Bean and Cheese Burrito [PHX]

[ipsedixit]

Refried beans. Cheese. Tortilla.

The more lard the better.

Where?

Thanks.

[Discerning Tastes]

Which restaurant in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area serves the tastiest & the best bean and cheese burrito?

[azhotdish]

Ranch Market

[ipsedixit]

There's something wrong, or off, with the refried beans at Ranch Market. It tastes a bit chalky to me for some reason.

Maybe it's a byproduct of making it in some large, humongous batches.

[azhotdish]

It's probably been a couple months since I've eaten there, but I've never noticed that - strange. Sounds like I need to get to Carolina's - still have never been there.

[tastyjon]

Some of the Food City stores have delis which serve up a pretty good and basic pint of refried beans "to go" for about $1.75. Grab some tortillas, cheese and salsa and make a dozen simple burritos for under $7. For a tad more, you can kick them up a notch with veggies, green chile, etc.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

My first thought is Carolina's. Their tortillas are the best in town, and everything else there rocks too. When I go there, I always order WAY more than I could possibly eat and take the rest home for dinner. I don't think I could get a regular bean burro since I've tasted the Oaxaca Special, a burrito filled with refried beans, cheese, potatoes, and chorizo.

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Carolina's Mexican Food Restaurant
1202 E Mohave St, Phoenix, AZ 85034

[ccl1111]

Can't beat Carolina's tortillas. Would definitely concur. I always have to get one with butter just to focus on the tortilla. Always, always, always over-order as well. Can't help it!

I know Rito's (which I also LOVE) also uses lard in their beans. Super yum!!! Would have to go green chile though. Some folks seem not to be fans but I just don't get it.

[misohungrychewlow]

I don't agree with the love for Rito's. The touted green chile might as well come from a can -- maybe it does -- and the tortillas? Probably store-bought, in plastic bags. Muy ordinary.

[ajs228]

That Oaxaca burrito IS amazing. I'm drawn to it. It's maddening.

[johnseberg]

I agree, the Carolina's Oaxaca Special is great. Red Chile is great, too. But, I don't think I would ever get a simple bean and cheese at Carolina's. I wish their beans were just a little better. I actually like the beans at my local Los Betos a little better.

[ValleyGal]

I grew-up in Phoenix and my family's been going to Carolina's in all its different reincarnations since the early 1970s. We were good friends with Carolina herself, her son Joe and daughter-in-law Phyllis.

I have since lived or travelled in 30 countries, and I would have to say that my number one and two cravings, in terms of food, would be Carolina's machaca burritos and Carolina's Oaxaca special.

But also the hot sauce. That is a thing of wonder. Over the course of all these years I've converted many people into Carolina fanatics. The food is that amazing. The new one up on Cactus is better IMO.

[ajs228]

I actually just tried Carolina's Bean & Cheese burro, because of this post, and it was damn tasty. The beans were flavorful, not at all heavy, the cheese was melted. I usually stick with the Oaxaca and Green Chile, but this is a good back up.

[twodogs]

I have to go with Carolina's also,their "foot long" burrito is beans ,cheese, and chorizo,I have terrible cravings for this one and can't get past it to order anything else.Once in awhile if I'm really hungry I'll add on a taco dorado.
Carolina's has it all over Ranch Market in the "Bean and Cheese Burrito" dept. No Contest.

[ArizonaJim]

El Charro on Country Club and 1st in Mesa serves up a classic Az/Sonoran bean burro (not burrito - never heard the word used in Az Mexican restaurants until maybe 15 years ago) along with plenty of other classics. My family has been going there for the better part of 50 years, and while the owners are slowing down a bit, the recipe's seem to stay the same year after year.

[ArizonaJim]

Here's the link for El Charro. The lard content is high. As we overheard at a table next to us once, trying to quiz the waitress on what didn't have lard on it, her reply was "honey, everything here is cooked in lard, that's why it tastes so good".

Edit: Seems like I can't figure out how to link the restaurant above. The address is
El Charro Restaurant and Lounge
105 N Country Club Drive
Mesa, AZ 85201

[ipsedixit]

"honey, everything here is cooked in lard, that's why it tastes so good".
_______________________________________________________________

Truer words have never been uttered. :-)

[silverbear]

Los Jarritos -- Van Buren just east of 44th St.
Guerrero's -- Along Apache just west of the 101 Freeway

Don't know about the lard content (Don't want to know), but I like the specimens of the named dish at both.

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Guerrero's Mexican Food
2148 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281

Los Jarritos Restaurant
4630 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

[yamalam]

In Chandler - Elmer's Tacos across from Chandler High on Az Ave. It's Sonoran/Arizona/Border Mex, but that sounds kinda like what you're going for.

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Elmer's Tacos
355 N Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225

[amy30]

Carolina's is amazing and so is El Patron off 27th Ave & 101. That is all I ever order when I go to Mexican restaurants and the beans and tortillas are a must on taste, how they are cooked, thickness (or thiness) and the beans! Must be old school homemade beans with lard! I stopped at the Carolina's off Cactus last week to get a QT of beans and dozen tortillas to snack on for the next week or so! Can't go wrong there!

[ginael]

Am so glad to know I'm not the only one who craves bean burritos. Los dos is also a great option. There's nothing more delectable than bean burritos with spicy red sauce. Here in San Diego, I can't quite get my fix of these, hence the frequent trips to Phx.

[Bazel]

Here's a second for Elmers. Bean and Cheese is reallyy good. I like mine with Elmer's sauce - a smooth red, garlicy, spicy hot sauce. Espo's out on Chandler Blvd east of McClintock could be on the list.

Bz