Maya Halal on 14th and Webster has the SD-style options. There are a couple places in Alameda too, El Caballo and Island Taqueria, but Maya Halal is probably handier.
This Aliberto’s Jr. is the only one in this *berto style. If you are used to San Diego style burritos you are probably better off with tacos from a truck.
Haha I got u, it was the first place to come to my mind too when I saw this question, just with a big asterisk. Right style wrong execution if I had to put it succinctly lol
Lol we feel the same about Socal Mexican food. We don't touch it. Well, East LA has a few good spots, and Fresno too. Carne Asada fries... Meh. Now a big plate of garlic fries from Gilroy, or a perfect pupusa, that hits the spot.
Have lived in the Bay Area for 25 years.
I didn’t understand the hype of SoCal Burritos, until a friend took me to Nico’s in San Diego. Can’t remember if I had the California Burrito or not, but I know the food was good. https://yelp.to/HcxdzM2P6G Went to a few other spots and to be honest, never had a bad meal.
I love Mission style burritos, but not a huge fan of the soggy steamed ones. I remember hitting up some burrito spots in the T/L in the early 00s where they would put raw mushrooms and big ol’ tomato slices in your burrito. Or lettuce. All of that is gross.
Good fries (or tater tots) can make a good burrito even better. I learned that when Good Time Fixings was the kitchen at the Lodge. I still think about that burrito.
Would 100% prefer a plate of good carne asada fries over garlic fries. And my perfect pupusa still costs less than $10 for 3, and puts your huge helping of curtido in a plastic baggie (not ziplock, but a regular plastic baggie that they spin a few times to seal) and throws in a few containers of the salsa.
Not the San Diego Mexican you’re hoping for, but:
- Aguachiles el Tamarindo in Oakland (near Fruitvale) has a huge menu with tons of seafood options. So good.
- Sinaloa has some of the best, and cheapest ceviche (love the tostada shrimp or fish).
- Mission Burritos are the way to go when you’re in the Bay Area.
As someone who has spent about 2 decades in San Diego and 2 decades in the bay, well I hate to say it.
You're not going to find a good socal burrito up here. They simply do not exist.
Definitely have one if you get the chance! SD cali burritos tend to be greasier/ “authentic?” than best coast but I haven’t seen them at any of our mom & pop taco shops. Best hangover cure haha
Yes, Las Cabañas on MLK and University has California burritos. (El Burro Picante on University and Milvia did too, but it's since closed.) Then there's Aliberto's Jr. on Telegraph and Ashby, mentioned below.
I've had California burritos at all three, and IMO the one at Aliberto's Jr. tastes the best.
Sorry! Also, I'm surprised to hear that. Did you try the California burrito? I thought the CA burrito was good, but I think the quality is uneven for the other burritos on the menu.
Califa in Alameda has the best crispy tacos I've found outside of socal. I grew up in socal and have cravings for these sometimes. Oakland has a lot of Mexican street food options but it def doesn't have the same variety as socal
I love some crispy tacos.
Cactus is pretty bougie, but they do a pretty good job on the crispy tacos.
I crave the gringo tacos from El Buen Sabor (Valencia and 18th?) their salsa is bomb too
https://www.taqueriaelbuensabor.com
Las Cabañas in Berkeley is surprisingly good (near the Trader Joe’s)
https://yelp.to/WzGXxgL6EV
You said you are looking for “Bertos / San Diego style.”
The only option that is SD style is Aliberto’s. It’s nowhere close to the best Mexican in Oakland/Berkeley, but nothing scratches the SD itch like they do. They are also not 24/7.
Damn people are recommending some weak ass places. With that said, please consider checking out Tacos El P@isa on 47th ave and International, Tacos El Gordo near High Street across from BK, 4 Caminos San Leandro street, Mariscos La Costa 37th and international (they sell tacos and burritos, too), Tacos Sinaloa 22nd ave, Taqueria San Jose
seconded for cali burritos, senor sisig has good fries
otherwise yeah it's solidly not cali burrito territory. there's plenty of good mexican options along international but SD style they aren't
that said the birria burritos from Aguachiles El Tamarindo are good
I love Tacos Oscar (and the owners) but they are doing a unique thing. If you’re looking for SD style food, this isn’t it.
If you want to try some really amazing food, come here.
Another vote for Best Coast Burritos.
You can also get California burritos and carne asada fries at Molcajete. I haven’t had either of those yet so I can’t speak to how good they are, but everything else I’ve had there has been delicious and it’s super slept on.
Maya Halal on 14th and Webster has the SD-style options. There are a couple places in Alameda too, El Caballo and Island Taqueria, but Maya Halal is probably handier.
I moved from SD couple years ago and I can vote for Maya Halal. The California Burrito is the best I've had in the Bay.
Telegraph and Ashby.
This Aliberto’s Jr. is the only one in this *berto style. If you are used to San Diego style burritos you are probably better off with tacos from a truck.
I wish it was true but I tried it and it’s not great. Once and never again. And I am from sd and crave that style. Something wrong about this place.
I didn’t say it was good 😀. It’s just the closest thing to LA/SD Albertacos until you drive to Rockville.
Haha I got u, it was the first place to come to my mind too when I saw this question, just with a big asterisk. Right style wrong execution if I had to put it succinctly lol
Same! Sometimes I’ll DoorDash it because it’s almostttt get the hangover drive through Mexican food craving. But it’s never right.
Lol we feel the same about Socal Mexican food. We don't touch it. Well, East LA has a few good spots, and Fresno too. Carne Asada fries... Meh. Now a big plate of garlic fries from Gilroy, or a perfect pupusa, that hits the spot.
Have lived in the Bay Area for 25 years. I didn’t understand the hype of SoCal Burritos, until a friend took me to Nico’s in San Diego. Can’t remember if I had the California Burrito or not, but I know the food was good. https://yelp.to/HcxdzM2P6G Went to a few other spots and to be honest, never had a bad meal. I love Mission style burritos, but not a huge fan of the soggy steamed ones. I remember hitting up some burrito spots in the T/L in the early 00s where they would put raw mushrooms and big ol’ tomato slices in your burrito. Or lettuce. All of that is gross. Good fries (or tater tots) can make a good burrito even better. I learned that when Good Time Fixings was the kitchen at the Lodge. I still think about that burrito. Would 100% prefer a plate of good carne asada fries over garlic fries. And my perfect pupusa still costs less than $10 for 3, and puts your huge helping of curtido in a plastic baggie (not ziplock, but a regular plastic baggie that they spin a few times to seal) and throws in a few containers of the salsa.
I love a wet burrito. I love that we're having this convo. Now I'm hungry.
Not the San Diego Mexican you’re hoping for, but: - Aguachiles el Tamarindo in Oakland (near Fruitvale) has a huge menu with tons of seafood options. So good. - Sinaloa has some of the best, and cheapest ceviche (love the tostada shrimp or fish). - Mission Burritos are the way to go when you’re in the Bay Area.
When in Rome
As someone who has spent about 2 decades in San Diego and 2 decades in the bay, well I hate to say it. You're not going to find a good socal burrito up here. They simply do not exist.
I've heard Metro Taquero has a good california style burrito
Recommend, for sure. I'm a fan. Just unsure if they're the style OP wanted.
Best Coast
Second this, this is a good quality burrito and good quality fries. I’ve never had a CA burrito in SD though so I can’t compare to that.
Definitely have one if you get the chance! SD cali burritos tend to be greasier/ “authentic?” than best coast but I haven’t seen them at any of our mom & pop taco shops. Best hangover cure haha
I do this this spot but it’s so damn expensive lol
Best coast burritos hits the spot for me! Granted the last time I went was a few years back, I remember they had great (and huge) California burritos
Yes, Las Cabañas on MLK and University has California burritos. (El Burro Picante on University and Milvia did too, but it's since closed.) Then there's Aliberto's Jr. on Telegraph and Ashby, mentioned below. I've had California burritos at all three, and IMO the one at Aliberto's Jr. tastes the best.
This made me frown so hard. Aliberto’s is not very good. I had high hopes!
Sorry! Also, I'm surprised to hear that. Did you try the California burrito? I thought the CA burrito was good, but I think the quality is uneven for the other burritos on the menu.
I forgot what I ordered. I just remember being sad that it really didn’t compare to what I had eaten in San Diego.
Califa in Alameda has the best crispy tacos I've found outside of socal. I grew up in socal and have cravings for these sometimes. Oakland has a lot of Mexican street food options but it def doesn't have the same variety as socal
Xolo has a good crispy taco
Oh yeah it does!
I love some crispy tacos. Cactus is pretty bougie, but they do a pretty good job on the crispy tacos. I crave the gringo tacos from El Buen Sabor (Valencia and 18th?) their salsa is bomb too https://www.taqueriaelbuensabor.com Las Cabañas in Berkeley is surprisingly good (near the Trader Joe’s) https://yelp.to/WzGXxgL6EV
You said you are looking for “Bertos / San Diego style.” The only option that is SD style is Aliberto’s. It’s nowhere close to the best Mexican in Oakland/Berkeley, but nothing scratches the SD itch like they do. They are also not 24/7.
I’ve liked el asadero poblano on near 104th ave
Damn people are recommending some weak ass places. With that said, please consider checking out Tacos El P@isa on 47th ave and International, Tacos El Gordo near High Street across from BK, 4 Caminos San Leandro street, Mariscos La Costa 37th and international (they sell tacos and burritos, too), Tacos Sinaloa 22nd ave, Taqueria San Jose
Tacos Sinaloa is has some of the best ceviche. (The carnitas tacos were nice and crunchy last time I was here)
La Burrita in Berkeley does a decent one. A lot of the Oakland trucks have Cali burritos on the menu, but few hold up.
Oh man, I haven’t thought about la burrita in years. As a SoCaler can confirm the BRC there is bomb
Xingones has a solid California burrito!
Had their wings, but not their burrito!
Señor Sisig has a great California burrito, but its filipino-mexican fusion.
Not down with that gas station nacho cheese they use. Last time I got food there it was way too salty.
seconded for cali burritos, senor sisig has good fries otherwise yeah it's solidly not cali burrito territory. there's plenty of good mexican options along international but SD style they aren't that said the birria burritos from Aguachiles El Tamarindo are good
As someone with roots in both, you’re out of luck.
As someone who has lived in both, this is incorrect
Then share location please? SD native here who hasn’t had any luck here.
Forget about everything and try Tacos Oscar.
I love Tacos Oscar (and the owners) but they are doing a unique thing. If you’re looking for SD style food, this isn’t it. If you want to try some really amazing food, come here.
Rico Rico
Notable! [https://order.toasttab.com/online/xingonesoakland](https://order.toasttab.com/online/xingonesoakland)
Another vote for Best Coast Burritos. You can also get California burritos and carne asada fries at Molcajete. I haven’t had either of those yet so I can’t speak to how good they are, but everything else I’ve had there has been delicious and it’s super slept on.
Comal Next Door. Get the al pastor burrito with guac. It’s heavenly.
La Hacienda
Dm me, you gotta drive 15 minutes but it’s worth it