Battle of the Burritos

A good week is not complete without a tasty burrito (or a few for Daniel). Though they agree on most things, duo Juliette Hess and Daniel Harris feud over the best burrito in Houston. According to Hess, Chipotle is the clear winner: the burrito is tasty, and the restaurant locations are convenient. On the other hand, Harris is a Cabo Bob’s connoisseur. He thinks nothing can beat their handmade burritos – it’s not even a question! To decide once and for all which restaurant has the best burrito, Hess and Harris have created a comprehensive review of Chipotle and Cabo Bob’s. It’s up to you to decide which burrito wins!  

Chipotle (Juliette):  

With over 3,000 locations in America, Chipotle Mexican Grill is arguably one of the most popular fast food restaurants in the country. Now that there is a Meyerland location only five minutes away from campus, you can frequently catch seniors at the restaurant thanks to off-campus lunch privileges. There are 36 Chipotles in Houston and only four Cabo Bob’s. Needless to say, Chipotle is a far more convenient restaurant for the vast majority of Houstonians. 

Having so many Chipotle locations in our city is a tell-tale sign that the food must be pretty freaking good. For this Chipotle review, I had to order my go-to burrito: A warm flour tortilla filled with chicken, brown rice, roasted chili-corn salsa, cheese, romaine lettuce, and a light scoop of guacamole. Let’s cut to the chase – the burrito tastes like perfection. The chicken’s seasoning makes you breathe in the perfect amount of spice, causing your mouth to water before you even take a bite. As your lips nestle into the tortilla, an explosion of flavor makes your taste buds dance. The guacamole helps balance the tang of the shredded cheese while the brown rice adds to the crunchy texture of the roasted chilli-corn salsa. 

Though the flavors of the burrito are irresistible, there’s no denying that eating the stuffed tortilla in public can feel kind of exposing! To ensure that all customers feel comfortable eating their burritos, I think Chipotle does a great job of creating a welcoming and casual atmosphere in their restaurants. Though both Cabo Bob’s and Chipotle have booths nestled into the corners of the restaurant to provide a more private dining experience, there’s something about Chipotle’s rustic architecture that screams, “it’s okay to be messy!” The metal stools and tables add to Chipotle’s low-key vibe as a restaurant. Plus, the metal surfaces make it even easier to clean up a collapsed burrito. It feels like Chipotle has thought of everything to make their customers’ dining experience as simple and pleasant as possible.
For only $12.33, I was able to eat the burrito of my dreams. When you dine at Chipotle, you are indulging in so much more than just a fast-food meal. You are investing in a wonderful experience. I am a loyal Chipotle customer because their locations are convenient, their food is high-quality, and their restaurants feel like home. No matter what, I know there is always a delicious burrito waiting for me at Chipotle.  

Cabo Bob’s (Daniel): 

Cabo Bob’s is undoubtedly the best burrito spot in Houston, if not the entire United States of America. If you didn’t already know, Cabo Bob’s is a burrito chain based in Austin, with locations throughout Texas.  Cabo Bob’s has a plethora of handmade tortilla flavors to wrap your burrito: buttermilk flour, smoky cheddar, ancho chili, and my personal favorite, cilantro tomatillo. Not only are these tortillas delicious on their own, but you can mix them to your desire.. Next, Cabo Bob’s does not skimp on the portion sizes.. Just when you think the Cabo Bob’s employee is about to put the spoon down while scooping your chicken, they go back in for another heaping scoop like they’re feeding a small army. As an 18-year-old hungry boy, I really resonate with this. 

But it’s not just the portions that make Cabo Bob’s far superior. The ingredients are always fresh, and you can actually watch the crew in the back grilling chicken, pressing tortillas, and chopping up everything right before your eyes..There’s always a line out the door, and that’s how you know it’s legit.

The vibe inside is great too. Everyone working there is nice, the service is fast, and it just has that fun, easygoing energy. And the best part? Most of the time, they don’t even charge for extra chicken, which is basically unheard of these days. They also have a punch card system where if you buy six burritos, your next one is free. And when I get that free one, I don’t hold back. I act like my grandma’s paying for it and load it up with extra meat, queso, and guacamole. 

My usual order is a burrito on a cilantro tomatillo tortilla with white rice, double chicken, onions, cheese, and both of their salsas, the roja and the verde. I’m not big on sauces, but those salsas are a must. All of my friends love the chipotle crema, but I like to keep it simple.

I go to Cabo Bob’s every chance I get, and every time, it hits the spot. Cabo Bob’s is where you go when you actually want a burrito that tastes amazing and fills you up.