No matter which Mexican eatery you visit, there’s one menu staple you can almost always count on: the burrito. While the exact origin of this beloved dish remains a mystery, burritos made their American debut in Los Angeles in the 1930s and have only grown in popularity since.
Savory, satisfying, and endlessly customizable, burritos can be packed with a variety of proteins, vegetables, cheeses, and sauces, inspiring restaurants and chains to create their own unique takes on this tortilla-wrapped favorite. If you’re in the mood for a quick, grab-and-go meal, plenty of fast-food spots offer tempting burrito options to satisfy your cravings.
Chipotle
No discussion of burritos would be complete without mentioning Chipotle, a powerhouse in the burrito world with over 3,600 locations nationwide. As one of the top-selling burrito chains in the country, Chipotle is celebrated for its customizable approach, allowing customers to build their ideal burrito with grilled meat or sofritas, rice, beans, fajita veggies, and a variety of toppings like cheese, guacamole, salsa, queso blanco, and sour cream—all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.
Beyond its extensive menu options, Chipotle stands out for its commitment to ingredient quality. In 2017, it became the first national restaurant chain to eliminate added colors, flavors, and preservatives from its ingredients. Customers can also feel good about the brand’s use of hormone-free meats and fresh, never-frozen ingredients, underscoring its dedication to transparency and sustainability.
Taco Bell
Another major player in the burrito game is Taco Bell. Despite "taco" being in its name, Taco Bell has achieved tremendous success with its burrito offerings, serving nearly one billion burritos annually.
The chain currently boasts 10 different types of burritos, catering to a range of tastes. Options include simple classics like the Bean Burrito and Beefy Melt Burrito, as well as more indulgent choices such as the Burrito Supreme, Grilled Cheese Burrito, and Cantina Chicken Burrito.
Moe's Southwest Grill
Moe’s has become a standout in the fast-casual dining scene, boasting over 700 locations since its debut in 2000. Like Chipotle, Moe’s offers a fully customizable burrito experience. Customers can also opt for the chain's iconic Homewrecker Burrito, made with their choice of protein, rice, beans, shredded cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. Taking a playful jab at its competitors, Moe’s proudly notes that “yes, guac is included.”
Over the years, Moe’s has made significant ingredient upgrades, including switching to proteins free of artificial colors and flavors. Additionally, the chain revamped its tortilla recipe to offer a fresher product with enhanced flavor and texture.
Qdoba
Originally launched as "Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill" in 1995, this fast-casual restaurant has since rebranded to Qdoba and expanded to over 700 locations across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Like Chipotle and Moe’s, Qdoba allows customers to create their own burritos. However, it sets itself apart by offering a variety of pre-designed burrito options on its menu, including the Cholula Hot & Sweet Chicken Burrito, the Southwest Steak Burrito, and the new Mango Chicken Burrito.
Qdoba emphasizes fresh, handmade meals in its kitchens. According to the chain’s website, “That’s right, no microwaves or can-openers in our kitchens—just quality flavors you can feel great about.”
Del Taco
This California-based fast-food chain, Del Taco, ranks as the second-largest Mexican quick-service restaurant in the U.S., offering a wide range of options for burrito enthusiasts. From classics like the Del Beef Burrito to vegetarian-friendly choices like the 8-Layer Veggie Burrito, Del Taco caters to a variety of tastes and dietary preferences.
For those craving something bolder, the chain features a lineup of "Epic Burritos," including the Epic Loaded Queso Burrito. This indulgent option includes your choice of chicken or carne asada, crinkle-cut fries, queso blanco, house-grated cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo, all wrapped in a warm oversized flour tortilla.
El Pollo Loco
Unlike many fast-food chains that will use frozen chicken, El Pollo Loco prides itself on serving fresh, never frozen, fire-grilled chicken, which can be found in some of its burritos. There's the Queso Guacamole Chicken Burrito, which contains fire-grilled shredded chicken, roasted tomato salsa, handmade guacamole, pinto beans, diced onions, rice, queso sauce, and salsa fresca. Then, there's the Guacamole Chicken Burrito, which is filled with citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chopped chicken, guacamole, pinto beans, shredded cabbage, salsa fresca, and creamy cilantro sauce.
Beyond these burritos, the chain offers a Chipotle Guacamole Chicken Burrito and and vegetarian-friendly BRC Burrito, which is made with pinto beans, rice, and shredded jack cheese.
Rubio's Coastal Grill
If you’re a seafood enthusiast, Rubio’s Coastal Grill is a must-visit. What began as a humble walk-up taco stand in Mission Bay, San Diego, in 1983 has grown into a thriving fast-casual restaurant chain with locations across California, Arizona, and Nevada.
While Rubio’s serves classic burrito options like chicken and steak, it truly stands out with its seafood burrito offerings. Highlights include the Wild-Caught Mahi Mahi Burrito, Ancho Citrus Grilled Shrimp Burrito, and the Signature Beer-Battered Fish Burrito. The chain emphasizes its commitment to sustainability, sourcing certified sustainable shrimp, salmon, and wild Alaska pollock. Its mahi mahi is also wild-caught from responsible fisheries working toward Marine Stewardship Council certification, making Rubio’s a flavorful and eco-conscious choice.
Wahoo's Fish Taco
Don’t overlook this taco spot when it comes to burritos. Wahoo’s Fish Taco, a California-based restaurant chain founded in 1988, has grown to 45 locations across six states and one in Tokyo. What sets Wahoo’s apart is its unique fusion of Mexican, Brazilian, and Asian flavors, creating a distinctive twist on traditional dishes.
The menu features several burritos with a variety of protein choices, including chicken breast, carnitas, carne asada, wild-caught wahoo, wild-caught salmon, Alaskan flounder, and shrimp. While offerings vary by location, standout options include the Banzai Burrito, Hawaiian Onion Ring Burrito, and Mr. Lee’s SCReaM’n Chicken Burrito, made with spicy chicken, rice, mushrooms, melted cheese, green sauce, and Mr. Lee’s signature spicy chili sauce.
California Tortilla
Despite its name, California Tortilla—fondly known as "Cal Tort"—originated in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1995. With 37 locations primarily along the East Coast, this fast-casual chain offers a menu featuring 10 different burritos. Alongside classics like the Classic Burrito, customers can enjoy unique creations such as the Crunchy BBQ Ranch, Bacon Chicken Club, and Korean BBQ Burritos.
A standout feature of California Tortilla is its Wall of Flame, a collection of 75 hot sauces that allows customers to dial up the heat to their liking. According to the chain, these options range from mild to "tongue-melting," offering something for every spice tolerance.