El Burrito Dining Review

By Valerie Warren

Located a bit off the beaten path, El Burrito is one of Bend’s best-kept secrets. The restaurant has a convenient location on Dekalb Avenue, just off Third Street in a converted house. When entering, you are greeted by a cozy, colorful, and relaxed atmosphere. We were promptly seated in the back room, which offers a bit more privacy for larger groups. There is also a nice deck for summertime dining.

El Burrito is a family operation, and it shows in their friendliness and hospitality as well as the commitment to truly homemade Mexican cuisine. The owner, Judy Fuentes, emailed me early in the morning on the day of our visit to let us know they were in the process of making tortillas for that evening’s meal. There is no lard or MSG used and all the ingredients are fresh. Herbivores will rejoice--El Burrito’s rice and beans are completely vegetarian.

The menu offers plenty of variety without being overwhelming. There were two specials available on the evening of our visit – Empanadas and a Chili Verde and Chili Colorado combination. Both were outstanding and did not disappoint. Being a large group, we were able to sample several of the menu items. Some of the highlights were: Shrimp Fajitas, Chicken with Traditional Mole Sauce, Pollo Verde Crema, and the delightful Chili Tinga Burrito with a subtle, smoky flavor.

After the main course, there was little room left for dessert, but we couldn’t pass up owner Jason Fuentes’ made-from-scratch ice cream. Tried and true favorites like Vanilla and Chocolate were complemented by more unexpected choices such as Earl Grey and Tiramisu. All received rave reviews from our group who, despite being full, finished every last spoonful! For a unique spin on a Mexican dessert, try Jason’s signature Apple Chimichanga. We didn’t get an opportunity to try it this time, but there’s always next time.

Celebrating a birthday? A mini piñata or dessert of your choice is El Burrito’s way of saying Happy Birthday to You! They also offer catering for any party or event. If you are looking to put a little Ole! into your mid-week malaise, grab your friends for happy hour every day from 3-5pm. They offer tacos for $2.50, a pitcher of the house margarita for $14 and a fiesta platter of tasty treats featuring taquitos, quesadillas, flautas, chimichangas, beans, rice, salsas, and guacamole for $25.

If you are looking for a friendly (kid-friendly, too!), casual Mexican dining experience with a personal touch and excellent, traditional flavors, El Burrito is not to be missed!

Some recommendations from Visit Bend’s Staff and Volunteers:

“A very cozy, homey restaurant with fabulous fresh food – will definitely be back with my family.”

“Local! Fresh! Authentic! Delicious!”

“The variety of entrees is exceptional. Any item is sure to please.”

“Good family restaurant that I will visit again. Try the Earl Grey ice cream!”

“I’ll be back!”

“Good food, great service. I will recommend this restaurant to friends.”

“If you like home-cooked Mexican food, come to El Burrito!”