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Mon-Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
"After trying the steak torta, carnitas burrito, and giving the steak burrito another try I had to raise the rating to 4. Awesome stuff."
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Short and Sweet:
BEST BURRITO EVER!!!
Open until 3am, even if the line is out the door, the food is worth it EVERY TIME!!! I've been in debates that nearly turned physical with certain individuals claiming that San Jose right across the street had the best burrito in town....WRONG!!! San Jose has nothing on El Farolito! And I love the guy who is always there at the register, he rules!
Quesadilla Suiza.
Thanks to this tasty creation, I think I have gained 5 pounds in two nights. Evilly delicious, it truly is the perfect late night indulgence. It's filled with sour cream, cheese, avocado and of course MEAT! How I lived this long thinking I was happy and complete without having this creation in my belly is beyond me, but now that we've met. Oh Daddy!
People thought this was:
Holy Giant Burrito! This place was fantastic -- I really can't say enough good things. It's open till the asscrack of 3 or 4 am, the food is delicious, the portions are ginormous (even for my vegetarian amigo), and the service was fast. I had the Suiza quesadillas, which were actually too much food for me.Then, while we're waiting the few minutes for our food, this ridiculously loud Mariachi music starts piping through the speakers, making the experience complete for us. I'll be sure to go back again when I'm in town.
The only downside would be the disgusting state of their bathroom -- I'd try to avoid it at all costs, but it's what you'd expect from a dive.
We shouldn't have been out; I am a responsible adult and my wife has adult responsibilites. But there we were a couple of tequilas and a few beers more than we should have indulged in land ooking for something sate our boozed up cravings. El Farolito how can I say thank you?
That grilled chicken taco made me a better man, able to look at my wife without feeling guilty for insisting on that last shot.
In the end this place serves up some super tasty Mexican food for a great price. I have been here in desent hours and had various items on the menu one of my favorites being the ceviche on a hard taco. I don't get down to the Mission much any more but this place remains one of my favorites
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Jesus does exist, and he lives in this burrito.
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The burritos don't need A THING, not even salsa or salt (amazing, coming from a spice/salt addict)!
The al pastor is moist and awesome!
This is by far my FAVORITE Taqueria in San Francisco. The Mission has the best Mexican food, and I LOVE El Farolito. Been here MANY times. It open late if I need to get a burrito late at night. The portions are huge, Sometimes I can't finish my food. The prices are really decent, Mexican food prices are already decent in the first place. But hands down El Farolito is the best Mexican food in San Francisco!
So full, from a quarter of a burrito.
Stop your belly aching about the 50 cent chips. I've seen you fill up water cups with their free salsa bar. That my friends is worth more than fifty cents. I'm just sayin. I'm a heat junkie but seriously? C'mon!
The burritos here are as good as the reviews say. Excellent ratios, distribution and flaky tortillas. Hot all the way through with melty cheese and succulent avocados. Damn good salsa - ended up needing another beer before we even got the burritos they had such a nice kick.
Cheap too! Especially when you consider it's 2 or 3 meals. Nice diverse crowd, friendly and efficient staff. I will be back.
People thought this was:
Best Mexican joint in the city, hands down. Always have had a great experience here and having grown up eating El Farolitos, nothing else compares.
Since I don't live in the area anymore... I still think its worth it to haul my butt all the way out there for an AWESOME carne asada burrito.
The Eek! is the sound you will make when you see NOT ONE, BUT TWO Rats running underneath your feet, while digging into a " tasty Burrito".
" Uh sir, you have 2 rats on the floor"
" Gracias, amigo." He says to me.
I was a fan for many years. The burrito is GREAT. But a vermin problem, while you're dining in, while 50% of the customers shrug it off , just blow my mind, and make me lose my appetite altogether.
NEVER AGAIN.
" Why does my pollo have whiskers coming out of it. ?"
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1. come hungry with a buddy
2. order any combination of the following: Carne Asada (Super) Burrito, Suiza quesadilla, carrot juice, horchata, coke in a bottle, negra modelo and, yes, chips.
3. pick up some salsa - they are all good, including the green salsa that is very well spiced and seasoned, not rocket fuel heat like some places
4. wait at your table for them to bring it out, try to remain calm
5. Enjoy!
---
1. If you are not happy after following the above, I am very sorry - you should be.
2. Why don't all local spots have a sink that is separate from the bathroom, no door handles to contend with and easy to just wash your hands without dealing with a bathroom - genius
3. All burritos should be able to stand up straight on the table
4. Why didn't we come here sooner?
I've ordered the quesadilla and veggie burrito. Don't remember anything special about it, sorry.
However, Farolito does gets plus points for being so close to 24th and Mission, where I find myself loitering on most nights.
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This restaurant is legendary. My good friend Paul K. (Not to be confused with the restauranteur) took me here one night after binging on choral music. it does not make sense that this restaurant is as good as it is. But that's simply part of what being legendary is all about.
Aw, but back to the legend... people often describe the experience of eating the food here in terms of a taste bud orgasm. I am not kidding when I say this is some of the tastiest food in the entire city... and one of the best values in the city.
It also has a legendarily bad health inspection score. Everybody knows this. The line out the door, sometimes obstructing the the entrance of nearby buildings, is comprised of individuals from every walk of life, each of whom knows that El Farolito usually gets in the 60s for its health. But, if you read the health inspection report, you'll actually realize that most of the things they're faulted for really would not concern too many people.
There are more "preppy" taco shops, where the food is almost as awesome. These are also taco shops that you probably take your parents to instead. El Toro, for example, would be a good taco shop to take mom and dad to. but when you need food, and you're concerned about *your own needs*... and you're not afraid of the awesome diversity of folks that live in our city... you go to El Farolito.
Veggie Supreme burrito was ok in my book. Maybe I am being too picky but I thought there were a little too many beans in this burrito.
I liked the salsa. Nice, picante!
Nice, fat sized burrito is now in my belly.
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MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT EVER! !! El Farolito is the only food I crave. I always get a burrito and its always the best. I never tasted anything quite as unique and delicious as this place. The green salsa is also bomb! I like the late night crew the best, they make the food very good. I literally drive to the city just to eat here. It's amazing. Always busy, always on point with food and service. Im always here weeknights after partying, or for lunch at noon. I never get sick of this place. GO HERE WHEN YOUR IN SF AND WANT THE BEST FOOD!
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Good food...inexpensive...and they sell beer so thats the huge plus...
I will try this place sober so I will be able to make semi conscious decision...;-)
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I've been trying to find a go-to burrito place ever since moving back to the Bay and the ridiculous prices with several sub-standard experiences have thwarted this effort for a while. Finally, I decided to give this place a try after reading the reviews from three of my respected sources, Marti L, Tom R and Karen Y. This hole in the wall resembles a narrow vertical hallway that offers you a fascinating preview of the food through its open kitchen by the door. Although the dim lighting and cafeteria style seating may not situate you in the most pretentious environment, but this place is not about that. The place is about using messy greasy fingers to pick up the fattest burritos, tacos and tortas and let your pretty smile dangle with something that looked like gooey string cheese with ruminants of spicy red salsa still printed on either side of your smeared little cheekies.
I came back for two straight days to try their super lengua burrito ($5.45) and pastor torta ($4.45). The super burrito came with generous portions with savory chunky lengua evenly distributed throughout. The lengua was complemented with thick slices of fresh avocado, salsa, rice, pinto beans, and lots of melted cheeses wrapped in a white flour tortilla. They didn't skimp on anything as the taste of lengua was robust and savory with every bite; and the fresh avocado slices and thick servings of melted cheeses did a nice job in bringing its own mix of sweet and savory deliciousness. The mix of rice and beans were perfect additions as they were filling but not overwhelming to round out the supporting cast. During this visit I also tried their watermelon fresca ($1.25/large) and it was sweet and refreshing--something that I recommend.
My first rate experience led me to come back this morning to try my very first torta. For less than five buckaroos, portions were humongous again with plenty of chunky pastors to go with a thick layer of melted cheeses, fresh greens, thick tomato and avocado slices, and a thin layer of refried pinto beans--all stacked in between fresh buns right off the grill. I was already super full midway into the meal but it was so good that I had to finish it. I thought the numerous jalapeno slices embedded in the cheese was one memorable highlight, and the use of fresh greens, tomato and avocado gave the sandwich a sophisticated mix of textures to go with the other components that were more finesse and savory. With delicious pastor still sizzling, my torta was greasy, messy, and memorable.
This place is hard to beat given its tangible offerings of price, portion, and quality. Like several other occasions at similar places, I had to repeat several times to assure them that I can handle jalapenos in my food but otherwise service was friendly and responsive. If there is any limitation to this place, it would be their weak salsa bar and a 50 cents charge for the chips. I found the red salsa on the far right the most legit but otherwise the taste of the other two options did not register. Since I'm a tacos kind of guy, I hope to come back to try their great looking tacos. 4.5 stars for the overall experience.
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This was recommended by a friend, a local and was crowded when we came, but I've frequented a lot of places in the mission and other than the price, there was nothing special about the carne asada burrito that I had.
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My Hubby loves loves burrito. He thinks this place is the best! I'm more on the crispy & fresh side - crisp taco or tostata with beans or fish is my thing. I ended up ordering chicken taco here. Not my style - lots of plain chickens with little bit of lettuce. Maybe I should have added some sauce?
I have to give 4 stars because my Hubby really loved their burrito which means they are really good. Trust me, my hubby's very picky about meat. When he tells me it's good then it really is good. He wants to go back there again but we don't live in the city. I have a feeling that we'll go there whenever we go to the city.
*sigh*. I rue the day** that I have to go back to Toronto and go back to eating inferior, poorly wrapped, mis-grilled and sloppy burritos. The super veggie burrito that I enjoyed at El Farolito, moments after stepping off the BART, was ENORMOUS. Absolutely gargantuan. It was torso-sized - not unlike a log of Pillsbury cookie dough.
The behemoth was expertly stuffed with quality rice, tomatoes, avocado (let me tell you, eating an avocado straight from the state it's grown in makes a huge difference to the wilted wannabes we sometimes endure in Toronto), beans and salsa. Then it was grilled and wrapped tighter than that final, angry, frustrated turn of an IKEA Allen key. I could barely finish it!
**next Tuesday
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I think I wrote a review somewhere about a mexican place not being the cheapest mexican food in SF.
El Farolito is precisely the reason for that.
$4.45 for a burrito.
Salsa bar with salsa verde and pico.
A bathroom in the mission.
My heart.
My friend likes the 24th street one better, I like the mission one better. They are both different and have their own appeals. However, if you see a sign that says El Farolito, know that what awaits you inside will be heavenly regardless of which location you happen to be standing in front of (which, let me point out, they are approximately 4 blocks away from each other).
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Sure... why not? I'll be review #926. Someone has to be, right? :)
I had tacos today... delicious, carne asada soft tacos, packed with too much beef, cilantro, and onions. They were divine.
The food here is cheap. $1.95 for a taco in SF is pretty damn inexpensive. It ain't $1.10 like it is as La Fondita #2, but I will take into account that there was way more meat in these tacos than #2. You stil with me?
Good. I will continue...
Their green salsa is the best I've ever had. Add in that they've got jalepenos and pickled carrots = EPIC WIN.
I will be visiting El Farolito at least three more times this week before I leave for Seattle on Friday. Hell, I might be there another three times by tomorrow afternoon if I play my cards right.
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Here's the thing: everyone already knows (and loves) el farolito's burritos. their aguas frescas. their green salsa. their low health inspection score. It even serves as after-hours club, since its the most popular place in the area by around 3 AM.
I've actually eaten them sober and for dinner, as well as at 3 AM, but what I'd never done (until right now) was eat half the burrito at night and then the save the second half in the fridge for breakfast/lunch the following day. To sum up: GREASE. buckets of it. Soaking through the paper. Tubs and tubs of lard covering my hands, clothes, microwave, keyboard, house. I ended up not being able to finish my half a burrito (and this is coming from someone who used to inhale the entire thing in under 5 minutes, followed by a slice of mission pie)
So yeah, best consumed all in one sitting, even though you might start to resemble a vat of lard shortly afterward.
Still, the fact remains that it's the best f'ing burrito i've ever had, so how can I give it anything less than 5 stars?
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I love this place. I usually get the carne asada super burrito. Believe me, this thing is packed with all the fixings you could ever want and you can even add more "fire" to your burrito with the little salsa bar they have available. This burrito is filled with TONS (and I seriously mean TONS) of rice, beans, meat, guac, sour cream, etc. Eating this slowly to embrace each bite will make you want to unbotton that top buttom by the time you are done.
Other than the burrito, I had a friend order the nachos. Oh my goodness these nachos were huge. The nachos were basically a burrito without the tortillo all over chips. It was so good that even though I had the burrito I was munching on the nachos. I highly suggest you get either or both if you have a group of friends that are REALLY hungry.
I not only love this place for its great overly stuffed burrito but because this place is open late (to my surprise until 2am I believe) and it's on Mission Street which is close to one of my fave bars and they are quick...so quick that by the time you order and find a table to munch on your chips and salsa your burrito is done!
The staff is friendly and pretty patient with you when you are trying to decide what to get. The prices are great, the times are convenient for party goers who really just want a quick filling meal so that you can go home nice, happy and plump!
The only reason this place received 4 stars from me and not 5 is simply because I live in Sacramento and there's nothing like this place over there. I think they need to move to Sacramento. haha
I can't wait until the next time I come back here again to have either my super burrito or the nachos. Yummy!
"Nah, I'm not hungry. I don't think I'll be ordering anything." That's what I told my friend the moment we entered taqueria El Farolito in the Mission and planted ourselves in line. The line was about 15 people deep in this narrow whole-in-the-wall Mexican joint. Considering we were dressed to the nines as we were about to start our night, I felt a bit uncomfortable dolled up in this lil taco shop and being stared at. I decided to quit people-watching and commence to see the cooks in action. Order after order, them cooks handled that line as though it were Armageddon, pounding out taco after burrito and then some! I noticed the more I watched them create these delicious delights, the more hungry I got. I caved in and ordered one of my favorite Mexican treats, a veggie tostada.
As we sat at a booth and munched on some fresh tortilla chips, I was stoked I ordered a bottle of water because the dipping salsa was so damn hot! That sheet was so hot my tongue felt like it was kissing the devil! Alas my tasty tostada arrived and it was oh-so-heavenly. Topped with fluffy beans, lettuce, cheese, avocado and creamy sour cream all on top of a crisp tostada, I was more than satisfied. I happily pranced out of taqueria El Farolito knowing that I had a nice light meal and was ready to engage in some cocktails.
PS - The burritos are mondo! I'm glad I didn't order that before we went out. Although they look so tantalizing, they're far to heavy for a night out on the town. I'd have to resort from skinny jeans to a potato sack and a wheel barrel.
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WoW!!! HOW MANY REVIEWS DOES THIS PLACE HAVE? Ok. I'll keep it short then. Around 2/3am and STARVING. Of course my girls are like "Where's some good drunken food in SF???" Usually after partying in LB or Brea we would end up at some Mexican food spot so it seemed only appropriate that we ended up here.
It was open, BUSY AS HECK, cheap, and the food was good (especially after some alcohol). Sour cream, guacamole (mmmmm!!!!!), carne asada, rice, beans, and whatever else with some good salsa. Now that was some good drunken food. Of course it was a little sketchy and there was a security guy in front regulating the door but it was all good. Good times!!!!
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The food is so good here that I can be in the Castro at 1:00am without a bus pass and way too many drinks in, heading back toward the Haight to go home, and still think "Mission and 24th isn't THAT far out of the way".
For me it's all about the quesadilla Super Suiza, but the tostadas are also a thing of beauty.
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Best burritos in the city hands down.
I'm a southern california native and pride myself on having access to the best mexican food outside of mexico. So when I say this, its not some midwest yuppie raving over some meal that they've only had once.
This place is legit. The burrito was cheap, relative to all the other places in the mission, and the ingredients where very traditional. This meaning that the meat was flavorful but not too seasoned, the salsa and avocado was fresh and actually added to the flavor, and the rice and beans where how they should be -- fatty and swimming in flavor (lard).
All in all this hands down the best burrito I've had in the city and one of the top places in the bay area. You wouldn't go wrong enjoying the atmosphere on a weekday afternoon or stumbling in at 2 in the morning on a weekend night.
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I actually don't like most taquerias/Mexican food spots in the city because I feel like I can make way better enchiladas, soft tacos, etc. And no one can beat taco truck prices.
Plus, I greatly dislike the Mission because of the lack of parking.
But this place? Yes. Absolutely. And they're open late? Major bonus points.
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YUM!!!
this place is crackin. love the food hear, hate the lines. this place is always busy, but thats because they have one of the best burritos in the city plus they stay open late.
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When in need of late night Mexican food, you can always count on El Farolito in the Mission being open. The food here is fresh and quite tasty and I absolutely love the Suiza Camorones (Grilled Shrimp, Salsa, Avocado, and Cheese) wrapped inside a toasty tortilla. It's like a quesadilla on steroids and when you bite into it, its like heaven in your mouth! Especially if you're 8 beers and 4 tequila shots deep!
The line can look intimidating at times, but trust me, stick with it. The line moves quickly and once you order your food, it is ready in less than 10 minutes!
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Insanely Cheeeeeap
Mix of transient, "Ruff 'm Tumble", Ex-Cons types
All chowing down on 8 lbs burritos
No Lie this is sinfully XXXL.
We sat on the circus color bench... Ate with one eye on the door, one arm clutched on to my purse and One BIG eye on BFF as he wolfed the Chile Relieno in 3.5 seconds. I think this is the popular one, loads of people came in and ordered this. Good sign.
I stuck to tacos for a lite bite: Two round soft tortillas, with a mountain of sliced seasoned chicken -simple taste, loads of dippy sauce -okay. cheap $3
Wasn't in the mood but it seemed fitting since visiting the Mission.
Hot Tip: Papalote Mexican Grill --modern taste.
This place will be the death of me and my waistline.
I used to revere this place, and they have helped nourish me. I think I might have been misguided.
During this past weekend, we decided to take a weekend trip to SF. On a dark, HOT, and fun night; we decided for El Faralito!
After encountering a drunk girl, who was biting random people's sandwiches, and spilling bbq sauce all over her chesticles, we finally ordered. A regular burrito, no beans, and avacado. It was bad at first bite. I was really sad. I have fond memories of this place, and they have let me down.
I'm not sure if being in LA has tainted my palate, or if their quality has gone down. I'd rather believe the latter.
I'm still in denial, but I'll probably give you another chance.
Until next time, Light House.
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Does the Godfather need another review? Does Gary Danko require futher affirmation? Does Wesley Snipes need you to tell him he is the best actor of his time- and beyond that both a gentleman and a scholar? No. No. NOOOO.
El Farolito, like the girl that sits in the front of class bearing sorority letters, a perfect ass, and an attitude to match doesn't need you. But you need them. You need them so bad it hurts... it shortens your pants you need them so bad. You need their carne asada burrito, you need their shrimp burrito, you need their unsanitary and delicious salsa bar.
YOU NEED EL FAROLITO in your mouth.
And no, its not called El Fartito although some lesser consumers have so suggested.
Potty humor, is there any lower form?
Jesus Christ and a half El Farolito might as well be my new favorite burrito spot (at least in SF), and I wasn't even drunk when I had it!
I came here at around 9:00 with a buddy of mine to see what the hype was all about, and yep, their burritos lived up to it. The place itself looks dirty, but let's not kid ourselves the best food is usually in these type of hole-in-the-wall environments. A little under 6 bucks will get you a super carne asada burrito with some perfectly grilled carne asada and some fresh ingredients, especially the avocado which they literally scoop off from the fruit. Yes folks each bite into this burrito is truly sex in your mouth, and keep in mind this burrito is massive. So... prepare to have lots of sex in your mouth would be the central theme of this little statement. I ate the whole thing in one sitting, so you can get an idea of what I went through.
If you're willing to wait a bit in line as well as for your food to be made, I promise you the wait is worth it. Shoot, we drove 10-15 minutes away from our friends place in Nob Hill just to try the damn place. You might as well take your sweet time filling up multiple cups of salsa (especially the green sauce) as you wait.
I am highly anticipating a return so that I may try the shrimp burrito because it just looked delicious. If only they made carne asada fries.
The service was poorly organized. The line was long, we placed our order and waited. And waited and waited. Eventually, we discovered that our order had been lost. Upon notifying the staff of this, was ours the next order to be made and delivered? No. Poor service indeed.
The long and the short of it is that a burrito here is not worth the emotional trauma.
This place is so cheap! A super nachos for less than $6? Yes please! It's really busy all the time and they work as fast as they can to get you your food. My only complaints are that it's really dirty and their score from the HD was a 68... Probably because they do things like drink Tecate while working, the bathroom is kind of really dirty, and so are the tables and seats... but who cares? The dirt adds to the flavor.
The seating is limited so make sure you have another place to eat at if you can't get a table there (park, friends house, etc)
Farolito.... *sigh*
So many memories...
When I was a wee lass, just a broke undergrad studying Spanish at City College in 1993, I came here almost every day after class. I got beans, rice, lettuce, and tortillas for $1.50. On a rainy Valentine's day with the boyfriend, we smoked a joint and came here and got super burritos as a treat. And yeah, it was AWESOME. As it always has been, for the last 15+ years. The boyfriend, meh. As many were for the last 15+ years. If your bf likes nachos, by the way, make him order separately from you. It takes way longer than a burrito. It's not worth waiting.
The workers were always so nice to me and my classmates. They actually encouraged us to practice our Spanish with them. It was here where I learned how to say "I feel fat" instead of "I am fat." Because you may feel like you are about to explode after a burrito here - they don't skimp - but the next day, you'll be OK.
You know, I wish they hadn't moved the painting of the meat on the spit. It used to be visible from the door and most of the seats. I've reflected on it many an hour. Ah well.
The fruit drinks are good too.
I live behind El Farolito. I am very lucky.
Over the years, I've eaten here a lot, both sober and otherwise. There was a stretch where I ate here five out of seven days a week. It has stayed consistently great. Also, I've never gotten sick eating here (knocks on wood).
Everything here is above average, but for me, El Farolito is about carne asada. You can debate the form in which to ingest (taco, burrito, quesadilla), but this is the best carne asada in the Mission. I've been to every taqueria within a six block radius, and El Farolito is king. When possible, I used the "Pepsi challenge" method of comparison: buy a carne asada burrito from El Farolito and from another place, eat side by side. If you think La Taqueria is better, just use this method--you will convert.
When I'm feeling a little slow in the morning, the smell of El Farolito grilled beef wafting down the block makes me almost glad to be going to work.
We got so much free stuff!
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