Finally Found Great Carne Asada Burrito - PHX

[ejs1492]

I needed a quick bite to eat on my way home from work today and stopped in to Habanero's, which I have been meaning to try. It's located just north of Raintree on Northsight, behind the Scottsdale Gun Club. Habanero's is a very small mom and pop type of place...order at the counter and they bring out your food.

I've been in search of a great carne asada burrito ever since I left Redondo Beach, CA, and "El Burrito Jr", my favorite little taco stand with the greatest carne asada burritos. Well, folks, I think I have found it!

My $5.75 burrito was perfect in its simplicity: made-to-order grilled carne asada, fresh guacamole and pico de gallo, wrapped in a fresh tortilla. That's it. No cheese, no rice, no beans. And FANTASTIC. I've been hearing a lot of hype about America's, which is reputed to have the best carne asada, but I don't know how it could be any better than this.

FYI - They also serve breakfast and I'm eager to try the Enchiladas and Eggs and the Revoltura (chorizo or steak, eggs, potato, cheese, sour cream, guac and torillas.). Sounds like great hangover food.

No alcohol served, nice people who actually care about what they cook, and the price is right.
I'll be doing a more extensive review on my blog sometime soon and will post to CH as well.

Habanero's Mexican Grill is located at:
14870 N. Northsight Blvd #106
480-991-2997

[azravengal]

I also wanted to add my praise for Habanero's & America's. I ate at America's a few weeks ago and the carne asada was outstanding as was their salsa. Last night we at at Habaneros and couldn't have been happier. The carnitas burrito and the shrimp fajita burrito were both fantastic (and the shrimp burrito was a bargain) -- and they don't skimp on the guacamole!

Both places are small, family owned business that seem to genuinely care about their food and customers.

[hungryinaz]

After reading this post and a few other positive Habanero's reviews on other boards, I tried their carne asada burrito for lunch today. Every chunk of meat in the burrito was chewy - not just a few bad pieces here and there but literally every single piece to the point where you want to spit it into a napkin. Also, there wasn't much flavor to the meat so even if it had been an edible texture, I can't imagine it reaching "fantastic" levels.

ejs1492 - I'm curious, what other carne asada burritos have you tried since moving to AZ?

The carnitas burrito, unlike the carne asada, was served very hot and it was good. Pork was crisped up a bit just like I had read in a review and not too greasy, good but not so great that I would have started a post about how great Habanero's is if that makes sense.

I was excited about America's Taco Shop since it also recently received praise for it's carne asada but now I am a little hesitant. Has anyone been to both and NOT liked the carne asada at Habanero's? Maybe I just hit an off day, but it rates in my Top 5 least enjoyable carne asada burritos.

[azravengal]

I wouldn't let your distaste of the carne asada burrito at Habanero's keep you from eating at America's (although I have not tried the carne asada at Habaneros). While I can see your point that the carnitas at Habaneros "was good, but not so great that I would have started a post about it" I thought it was great given the price and location (that area of town seems to populated by the "fast casual" burrio places, i.e., Qdoba, Baja Fresh & Chipotle) and I wanted to embrace them.

[ejs1492]

Geez....I wonder if you were there on a bad day, or got a bad cut of meat? Or maybe I was there on a good day! Admittedly, I have only been there once but it inspired me enough to write about it. Or maybe I just don't have a basis for what truly is "good" carne asada....but what I had at Habanero's reminded me of what I used to eat in Redondo Beach and brought back great memories.

I have heard many good remarks about America's but recently heard some not-so-positive remarks from a respected CH'er. I'll give it a try. Anywhere else that you love, hungryinaz?

[azhotdish]

Do you have a favorite fast food carne asada burrito in Scottsdale? Mine is Fiesta Burrito at 74th St / McDowell. It's better than the typical 'Bertos.

[hungryinaz]

ejs1492 - It is strange, I don't always love the same things as everyone on this board but I can't recall ever having such an opposite reaction to the exact same menu item. Unfortunately, if you mostly dine in north Scottsdale, I don't have any suggestions for carne asada burritos. I definitely agree that a good carne asada burrito should be sans beans and rice. One of my faves is at Mango's in Mesa. Another is at Rudy's in Queen Creek. For great street-style carne tacos, try Susie's in Tempe. I haven't had Susie's burritos, but the tacos are faves of mine and everyone I've introduced them to. Doubled up small, soft corn tortillas filled with diced steak, white onion, cilanrto with lime wedges on the side - delicious stuff.

[ejs1492]

I may live in N. Scottsdale, but I'll drive anywhere for good food. Thanks for the tips!

[jock]

no alcohol served. that's ok - can you take in your own beer?

[crsin]

Off the topic of carne asada, and on the topic of Habanero's, I just had my first visit there (inspired by this thread), and tried three tacos: carnitas, blackened chicken, and shrimp. All were in corn tortillas, and all were good. Very fresh, a lot of flavor, nicely cooked, tender meat, and loved the simplicity and freshness of the toppings (guac., pico, and chipotle sauce were really nice). Overall, carnitas took the cake (even though definitely more greasy than the other two), followed by shrimp, and then chicken with the bronze (still good...tenderness surprised me after seeing the nice blackened char on the outside). What I especially enjoyed was Habanero's refusal to shy away from some heat...their hot sauces were great and were actually quite hot, which diverges quite a bit from other "fast mexican" places in the area. Not sure if the pico itself is particularly spicy, but with three refreshingly strong hot sauces, there's plenty there to give yourself the kick you need. I like the place and am glad to have it nearby.