The Ultimate Burrito

Tres Carnes – New York, NY

It’s hard to imagine that a burrito can be complex, but I assure you the legend is true. And while most wind up tasting like varying degrees of mush all mushed together in different configurations, Tres Carnes manages to create a separation between its painstakingly layered flavors, while also preserving that same mushy harmony you’ve come to know and love in a burrito. So how do they do it, well, for starters, their quac is smoked. So, you get that typical avocado creaminess, but as an added bonus, a hit of smokiness too, which, when paired up with the pork shoulder or brisket only complements the meat. Or instead of just rice, it’s poblano rice, packing a little heat. Yes, nothing is just filler in this puppy. From the chipotle squash to the street cart corn. It’s like mariachi in your mouth, assuming you like mariachi. But don’t discount this as a hoity-toity burrito for city folk, because it ain’t. I’ve eaten in some seriously authentic (aka down and dirty) Mexican haunts in my day and they can kiss Tres Carnes’ delicious buttocks.

Tres Carnes

688 6th Ave. New York, NY 10010 • (212) 989-8737 • trescarnes.com

During the week the line is around the block so I had never tried it before. But during the weekends it’s apparently much easier to get in and get out. So, I took advantage. And now I know why there’s a line around the block all the time.

First, the smell alone when you walk in is so damn good I’d swear I was Pavlov’s dog in another life. And once I saw brisket on the menu- fuggetaboutit!

And by that I mean, it’s UN-forgettable. Easily the best burrito I’ve ever had. And I was a bit worried, because I was like a kid in candy store, putting virtually every ingredient they had into this thing- the street-cart corn, the smoky guac and the chipotle squash. But the preparations of everything are so complex and masterfully layered with depths of flavor that I can’t even begin to describe, other than to say it was like burrito poetry in my mouth.

The pork shoulder is also money. Skip the chicken. But no matter what you choose, it still puts that other fast burrito place to shame. Chipotle you are officially on notice. If you want to keep up with Tres Carnes I suggest you actually go back to the start.