543430 Mon Jul 28 21:41:33 -0700 2008 21 6 Southwest 0 3910142 Refried beans. Cheese. Tortilla. The more lard the better. Where? Thanks. Mon Jul 28 21:41:34 -0700 2008 11583 ipsedixit 1 3910163 Which restaurant in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area serves the tastiest & the best bean and cheese burrito? Mon Jul 28 21:52:06 -0700 2008 3910142 206875 Discerning Tastes 1 3910208 Ranch Market Mon Jul 28 22:26:45 -0700 2008 3910142 67548 azhotdish 2 3911395 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. Tue Jul 29 10:22:09 -0700 2008 3910208 11583 ipsedixit 3 3911496 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. Tue Jul 29 10:49:35 -0700 2008 3911395 67548 azhotdish 1 3910319 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. Tue Jul 29 01:07:21 -0700 2008 3910142 15036 tastyjon 1 3910351 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. Tue Jul 29 02:00:02 -0700 2008 3910142 10996 JK Grence the Cosmic Jester 2 3910375 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. Tue Jul 29 03:06:29 -0700 2008 3910351 80169 ccl1111 3 3913600 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. Tue Jul 29 20:55:06 -0700 2008 3910375 85615 misohungrychewlow 2 3911849 That Oaxaca burrito IS amazing. I'm drawn to it. It's maddening. Tue Jul 29 12:13:21 -0700 2008 3910351 58128 ajs228 2 3912429 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. Tue Jul 29 14:27:52 -0700 2008 3910351 10852 johnseberg 2 4045558 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. Thu Sep 18 16:27:46 -0700 2008 3910351 193301 ValleyGal 2 4061194 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. Thu Sep 25 11:29:52 -0700 2008 3910351 58128 ajs228 1 3910696 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. Tue Jul 29 07:04:19 -0700 2008 3910142 27510 twodogs 1 3911657 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. Tue Jul 29 11:24:33 -0700 2008 3910142 129219 ArizonaJim 2 3914499 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 Wed Jul 30 07:34:57 -0700 2008 3911657 129219 ArizonaJim 3 3914842 "honey, everything here is cooked in lard, that's why it tastes so good". _______________________________________________________________ Truer words have never been uttered. :-) Wed Jul 30 08:52:44 -0700 2008 3914499 11583 ipsedixit 1 3913642 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. Tue Jul 29 21:15:10 -0700 2008 3910142 26466 silverbear 1 3916376 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. Wed Jul 30 15:17:16 -0700 2008 3910142 95577 yamalam 2 4072995 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! Tue Sep 30 16:05:01 -0700 2008 3916376 185905 amy30 3 4073488 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. Tue Sep 30 20:58:51 -0700 2008 4072995 199931 ginael 2 4075499 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 Wed Oct 01 17:00:01 -0700 2008 3916376 14380 Bazel