This might be the toughest food find

OK, so, I'm going to ask the question that I'm sure is going to cause some controversy, a whole lot of comments and hopefully some discussion: What place here in the Valley has the best Mexican food? I'm talking all-around authentic, good if not great, reminds you of mama and takes you back 20 years, or however old you are, back to the days when you burnt your hand on the stove trying to taste what was cooking.

Let's set up some guidelines and that might helps us all funnel our thoughts and responses so we're not comparing apples to well, naranjas.

Let's keep it to tacos and burritos even though there is a plethora of other Mexican food out here in the Valley. Or maybe I should add something so we have three areas that the establishment has to be spectacular in. This can be Valley wide in terms of including Mexicali. But keep in mind, there's like over a million people there and there's got to be a whole lot more places to go down there than we have here. But for my sake, being that I've yet to get my passport or passport ID card, try to give me places to go here until I get either of the two.

Hopefully I don't cause a culinary crossfire but I do hope I can weed out some of the places I shouldn't go and stick to the places I should. Comment away!

James Arens/Sports Writer/Foodie

Comments

[Daniel K. Edwards]

Maybe an investigation needs to be made.....go to places that sell carne asada burritos, order one to go, evaluate it by weight, contents, quality of contents, "freshness" and if salsa is needed or not needed....or something along those lines. Process must be repeated at least one more time, so that a norm may be established....publish results.

[JBrad]

We're not touching that stuff anymore. People (business owners) get way too upset. James, this is a matter of personal taste. For my money, nothing in the Valley beats El Rincon in Brawley. Great food, great owners. It is consistent, something many Valley restaurants are not.

[soulman]

If you don't mind spotty service, a long wait or high prices, nothing beats Rosa's Plane Food in Calexico. Everything she makes is delicious. A little pricey, but worth every penny.

[Humberto]

I have never tasted a good carna asada burrito in the valley, except of course whats made at somebodies home. Never been to Rosa's or Rincon but I have tried plenty of other places. When I feel like tacos and can't go to mex, nothing beats Jack in the Box.

[Rodrigo]

Acatlan de Juarez is probably the most popular place for tacos in Mexicali. At least with folks on this side of the border, that is. The flour tortillas are hand made on site, the salsas are well made and varied, the guacamole is OK, the service is beyond fast and it has both air conditioned and outdoor seating.

My favorite place for authentic Mexican food this side of the fence is Polito's in Calexico, located in the little shopping center across the street from Econ Hardware. This isn't simply food like Grandma used to make, it's the food you wish Grandma could make. There are several dishes I used to consider vomit inducing, without exaggeration, vomit inducing, that I now love after trying at this place: Chiles Rellenos and Gorditas de Chicharron. On this last dish the Chicharron (pork rind) is sauteed -- not fried -- in a red salsa with thin sliced onions and chickpeas. It's then stuffed into a delicious gordita with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato (if you dare) and shredded oaxaca cheese and sprinkled with a little parmesan. I'll warn you the place is not perfect. Service is slow and table service is poor. But the food is the best I've had in the Valley.

[James Arens]

Well I don't want to offend business owners, but I do want to find great food so thanks for the advice people. I've heard that Rosa's at the Calexico Airport is really good. And I wish I spoke Spanish well enough to venture down to Mexicali and try the food down there. I've only had great food when I went down there.
I'll make my way down to Rosa's and Rincon here real soon. I've got a few trips por food I need to make.
Also, at my last newspaper, I did a little food review of the super burritos up there and my stomach will never forgive me. I had three super burritos at each restaurant, times FOUR! That was in a two week period. While my tastebuds loved every bite, my stomach and intestines didn't. It was rough but I got through it. I'd love to try it again but I doubt my body can take that punishment again. Thanks for all the comments and keep them coming.

[Humberto]

I went to Rosas with my buddy soulman and rigo. It was the first time I had been there in a very long time. It was fantastic, I had the carna asada plate, or should I say steak with tortillas and guacamole. It was very good.

[andrew]

One of the oldest and best the Valley has to offer is Camanchos. Simply the best Mexican food anywhere, Try their special casadilla as an appetizer then choose any item off their 40+ year old tried and true menu. Hands down, the best!

[Humberto]

whats a casadilla?

[depezhe]

here in the valley try polys in calexico, la fonda and cardenas in El centro... that's it....