Rel's Foods Inc

Rel's Red Hot Burritios have been my favorite "Store brand" burrito since I was in high school in 1978. No other burrito has that spicy flavor and nice chewy "mystery meat" pieces. I think that the mystery meat was a chewy "strip" style TVP, and from my own experimentation, the characteristic "Rels" flavor was from a blend of chili powder that included "Chiles de Arbol".

Too bad the DOJ shut them down. From what I understand, the burritos were made by a company in SoCal called Prima (or Primo) Foods and sold under the Rel's brand. Rels' made their own sandwiches in the Bay area (some of their sandwiches were good, some not so).

I never got sick from any of their food.

My star rating of "World Class" is for the category of mini mart "frozen" burrito. I know this is not fine cuisine or fresh food in any way, but for road-side convenience burritos, these were the best.

Ruiz foods out of Dinuba CA does NOT make burritos with better flavor or texture. Ruiz products, under the El Monterey brand are, in my opinion, bland and mediocre. My advice to Ruiz foods - get the recipe from Rel's and make a similar Red Hot burrito. Also, add some TVP chunks to your burritos. You (Ruiz Foods) obviously use TVP crumbles, listed on you ingredients as part of"beef patty mix", but chewy TVP would enhance the product. Add better spices and more chile powder.

FWIW

Posted 11/11/09 | Report Abuse

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10/09/09 - The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has filed a complaint for permanent injunction against Rels Foods Inc. (Rels), of Oakland, Calif., seeking to stop the company from manufacturing, producing, and selling adulterated food products.

Posted 10/09/09 | Report Abuse

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My family bought Rel's Food, Inc burrito's at a roadside mini-mart off 395 in North California; we stopped up the road to spit out the rubber hose flavored burrito's. What a waste of money. Do they even try their own products? Who still uses a garden hose for transfering water in food products?

Posted 12/23/08 | Report Abuse

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We especially enjoy Rel's Pesto Turkey & Provolone sandwiches. They are GREAT! Unfortunately, the only vender we know of on the San Mateo coast, doesn't always have enough stock. Please advise us re. other locations to buy Rel's Food items.

Posted 12/10/08 | Report Abuse

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