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Eat & Drink

Here Come the Burrito Wars

Posted by Tim / August 12, 2008

23 Comments

Zteca burritoIf you thought the last few years was a burrito explosion, I don't think we've seen anything yet. This month, a trio of new entrants are making their mark on the Toronto burrito landscape, all offering something more similar to San Francisco's much loved Mission-style burrito.

Burrito Boyz, Big Fat and other top local burrito purveyors better up their game and get ready to fend off the likes of Chipotle (at Yonge and Dundas, free burrito day is this Thursday), Mission Burrito (on McCaul) and Z-Teca.

In the Financial District for a lunch date today, I got my hands on a burrito from Z-Teca. You can read my review of Z-Teca in the restaurants section.

Discussion

23 Comments

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Matt / August 12, 2008 at 09:43 pm
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I have no doubts about Burrito Boyz' ability to stay atop the Burrito pyramid in this suddenly-burrito-obsessed town.
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Smoke / August 12, 2008 at 10:24 pm
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I can't believe you're not allowing the homewrecker from Moe's Southwest Grill at Yonge & Eglington into this contest. I've had them all, and the wrecker reigns supreme.
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lee / August 12, 2008 at 11:24 pm
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I heard Chipotle is owned by McDonalds
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Tim / August 12, 2008 at 11:30 pm
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Chipotle is a public company listed on the NYSE. You can look up their stock quote (CMG) and find tons of info about them. McDonalds used to own it but sold all of their shares a little while back.
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Mission / August 13, 2008 at 03:12 am
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wait wait wait. the fact that burrito boyz still manages to rank high amongst people in this city still amazes me. but besides that, can we please discuss "MISSION" Burrito. Who are they? And do they live up to the name? I've burritoed my way through this city waiting hopelessly for a real effing burrito for years unsatisfied - name along has reignited my hope.
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downtown / August 13, 2008 at 07:08 am
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I think burrito boyz popularity is due to their location and hours of operation ... they are okay but my hubby cannot eat them they upset his tummy every time and you do NOT want to know the details
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Sameer Vasta / August 13, 2008 at 09:22 am
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WAH? Free Chipotle burritos? This Thursday? Are you serious? What's the catch? I don't mind selling my soul to Chipotle for life if it means a free burrito.
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Maria / August 13, 2008 at 09:37 am
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I agree with Sameer, unfortunately, I work a bit far from there... not convenient for a quick lunch run :(
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Kate / August 13, 2008 at 10:13 am
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Big fat all the way for me
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serotonin / August 13, 2008 at 10:44 am
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Mucho Burrito is my favourite, but they're still stuck in the burbs for now (Mississauga x2, Burlington, and beyond). Apparently a Toronto location will be opening soon, but I'm not sure where.
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Ben / August 13, 2008 at 10:48 am
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Burrito God says that the ranking is as follows in terms of burrito goodness:
1) big fat / burrito boyz (depending on BG's mood that day).
3) a bunch of other ones.
4) The place at Bloor and Avenue, which angers Burrito God.
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Maria / August 13, 2008 at 11:20 am
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Yes I agree 100% with Ben. Lately, though, they changed the jalapenos at Big Fat Burrito, from fresh to canned. It does make a difference because of the vinegar in them. It's the only "but" that Big Fat has for me.
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Prince of Darkness / August 13, 2008 at 11:55 am
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Hey Sameer, if you want you can sell your eternal soul to me for 8 bucks and I'll buy you the damn burrito.
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Dee / August 13, 2008 at 09:06 pm
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My sister wants to know one thing and one thing only, are these free burritos full sized or are they little bite sized samples? She's walking there at lunch and doesn't want to waste her time.
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Sameer Vasta / August 13, 2008 at 09:28 pm
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Prince of Darkness: make that one free burrito a year, and you can have my soul and heart as well.
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czthemmnt / August 15, 2008 at 08:35 am
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My friend and I tried the free burrito at Chipotle yesterday and it was FANTASTIC. Huge burrito and a free drink! Super fresh ingredients, and incredibly nice staff even though they must have been exhausted from the crowds. Great experience. Will definitely be returning, without a doubt. For me, the location is incredibly convenient, and I really like their philosophy about organic, local ingredients, grain fed, free run animals, etc.
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Mr.Unknown / August 17, 2008 at 12:41 am
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Mission Burrito is opening up soon, within the month. They're located right across from OCAD (Dundas/McCaul) They'll be the only ones in Toronto to steam their burritos with a fancy steam machine imported from San Fran. Steaming is the traditional way in Mexico. This whole thing about grilling burritos, just a bandwagon thing everyone's trying to board. #1 is about to happen, Mission Burrito.
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Random / August 17, 2008 at 07:51 pm
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We tried Chipotle's burrito today and weren't impressed at all. The taste of the different ingredients wasn't complementary, part of my burrito was icy cold and not to mention, we had stomach problem afterward. I don't really understand why people like it so much!
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Splat / August 19, 2008 at 12:34 pm
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just tried Mission at the Village by the Grange. so, so is the review. size is smaller than B.Boyz's and "steam" instead of grill just doesn't do it for me.

in terms of flavour, it's also more 'bland' than the b.Boyz equivalent. I ordered "hot" and it's got no "heat".

going to try the others over the week, but so far Mission pales to the ones I had in SF.
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Perfect Bite / August 19, 2008 at 11:15 pm
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I just went over to Mission Burrito (second day of opening) and in my opinion, the burritos were great! The meat was stewed and pulled, all made on premise with no microwaves and freezers anywhere on site. The staff was as fast as they can be during their first month and I could tell that they are trying to bring something different to the burrito game. Taste is definitely there - you have to try the pulled pork, it took them 4 hrs to cook! If that isn't dedication to taste, I don't know what is.
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John Doe / September 14, 2008 at 10:50 pm
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You're supposed to eat a burrito steamed, not this toasted/grilled bullshit. A burrito isn't a fucking panino, STEAMED is the REAL WAY.
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Skamuelle Schlarboni replying to a comment from John Doe / June 16, 2009 at 11:47 am
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@john doe - love it how people think what's best for them is what's best. have you even tried it grilled?

@everyone else: haven't tried the steamed burrito experience but I'm in love with the grilled offerings of burrito boyz & burrito bandidos, anyway.
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San Fran replying to a comment from John Doe / September 18, 2009 at 08:38 pm
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Im totally with you man....this grilling of burrito is bullshit, burrito boys is crap!! What the hell can you possibly be doing to a burrito for 15 min, its grab and go, 2 thumbs down for burrito guys!
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