The Santana’s California Burrito
Our rating: 3.0 / 5 
September 25th, 2006
a Santana’s California Burrito Innards
There are several Santana’s located around the San Diego area, we chose to visit the one closest to our home in Point Loma for lunch. Apparently Santana’s is the “home of the famous california burrito” and we both tried it on for size. California burritos are packed with carne asada, french fries, cheese, and, while some place add sour cream, at Santana’s they add fresh tomatoes. If what you’re looking for is a quicky fast food cali burrito, visit Santana’s, if you really want a good one, go somewhere else.
Fear the Cali BurritoA: So this was my first experience with the infamous california burrito…sadly
T: i didn’t think it was so bad. Maybe you just don’t like California burritos. As a person who eats them at least once a week,… wow. At least once a week. Listen to me. I don’t think I’ve ever said that out loud. I think I might have a problem.
A: you know the first step to recovery is admitting there’s a problem. so, you’re well on your way, right?
T: yeah, but I’d like to hit that low point where I wake up in the hospital and can’t remember anything… until they tell me the stories of how I started stealing from my family to buy california burritos. Until I hit that low point, I’m going to go ahead and stay addicted.
A: wow. wow. i’m speechless…i think most likely you’re going to have a heart attack and end up in the hospital and have to turn your life around that way. Do we need to do an intervention???
T: no I could quit at any point. I just don’t want to.
A: harh…that’s what they all say. i’m not buying it. i’m going to have to meet you for lunch everyday and make sure your not eating these things any more!
T: shut up! I hate you! why are you always trying to control my life! You’re mom smells bad! Actually your mom smells fine. But don’t you mess with my california burritos, woman.
A: okay, okay… i’ll let you lead your life how you want to, but expect the “i told you so” when you end up in the hospital at age thirty with a clogged artery. 
God i hope that doesn’t happen.
T: yeah, in all seriousness… california burritos are no laughing matter. What you just witnessed was a dramatization. But it could happen to you if you don’t make the right choices today. Please, refrain from eating more than 2 california burritos a week.
A: 2 a week?!? if they all taste like Santana’s cali burritos, i wouldn’t be caught eating two a year. I really thought that their “carne asada” tasted worse than Taco Bell’s. seriously. it was bad. The whole thing was luke warm, the cheese didn’t even get a slight melt on…
T: my cheese was melted.
A: mine wasn’t. i could pick out singular pieces of finely shredded cheese. The fries weren’t bad, but i would have prefered eating them dipped in something rather than in the burrito. I’m definately open to attempting another California Burrito, but it has to be made with someone who cares about the product.
T: like the lovely ladies at Karina’s, in Leucadia. I’ll have to take you there the next time we eat “donkey killers.”
A: huh? donkey killers? uh… i’m not really following you, homes.
T: the ancient ones used to make california burritos that were so large they were known to choke donkeys. Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.
A: hmm… are you delirious? What can i do to snap you out of Tyler-land and back to reality?
T: I don’t know. I’m gaining like 2 pounds a week. Literally. And the california burritos are getting easier and easier to take down. I don’t know if there’s any going back.
A: it’s just a good thing you were under-weight when we moved out here. now you’re just catching up. hopefully it won’t be irreversable, but maybe you should limit yourself to two cali burritos a month, rather than a week.
T: That sounds reasonable. But I work next door to a badass taco shop. Reasonable now and reasonable right before lunch time are two completely different things.
A: i feel ya. 
so, how would you rate Santana’s based on their California Burrito?
T: Santanas seemed like a fast food joint. Santanas is a fast food joint. now, it was way the hell better than burger king (or taco bell), but I wasn’t too impressed. The burrito was good only because I’m silly about california burritos. Let’s put it this way… I don’t want to know what was going on in that kitchen.
A: Me either! And i happen to disagree with part of your comment. I really would compare this burrito to what taco bell would serve if it served California burri..
T: IF they served california burritos. But they don’t. and I disagree anyway. Plus taco bell would have to start making french fries. not gonna happen. And if they did make french fries they would suck ass.
A: i’ll agree to that much. Lets just leave it at me being extremely underwhelmed by my first encounter with a california burrito, and i’m blaming it on Santana’s. I give Santana’s a 2.3/5. It was edible… but just BARELY. I certainly wouldn’t waste my time or caloric intake going back.
T: I give the burrito a 3.7/5. It gets some points for being a california burrito, but it loses points for being very close to, or, for actually being, fast food. So far the reigning cali burrito champion is Karina’s! Woo hoo, go Karina’s! I have every intention of blogging about that burrito one of these lunches. Hopefully you will be able to come have lunch with me sometime.
A: absolutely, any thursday or friday, and it’s on! I’m a little confused about one thing though. Did you just rate the burrito or Santanas?
T: the burrito gets a 3.7/5. Santana’s gets a 2.9/5. It seemed kinda nasty.
A: totally. Maybe we should mention the kick-ass place we went to for dinner.
T: Was Jimmy Wong’s Golden Dragon, now they call it “The Asian Bistro.” On mondays they have absurdly cheap prices. We ate 2 excellent entrees, and I had a large Kirin, for under $20. We were floored because the meal was so good we hardly talked the entire time. And then we got the bill and it was… under $20! Amazing. We’ll be going back there, no doubt.
Peace!
September 26th, 2006 at 8:17 am
That thing is horrific!!!!
September 26th, 2006 at 9:36 am
I dont know about proper burritos or anything but the Wahoos fish burrito with the green sauce is just heavenly. Mmmm. The la jolla location on Pearl is fun although I notice there is one in mission valley now. I think its even relatively healthy!
September 27th, 2006 at 8:08 am
Try Adalberto’s…mmmmmmmmmmm
September 28th, 2006 at 6:31 am
Lea, exactly!
Jenny, of all the burritos that i’ve eaten (and sadly, i’ve eat a lot - having worked at two different burrito joints in college) Fish burritos are my Favorite! I’ve never been to Wahoo’s before but we’re certainly going to have to give it a try!
Nicole, are you from san diego?!?! I didn’t know! how exciting? do you ever come back? we’ll have to do dinner if you do. I’m still open to cali burritos. just not santana’s! we will have to look Adalberto’s up and give it whirl. so many burritos, so little time
September 28th, 2006 at 10:26 am
Fun post! I am intrigued (and a tiny bit grossed out) by the french fries in a burrito. Who knew there was such a thing as a California burrito? But then again, I just recently learned that the ones I eat up here are called “San Francisco style burritoes”.
September 28th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Amanda,
I’m originally from the Fresno area but I lived in San Diego for a little while and my sister lives there currently. I think Adalberto’s is in Point Lloma…I just remember their California burritos are pretty awesome. I’ll be in California over Thanksgiving (only my second time back to the states in three years!). I’m not sure if I’ll make it down to San Diego or not…hope so!
September 28th, 2006 at 11:35 pm
French fries in burritos sounds like a genius idea…I put FF on my fried egg sandwiches…I think the pretty much go on everything! FF pizza! FF salad! FF milkshakes…okay, too far.
September 29th, 2006 at 10:45 am
michellephant,
hmmm… FF pizza… my first instinct was “NO!” but I guess it could be good. FF salad… perhaps. Milkshakes. FF Milkshakes. Hmm… yeah, too far.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Sorry back again! Just had to put in my two cents about french fries on pizza! I’ve had french fries on my pizza a few times in Sicily and it’s supergood! It seems like mostly kids eat it here but we love it!
October 1st, 2006 at 12:00 am
Nicole, no need to be sorry! and frankly.. i have to say, french fries and pizza sounds incredibly awesome to me! tyler just doesn’t have the open-minded palate to invision how good that would surely be… sorry tyler! one day we’ll try it and i’m sure he’ll love it.
October 1st, 2006 at 12:02 am
Honestly, I never had a burrito in my entire life. How I wished there is a burrito stand here. It does look so yummy!
October 1st, 2006 at 12:17 am
Never had a burrito in your life!!! Charles! wow. maybe i should move to Norway and open up a burrito joint (i’ve had years of experience managing and cooking for them). Think I would make any money?
October 8th, 2006 at 6:34 am
That would be interesting Amanda.
October 29th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Santana’s rocks!! Granted, I wouldn’t eat there too often but once in a while I’d stop at the Santana’s near SeaWorld drive for a quick Achiato Burrito or CalifBurrito….tasty!! mmmm-mmmm-mmmmmmm!
November 15th, 2006 at 7:44 am
I’m from Brazil but I’ve lived in SD for a couple of months, usually having 2 Calif-Burrito/week. I can tell you something: YOU ALL COMPLAIN BECAUSE YOU CAN STILL HAVE IT THERE! I can’t find it here, they only have the regular ones… I’m burrito-sick! I’d take now any Calif-Burrito!
November 15th, 2006 at 8:49 am
I like burritos. you guys should try ALGObertos burritos…yeah
January 14th, 2007 at 9:29 am
I love California Burritos. I grew up in Chula Vista (for those who don’t know thats south bay san diego) I live in New Jersey now and cant find any california burritos. I started making my own and my friends from Jersey can’t get enough. If you want a great california burrito go to Lolita’s in Bonita.
January 21st, 2007 at 10:09 am
YES! LOLITAS is great! A few years back, I moved from the bay area down to San Diego. I used to think places like Rubios and Una Mas had the best burritos. Turns out, they weren’t authentic and just as Americanized as Taco Bell. When I had my first California burrito, I was hooked. Sadly, I moved back to the bay area and miss them dearly. I think I’m going to make my own today! Just thinking about makes my mouth water.
In my opinion, Santana’s in Point Loma has the best Cali burrito. They go for $2.95-$4.35, depending on which burrito joint you go to.
April 29th, 2007 at 11:07 am
I’m using mandy-burrito.jpg for my internet cartoon, I hope that is ok. If not I appologize.
May 9th, 2007 at 8:51 am
If it is the ultimate California burrito that you are chasing, you should try the one at Tommy’s Tex-Mex on Voltaire in between Point Loma and OB. Tommy’s has the best homemade torillas in all of southern California, couple that with the best fresh ingredients and you will find the BEST California burrito ever made! Go give it a try!
August 14th, 2007 at 11:59 am
I have to agree with Scott. I just found Tommy’s (now called “Don Tommy’s) and it seriously blows Santana’s and Robertos away. I was very loyal too, but after my first California from Tommy’s, there’s no going back. Four reasons: 1. hand made tortillas that are made right there in front of you as you wait. They are thick and chewy, and awesome! 2. The ingredients aren’t kept warm until they roll the burrito, they cook it fresh right there in front of you too. Beware though, because of that, these things are HOT for a good little while. 3. One of the requirements of Cali burritos is that they are big. These things are HUGE! They take me at least an hour to eat, I have to take my time or I get too full. I weighed one a couple weeks ago, and it was 1.5lbs. 4. The Salsa. I haven’t tried all of them, but the red and the white-ish ones are soooo good. They’re spicy, but they have a really good taste! Also, you serve yourself the salsas, not like some other places who have recently started charging for extra salsa which is kind of oily.
Anyway, as you can tell, I’m pretty stoked on Tommy’s right now!
August 16th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
If you’re ever in the Hillcrest area, I think that La Fuente has a decent Cali Burrito. Not everything at this place is great but a lot of it is and this coming from a gal who grew up on Mexican food…And if you’re ever up in Encinitas/Leucadia area, the very best taco shop my mom and I have been to is Juanita’s Taco Shop. We even wrote them up in our annual dining guide at the UT a few years back.
La Fuente Mexican Food
Hillcrest
1227 University Ave
(between Richmond St & Vermont St)
San Diego, CA 92103
Juanitas Taco Shop
290 N Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
August 18th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
anyone who thinks santanas cali burrito is no good is a total MORON!! ive had franchise burritos everywhere and nothing compares to a cali at santanas. i honestly eat one every day and im 6ft 190lbs. if you are a fat lazy pig then you should stay away from them and all fast food in general. if you dont like them then dont go there. im sick of waiting in the drive thru for 30 minutes just to get my lunch.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
I love the carne asada burritos at Santanas (the one in Pt Loma, not the one in El Cajon) but never noticed the cali burrito. I bet with all the great salsas that Santanas has that even that cali burrito would taste good. I am glad to have read about Tommys, now I know where to eat in OB again.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Everyone knows a true California burrito comes from a restaurant that ends in -ertos. Otherwise, you’re eating gringo food.
Oh, and just for the record, Taco Bell actually did serve french fries in some test markets. I was lucky enough to live by one that did. And boy, they were tasty!
October 7th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
OMG!! My husband and I used to live in San Diego. He was stationed at point loma. WE LOVE CALIFORNIA BURRITOS!!! I was actually looking for the recipe since we are now stationed in IL. We miss it a TON. they are so addicting! So if anyone has the recipe that would be GREAT! thanks
Leslie