Boojum - Dublin, Ireland

Dublin's answer to America's Chipotle, Boojum burrito bar is a fast-casual counter serving up big, floppy tortillas filled with your selections of whatever veggies and meat.

The Barbacoa is bland and dry, but everything else is alright. Fajita veggies are a bit undercooked but there's truly nothing offensive about them.

The Carnitas are amazing actually, everything the barbacoa is not. Juicy, a bit punchy, and quite seasoned and spiced compared to most things we encountered in the UK. The rice is good, and the beans are a better than the veg. 

It's not quite Chipotle, but it's cool to find something close enough on the other side of the pond. I'm pleased that Mexican-style food has made it this far, and I'm excited to see what else this cosmopolitan city is cooking up.

Tigres Fuego UPDATE - Redondo Beach

Barran's sister burrito is pretty good. I can’t understand the hype based on just their Cali Burrito, but I can confirm that it is a good one. Carne asada remains their best meat, beefy with a bit of char from the grill. There's a good ratio of beans to cheese to salsa, the fries add some much-needed texture, and the tortilla is tops. 

The tacos are still good, no change there, no need to improve on the carne asada anyway. Al pastor has a good seasoning, and I love the pineapple, but there is better pastor to be found in LA. I love the combination of sweet potato and mushroom, and I absolutely love the char on the sweet potato as it gets a bit caramelized. It's a substantial filling and good enough that vegetarians won't feel like they went without. It could be a lot less oily, then again, that oil is delicious. 

Still a good taco spot, one of the Beach Cities’ betters. I still prefer LA proper, but I'm grateful that the South Bay has something good. 

Ensenada's Surf & Turf Grill - Lawndale

When it comes to ordering dinner, I'm as indecisive as I am irritating. The one place we can always agree on is Ensenada. 

Inexpensive fresh-fish Baja's Burritos always hit the spot, and it's a two-meal deal of fried fish and shrimp. Generous portions with rice, beans, and condiments in even proportion. Get it grilled if you want less guilt. 

Burrito de Carne is hubby's favorite when he wants some steak. Same difference but not a standout like all their seafood. 

A Shrimp Ceviche is a cool starter too, cold and thoroughly marinated, though not too sour. It's a good size of a serving, and the quality is good for the price. 

It doesn't look like much on the outside, but Ensenada is exceptional. Eats like a fancy fish grill, priced like a Taco Bell. 

Andy's #4 Burgers - Indio, CA

You gotta wonder about a restaurant that calls itself #4. Either you think you're the 4th best-ever or you think you're the 4th best in a town that may not have more than 4 to compare. 

I have nothing to compare it to, but the breakfast burritos are pretty good. Diner-style, good ingredients. Asada has seared steak with cheesy hash browns, onions, and eggs. 

Chorizo Burrito comes with beans, and the ground chorizo is spicy but not too salty or hot. 

Hits the spot if that's what you're looking for. A good selection of Mexican mixes and diner delights, if you're looking to get fed, Andy's will take care of it. 

Sandwich Saloon - San Pedro

I just wanted a Breakfast Burrito the size of my face with meat and melty cheese. 

They make that here, and it's the best one I've had all year. Juicy strips of seared steak, packed with three soft-yolked eggs and melty mild cheddar mixing with a smear on refried beans and cubes of potato. 

They say there's a lot of hidden gems in San Pedro, but you need to know where to look. I barely even looked for Sandwich Saloon, and already I am hooked. They also offer omelets and staples like pancakes and biscuits with gravy, but I don't know if anything can be better than this burrito!

Top Shelf Tacos - Carson

I didn't expect to like this place, but Top Shelf Tacos are damn tasty!

The Burrito is a manageable size with a tortilla not so thick it conceals the filling, and this one has al pastor that has crispy edges like it was actually sliced off a spit. The rice and beans carry their own savor for a roll-up that doesn't lack flavor. 

No wraps for me, just a Protein Bowl with all the fixin's. I'm cool with carnitas, shredded pork simultaneously soft and fried over a bed of beans and rice. Even layers give you a little of everything in each bite, and the whole thing is just a big bowl of feel-good grub. 

The menu is simple, and I like the lack of anxiety. You pick your protein and you pick how you want it served, and they even have jackfruit if you want your veggies fancy. I didn't even think I'd like them, but they're like a less white-washed Chipotle with a lot more chill. 

Los Agaves - Santa Barbara

Jumbo burritos, fantastic flavors, fairly priced. First meal in Santa Barbara and Los Agaves had me ready to relocate. 

The Agaves Burrito is full of buttery fish filets, battered and fried. Juicy shrimp add a spring to every bite, and there’s a side scoop of rice to catch the drippings. I’m not a sauce person, but that chipotle creme is crack.  

Even the salad is a stand-out. Mixed greens with orange and mango are made more memorable by a drizzle of dressing that I could have sworn had hints of passion fruit.

A tasteful red salsa encases a brick of a Burrito Mojado. By brick, I mean a belly-filling, soul-feeding, comfort-causing roll of steak n’ beans.

Four salsas for you to dip, four salsas for your chips. The black one is like a liquid mole but mild, the red is red, the pico is pico, and the green is tart avocado. 

The best dinner I had during my short stay in Santa Barbara, one of the best this month. I have much more to see in Santa Barbara, but I’m already plotting my return to Los Agaves.