I’ve been working in this area for nearly 16 years, a long time for most. While I believe this is a good thing, having to find lunch in the same area for 16 years can get just a tad lonely, boring and mostly leaves me feeling more than melancholy. Especially when this area is Richmond. So, when a new anything moves in, I am so there. Round eyed, bouncy and ready for anything would probably give you a good idea as to my demeanor when ordering, poking and reading. Just picture Tigger and you’d about have me nailed.
Recently RW posted something about a new Torta place on a local foodie forum, I marked my calendar and the map. You most certainly want to read further, oh yes.

The Carnitas Torta
Los Picudos is located in a boring little strip mall way down San Pablo Avenue near the old Adobe. It’s in great company though, a few feet down is La Strada, a fine Italian restaurant that’s been there for probably 30 years or so. I didn’t gather Big D today, didn’t know what I was walking in to and had planned on taking the food back to work for my buds.
You may or may not know, many taquerias in this area don’t spend much time with the decor of their new restaurant, sometimes not even paint. The tables wobble, the floor is dirty and there’s no love to be seen. They rely on their food to send out the love and sometimes it hits. Sometimes you get hit with a miss, gach.
Walking in to LP, it was immediately obvious they had taken the time to set this up as a clean, working restaurant with good looks. The walls were freshly painted, and shelving had been installed by someone who knew what they were doing. The food prep area reminds me of Mexican places I’ve seen over in The Mission over in San Francisco. Heated type steam tables with bins of hot food all prepped and ready to go. I was warmly greeted at the door and quickly made it to the artfully done menu up on the wall.
There’s one thing I hate about buying a load of food for everyone. The different orders, hate it. Light on this, none of that, extra this and are the tomatoes red? You won’t get that with me. I ordered 4 Carnitas Tortas and 1 Ham Cuban Sandwich, no deviations. Yes, they do have Cuban Sandwiches, but they’re a little different from what we’re used to, still good though (no pickles).
Okay, so I ordered and the guy behind the counter offered me a fresh carnitas taco. Aroo? Uh, sure, okay, what the hell. HOMEMADE TORTILLA TIME !!! A free taco with a homemade tortilla, I’m impressed. Then he pointed out the whole Peruvian beans. “They’re expensive, but they’re the best.” That right there is a proud man. Of course he doesn’t have a name, cause I neglected to ask. Yes, I’m lame. After the homemade tortillas and the expensive Peruvian beans, he went on about finding fresh nopales. They serve a breakfast featuring nopales! During this conversation, he leaned back in to the kitchen and said, “Oh, your tortas will be very good today, the carnitas have just finished.”
At this point I don’t know whether to roll around on the ground and scream, laugh, pinch myself or give the man a big hug. I was home. Everyone had a smile on their face and when greeted, smiled wider. I know, this sounds too good, too much like a dream. I feel the same way.

Speaking of dreams, here is Creepy E’s Ham Cubanos. Looks as though it had 2 kinds of seared ham and some sliced hot dog. All 4 of us stood around chomping and seeing what was where and how good it was. Not a foul word was uttered. The flavors all came together, meat, cheese, lettuce, onion, out of season tomato, avacado, Mexican cheeses, crunchy things, jalapenos … you get the idea. But you know what dialed it in? What held the awesomeness together? The bread. It wasn’t some foul Mageoria saw dust bread. This white bread roll was toasted and had flavors, good flavors. It totally didn’t suck.
This Los Picudos is a complete package and most certainly a Destination Torta Excursion. But surely you want something to pick on? They don’t make their own chips, they’re Mi Rancho’s. Oh well, deal with it.
Welcome to the neighborhood Los Picudos, we wish you a long healthy stay in San Pablo!
Los Picudos #2 / Tacos Y Taqueria
13830 San Pablo Avenue #1
San Pablo, CA 94806
510-236-1004