The way I see it, you have 3 main categories of burrito places:
“Authentic” places. They’re always called Tito’s or Gilberto’s or something like that. They are good, but they are generally too greasy for me. They also usually have a limited variety of flavors and are usually pretty brown in color no matter what they are made from. If they use any veggies, it’s usually iceberg lettuce. That said, these can be awesome if you are in the mood. They are everywhere in LA – too many to name.
The “Cal-Mex” places. Some people scorn this variety as inauthentic. But these places usually don’t use any lard or canned or frozen ingredients and are much less greasy. I had one for lunch today and feel fine at work this afternoon. They usually have a wide variety of salsas and veggie fillings on top of the standard grilled meats and fish (as opposed to fried or boiled). There are numerous one-off places like this in LA, as well as the big chains (Chipotle, La Salsa, Baja Fresh) and smaller chains (e.g., Wahoos, Rubios, Poquito Mas (best known for their grilled Ahi Tuna tacos)). I’m a big fan of these places. Chipotle is really good, but their selection is very limited and I don’t like the steamed tortilla. Poquito Mas does the best job finishing the burrito off on the grill. Baja Fresh is really tasty, as well.
Crap. I’m talking about Taco Bell, Del Taco, Might Taco, Taco Time and any other such place or burger joint or sandwich shop that uses a microwave and cans of cheez to make a “taco” or “burrito.” I get sick just thinking about it.
Apart from these categories, you can get good fish tacos at numerous non-Mexican restaurants in So Cal.
Freebirds in College Station beats anything i’ve had.
I have had lots of burritos. I’d bet anyone who has been to the College Station TX Freebirds(better than the Santa Barbara CA shop) would vote their burritos as the best.
But, first let me start by saying you are all wrong unless you say Ruben’s in Ojai California.
Okay, this subject is important enough for me to delurk (I’ve been lurking for about a year), so hello.
With that out of the way, I’d have to say that the very best burrito in the country can be found at Los Cuatro Milpas, Barrio Logan, San Diego, CA (Next to Chicano park, under the Coronado Bay bridge).
All of the xxbertos are pretty good in a pinch (Alberto’s being the best, IMO).
Anna’s Taqueria, Brookline, MA
Maybe for a northern burrito, but Anna’s lacks decent flavor in my opinion. Been to Anna’s a few times and it was a lot of food for the price, but just not tasty in my opinion. Glad to be in Houston where tex-mex reigns. We have Freebird’s and currently those are my local favorites. There was some dive in Huntsville, AL I went to that had very good (and dirt cheap) burritos.
I’m a little suprised none of you SoCal peoples mentioned SuperMex. When I lived in Las Vegas (up until 2 weeks ago), I ate the SuperMex chicken burrito all the time. Very tasty. I think the Henderson (Vegas) SuperMex was the only one outside of SoCal.
Anybody know of any good burritos on the Front Range? Particularly in Fort Collins?
An aside, Chipotles began in Denver. Then McDonalds franchised it to death … they still churn out a good chicken burrito though.
I didn’t know there was one in SB. Have to check it out next time. I digged them (College Station) but Burrito Express has the edge IMO. Tacos are killer though.
Maybe not the best in the country, but I have had a very good one in of all places, an airport. At the Phoenix airport there is a mexican restaurant called the “Blue something” I believe. The gates are shaped like an E and this place is in the top leg of the E. Unfortunately I don’t have too many stop-overs in Phoenix.
“Chipotle…beats many of the Mom and Pop places too (at least the ones in Chicago…)” Methinks Mom and Pop Chicago should stick to deep-dish pie. LC
I dont like deep dish pie… too much cheese.
You do realize that Chicago has a rather large Mexican population, right? And I have had some truly fantastic (non-burrito) Mexican food here. But I think direwolf said it best about these kinds of places “They are good, but they are generally too greasy for me. They also usually have a limited variety of flavors and are usually pretty brown in color no matter what they are made from. If they use any veggies, it’s usually iceberg lettuce.”
When you visit an ‘authentic’ Mexican spot, the marinated meat of any kind is what separates them from everyone else.
To it’s credit, Chipotle marinates its meat. Still, if there were a Gordos near by I wouldnt bother with them.
tried Chipotle in NY and Tucson … lousy burritos each time (zero burn value - for anyone that considers white rice and basic flour burritos not an essential food group…)… I guess it depends on your standards ???
lived in the southwest many years and even in NY (which is not known for good mex. food) you still find a lot of places that have better burritos that Chipotle (e.g., flying burritos, burritoville or mom & pops) … but then I remember having a hard time finding any quality fresh foods when living in Indiana / Illinois too … standards it is !
If you are looking for the BEST Breakfast BURRITO EVER…go to Pipes Cafe in Cardiff, north county San Diego. Roberto’s Carne Asada Burrito and the California Burrito are also great. Best Big Chain store burrito…Rubio’s Lobster Burrito!
I don’t post much, but when something as important as this comes up…
I went to school in College Station and Freebirds makes a damn fine burrito. I’m sure there are other places that can compete, but the word “burrito” will always make me think of Freebirds before anything else.
They also sponsor the cycling and triathlon team at Texas A&M and they give a free burrito to the weekly sprint winner on the Tuesday road ride.
will be going through grand haven next weekend on my way to the families’ annual vacation in whitehall/montague. where is butch’s in relation to the main drag (on the way to muskegon)? i have a two year old and a mexican-food crazy wife to keep satisfied on the way from milwaukee.
You ever try the taco truck that parks at the Pacheco Blvd intersection where it hits Martinez and goes left at Arthur? Great burritos at a great price. I stop every time I drive through.I will stop by Los Monatnas next time and check it out.
Well, you were probably unaware of this, but Chicago has the second largest Mexican population in the US outside of LA. More than San Francisco, Dallas, San Antonio, or anywhere else for that matter. And a few of them came knowing how to make Mexican food.
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