[Editor's Note: Last Monday we got an email from a reliable tipster who saw a burrito vending machine being tested inside a gas station in West Hollywood. A quick scan of other food blogs showed that no one had the story yet, so we dispatched the intrepid Ali Kahn, who will eat anything, to get the scoop of the century in the field of automated Mexican-American food. Alas, his toddler-aged son had just gone down for a nap and Ali was stuck at home. Meanwhile, by Tuesday afternoon everyone had the story and in the end the whole thing is ridiculous anyway as there are decent, fast burritos available on pretty much any block in this city. Nevertheless, Ali did end up getting and consuming a burrito from the burrito box, and here is his somewhat surprising review]
Everybody and your Grandma in Toledo by now has heard about the greatest culinary launch in the history of West Hollywood Mobil stations. But are the burritos from the Burrito Box any good? Well, before I launch myself onto planet hypocrite after posting a favorable video review of this Burrito makin' Robot , Let's get a run down of the obvious and the obviously awesome:
It's in a gas station.
It's orange.
It plays music videos.
Beef Jerky has some serious competition.
When you examine the state of Gas Station food, let alone Gas Station food claiming to be Mexican, Burrito in a Box is a flavor savior with Whole Foods like credentials:
Sans nitrates and nitrites, cage free eggs, "natural"... if you read my column Bang for your Burger Buck you know I am no Michael Pollan but for three friggin' bucks, it is nice to know you aren't setting yourself up for hours of heartburn via Cheetos, turkey jerky and those hot dogs that have been spinning since the Jonas Brothers were young. But Quality Control at L.A. TACO ain't about compromise, it's about getting called out, and the bottom line on Burrito in a Box is this: a burrito bargain that borders on bland but will not bust your belly. If you are hungry, and at a Mobil in WeHo, and want to eat at that precise moment, you really can't do better. Should you make a special trip? Not unless you need expensive gas and feel like watching music videos while standing around a bright orange box.
And I would totally get one again.
