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Comment by gtani | Hacker News Reader

I had a friend in Santa Monica ask me a few years back if i wanted to get a burrito, so we get in her car, get on the 10, the 405, and another freeway towards downtown. After driving 40 minutes, i ask her, "are we getting close?", she says, "of course, don't be so impatient"

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West LA has lots of plenty of legit Mexican food, you shouldn't be driving for it. I suggest Tacos Por Favor next time you want some in Santa Monica.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-por-favor-santa-monica

There are some things you have to drive for, like great dim sum, but the great Middle Eastern and Japanese food more than makes up for it.

Two of my favorite restaurants in the world:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/zankou-chicken-los-angeles-2

http://www.yelp.com/biz/hide-sushi-japanese-restaurant-los-a...

Can't say I'm a fan of Tacos por Favor. Any taco truck is better and cheaper in my book. Monte Alban on the west side is a pretty great for Oaxacan. If you must eat tacos and can make it to midtown go to El Chato for excellent tacos.

this place is better than tpf, although tpf still has the best breakfast burritos.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tacomiendo-los-angeles

monte alban is great but not for tacos/burritos.

If you drive > 10 mins for Mexi, you're definitely doing it wrong. There are countless places at any price point and any style. Personally I prefer Gilbert's and Don Antonio's (homestyle; both on Pico). The best tacos I've ever had tho were from a street vendor outside of Liquid Kitty. Just outrageous.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/liquid-kitty-los-angeles

Eh. Sometimes you need a specific burrito.

That's why people deal with traffic in LA. People there really do value time differently. Just living is pretty darn good—your time doesn't have to be for something, it is what it is, and you enjoy it. Stereotypically, 'going with the flow' is not too far off.

That's the perfect California response and it contains significant cultural wisdom that answers many confusions in this thread.

Hate it to break it to you but you drove by at least 30 equally good burrito shops on your way there. If there is one thing I see no point in driving long distances for in Southern California, it's Mexican food.

Others have observed this is a little odd, given that in LA there's almost always decent tacos or burritos close at hand.

On the other hand, ones favorite place for these things might well be an hour away. I live in West LA and my favorite Mexican food is in Eagle Rock and my favorite mediterranean food is in Orange County...

Of course, there is a burrito shop on every corner.

When I lived in LA, I found that driving the 405 was always a mistake. Fortunately it wasn't part of my commute. b^)

I actually commute every day via 405 and 10. You are right, it's awful during the rush hour, but during non-rush hours it is still faster than taking local streets. A few weeks ago I left work via 405 at 4:45pm and arrived home at 7:10pm, the commute that would take no more than 12-15 minutes without traffic.

You've never been tempted to bicycle that short a distance? Sure it wouldn't be 15 minutes but it also wouldn't be 2.5 hours.

I'm not sure I'd want to do that as it gets quite hot in LA.

Not true. LA has some of the best weather in the world.

I agree with you but temp varies greatly. It often is 30 degrees warmer in the valley than in Malibu which you notice immediately driving over Topanga.

True. But it's sunny. You cruise down the road on your bike, feel the breeze from moving in the air, and we have a lot of bike paths too.

I commute most days, usually several miles. The only time I prefer car or train is when its raining, which is rare.

I ditched my car for a bicycle, and I've never been happier. Except when I almost get hit by a car. But that's mostly rare. Mostly.

During that time, you can easily make them from scratch and have fun doing it. Hm.

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