Decided to try this place out after reading some reviews, despite some disappointing experiences with Mexican food in China. I nearly walked by the place because it was so dark inside, I thought it was closed. I saw one pendant light on and came in.
First of all, the incense that they burn is one that I hate - it's so overwhelming, and to me, doesn't whet the appetite. I don't know if the intent is to foster feelings of Haight/Ashbury hippie along with the Mission-style burrito claim, but it threw me off. I used to live in the Haight and the only incense you smell is Nag Champa or homemade sticks sold by dudes in massive rasta hats.
The only meat they had available at 12:40 on a weekday was the barbacoa beef, which was mildly offputting. I am a carnitas girl, myself, carne asada in a pinch, grilled chicken if desperate. The other meats hadn't arrived yet or something. I asked for the hot salsa verde and to skip the sour cream, and opted for pinto beans.
There was an overwhelming acidity that either came from the salsa verde or the lime rice - it was the single and most pervasive flavor note in the whole food tube. The meat was bland, tasting only of stewed meat and not much else. No smokiness, no depth. I liked the heat on the salsa, but the astringency was too strong. Also, the distribution of the ingredients was improper - all ingredients should be present along the length of the burrito, but my meat was all at the bottom and rice and salsa was at the top, along with a clump of cheese. One bright note was that they were not skimpy on beans, which I've noticed is a common occurrence in Asia-based burritos.
I don't normally have high expectations for service at a counter-style business, and, well, the girls behind the counter didn't reverse my expectancy. Do note, however, that there are no longer lunch sets, as one Open Ricer had noticed a while back.
I have had many, many, many a Mission-style burrito, as well as dozens of burritos from all along the southwest U.S., and sadly this wasn't even close. Size matters, yes, but taste matters even more. I hope they keep trying.
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