Big Fat Burrito

Here's a quick post.

If you are at the Kensington Market and you want a meal that's both satisfying and cheap then head to Big Fat Burrito.

Literally what you get is one big FAT burrito.

The wrap is toasted nicely so there's a bit of a crunch when you bite into the burrito.

Here I got was the yam burrito. This is the small. Doesn't it look huge?!

I've had the pulled pork before and it was yummy as well.

TOTAL BILL $7...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

Mexican Salsas

Thinking one voucher wouldn't be enough I bought 2 vouchers for Mexican Salsas. I was wrong.

There are numerous Mexican joints available at Kensington Market and with so much competition I don't understand how they all survive. I think each place specializes in a particular dish which is how they are able to maintain afloat in the little market.

At Mexican Salsas I think their food is much more rustic and kinda like a fast food joint but the great thing about this place is it's cheap and filling.

Here is their logo. Think it looks like a rooster or some sort of creature.

From the menu you choose your outer layer and then your fillings and toppings. Simple right? WRONG!!! I couldn't decide on what meat I wanted nor what wrap. I couldn't tell which meat was what. The owner was kind enough to let me sample a bit of each of the meat fillings available.

Finally I made my selections.

Here was the taquito with pork. I forgot what the actual name was I like to say it's either carnitas or cochinita but it might not be either. This was delicious although a bit skimpy on the meat nevertheless, my cousin enjoyed it.

No this was not a salad. It was the tostada with chicken. The owner did give me a fair warning that it would be difficult to eat but regardless the right way to eat it is with your hands. No utensils allowed. I listened obediently and attempted to eat this pile of food without the aid of a fork or spoon. Let's just say within 2 bites the whole thing fell apart BUT I still continued on eating with my hands. It didn't look pretty while I was eating but I managed to gobble it all down. It was yummy but once again too little meat.

Here was the burrito with pork in mole sauce. Can you spot the meat? I sure can't but it was hidden somewhere in that wrap. I didn't really enjoy this too much since all I tasted was the wrap and rice. Starch after starch with a bit of protein here and there.

To wash it all down I got this apple flavored carbonated drink. It was either this or some sangria bottle and the owner recommended this saying it was much more sweeter tasting over the other. Great recommendation. My cousin loved it so much she bought one for boyfriend as well.

The portions itself were filling but meat-wise I wanted more. Can't believe I got all this for $12. Now that is cheap eats.

TOTAL BILL $12...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

El Trompo

El Trompo definitely stands out in the Kensington Market. The burst of red and yellow just screams "Party over here." On the inside you get smacked with bright sunshine yellow walls as well.

To start off me and my cousin wanted to try the guava margarita. Let's just say after a few sips I eventually had to stop since I kept getting a brain freeze. It was thirst quenching but the after effects was not so great.

I had to try the guacamole. It was really really REALLY good.

I kept trying to scoop a big chunk of guacamole onto the corn chip. It was annoying me when I couldn't get a huge portion. Felt like a fat kid trying to get to the cookie jar. I just wanted it all.

Here was the taquito al pastor with pork meat marinated in a traditional sauce served on corn tortillas with pineapple coriander and onion. It was a bit bland at first but once I added the guacamole it was scrumptious. The tacos were actually quite smaller than it looks in the picture. I ate the majority of it since my cousin was saving her stomach to for other goodies in the market.

The guacamole was the star here. I would definitely return for the green mush. As for the tacos maybe try the homemade chorizo next time.

TOTAL BILL $26...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

Caplansky's Delicatessen

THE CONTENTS OF THIS POST MAY OFFEND SOME READERS. IF YOU DON'T EAT MEAT OR DON'T LIKE MEAT THEN DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT KEEP READING. THE PICTURES ALONE MAY GIVE YOU A HEART ATTACK.

Finally made it to Caplansky's Delicatessen.

After heading to the Bake for Japan event at Cafe Diplomatico and Liberty Noodle, we were famished.

There was a long lineup which took about 10 minutes or so. We thought we were smart arriving at 2pm to avoid the lunch rush guess it's busy no matter what time it was.

One thing I do have to point out that really pissed me off but I didn't find out till after I was able to push my way through to stand beside my friend since I was holding a box of goodies from the bake sale. My friend told me that a child just ran straight to the front of the line and the parents just followed and stood right next to the child. They just bypass everyone else that were lining up using their own child. WTH!!! Nobody even said anything. Umm do they not have any manners? What ever happened to teaching your kids common courtesy? Stupid people. Shame on you for using your kid to avoid lining up. Okay sorry just had to rant about that. Now back to my lunch experience.

Here is a picture of the man himself next to a wall filled with reviews.

Here is the drink menu but we didn't order anything we just wanted FOOD.

They have their own mustard which I used on my pickled tongue sandwich.

Here was the knish which was recommended by a twitter friend. It's a puff pastry filled with smoked meat, potato and spices all swimming in a pool of smoked meat gravy. This was utterly delicious. The pastry was flaky good. The meat filling was juicy and scrumptious. Thanks @MackChiu for the awesome recommendation:)

Here was a side of smoked meat poutine. I think the gravy sauce was identical to the meat sauce in the knish; nonetheless, still meaty good.

Here was the smoked meat hash piled under 2 sunny eggs served with rye toast and a few pieces of fruits. The hash consisted of lean smoked meat, potato, onion and brisket seasoning all griddle fried to perfection. The runny yolk oozing into the pores of the meat hash was a great combination. It tasted so so good. Although here the 2 eggs make it look like some alien head lol or maybe it's just me.

Here was the BBQ beef brisket served with crispy onions and sandwiched in an onion bun. It was monstrous. All you see is a huge pile of meat. It was hard compressing this sandwich and maneuvering it into my mouth. Also even more difficult to eat without creating a mess so let's just say I did not appear very lady-like when chowing down on this sandwich. The strands of meat was tender and juicy and the sauce was dripping down my arms. Very sloppy to eat but very satisfying as well.

Here was the pickled tongue sandwich. OMG!!! The smoked meat was super tender and just melted in your mouth. It was insanely delicious. Simplicity is what sells this sandwich. It's just a mountain of meat on 2 slices of bread with a dab of dijon mustard. Result is one gratifying sandwich.

I dedicate this picture to my friend Vivian. She was petrified of this sandwich lol. The bumpy texture of the skin gave her shivers. Lucky for me I had this sandwich all to myself. It was yummy in my tummy:)

The food here is mind blowing along with mammoth portions. Clearly we underestimated the portions but the owner underestimated me and my friend. He didn't think we could finish it all. Ha! We showed him. He even came to our table at the end of the meal and congratulated us on finishing everything. Also he must've thought we were beasts haha. Never underestimate Asian girls we can eat.

TOTAL BILL $41...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

Rancho Relaxo

I bought a voucher for Rancho Relaxo.

We arrived around 9:30pm or so and the place was half filled with patrons.

Me and my sister-in-law got seated at a tiny table for 2 since there were only 2 of us. We told our waiter, Jorge, that we will require a bigger table since we will be eating quite a bit of food. He didn't believe us and said he will be the judge of that. Later on I guess when the food was ready he figured we were right after all so he moved us to a bigger table. A 6 seater one lol. He should have listened to us in the first place. Never assume Asian girls can't eat.

Here were some random shots of the decor. Definitely a Mexican feel when you look around.

Here was my sangria. I had a tough day so I was in need of a drink. Albeit it's a girly drink but what can I say I can't take the hard stuff. I like my drinks where I can't taste the alcohol. I usually order a daiquiri but thought I would try something new. It was delish.

My sister-in-law got a beer unlike my girly drink however, she jugged down her first drink too quickly and ended up getting another drink. Here was her margarita. I personally HATE HATE HATE tequila so I cannot drink this. The thought of tequila makes me gag. I think it taste like stale medicine.

Here was the complimentary tortilla chips and salsa. The salsa was too watery so I snacked on the chips more until my companion pulled it away from me and told me to save my stomach for the real food lol. After seeing other people's dish we were kinda intimidated. The portions were enormous.

Here we have were the chicken tamales wrapped in banana leaf. It tasted like the Chinese sticky rice with fillings in it like ground pork or salted eggs. It wasn't extraordinary but it wasn't bad either.

Here was the steak enchilada with spicy chocolate mole sauce. I never tasted mole sauce before and I remembered seeing it on Top Chef Masters where Chef Rick Moonen made some sort of mole sauce. It sounded interesting. Don't think this tasted anything like Rick's sauce but we thought it was delicious.

Here was the highlight of our meal, the fish tacos. The fish was extra crispy and absolutely sumptuous. The tacos practically disappeared within seconds after it arrived. The first bite was WOW and then another bite and then another till I was like 'That's it?!!'. I wanted MORE!!!

All the entrees came with a serving of refried beans and some sort of sweet mango salad.

I tried to finish everything but when we noticed it was 11:15pm we had to get going so that we wouldn't miss the last train otherwise I think we could've finished our food. Well if my sister-in-law wasn't on a meat strike we would have finished everything. Then again more food for me hehe but man was I stuffed. I was pretty much wobbling to the bus stop lol.

TOTAL BILL $55...EAT HERE NEXT!!!