User Review
La Costena (Mountain View, CA)
Score: 8 / 10 Reviewed by: Marko
La Costena is a living burrito legend. However, the legend has two good alternatives now, so it is no longer #1. Identical quality burritos can be had at Burrito Real, 1 block away, owned by the same owners and offering the same food, but in a clean, well lit place with a nice atmosphere. La Costena is literally a hole-in-the-wall squalid backroom taqueria (back of the mercado). The advantage goes to Burrito Real, but sometimes the worn/dirty nature of La Costena makes it seem more authentic. The one advantage is that you can shop at the mercado and get latin american food to go with your burrito, like the dry tasteless panaderia baked goods, or the sickly sweet imitation Inka Kola (made by Coca Cola, not made in Peru).
That all said the burritos are really good. You have full control of all the ingredients, and if you aren't careful, your $4 burrito could top $10 if you add all the toppings (i think the toppings are overpriced).
The mole chicken is probably the best special flavor. The drunken chicken is also good, as is the steak/carna asada. The mexican sour cream is really good -- that really makes the burrito.
The salsa is tasty BUT it is way too watery, so if you have them give you a bag of free chips with the salsa - EAT THEM QUICKLY, otherwise the salsa will make the chips very soggy in about 60 seconds.
I'm giving them an 8 because Burrito Real deserves the 9.
