of flea market rejects, there is no restroom, and they have a handful of vending machines filled with goodies to attract quarters from kids. Gael also managed to locate every electrical outlet in the room – which there are plenty! (But it should be said that trying to stick his finger in a socket is Gael’s greatest goal in life….)

They do get decor props for having two of the coolest toys in a plastic bubble machines I have a seen in a while: a Homies vending machine and a Jesus action figure vending machine (50 cents got Mila a Virgin Mary!).

The food, however, R-O-C-K’s! We are of the vegetarian persuasion and in addition to a substantial selection of traditional Mexican choices they offer a number of vegetarian choices. I opted for a chile relleno burrito for $3.75. It was magical – really.

I love chile rellenos but I tend to shy away from them in burritos because the relleno too often gets buried or is a greasy mess. Not here. The chile relleno was distinctive but none of the elements – pico de gallo, beans, rice – overpowered the flavor. Instead everything mixed together in a delicious peaceful harmony. It was huge, I finished the whole thing, and I wished I had second stomach so I could get another.

In addition to burritos they have a wide selection of other choices – tortas, quesadillas, menudo, etc. Like all taquerias should be, the place was a bargain and the service was quick. Our total bill for three burritos was 8 bucks and some change, basically about a buck a pound.

It is hard to live up to a name like King Burrito. These guys definitely do!

King Burrito is located at 2924 N. Lombard, Portland, OR 97217 – (503) 283-9757