Ridin' Dirty on the MTA

Jagshamesh! What to do at 4AM, Thansksgiving morning, after a snoozefest night on the town at some stodgy establishment and you're in no condition to drive anywhere? Reeling from the open bar with nowhere to go after getting thoroughly smashed on firewater, the MTA beckoned. Ditch the trust fund set and hop on the magic bus that takes the faithful to El Gran Burrito on Vermont & Santa Monica. Our intrepid correspondent and his loyal friend who was reared in the Российский коммунистический союз молодёжи, forged on into the madrugada. At this hour, a drunken Ukrainian can encounter all manner of commuters happily chatting to themselves on the great, big orange SUV, one of them shouting booyakasha to no one in particular.

There is a light at the end of this tunnel. A mob of hungry clubgoers surrounds this taco temple next to the metro station. Even though there's a shapeless throng halfway around the block, the fanatical staff keeps the crowd moving like there's no tomorrow. From the time the peppy cashier Lizette (who looks like her parents don't know she works at 4AM and probably waits for them to fall asleep before donning her apron) takes your order to the time the army of chefs creates your burrito, no more than five minutes passes. The men in the outdoor kitchen work like they're on speed or a fast forwarded videocasette and before you know it, you are in possession of the most amazing burrito in Los Angeles. For a mere $3.00 (or $1 for tacos) you can satisfy your hunger with a massive dose of lengua (personal favorite), carne asada, pork, chicken etc. with all the fixin's - chenquieh!

El Gran Burrito
4716 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029