((4.5 stars))
it's funny that the search for "the best" often compromises "the why"(or more simply the thoughts behind why you enjoyed the food). noticed this frequently in reviews, social media, etc. about anything: people are too often forming the narrative of the review before they actually formulate a thought or thoughts about why they did or did not like the meal... and there's more to the meal than just what other people think about the food. kinda crazy that the more accurate and precise we can become with recording an experience the less genuine the record could be. "burrito" might mean "little donkey" (espanol) but to me it's always like a tortilla-wrapped package filled with mystery, while you might have an idea of what it is (because you ordered it duh), but the anticipation is in each bite ending the "surprise" but also kinda starting a new one before the next. the "actual surprise" might also be the amount of thought, effort, creativity, etc. it takes to make the surprise. and that's why I sorta ignored all the reviews, etc. i consumed about the "Best Damn Breakfast Burrito" before eating there. so i ordered the Chavela burrito via a food app for pickup at their East Village location. got their a little bit early and gave them the heads-up about the order. the manager, i think, checked on my order and gave me the nod that it would be ready soon. the space is very casual in a good way--clean, organized, and modern-retro but still feels lived-in almost like grandma's kitchen. the space has a several tables and seats spaced out on one side of the burrito-ry and there's some seating at the front window ledge. color me surprised because every time i walked by, there was a crazy line so I just assumed it was just a small place with an order counter...but it's not...assumptions, i tell you. there's the scent of fresh fruit, here because SURPRISE--they make fresh juices and smoothies...which is a nice touch...and there was a staffer here peeling, cutting, and juicing while i waited. btw, there's a restroom here which is often a casualty in small spaced eateries in NYC. while it's casual here, the burritos are NOT fast-casual as they are more or less made from scratch hence the longer wait which to me is worth the wait. other things I noticed was a waster dispenser set on one of the counters (friendly gesture) but they even placed a container on the floor, underneath...to catch any splashed or careless pours...again, the small details have thought and effort behind them here. anyway, once my order was up, they walked it over to me as they did for other people (as oppose to shouting out a name and number for people to rush the counter)--again, the details matter and count. the order was wrapped and bagged neatly. so what is the Chavela burrito? scrambled eggs, black beans, home potatoes, Pico De Gallo, avocado, bacon, sausage, and cheddar cheese in a gluten-free cassava tortilla. much like the actual eatery, the burrito exhibit a lot of thought and effort behind each ingredient...the scrambled eggs are silky and smooth; the black beans are meaty and soak in the flavor (and they are not MUSHY!); the potatoes are chunky and taste starchy pan-cooked (also, not mushy); the pico is tangy, fresh, and has that little bit of spicy heat (i think bc i couldn't what else might have a jalapeño/serrano touch); the avocado pieces are rich and smooth and provide a nice cool flavor in-between the savory ingredients; the bacon is high quality as it's not overly salty but has that smoky savoriness we come to associate the thin fried strips; the sausage is meaty but not chewy and punches up the savory flavors; and of course, the cheese is melty and smooth providing that fatty richness without overpowering other burrito ingredients. the thought put into the quality and quantity of ingredients show themselves in each bite as you can taste each one and each builds on each other from first bite to last to give you a wide range of breakfast flavors and savoriness without erring on one end more than the other. a lot of people comment on the burrito's size but I'll counter the quality and proportion of ingredients makes for a filling and enjoyable burrito feast. these burritos are all about tasting the ingredients not fillers (like rice, sour cream, or mushy cheap ingredients) because there are plenty of places that serve over-stuffed filler burritos in NYC and beyond. I'd also point out that quality calories last longer than ones that are made up with filler calories. the gluten-free tortillas hold firm and tight and don't go soft while holding together 8+ ingredients...they strong! overall, the Chavela is a must-order and if you're not ordering this burrito, then i question your burrito judgement and prowess! almost forgot--each burrito comes with a dipping sauce. the burritos don't need it but who can decline a tasty garlic aioli (they have other sauces, too). read more