EL CASTILLITO - YOU NEED A BIG FAT MEXICAN SENOR/SENORA...

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

SAL says:

1. You ain't nothin' if you ain't honest!
2. Speak the truth & shame the devil!
3. When you're dying of thirst, you'll drink from a mudhole!

You need a big fat Mexican senor/senora cooking the food for it to be authentic, or at least remind you of mom or "fire up the barbecue" dad in the kitchen. The search for the perfect Zapata Burrito(6.89) ends at this popular,no-frills hole-in-the-wall: does SIZE, quality, price matter? Can you say gracias,gracias,gracias!!! Whether you are pro or anti- immigrant, you'll wind up thinking with your stomach at Jose's "little castle." (136 Church nr. Duboce;hours 10:45-11 daily).

If you prefer grilled tortillos to steamed (I do), share the melted cheese: the heat is off the richter scale. Partial to refried beans? NO MSG, sublime adhesion! I like the black beans & the side bar of marinated carrots & hot green peppers & radishes, beets, celery.

Forget the tofu & go for the chicken taco with cilantro, holy guacamole, onions, black beans, a heap of cilantro & hot salsa, this baby sings! (2.29).

Jose cooks several seafood specials but my fave: prawns, onions, beans, tomato, avocado, fiery sauce(9). Try this for breakfast & you won't need to eat for the rest of the day!

This delightful joint can seat families who want to get in & out -- everyone has a great time here! This is my idea of great "fast food"!

Pick up a tape at the local Blockbusters, a book at Aardvaark (a block away) or stroll down a few blocks to the Castro Peets or Starbucks & take in a great movie.

Or just swing down the sidewalks of San Francisco. Can you say fun,frivolous,"F"word, la familia, friend, faithful, food, flip, flatulence. (Thank you, Sal).

Gracias!