Where the food is at: Bay Area kid reviews local restaurants/food places
By CHRISTIAN AMBRIZ
The Tower
Fast food is something we’ve all had at least once in our lifetime, nothing like going on a long trip and stopping at the closest McDonalds. But with this new economy it’s almost the same price to buy something from an actual restaurant.
Better food quality and quantity can cost you some but it’s worth it. Without further ado here are some of the most well-known Restaurants, that not only have stats of being better, but actually fill you up with tasty food.
10. El Forastero Mexican Food
I went there during the first couple of weeks I had barely moved here, I went with my family around 7 p.m., wanting food in our stomach we were in a rush to get something to eat. I got a Burrito. Expecting something good because of the wait time, I was delivered a soggy burrito, the shrimp tasted weird. Overall, the food wasn't too great, it just got me full.
9. La Alteña
I went here about 2 weeks ago with a friend, seeing how packed it was and how many of my friends I spotted going there, I was predicting some good eats, I got some carne asada fries whit some Sangria to top it down, I opened the box and it looked like I ordered salad, there was barely any fries or meat. It was just a mess everywhere.
8. Las Casuelas
I heard a lot of people talking about this restaurant, saying that's it has an authentic Mexican flavor to it. I had to go try it out myself, and ever since I walked in, for me the vibe of it gave off like trying too hard to be Mexican, the food was kind of dry. I got some “Camarones Rancheros” and it wasn’t as good as I thought. I guess my Predictions were right.
7. El Jardin
I found out of this Restaurant because we were looking for a restaurant that would show the fight of “Pitbull Cruz vs Rolly Romero.” I went there expecting big for how my uncle was talking about it, I got “Camarones a la diabla” and it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good, the sauce had a good flavor to it, but what made it be a 6 was that again the shrimp tasted undercooked.
6. La costa
I go there about once every week, I always get the shrimp burrito, the food is alright, gets the job done. I mostly go there for the big horchata, the size of that horchata could last me till 4th period. Overall, it's a good place to go if you don't want to waste a lot of money and time. Right around the corner of MHS.
5. Round Table Pizza
This restaurant always hits after having a good tournament and having to go with the whole team to celebrate it, I went there when I had a tournament in Woodward. No matter where it's located, it always hits. We got around 5 pizzas, and we all ate about 5-6 pizzas, left us full but that full where you could still get more because it tasted good.
4. Red Robin
We went here during October to celebrate my dad's birthday, and until now it's my personal best burger restaurant I've been to here. I got a Pig out double with saucy boneless chicken bites. I asked for my burger to be Medium well, it came exactly how I wanted it to, and the chicken bites had such an exquisite taste to them, and to be honest, for the price it's a steal.
3. IHOP
You can never go wrong with IHOP in the morning. IHOP has been a crucial part of my life, one of the top 3 best places to go eat breakfast. This restaurant so important to us, that it was the very first restaurant my grandma ate in the U.S. I always either get a “Breakfast Biscuit Sandwich” or “Build your own omelet”
2. Black Bear Diner
You can never go wrong with Black bear Diner, I always remembered this place from when I was a kid wondering when I would go back, I went there around the first months I moved here and the food was amazing I got a “California Burger” I always get this because the taste of it is perfect, plus the sauce it has. We always go when we're not busy during the morning.
1. La Estrella Tacos and Seafood
Opening 29 years ago, for over 3 decades it has been serving its authentic Mexican cuisine. Recipes that date back are still being used.
The website states: “La Estrella Tacos & Seafood is a lively spot with a diverse menu. The service is generally good, with a courteous staff. The food is generally good, with options like huge burritos and seafood dishes. While some dishes may disappoint, such as the small Tostada Reyna, overall, the restaurant offers tasty options. The atmosphere is festive and lively, with various salsas available to enhance the flavors.”
La Estrella is where it's at. Out of all 3 locations, the 2148 Daniels St La Estrella smacks harder than the other locations. I still remember the first day I went to eat there. I would frequently have tournaments around Manteca, I'm not biased or anything but, I always try and look for a restaurant that relates to the type of food.
I walked and seen how nicely decorated it was inside and how clean it looked, so far looked good, we ordered and later looked for a table to sit at.
The wait time was impressively short for what we ordered. I got 5 quesabirrias with consome (the soup that the meat is cooked in.) I fell in love with this place.
I'm usually a risk taker when it comes to food, I like choosing different dishes every time I go, I think I've ate about 70% of what the restaurant offers. Of all those dishes, my favorite dishes are “La Reyna” which is cooked shrimp, octopus, imitation crab, clamato juice, cucumber, tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, avocado, and seafood black salsa.
“Fries Meat” which comes with Fries, meat, cheddar cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. “Shrimp Burrito” and “Al pastor Qusadilla” (No specific order.) This restaurant is such a banger, I come here at least once every week, to not loosen up my taste buds.
I remember this one I went with my boy, and this one worker was chatting with us because he saw that we had our gear on, he was talking about how he used to play soccer and all that, so he asked what position my boy played, he responded “Anywhere on top” I don’t know if he didn't think this through correctly but he said “So defense right?”
We just let him be because who are we to ruin such a nice guy's day, for the most part all the workers are friendly, especially the one with the man bun, he always looks out for his costumers. So, if you’re ever stop by Costco, or had a game at BLD, make a quick stop at La Estrella, so that your taste buds experience authentic Mexican cuisine.