Livermore besties driving Chomp Chomp Bay Region foods level of competition

What occurs when two Mexican food-loving greatest buddies move from San Jose to Livermore?

They go through withdrawal for the South Bay’s Latino food items scene. For a when, they really make the generate south to consume at their favourite places, from Milpitas’ Taqueria Las Vegas to Sunnyvale’s Mercado La Torre. It’s a ton of miles. And a lot of tortillas.

Then 1 day in February 2020, they say, “Enough” — no much more sobbing around salsa — and start a bracket-model burrito contest on Fb to get to know their new East Bay community and uncover the Tri-Valley’s best burrito places.

Why burritos?

“Because they are the most effective foods in the galaxy,” says Andrew Kutsenda, a self-proclaimed foodie who together with roommate Robbie Reign make up Chomp Chomp Bay Location. “I try to remember my incredibly 1st breakfast burrito. I did not even know this sort of a detail was achievable.”

Kutsenda and Reign have been buddies for 12 many years. The 30-somethings have traveled across four continents jointly, and when they are not stuffing their faces with carnitas or asada, Kutsenda performs as a actual estate agent and Reign is a singer-songwriter.

Their Burrito Bowl — “El Bracket” — drew hundreds of remarks and aid for 16 Tri-Valley taquerias, including the victor, Livermore’s El Cerrito, which received for its flavor, authenticity and selling price stage. Kutsenda and Reign envisioned a burrito celebration in a rowdy bar someplace, with drink specials and way too lots of folks.

Then the pandemic strike. And suddenly, the indie food items critics realized they could transform this “funny little thing” into a way to assist having difficulties dining places.