Battle of the burritos

Burritos are a staple item of Mexican food and a favorite for students and people alike. With so many restaurants in the area, finding the definitive best spot is a challenge. We put three popular taquerias — Lulu’s, Sanchos, and Como Estas — head-to-head. We judged each on taste, price, customer service, and atmosphere to determine which restaurant delivers the best overall experience.

Lulus: 

Price: 12.00

Taste: 5/5

Customer Service: 4/5

Seating Area: 4/5

Overall: 14/15

Opinion: Located in the bustling Town & Country Village, Lulu’s Mexican Food prepares for the lunchtime rush as Palo Alto High School students hurry to get their burritos. Standing in line, you’re met with the warm smell of delicious Mexican ingredients and a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. While there is no indoor seating, the patio offers ample tables surrounded by planter boxes filled with colorful flowers. The cashiers greet every customer with genuine friendliness, setting a positive tone right away. Behind the counter, the kitchen staff operates with incredible efficiency, making sure to get their food out quickly while keeping the quality next level. The burrito itself starts with a perfectly crisp tortilla that serves as a strong base for the rest of the ingredients. We opted for refried beans, which had a rich, earthy flavor that paired well with the seasoning. In addition, the delicious traditional red rice adds a hint of tomato and balances the texture. The star of this burrito is by far the carnitas, or slow-cooked pork, offering a crispy outer layer, along with an immensely juicy and tender inside, falling apart in your mouth. The addition of seasoning such as cumin, oregano, garlic, and chili powder creates a wonderful taste to this meat that makes you want to take another bite every time. Adding a final touch, fresh sour cream and guacamole balance out the warmth with their cooler elements and add yet another level of flavor to this burrito.

Sanchos:

Price: 12.95

Taste: 4/5

Customer service: 5/5 

Seating Area: 3/5 

Overall: 12/15

Opinion: At 2723 Middlefield Rd, Sancho’s Taqueria feels welcoming from the moment you walk in. The workers are friendly and attentive, and the staff goes out of their way to make sure you are satisfied with your order, adding to the warm, local feel of the spot. The restaurant itself is a bit worn and old-fashioned, but there is plenty of space to sit, and TVs around the room make it a comfortable place to relax and enjoy your meal. The regular carnitas burrito with pinto beans is generously packed with tender, flavorful meat, and each bite has rich seasoning. The carnitas truly shine: juicy, savory, and hard not to love. A trip to the salsa bar can make the experience even better, with tangy salsas that complement the meal perfectly. On the downside, while the rice brings an authentic touch, it can sometimes be a bit dry. Overall, Sanchos offers strong flavors and great service, making it a quick and easy option when you are on the go.

Como Estas:

Price: 12.49

Taste: 3/5

Customer service: 2/5 

Seating Area: 2/5 

Overall: 7/15

Opinion: Located on 2605 Middlefield Rd, Como Estas Taqueria creates the feel of an authentic Mexican Restaurant from the moment you walk in. However, the inside is small and tightly packed, with only a few outdoor seats and little room to move around, which makes the space feel cramped. The service was disappointing. The staff mistakenly accused me of not ordering my food, even after I had already paid, which left a bad impression. On top of that, the burrito took far too long to arrive, especially given how empty the restaurant was. The regular carnitas burrito with pinto beans still had its strengths. The tortilla is easily the highlight, soft, warm, and packed with authentic Mexican flavor that ties everything together. With the lettuce, tomato, and onion, each bite feels fresh, with a good balance of flavor and texture. While the meat isn’t quite as flavorful as it could be, the overall combination still works well. In the end, even though the service and seating fall short, the freshness of the ingredients makes the burrito satisfying and enjoyable. 

After visiting all three taquerias, one clearly stood out. Lulu’s delivered the best combination of flavor, friendly service, and lively atmosphere, earning the top spot in our burrito showdown. While Sancho’s impresses with its warm staff and solid flavors, and Como Estas offered notable freshness, neither could match Lulu’s overall experience. For anyone searching for the best burrito in town, Lulu’s is the clear winner.