Chipotle Mexican Grill

Does anyone know if this American chain has any outlets here in the city? Or if there is a place that serves gi-normous burritos with a choice of meats, beans, and toppings?

[stet]

Chipotle is very good (and extremely large), but I prefer a grilled burrito myself.

[lpaulsen1]

My husband who grew up in California, and who frequently visited hole in the wall, authentic Mexican restaurants in LA says that Chipotle has the 4 qualities he looks for in a good burrito. 1) Good, flavourful freshly grilled chicken. 2) Fresh veggies. 3) Good guacamole 4) MOST IMORTANTLY, the burrio is tightly wrapped.

[Ediblethoughts]

I don't know about #1, but I think #2, 3, and 4 are also met at Burrito Boyz.

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Burrito Boyz
218 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA

[GoodGravy]

When BB first opened, I went to try it cuz of the buzz on here. I was underwhelmed. It was good, but not all that flavorful and I didn't see what the big fuss was about. That was a few years ago. Now it's not even good. I'll stick w/ Chipotle if that's the only other option. Big Fat Burritos are big and fat, but that's about it.

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Big Fat Burrito
285 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2M1, CA

[Davwud]

I too went when it first opened because of the buzz. I liked it. Not enough that I'd go out of my way and take a late lunch but if it were convenient I'd go.

It's been at least 3 years since.

DT

[Ediblethoughts]

I'm not a fan of BFB. A pity since they're very close to where I work. But I love BB. A pity I'm not more into Chipotle since they're also close.

Just curious: Did you have fish or veggie at BB or chicken/meat? (I have no comment on the latter but love the former--and I think it matters which kind you eat at most of these places.)

[GoodGravy]

Beef and pork burritos. I just don't find BB that tasty. It's not terrible, but it's nothing that sticks in my mind as better than average. Chipotle isn't the best I've ever had, but it's tastier than BB, BFB, Quesada, etc.

[Ediblethoughts]

That does seem to be the consensus--for meat, they're not as good as for veg/fish...

[abigllama]

Edible you've established in another burrito thread that you only eat veggie burritos. So probably not fair to weigh in on a burrito place without making that clear.

The veggie offerings at BB, the bean and cheese and the ground round burritos are much better than what's offered for the veggie set at Chipotle. I love meat but BB is my go to when I want a great veggie burrito. The sauces help things out a bit to. BB's meat is bland and sometimes a bit on the chewy side so I avoid it.

The meat burritos are much better at Chipotle with the exception of the sometimes chewy steak. The carnitas is especially awesome. Great seasoning, quality meat, a delicious sodium bomb in every bite. Their product is clearly based around the freshly grilled and seasoned meat because their veggie burritos are very bland.

[Ediblethoughts]

I eat fish burritos too. I try to comment on that part whenever I remember--I'd just added that comment above and then I read your comment here. (I think really for almost every restaurant in Toronto, you almost need a chicken and beef and pork comment board and a veg and/or fish board. What a place does well on the one side, they often don't on the other.)

[Davwud]

I finally tried this place yesterday for lunch.

I will first preface this by saying I go to Moe's Southwest Grill fairly often. I quite like it but don't pretend that it's great.

As for Chipotle, I wanted so much to not like it. Not going in so much but once I got my lunch. There are a few knocks I have against this place. First of all, it's much more expensive. For about $3 more than I pay for a Homewrecker, queso, chips and a large drink I got only a burrito and large drink. Queso and chips aren't even an option. The seating sucks too.

So I wasn't exactly impressed as I made my way to the fountain drinks. Low and behold, Coke Zero on the fountain. Well that's a plus. So on to my steak burrito. I gotta admit, it's one of the best burritos I've had. The tortilla was nice and fresh, the meat was very tasty and the fillings were good. The guacamole stood out without over powering.

It's just too bad that the shortcomings I pointed out above are there. That and Moe's is way more convenient.

I'll have to try Burrito Boys again. I wasn't impressed with NY Sub.

DT

[TorontoJo]

Heh, I know what you mean! But it's hard to knock a decent product, even if it is a chain and kinda pricey. :)

Next time, try the carnitas burrito. It's my favourite of all the meat options.

[Davwud]

Ya, I think the mitigating factor is location. If you switched where Moe's and Chipotle were, I'd got to Chipotle. Risking a parking ticket every time I go makes it less worth while.

DT

[Ediblethoughts]

Do you happen to know if they serve wine at Moe's? (I realize it's fast food and unlikely but...)

[Davwud]

They do not.

DT

[Ediblethoughts]

Pity. Oh well. Thanks.

[evansl]

Forget Burrito Boyz - very big and very tasteless. You're better off at Taco Bell.

[Davwud]

I've had the beef and the fish and I like both. It was about 3 or 4 years ago.

DT

[abigllama]

Glad to hear you liked the steak, that used to be a sore spot for me there. I enjoy most of what they offer but found the steak to be gross and too chewy. But in the last few months they've improved in it quite a bit and the quality is way better.

And second the Carnitas, it's very good. I know what you mean about the value at Moe's vs Chipotle. The drag with eating solo at Chipotle is that the chips are designed for splitting, way too much for one person. Would be great if they could just sell you a small basket full or something instaed of the enormous bag.

[wontonfm]

If you're in the Yonge/Eg area they are opening a Chipotle about a block away from Moe's (on Yonge just north of Eg).

WON
http://whatsonmyplate.net

[Davwud]

I know.

Any idea when??

DT

[wontonfm]

Not sure when but it's looking like soon. They are making good progress on the inside and they are currently hiring. Can't wait! And they usually do free burritos opening day...

WON

[batbon]

Just spoke to a guy that was doing interviews and he said it's scheduled to open on July 28.

[abigllama]

That's going to be burrito centreal with Moe's, Chipotle, and Quesada just within a few steps of each other. I predict Quesada will be the first to go.

[pescatarian]

I haven't tried Moe's or Chipotle, but everything I've tried (due to location and hunger and lack of time) at Quesada has no flavour. Don't get why they have so many locations (that stay open).

[Davwud]

it's awful. We went once and couldn't believe how bad it was.

DT

[Ediblethoughts]

Tried Quesada today for the first time and overall not bad:

Good: Fresh ingredients including the jalapenos and corn; like the WW burrito was good; and hot since grilled; ingredients fairly evenly distributed inside so most bites get most ingredients; tightly wrapped and so neat; oh and it was also obviously quite healthy (which I like in theory)

Not as good: even though hot, the cheese didn't melt--like the cheese melted; also, I see the point made re taste being lacking a bit and I think the reason is the lack of a "burrito sauce". Big Fat Burrito and BB both have a (likely not overly healthy) sauce that gives it umph.

Overall, I'd go back. When I'm heading for the subway, it's more convenient than Moe's and I prefer Quesada overall (all things considered) to Chipotle.

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Big Fat Burrito
285 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2M1, CA

[flying101]

Biggest burritos might be mucho burrito in vaughan.
just massive... http://www.muchoburrito.com/

another 'chain' is Moe's @ yonge & eg.
http://www.moes.com/index.aspx

both are tasty options if you are not downtown / club district

[mrsleny]

I have tried Mucho Burrito and quite like it. Yes, they are massive. My medium vegetarian burrito must have weighed a pound. Unfortunately, there aren't as many burrito options in the 'burbs. Also tried BarBurrito and it was terrible. The soy "meat" in the veg burrito had no flavour, and the salsa tasted like something from a jar.

I hope they open a Chipotle's in York Region soon.

[Astin]

One in Toronto Life Square (assuming the "city" is Toronto). Facing Yonge.

Or go with Burrito Boyz, Freshwest Grille, Z-Teca, or any of the options in Kensington.

[futronic]

Yup, there's on at Yonge/Dundas, near the AMC theatre. It's on the east side of Yonge, just north of Dundas.

[itzi]

BURRITO BOYZ

[Ediblethoughts]

Agreed. Chipotle can't hold a candle to BB.

[Boodah]

Tried BB, wasn't remotely impressed with the steak which was tough, sinewy and literally without any flavor whatsoever (that fact was masked by the unbelievable overage of cheese they put in their burritos, was suspicious so I pulled some meat out and tasted it on its own). Contrast that with Chipotle where they actually simmer their beef in spices. I'll gladly eat at Chipotles, you won't catch me going back to Burrito Boyz unless they figure out Mexican food is all about the stewed, seasoned meats.