El Extortista

Great food. Great service. Strange decorations. Strange location.

I stopped in the place before the lunch ‘crowd’. I was the only person in there. I like burritos; big burritos. This burrito was tasty. The flavor was very good and I liked the slight grilling of the tortilla. Didn’t make it crispy, but added a nice flavor to it.
I was disappointed for a $ 7 burrito that it had maybe two bites of meat (Carne Asada) in it. I’m not joking. I tasted meat in two of my bites. That was it. Every other bite seemed like tortilla and rice. It’s also on the very small side for a «super» burrito. Some places, their burritos are twice the size as this one.
The burrito needed to be bigger, with more meat inside. Also, I didn’t see any Guac in my ‘super’ burrito. Very disappointed
I was also disappointed in the lack of chips and salsa.
I will not go back here for a burrito.

El Extortista is a strange Mexican wrestling themed (think Nacho Libre) fast-​food-​ish restaurant located on a street that looks semi-​abandoned near Bel Mateo Bowl. When I went, there were no other people. but hey, I came here for the tortas so I ordered the Milanesa and my friend got a burrito. We tried to order horchatas too, but they were out for the day (we got there around 7pm on a weekday). The torta was definitely good, the bread a little too cripsy or something on some parts. My friend got a burrito and it was ok, but too greasy for me. Overall, it was cheap, pretty good tortas and nice service. 3.5 stars.

To start, I want to say that I had to come back and change my initial 3 star review to a 4. Read on to find out why.
My first time here was great. I read the reviews here and thought I’d give them a try since I live so close and was really jonesing for a burrito. Long story short, it was great. Then a few days later I wanted to go with someone and try their famous tortas. I hate avocados (I know, I’m a weird Californian) so I request no guac. What do I get? I get something I was not expecting and to top it off, it’s a smaller portion than I was accustomed to, and to top THAT off, it had guac. Suffice to say I had to stave my hunger with water and tortilla chips.
Another time, I wanted to give them another try and another long story short, someone’s Chicken burrito had bones in it. BONES! In a burrito! I have no idea why I went back after that but seriously, it’s only 3 blocks from my house. I’ve been there a few times since then and everything has been golden. The owner is really chill and since the quality is good (when not funky) I try to support a local small business instead of the jokers that disgrace the great taco at Taco Bell.
But, one thing I absolutely LOVED about El Extortista: I love horchata. When they have actually have some, you get 2 free refills! I’m sure it’s the same with the other drinks they prepare. I mean, who else does that these days? For that, I’ll redeem them from the 3 star review I was about to give them to a 4. But then again, that’s pushing it. Sometimes I wish I lived back in San Francisco just for the El Farolitos.

I just found this place by leaving Mollie Stones. I got a bean burrito, it was a little bit high priced and small, but it tasted so good. My boyfriend got a torta and said that it was amazing. I don’t eat meat, so I can’t vouch for that. I love the decorations of Mexican wrestling masks all over the walls. Totally cool.
The location is hard to find if you are just cruising along El Camino. So word of mouth will be the best thing for this place. Pass it on!

Ive been to this place several times for lunch. I usually get a super burrito which has always been really good, especially since they put the tortilla in what seems like a panini machine and puts nice toasted grill marks on it. I have read the good reviews about the tortas and finally had one, it was fantastic!
The only thing i can’t figure out is why the place is always dead, only one time did i see another person eating there. Its suprising to me since the food is always great.

After spending a month in Mexico City and eating tortas, I was crazy happy to find this hidden gem, El Extortista. It’s hard to find but worth the search. The tortas here are better than I had in Mexico City! Bring your appetite as they are huge!

I’m usually reluctant to order tortas (Mexican sandwiches) when I hit a taqueria since I’ve always seen them as inferior cousins to burritos. Their fantastic lucha libre theme (check out their website) and claims of «the best Mexican sandwich in the Bay Area» convinced me to give this place a try and I was not disappointed. I went with the Cubana torta, which features 4 layers of meat (ham, chorizo, roast pork, and breaded steak) and several tasty garnishes on toasted bread. This sandwich was a juggernaut but well worth the effort to consume it. Mexican food and wrestling are an unbeatable combo — check this place out!

This place is within walking distance of my house, and I love a good burrito, so I decided to stop in a few weeks ago and give it a try. Ordered a chicken burrito to go, and took it home. It was fantastic. Unlike a lot of burritos I get from places like this, it wasn’t overloaded with rice and dry. They must have put some kind of sauce in it, because it was juicy, and rather spicy (which I liked). All in all, a very good burrito, probably one of the best I’ve had since I moved to the bay area. And since the price is reasonable, I’ll definitely be going back.

Tried it for dinner this evening.
Fantastic torta. I had the cubano which was HUGE, and filled with ham, mexican sausage and carnitas. I’m a big guy, and still I couldn’t finish it!
My wife had a FRESH chili relleno, without too much cheese. She loved it.
Our son had the Super Burrito al pastor, which I had a bite of. Great spicing on the meat, with lots of it.
AND, the fresh tortillas served with the relleno were fresh and wonderful!
A limited menu, not big on ambiance, but great chow for only a few bucks.

This place has a wild mexican wrestling theme throughout. Check out their awesome commercial at
. I finally had the pollo torta yesterday. It was delicious, big, and now may replace my love of the super burrito. It’s located between Sofa Outlet and Papa John’s on the border of Bel-​Mateo

Holy Lucha Libre! KIller tortas. They are ginormous and delicious.
Plenty of meat – and I love that bread.

Really delicious tortas. They are huge. You can easily eat half for lunch and half for dinner. But you won’t. Because it’s that good. Try the «Pierna» roast pork torta. The prices are very reasonable. I come back to this place at least once a week.

Been here many many times. Besides the tortas, I love the quesadillas. I wish they offer seafood as a meat choice.

A co-​worker of mine said that we had to try this place for lunch, and I am now telling everyone I know about this place! The tortas take up nearly the entire plate they are served on, and the wrestling masks on the walls are a nice touch – kind of a recurring theme with the place (the menus and business cards are also emblazoned with the masks and wrestlers). I rarely eat lunch somewhere two days in a row, but this place was totally worth it!

My husband and I can’t resist the fabulous tortas, and the fact that there are Mexican wrestling masks all over the walls. We theorize that the owner, who has always been present and attentive, is an ex wrestler. BTW — you can buy mask key chains as well!
You have to check out this place — there are few good taquerias in this neighborhood of San Mateo, and we want to keep this dude serving up the tasty treats!

Viva Del Santo!
Santo Swings & totally digs El Extortista!
Used to come here a lot when working in Redwood City & just came back this past weekend, only to discover a new name, brand new décor & no veggie options on the new menu — but never fear, Santo will treat you right!
Asked if they could make a veggie burrito & got an immediate «Of Course» (YAY!) So if you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there
Same great burritos I used to get — veggie beans, lettuce w/​bits of jalapeño, cheese & rice all mixed together to fill the soft, doughy burrito & they’re HUGE — luv it!
Horchatas still yummy as well… thick & spicy (not hot-​spicy silly, flavorful-​spicy)
Fantastic & colorful wrestling masks are mounted & lining the walls & there are autographed pics of what must be famous wrestlers posted all over as well — luv the kitsch of it all!
So even though there are no veggie options posted (hint, hint, hiiiiiiint!) El Extortista still gets 4 stars in my book
Go-​go, Go-​go, Go-​go Go-​Go-​Santo-​Go!

I have been here 3 times now. I had a Burrito the first time, a Quesadilla the 2^nd and a Torta the last time.
This place has had three owners in the last 7 years, by far the first owner had the best selection and prices. The 2^nd owner took half the items off the menu and let the place run into the ground. The new owner changed the name and added the Luche Libre theme. The selection here is small, but thats only if you can read the horribly printed menu signs.
The food here is decent, if memory serves the cook is the same from the second owner (dont quote me on that) There is just a little bit of weirdness about each dish, they are not quite «right». There is some weird spice or flavoring in their stuff that I cant quite call. The burrito was loosely packed and «liquidy» so half way through most of it was on my plate or arms, I personally hate that. The quesadilla was weird and I think it had some pesto or weird flavor in it, it also suffered from being liquidy. It was better than the burrito. The other day I finally tried a Torta. The Tortas here are the stars. The sandwich is almost as big as a dinner plate, the bread is crispy, over all this was the best thing I have eaten there.
My first complaint is the selection, I need seafood, I require it. My life is not complete if I cant have a shrimp burrito or a crab torta. I cant get either here, not even a fish taco!
My second complaint is the over all selection is limited, I can only get grilled chicken as opposed to pulled chicken or broiled chicken.
The service is the biggest complaint. Its definitely not consistent, and while I dont expect people working in taquerias to be English Majors, at least a basic understanding is required, which some of the clerks dont have. Also I’m not sure which one of these guys is the owner, but I’m pretty sure its not the guy who is giving free meals to, what seems like, every latin person who comes in. I have also witnessed him removing large quantities of food and loading them in his car. Also you would think some one would teach them to run the cash register. Or have a bottle opener on the counter…
I will come back here, its decent enough for food in a pinch, I just hope they get over the «new store» hump and shape up a bit. Bonus for introducing me to Watermelon flavored Jarritos.

Finally, another bomb Torta place. I’ve been to just about every Casita Chilanga in the area and it’s really consistent but I wanted another player in the Mexico DF style torta. Upon walking in you immediately notice the crazy Luchador theme they’ve got going on. Paintings of luchadors and tons of luchador masks in display cases line the store. They’ve got burritos, tacos and your other standard Mexican fare but the tortas are where it’s at. Got the Cubana which has milanesa, roast pork, and sausage, with jalapenos, avocado and cheese on this awesome lighty, flaky bread. They’ve got this quirky «Toy Taxi» machine where you pick up these wack looking stuffed animals and it plays 8 bit computer tunes every few minutes. Give the tortas a try if you’re tired of the run of the mill taqueria picks.

I had a marvelous Super Carnitas burrito, well-​built with quality ingredients. The foil wrapped meal was served up by a friendly staff, in a recently remodeled space (formerly La Cabana).
According to their business card they claim «The Best Mexican Sandwich In The Bay Area» so now I shall have to return and try one.
All in all a worthwhile experience.