Burrito Bonanza
Everything you need to know to roll with Greater Cincinnati's burrito makers
BOLOCO
222 Calhoun St., University Heights; 513-281-1500 or www.boloco.com
HOURS: Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
WHAT IT HAS: Small ($4.49), regular ($5.49) and bowl ($5.29) burritos and salads ($3.49-$4.99) with your choice of grilled chicken, steak or organic tofu.
SIGNATURE ITEMS: Depends on how you want your burrito prepared. While you can get it "classic style" with just salsa, cheese and rice, you can also choose options like "teriyaki-style" with caramelized onions, broccoli and carrots or "Mediterranean" with hummus and balsamic vinaigrette.
CHIPS AND SALSA STATUS: Chips will run you $1.19-$2.99 depending on whether you want salsa or guacamole with 'em.
SIDES 'N' SNACKS: Plentiful - if you love chocolate, you owe it to yourself to get the Nutella burrito ($2.49). We also suggest trying one of Boloco's smoothies ($3.29-$4.29), such as the Mango Passion or Berry Blitz.
BURRITO JOE'S
Kenwood Towne Centre, 7875 Montgomery Road; and 328 E. Fourth St., Downtown
513-721-5637 (Downtown), 513-985-0333 (Kenwood) or www.burritojoes.com
HOURS: Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. (Kenwood); 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday (downtown)
WHAT IT HAS: Burritos ($5.25), taco salads ($5.95) tacos ($1.95) and nachos ($5.95) of "traditional" chicken, grilled chicken, shredded beef, grilled steak or black bean. The downtown location offers breakfast burritos from 7 to 10 a.m.
SIGNATURE ITEMS: The Kenwood location offers buffalo chicken with bleu cheese-celery slaw and Thai options ($5.25). The downtown location has the buffalo chicken, a Southwest BLT burrito with red rice, sour cream and a barbecue chicken burrito ($5.25 each).
CHIPS AND SALSA STATUS: Salsa options include black bean, regular tomato or chipotle; chips are available with salsa ($1.35), queso ($2.75) and guacamole ($2.95). You can get a bowl of rice or beans for an extra $1.
CHIPOTLE
16 area locations including 3725 Paxton Ave., Oakley, 513-631-3803 or www.chipotle.com
HOURS: Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
WHAT IT HAS: Tacos, salads, burritos, fajita burritos and "bols" (no "w") of chicken ($5.60), steak ($5.75), pork ($5.60), shredded beef ($5.60) and vegetarian-style with guacamole ($5.25).
SIGNATURE ITEMS: None - Chipotle is pretty basic!
CHIPS AND SALSA STATUS: Diverse! The roasted chili corn is pretty tame, as is the fresh tomato. But dab too much Tabasco, tomatillo green or red chili salsa on your burrito, and your mouth will be en fuego.
HABAŅERO
358 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-961-6800
HOURS: Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
WHAT IT HAS: Quesadillas ($5.50-$5.95), soft tacos ($2.25-$2.75), taco platters ($5.95), chimichangas ($5.50-$5.95) and burritos ($5.45-$5.95) of chicken, fish, steak, pork or veggies/tofu. Salads ($5.25-$6.95) come in a number of flavors including Southwestern chicken ($6.95), grilled eggplant ($6.50), black bean and avocado ($6.95).
SIGNATURE ITEMS: Take your pick! Habaņero offers seven signature burritos, two of the most popular being the Calypso Chicken (apricot-glazed chicken breast, pinto beans, sweet rice and pineapple-almond salsa for $6.75) and the Chuba Cabre (cinammon-roasted squash, rice, pinto beans and apple-green chile salsa for $6.50).
CHIPS AND SALSA STATUS: Chips and salsa are $1; all five salsa options (smoky tomato, pineapple-almond, corn and green chile, mango and jalapeņo, and apple and green chile) are mild.
SIDES 'N' SNACKS: Cookies ($1.50) and smoothies ($3.75) are available as well as a number of appetizers ($1.95-$4.25) including stuffed peppers con queso ($4.25).
MOE'S SOUTHWEST GRILL
Four area locations including Riverwalk Level, Newport on the Levee, Newport, 859-291-6222 or www.moes.com
HOURS: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday
WHAT IT HAS: Burritos ($5.29-$6.79), tacos ($2.69-$3.19), quesadillas ($3.99-$5.79), salads ($5.29-$6.79), fajitas ($7.99-$8.99) and nachos ($4.49) of chicken, steak, ground beef or tofu. Select locations also offer fish tacos ($2.99).
SIGNATURE ITEMS: All of them have funny, pop-culture derived names (see the "Other Lewinksy" or "Sherman Klump"), so all you have to do is figure out what combo of meat, vegetables, salsa and condiments suits you best.
CHIPS AND SALSA STATUS: Moe's is the only chain that gives you free chips with your burrito and has a salsa bar where you can refill for free. If you like your salsa really hot, try the Moe's "Spicy Rock Hard" at your own risk.
SIDES 'N' SNACKS: Cookies are three for $1, brownies are $1.29. Soups are also available.
QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL
Three area locations including 5030 Deerfield Blvd., Deerfield Towne Center, Deerfield Twp., 513-770-0310 or www.qdoba.com
HOURS: Vary by location; Deerfield Twp. is open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
WHAT IT HAS: Burritos ($5.19-$5.99), grilled quesadillas ($4.89-$6.39), three-cheese nachos ($4.49-$5.99), taco salads ($4.29-$5.99) and tacos ($1.69-$5.89).
SIGNATURE ITEMS: Six, all of which add a unique flavor profile. Try the poblano pesto burrito with pine nuts ($5.69) or the warm three-cheese queso ($6.19 chicken, $6.59 steak).
CHIPS AND SALSA STATUS: Chips are 99 cents with a small side of salsa and can cost as much as $3.89 with Qdoba's signature three-cheese queso.
SIDES 'N' SNACKS: Chicken or vegetarian tortilla soup is $2.99 a bowl. Brownies are $1.49.
SALSARITA'S
2426 Baxter Ave., Buttermilk Town Center, Crescent Springs and 9344 Union Centre Blvd., West Chester Twp.; a third area location is slated to open on Calhoun Street in University Heights.
859-331-0414 (Crescent Springs), 513-860-2920 (West Chester Twp.) or
www.salsaritas.com
HOURS: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday (Crescent Springs); 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday (West Chester Twp.)
WHAT IT HAS: Regular and large burritos ($3.99-$6.79), single or three-pack taco combos ($1.79-$6.79), quesadillas ($4.09-$6.79) as well as salads ($4.09-$6.79) or nachos ($4.89-$6.79) of veggies, ground beef, shredded beef, pork, grilled chicken or steak.
SIGNATURE ITEMS: Salsarita's is the only burrito joint on our list that offers grilled shrimp tacos ($2.29-$6.79).
CHIPS AND SALSA STATUS: The chips will cost you anywhere from $1.79-$2.69, depending on if you choose salsas (all of which are mild), cheese, sour cream or guacamole.
SIDES 'N' SNACKS: Bite-size brownies are 99 cents; cookies are 59 cents.
