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Burritoeater.com Apparel Bazaar

Vallarta, Taq. ExcelsiorOMR: 7.50
4697 Mission
cross street: Persia
ph. 415/452-9442
Map Visits: 1
Much like its celebrated (by some -- even us, at times) Mission sibling, Taq. Vallarta’s Excelsior shop features cursive-neon signage outside and a dedicated tacos-only counter inside, as well as breakfast items and bottled beer. But for whatever reason, flies are more of an issue down here; perhaps this is why predecessors El Fadi (2005-06) and El Taconazo (2006-08) didn’t enjoy long tenures in this space? Hey, just saying. Credit cards and exterminators accepted. Open real late on weeknights, and real real late on weekends.

Will My Health Be Violated?

09/10/08Super Pollo Asado$5.957.50 Mustaches
Swish: temperature (10); vegetables (9); spiciness (9); size (8); tortilla (8); beans (8); ingredient mix (8); burstage abatement (8)
Shrug: rice (7); meat (6); sauciness (6)
Clang: cheese (2)
Intangibility bonus: 1 (of 2)

This classic-sized slab dodged a few bullets – low sauce content, fully unspectacular grilled chicken – to keep itself in position to garner a respectable rating by the time the last of the foil hit our red plastic tray. But around halfway through, our panel became concerned with the severe lack of cheese on hand: Where...where are the pillowy tufts? (Or something similar.) Turns out friendly Mr. Slabmaker Fella behind Vallarta’s counter didn’t shoehorn too many shreds of cheese into his oblong handiwork, and that hurt us real bad. Elsewhere, plenty of diced onion, cilantro, and sliced avocado picked up a bit of the dairy slack, while spice levels flew deep into the red from the get-go. But what was with the perilously unseasoned poultry? This is California! The state that brought flavor to America! Come on.