17.230 Carne Asada Burrito

Cycle 17 – Item 230

Post 6,074

23 (Sun) August 2026

Carne Asada Burrito

3.0

from La Burrita

(in my hotel room)

-Berkeley, California, USA-

solo

Feathering the (Kid’s New) Nest: Day 5 of 9

In Berkeley.  DJ, upon finishing his freshman year at Cal, has moved out of the dorms and rented an apartment.  Though my parents didn’t (physically) help to furnish my first apartment (financially, yes), DJ seemed hopelessly lost on what needed to be done and utterly incapable of getting it done, so here I am.  Always happy for an excuse to visit Berkeley – 3rd year in a row (see previously 16.228 Korean Beef Short Rib with Vegetables Wraps; 15.182 Top).

LUNCH

Chengdu Style Restaurant is a Chinese restaurant.  Specializes in Sichuanese cuisine, served cafeteria style – as DJ put it: “like Panda Express, but legit” (i.e., rice/noodle plus 2-3 items).

Located on the corner of Bancroft Way and Bowditch St.

Had W been here, had we finished assembling all the furniture, the plan had been to take a day trip somewhere nice, like Napa Valley.  But DJ and I decided to chill in Berkeley.

Ever customer was Asian, probably Chinese.

Whereas Sichuanese cuisine in general is affiliated with intense flavors, particularly mala, the culinary style affiliated with Chengdu (capital city of the province) is milder, more layered.

Steamed Rice (2.0) + Beef with Broccoli (2.0) + Stir-Fried Cabbage (2.5) + Mala Fish (2.5) + Soup (1.5)

A good middle ground appealing to both hardcore Chinese students and non-Chinese students looking for something more “legit” than Panda Express.

HAPPY HOUR

After dropping off the rental car, I felt liberated.  No more shopping, no more hauling, no more unloading.  What’s done is done.

Oski’s California Gold Ale (2.0): not a big fan of ale.
Carnitas Taco (3.5) (see previously 16.226 Fettucine … Anchoïade – Let’s Celebrate in Style).

I spent the afternoon indulging in music.  I’d brought over 60 kg of records, CDs, DVDs to sell, which netted $175 (Amoeba) + $11.50 (Rasputin) – not a lot, but content to streamline the collection.  In exchange, I purchased $208 worth of CDs and 1 record (Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On).  What a blast.

Cal Gold Bar Whiskey (2.5): fun, but generally eh.

DINNER

La Burrita is a Mexican restaurant.  Mostly Tex-Mex.

Located on Durant Ave, next door to Top Dog.

Both so tired, we agreed to go our separate ways for dinner.

Devoid of anything fresh, only soft and squishy, as a burrito should be.

The food was fine – better than anything in Korea.

MIDNIGHT SNACK

Again, ending the night at Top Dog.

TESTD (Try Every Sausage at Top Dog)

(See RESTAURANTS IN USA)

(See GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See BOOZE)

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