Going veg in SGF isn’t as impossible as one might think. Look for vegan tips, reviews and more every Tuesday from the Viral Vegan.
Alex Stocksdale: The Viral Vegan
By Alex Stocksdale for TAGsgf.com
As is evident from the “TAG 5” list this week, The Great Burrito War Of 2010 is ON. There was no commiseration between myself and the “4 horsemen”, but somehow I had the same inclination towards burritos as my TAGsgf.com brethren. I can’t prove it, but somehow I think they, in cooperation with the government, are channeling my thoughts. Paranoid? I think not……
The first stop on my tour de la burrito was a homegrown locale that I somehow hadn’t experienced before—Big Fat Burritos. I’d heard rave reviews from life-long SGFers about this spot, and although I wasn’t completely smitten, I was definitely stoked on a one-of-a-kind burrito spot in the fine city of Springfield.
The menu is completely simplistic; every burrito comes adorned with the same toppings (including sour cream and cheese, so, you know, be specific) and your choice of beef, pork, or veggies as a filler. I went for the latter (for obvious reasons) and then came the salsas. All freshly made (the habanero has a crazy good flavor, but, well, just try it if you dare). Also . I left off the sour cream and cheese, then added guacamole (+$.75). My dining companion, whose name definitely isn’t Elizabeth, took the same route sans the avocado mash—she was a little disappointed, for they forgot to include the black beans that should have been.
Next on my list is a head-to-head competition of two chains that have come to be “fast food” burrito goliaths…. Chipotle and Qdoba. It’s pretty clear in my photographs that both spots have very similar burritos. The only noticeable difference is maybe the preparation of their guacamole and salsas. One trivial matter of lameness that’s worth mentioning is Qdoba’s $.49 upcharge for fajita vegetables. Half a buck is literally pocket change, but on a burrito with no meat, cheese or sour cream? C’mon.
Each of the three restaurants have their own unique attributes. And with all coming in right around the $7 mark it was a fair comparison. The homespun flair of Big Fat Burritos makes it worth a revisit. Qdoba was satisfying as always. Chipotle, however, stood out in my opinion as the winner of my self-imposed not-so-authentic Springfield burrito challenge. Now challenge yourself to the same. On an empty stomach. And not all in the same day. Seriously.
Big Fat Burritos
3354 S. National #C phone: 890-1500
M-Saturday 11a-7p
Closed Sunday
Chipotle
1211 E. Saint Louis phone: 831-2159
3356 S. Campbell phone: 883-1944
M-Sunday 11a-10p
Qdoba
900 E. Battlefield Suite D phone: 887-7329
4127 S. Kansas Expy Ste 104 phone: 823-7825
2631 E. Sunshine phone: 877-9777
