Scoring Guidelines
How to Rate Taquerias
To help keep our ratings consistent, we've developed the following guidelines. When thinking about a score, the quality of the burrito should be the focus. Other taqueria traits (service, ambiance, etc) can be considered, but are secondary.
| 10 |
Perfect. Couldn't get any better.God wrapped in a tortilla. This is the absolute best that a burrito joint can be. It's a perfect dining experience. It's nirvana and satori combined, the confluence of all that is good on this earth. You get the idea. |
| 9 |
Near-perfect. You'd go out of your way for this.It's pretty hard to find a 9. All ingredients have to be great: salsa, beans, rice, guac/avocado must all be fresh, any meat must be grilled on the spot, and all of the flavors have to burst. The difference between 9 and 10 is almost a state of mind. A 10 is better, but it's tough to say exactly how. |
| 8 |
Very good. No significant flaws.All of the ingredients are very good, with perhaps one filling of (slightly) lesser quality or a small problem with ingredient integration. |
| 7 |
Good. Enjoyable overall, but nothing special.The kind of burrito that you expect if you live in San Francisco or Mountain View. If you're on the east coast, you're going to be really happy if you can find a place that rates this high. |
| 6 |
Almost good. Shows promise, but needs improvement.We'll usually pass up a 6 in San Francisco — the cheese won't be melted, the al pastor tastes too much of orange, integration is nonexistent, etc. It's hinting at a 7, but it's not quite there yet. (For reference, Chipotle is somewhere around a 6.) |
| 5 |
Fair. Unmemorable. Bland.We might eat 5s if we're out of California, otherwise no. It's not a bad burrito, per se, but there's just nothing particularly good about the experience. |
| 4 |
Poor. Avoid if possible.Something's definitely wrong with this one. You'll be eating something edible, but it won't leave much of an impression on you, other than the aftertaste from the canned guacamole and the cheap Rosarita beans. This place isn't a travesty, but you probably won't go back unless you're desperate. |
| 3 |
Bad. Don't waste your money.You've probably got a choice of chicken or (ground) beef only, store-bought salsa, American cheese, all in sections on an unwarmed tortilla. Pitiful. |
| 2 |
Really bad. Run away.You're at Taco Bell. Leave. |
| 1 |
Indescribably bad. Couldn't get any worse.Might as well be a wrap. |
