Find out which El Paso restaurant serves the best burrito

Editor’s notice: This tale was originally released March 14, 2012. Rock and Roll Cafe has considering the fact that been forever shut.

Soon after the opening of Chipotle Mexican Grill in 2012, the query arose on Twitter and Facebook: Could a chain cafe compete with hometown El Paso burritos? And who helps make the best burrito in El Paso?

Immediately after using nominations from readers, reporters Aaron Bracamontes and Evan Mohl narrowed it down to 5 candidates as well as Chipotle.

In excess of the class of 5 times they traveled to each and every locale and ordered the finest merchandise on the menu. As our editor claimed: “Somebody had to do it.”

Naturally, style was the to start with issue they judged on, but when items acquired as well near to get in touch with, they broke it down into 4 areas: filling, tortilla, benefit and atmosphere.

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The most emphasis was place on the filling and the least on atmosphere.

Judging just about every burrito on these requirements, Rafa’s Burritos edged out the burritos from Rock and Roll Cafe, which nearly pulled off the underdog upset.

In the conclusion, Bracamontes and Mohl felt that if there was one particular burrito you have to consider a visitor to see or practical experience when you get back in to town, it is Rafa’s.

Below is how our taste buds broke it down:

1 Rafa’s Burritos (Montana spot)

Aaron’s angle: A burrito the dimensions of your arm, whole of wonderful taste in a heat flour tortilla. Which is just about extremely hard to conquer. You have to expertise it to feel.

Evan’s analysis: Now, this is a burrito. You need two palms, numerous napkins and even some additional plate place for the filling that inevitably pours out of the tortilla. Anything about this put and burrito is excellent. It is really the whole package. Free chips are a good contact.

2 Rock and Roll Cafe (Piedras spot)

Aaron’s angle: Nearly like a mini-Rafas and just a little little bit much less expensive. They are fantastic enough to make you want seconds. I did not hope this place to contend. It was the Rocky of El Paso burritos.

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Evan’s evaluation: A pink making with James Dean posters on the wall — this place is as unique as it will get. And the food items? Merely magnificent. I also actually appreciated that Rock and Roll Cafe available delicacies this kind of as tongue, tripe and even fish.

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3 Alice the Burrito Lady (Canutillo spot)

Aaron’s angle: Compact cafe packs a terrific home made tortilla with excellent food. Initially time there, but employees built us experience like regulars. Good client provider, but the filling could not compete with Rafa’s or Rock and Roll.

Evan’s evaluation: Alice undoubtedly manufactured my favored tortilla: clean, delicate, warm and just the suitable thickness. It elevated the burrito without having overpowering the filling. The position also presents a fantastic mom-and-pop come to feel — I am rather certain Alice did the serving — with just four tables and a hole-in-the-wall area. The only grievance I had was my filling.

4 Chipotle Mexican Grill

Aaron’s angle: Filling burrito with no the sluggish afterthought. Chipotle isn’t really selfmade, but it tastes fantastic and is satisfying for what it is. Could perhaps use additional elements. As soon as you get previous the reality that this is not definitely “Mexican,” it is enjoyable.

Evan’s analysis: When I would not classify Chipotle as “Mexican” or “genuine,” it can make a sound burrito (even if there is rice within). There’s also a thing to be claimed for utilizing healthful, organic ingredients — Chipotle’s burrito will not have that weighty experience. The extensive strains and higher costs — compared to nearby opposition — didn’t enable.

5 Burritos Juarez (Alameda spot)

Aaron’s angle: It is superior, but not a great deal additional than that. It is really a fantastic worth. It really is a minimal much too greasy for my taste, but I might propose it for a test.

Evan’s evaluation: This is the past put we tried. It was superior, not fantastic. The tortilla did not have the similar sponginess as the others.

6 Burritos Crisostomo

Aaron’s angle: Extremely disappointing. Tortillas and filling were not fresh and the team wasn’t much too worried with earning certain they had been. Even the straightforward bean and cheese was as well dry. Undoubtedly missing the handmade style other community areas had.

Evan’s evaluation: It’s possible it was the time of working day we went (night), but I was disappointed. The barbacoa was fully dry, and the restaurant ran out of numerous fillings. The a single conserving grace was the rajas con queso, which was really great. Also, Crisostomo accepts only funds.

On-line voters selected newcomer Chipotle for most effective burrito, followed by Alice the Burrito Woman in Canutillo.

This posting originally appeared on El Paso Periods: National Burrito Day is in this article who serves the best burritos?