Mexican Chains That Will Challenge Your Love of Chipotle

We’ve scoured the USA for potential heirs to the Chipotle throne

Nobody ’s ever mistaken Chipotle for one of the bestMexican eatery in America , but theiconic Colorado chainmastered the fine art of fast - casual , assembly line - stylus burrito . In doing so , it showed American eaters that there was more to quick Mexican - ish food than food motortruck andFourthmeal .

The eating place on this list represent the good and bright Mexican - style chains in the US , any of which could someday become the heirs to the Chipotle pot . Some of these chains have only a few localization , and some are hovering near 100 . All of them seek to capture your burrito - loving loyalty in a quest to join with child competition like Moe ’s , Qdoba , Rubio ’s , El Pollo Loco , and Taco Cabana in a struggle for fast - casual Mexican supremacy .

Torchy’s

Number of location : 70 in Colorado , Oklahoma , and TexasAbeloved Austin greaser spotever since it collapse onto the scene , Torchy ’s cheekily named tacos ( Mr. Pink , Dirty Sanchez ) defy formula … or mutual sense ( a wetback with guajillo - seared ahi tuna and lettuce fresca ? ! ) . Whenever a raw location opens – which is often , considering they ’ve launched about two dozen in the past two years – the line routinely stretches out the threshold like it ’s an Apple storehouse on iPhone release day . All - Clarence Day breakfast greaser and a fun , batty , secret menu(chorizo , bacon , fried Gallus gallus , queso taco ! ) keeps ‘em waiting patiently .

Illegal Pete’s

Number of locating : 10 in Arizona and ColoradoChipotle is a Denver - born brand , but despite its popularity locally ( and globally ) , Illegal Pete ’s has an even fiercer loyalty among Denverites – it ’s the Mexican eating house eq of John Elway . Coloradans ( and now Arizonans ) waiting line for meeting place - credit line style burrito , bowl , and nachos , all of which can be strangle in itsbeloved unripened chile . Its popularity is also boost by a streak scene where plenty of Colorado craft beer is poured , and a Pete’s - have phonograph record recording label promotes local bands and comedians . Any touring band can be empower them free burritos in telephone exchange for " spreading the word " about the restaurant . Seems like a good hatful .

Willy’s Mexicana Grill

numeral of locations : 32 in GeorgiaWhat , your favorite burrito post does n’t have a salsa cake ? You now have one more trouble . Like Jay - Z , I feel bad for you , boy . regular grok the salsa prevention ’s offering like tomatillo sauce , a smoky chipotle salsa , and a chili d’arbol sauce made from chilis , pumpkin seminal fluid , sesame seeds , and cumin . Twenty - plus long time after rolling Mission - style burritos in ATL , there are nearly 30 fix all over the country offering protein like Sinaloa chicken marinated in OJ and garlic , and offbeat intermixture - ins like pickle jalapeños and olive .

California Tortilla

Number of locations : 41 in Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Maryland , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Virginia , and West VirginiaDespite the name , California Tortilla is an East Coast chain that started in Bethesda , MD . But you wo n’t manage where the sin it started , because no one beats this place in the red-hot sauce game , with75 + options(including searing - raging bottles like Dave ’s Gourmet Insanity and Endorphin Rush Beyond ) . There ’s also a spinnbar award bicycle which can score you free chips and queso or dessert , and an addictive dearest lime sauce that can be added to any burrito , bowl , salad , or taco .

Pancheros

Number of emplacement : 71 in Arizona , California , Connecticut , Florida , Illinois , Indiana , Iowa , Kentucky , Maryland , Michigan , Minnesota , Missouri , Montana , New Jersey , North Dakota , Pennsylvania , South Dakota , and WisconsinThere are three major dispute between Pancheros and Chipotle . First , there’sBob the Tool , the weirdly loved footling spoon - like implement / mascot that mixes all your burrito or bowl ’s component together . Then there ’s the house - made queso , and a fancy tortilla maker called theDoughPro DP2000that push ‘em fresh to rate . Iowa might not be the first state that come to mind when you think of Mexican nutrient ( or second , or third , or … ) , but in ' 92 , that ’s where Pancheros got its start . It ’s since become a raw material of college campuses across the Midwest ( and beyond ) .

FreebirdsWorld Burrito

Number of locations : 75 in Texas , Tennessee , Oklahoma , California , and UtahThe president and COO of Freebirds is a guy who was once a Chipotle exec , if that tell you anything about the fellowship ’s plans for burrito domination . But it ’s not a Chipotle ripoff by any way , as evidence by its hugely popular nachos and the multitude of choice in the way of serve size : Hybrid ( small ) , Freebird ( normal ) , Monster ( huge ) , and Super Monster ( you ’re pretty hungry , eh ? ) burritos . Horchata and a few agua fresca selection shake up the commonly boring drink card , thoughChipotle has a few potable tricksup its sleeve lately , too . Freebie alert : Download its appand get a free entree .

Wahoo’s

Number of locations : 53 in California , Colorado , Hawaii , Nevada , and PennsylvaniaThis is a Horatio Alger tale if there ever was one : Wahoo ’s was begin by three Taiwanese brothers who grew up in Brazil , moved to California , and opened up a Mexican - Asian merger joint . The Brother still die hard the place , and while it may have a repp for being a fish wetback - focalize ecesis , the fare has much more to put up . Sure , there ’s still crazy Salmon River , wahoo ( it ’s the name of a Pisces too ! ) , and shrimp tacos , but even more centre - orifice are the menu point you ’ll certainly not bump at any other eatery in this summation : a Maui Bowl with teriyaki steak , chicken , and pick cheese Baja Rolls , tortas with citrus coleslaw , and Cajun chicken burritos .

Bartaco

turn of locations : 18 in Alabama , Colorado , Connecticut , Florida , Georgia , New York , North Carolina , Tennessee , Texas , and VirginiaThere is not a Mexican spot on the planet with a decor and vibe as beachy , summery , and Instagram - perfect as Bartaco – unless you ’re in Acapulco . Adding to the merry atmosphere is the in earnest stack drink menu , offering a tequila choice you might find in a more upscale Mexican eating place , and a retinue of cocktail way of life more neat than a margarita in a plastic cup . Oh , yeah , food : Tacos can be filled with unconventional proteins like sesame ribeye and duck . pork barrel belly is jam into the rice bowls , and the grilled Zea mays ( with Cotija tall mallow and cayenne ) is so photo - ready you ’re basically required by law to ' Gram it .

Dos Toros

numeral of locations : 19 in Illinois and New YorkOn the open , Dos Toros ' menu look almost identical to Chipotle , even down to the sustainably lift meats . But fans of the mountain chain say the carnitas will make you a worshipper in its superiority . You ’ll have to go to NYC or Chicago to try ‘em , but it ’s worth it if you ’re a sports fan of eating at eating place own by a guy who knows the bass voice line to " Semi - Charmed Life . " Dos Toros was started by two crony from Berkeley , California , one of whom was the bassist in Third Eye Blind – which hit it extra deplorable that they do n’t take your monastic order by ask , " How ’s it gon na be ? " The bros are looking to expand beyond NYC , which means many more East Coasters will have Mission - mode burritos in their hands shortly enough .

Laughing Planet

Locations:16 in Nevada and OregonDinosaurs are the secret to the winner of this Oregon - base chain , which is easy branching out across the region . OK , in reality , the dinosaur are n’t the reason multitude love this place , which is confessedly the least - Mexican string on this list . LP excels on the strength of its health - conscious hippie burritos , which are squeeze with topically grow voguish bean plant and brown rice , plus other woof like grill Gallus gallus ( go with the mole ) , tempeh , yam , pull pork , and more . There are also bowls made that spread out monthly based on seasonal ingredient , plus majuscule margs and housemade agua fresca . Oh , and the dinosaur : The place has a reputation as a healthy place to eat kids , thanks in gravid part to the U. S. Army of toy dinosaurs that are available to play with while you farce your face like an environmentally conscious spinosaurus .

Sharky’s Woodfire Mexican Grill

Locations:29 in Arkansas , California , Nevada , and OregonIf there ’s two thing Southern California has on lock chamber , it ’s great Mexican menu and health - witting feeding , and Sharky ’s has been slapping those two military strength together since 1992 , when its Sherman Oaks location first set forth cook its scrumptious corn whiskey and plump , non - GMO , organic meats under its eponymic flames . Here , you could sense somewhat good about everything , from the half-pint and Pisces swot into the tacos to the avocados and pico that brighten up the lulu . Everything from tempeh - stacked Power Plates to tacos , burritos , and nachos are on offer here – plus pizza , because you ca n’t have " Natalie Wood - fired " on the name without that – and they ’re fulfill to both the palate and the sense of right and wrong .

Bartaco