Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wrap It Up: The Burrito Carts
A tourist in the wine region could be forgiven if he's lulled into the belief
that everyone in the area is rich, white, and of Italian or Spanish descent.
But the locals know better. Many of the people working the land—the
ones who prune the vines and make the wine happen—are immigrants
(some legal, some not) from Mexico, Colombia, and other Latin countries.
And do you think that in the evening, after a hard day spent in the dirt,
that they make reservations at places serving fig compote or smoked
salmon? Heck no.
For some real local flavor, go where the locals go: one of the several
take-away burrito cart locations popular with workers. What's that? A lit-
tle kitchen in a specially refitted RV where a hard-working cook dishes up
some incredibly large, deeply tasty Mexican treats. Burritos start at $4.50,
and the $6 “super” version is the
biggest
one I have ever seen in my life—
at least 12 inches long, heavy as a Duraflame log. One could feed three
average people. Quesadillas are $5, and stuffed. And tangy chorizo tacos
go for a mere $1.25 served with fresh lime. Each cart posts its county-
approved paperwork, including health inspections.
Obviously, since these carts are by definition transient, there's no
promise where they'll always be. But several carts are so established that
they tend to appear in the same places every day. Just north of Sonoma
on 12, in the lot of Cavenaugh's Auto Care Center at Boyes Boulevard, is
one of the more popular ones near Sonoma town (
%
707/235-9492
). In
Guerneville (Sonoma County), you'll find another trusted one in the front
parking lot of the Safeway supermarket in the center of town.
If you don't find yourself near those, any local will know where you can
find a good one. Ask supermarket clerks, wine-room attendants, and any-
one else who actually lives in the area where the goodies are currently
parking.
And Napa? What about there? In Rutherford, head to the back of the
La Luna Market Taqueria
(1153 Rutherford Rd., Rutherford;
%
707/
967-3497; daily 8am-7:30pm).
In the hind end of a grocery store, cooks whip
up a huge range of authentic Mexican classics, like a killer
carne asada,
although for slightly more than by the carts of the west. It's not as down-
and-dirty as Sonoma's carts, but it'll get you through a burrito jones.
Don't mess around, though, because if you request your order made brutally hot,
you'll get it that way. The restaurant is in a former house, lending a comfortable
vibe, and in good weather the outdoor patio is a terrific place to hang out.
$$-$$$
And now for something completely different: You might expect some-
thing portentous out of a restaurant serving something so different from its rivals,
but
A Taste of the Himalayas
5
(464 1st Street E., Sonoma;
%
707/996-1161;
