3318 E Flamingo Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89121

(702) 435-9222

Measurements: 9″ circumference; 7″ length (standard size)

Vegetarian Burrito $6.47 after tax

Vegas is the type of town that most will only spend a day or two.  Too much food, too much everything.  That’s what makes everyday working people lunch spots like Zaba’s intriguing.  Zaba’s is the best burrito option in town.  Lots of fresh options, sweet potatoes are a stand out, descent salsas, fresh ingredients, and good assembly oversight.  ”Have it your way” style at it’s best.  Black beans, because the pinto have bacon.  I spent $40 on a cab ride to and from the resort atmosphere of the Strip to Zaba’s about 10 miles east in what felt and looked like what I’d expect Iraq or Afghanistan to be on this scorching July weekend.  This place is VEGETARIAN friendly.

Arbol (left); and Tomatillo Jalapeno (right)

WIZARD’S SCORE: 6.75

108 W 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 687-8040

www.thecharcoalgrilldowntown.com

Measurements: 9″ circumference; 7″ length (standard size)

Build your own burrito $6.57 after tax

Vegetarian burritos are subtle by nature.  The simple nuances are key to a burrito’s success or failure.  Most are relegated to mediocrity.  The median is a fruitful category.  It’s rare for a clean, fresh, healthy burrito to fall below the average.  Charcoal Grill has achieved this rare feat.  Flavorless, pointless, and possibly the worst salsa in the history of time.  As a burritophile this place makes me contemplate anorexia.  The one plus: if you don’t add meat or veggies, you can build your own burrito for $5.99 + tax = $6.57.  With Chicken $9.26.

WIZARD’S SCORE: 5.25

MEASUREMENTS: Exact Measurements are unavailable however it appeared to be standard size

Veggie Burrito = 3.90 Euro without cheese & 5.70 Euro as pictured (with cheese and guacamole)

 www.dolores-online.de

Dolores California Burritos is modeled after the San Francisco-style burrito (in theory).  The lettuce was a disappointment and left the burrito tasting a bit artificial.  On the upside, Dolores offered a vegetarian mole tofu.  Mole is difficult to find without animal stock, so it was a pleasant surprise to find this true vegetarian option on the venue.  Pricewise with the current U.S./Euro exchange rate, this was slightly more than average U.S. price for a more “upscale” burrito effort.   Salsa was decent, however, Dolores lacks a salsa bar.  If this joint were located on U.S. soil, we would likely have to give it a 6, but considering it’s European location, we’ll give it a 6.75 for effort.

First openend in 2005, Dolores is more of a vegan/ vegetarian place, and less of a true burrito joint.                       

LETTUCE IS UP 15%

BEEF IS UP 17%

BEANS ARE UP 1%

CHEESE IS UP 15%

RICE IS UP 3%

Chipotle, the largest burrito chain in the world with over 1084 stores sets the going price for a vegetarian burrito in most regions.  Citing rising commodity prices as their reason for the coming burrito inflation, Chipotle did not disclose any specifics of their new pricing scheme. Chipotle is quickly becoming the Starbuchs of Burritos, opening across the street from competing establishments, and usually drawing more business. Their control of the market allows them to determine when it is time to raise prices.  Beef prices should have no effect on their vegetarian burrito price, although cheese at 15% is alarming, and they may have to start charging extra for lettuce (up 15%).  Currently at their downtown LA location it’s $5.95 + tax; or $6.52.  I predict we’ll see that rise to at least $6.50 + tax; or $7.13 by the end of the summer, so yes THE $7 BURRITO IS COMING SOON.

4370 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004

(323) 662-0759

MEASUREMENTS: 9″ circumference – 7″ length (standard size)

Veggie Burrito = $4.94 w/o cheese; or $6.04 w/ cheese

Their rice is made with chicken broth.  Half mashed stewed vegetarian pinto beans.

Cactus Mexican Food #2 (#1 is on Vine in Hollywood) has been on the decline for some time now.  Their once legendary salsa bar has continually disappointed over the last year or so.  But this once great pride of L.A. establishment has truly hit a new low with their recent tacky cosmetic remodel (photos will be posted soon; current photos are of old decor), resulting in their tauntingly new high prices.  I think if Marie Antoinette was alive, she would let us eat the cheese for free, but they started charging $1.00 extra for generic shredded cheese.  Salsas fluctuate from day-to-day in color, body, spice and taste.  The chipotle is their best (dark brown) Andy Cone guitarist from Monorchid seriously almost lost his life trying to get more of this salsa on one fabled day back in their glory days; the spicy verde (green) reminds me of the great serrano pepper salsa from Burrito Brothers in Washington, D.C.; the red seems to fluctuate between a mild arbol, a very spicy habanero, and sometimes just a strait sriracha.  They don’t put out the salsa bar until after lunch (time seems to vary day-to-day), but you can ask for all salsas on the side. Three parking spots on-site.  I really want to love this place, but management seems to constantly find a way to mess it up.

Sauces pictured above (from left to right) chipotle, Thai hot sauce (red), spicey verde, arbol (red)

VALUE: Used to be one of the best values in town.

WIZARD’S SCORE: 6.25

4370 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004

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1576 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041

(323) 478-2791

www.cacaodeli.com

Flor de Jamaica Burrio: $7.96 after tax

Hibiscus Flowers, Cactus Paddles, and Squash Blossoms attempt to distract from the general lack of purpose or taste.  If this place was cheap or in Iowa, I’d give it a pass.  Great vibe, good coffee, if you need a spot to meet-up in the area, consider this.

Three types of salsa w/ different colors; flavor?????

Value: Good for date night/ terrible for burritophiles

WIZARD’S SCORE: 6

2419 W Martin Luther King Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90008

(323) 291-1500

Measurements: 9” circumference, 7” length (standard size)

Fame lasts 15 minutes, being ‘cool’ lasts less than 5; Worldwide Tacos knows neither.  From a shack off MLK Blvd, they slowly deliver the best burritos in the world.  Chris Rock told you to RUN when on Martin Luther King, but that was like 10 years ago…  It takes a life to get to know their menu, but thankfully we have time to discover.  Recommendation: vegetarian steak burritos, that narrows it down to about 11 options, current menu’s 186.  Take a few days off work to check out Worldwide Tacos.  Chill the “F” out.

Value: The prices spread from reasonable to $11 for a vegen lobster burrito.

WIZARD’S SCORE: 9.25

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1408 Olymipic Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404

(310) 392-5768

www.tacosporfavormenu.info

Measurements: 9”to 8″ circumference, 6.5” to 7″ length (generally smaller than average)

Potato Burrito $5.21 after tax

This place has pulled off totally satisfying the traditional authentic LA Mexican food crowd, the gringos, the foodies, the locals, and me: everyone likes this place.  Firm fresh black beans, pico de gallo (not so gallo). Red sauce with nutmeg, or is it cinnamon?  Long extensive menu, but not confusing, with appropriate options, all of which are good.  Very simple, not reinventing the wheel.  If they put more care into crafting their salsa this place could possibly blow my mind.

Value: Best of the beach (not that close to the beach)

WIZARD’S SCORE: 7.75

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DFW Dallas Fort Worth Airport

Gate D31 in Terminal D

www.bluemesagrill.com

Measurements: 9″ circumference; 7″ length (standard size)

Vegetarian Burrito $8.95 after tax

‘pretty’ ‘good’ ‘sober’ president’ all terms that have a different meaning in Texas.

Salsa Fresca is less understood north of James K Polk era American expansion.

Value: Remembering the Alamo no longer gets you a discount.

WIZARD’S SCORE: 5.5