Everyday Eats: Mission-Style Burritos from Sloppy's

The name of this new shop in Hillcrest may suggest hastily constructed burritos, but the reality is much different.

by Erin Jackson

Posted Monday, March 11, 2013, 09:00AM

Don't be confused by the name: Sloppy's Burritos doesn't sling tortillas haphazardly filled with a mess of ingredients that threaten to explode out the back end. The new burrito shop in Hillcrest aims to be a Chipotle-style shop done a bit better, with upgraded ingredients like organic veggies, grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and homemade salsas.

The ordering process is simple: choose a burrito, bowl, or salad any way you like it for one price: $7.50. I went the burrito route, opting for the jalapeno tortilla (one of five different options) and stuffed it with steak and chicken, cheese, rice, black beans, guac, cilantro, and salsa verde. The marinated meat is "flash-grilled" before being loaded into the tortilla, which is wrapped in foil and steamed, which melts the cheese and makes the tortilla soft and a bit chewy (in the traditional Mission-style).

It may look like the burrito is a bit rice-heavy, especially if you're a carne asada purist, but let me assure you that every element -- from the rice and beans to the meat, guac, and salsa -- was expertly seasoned, so there's nothing that could be classified as filler. Still, I'd suggest going medium or spicier with the salsa (the smoked tomato, verde, or chipotle salsa) to punch up the flavor and power through the starchy layer of rice and beans.

Chips and a side of salsa (or guac) are an optional addition that really make the meal and to drink, there's Boylan's soda on tap -- the choice of many discerning new eateries. Try the rootbeer mixed with a splash of black cherry.

Sloppy's Burritos is located at 3884 4th Ave (map). There is a small parking lot, and patrons get 30 minutes of free parking.