Chinito's Burritos

[bettyjoan]

We passed this place a few times on our way to H Street, so we decided to stop in last weekend - I was craving a burrito, and shock of all shocks, we don't have any other options in NoMa (not even a Chipotle). It is a small store, but clean and bright and right across from Gallaudet (so they must do a killer lunch biz). Because of their location, all of their ordering is on written slips - smart. They have various proteins that you can put in burritos, tacos, or quesadillas, and then they have free toppings and "premium" toppings. Extras include chips and salsa and chicken egg rolls with an avocaco/ranch-type sauce, both of which we tried - the chips were awesome (Jason exclaimed, "REAL tortilla chips!!!"), and I loved the sauce that came with the cheesy gooey egg rolls.

I tried the carnitas in a burrito with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, guac, pico, rice, and vegan black beans. It was HUGE. I can normally throw back a burrito like a pro, but damn, I was shamed by this massive creation. Next time, I'll go for the pinto beans, as they probably have a bit more flavor. I will also go for a spicier salsa (instead of the pico), as the whole thing needed a little "oomph" (totally my fault - a rookie burrito construction error). The meat, however, was super tender and well salted and had great flavor. I liked the cilantro-based hot sauce that was available at the tables - that plus some sriracha would probably do the trick.

Jason got a burrito with carne asada, and the bite I tasted was really good - full of flavor. Everything just tasted really fresh.

Two enormous burritos, chips and salsa, and order of egg rolls, and two bottled drinks came up to about $29. You could definitely get out for a lot cheaper, if you weren't in a "try everything on the menu" kind of mood. Really glad we stopped by - love that we have this place in the neighborhood.

[ETA - I totally screwed up the tagging for this post - sorry! Can someone go back and separate them? I really thought I got it right. Grrr!]

[Josh]

Do they still have the counter with a couple dozen different varieties of hot sauce? There was a homemade red one I tried that was great...super hot, but with loads of smoky chili flavor as well. I've only been once, but have been meaning to stop back in for another gutbomb burrito. With a place like Chinitos in the area, I'm glad we don't have a Chipotle.

[bettyjoan]

At our table, they had four different kinds of homemade hot sauce - a VERY hot one that tasted like it had a scotch bonnet base (tasty, but too much for me), a wasabi lime, a cilantro-jalapeno (just my speed), and a mango something or other. Then they had sriracha, and they probably had a few other commercially available hot sauces scattered throughout, but I was much more interested in the homemade salsas and such.

I will happily take this place over Chipotle as well, don't get me wrong - I really enjoyed it. I was just saying it is shocking that our office-heavy corner doesn't have a Chipotle (or similar chain burrito joint) for the lunch crowds.

[New Foodie]

I believe I read recently that Moe's is coming to NoMa? So I guess that will fill the burrito void.

We too have been driving past Chinito's forever without stopping in. Are there seats at the tables? I thought I had read/seen that it was standing room only?

[bettyjoan]

I haven't read that - but I actually like Moe's, as chain burrito places go, so that would be fine by me. Between that and Chinito's, I would have a burrito-heavy diet.

There are "bleachers" at the tables, making it possible but somewhat awkward to sit. I preferred to stand. I also thought maybe I'd take the food to go next time, but then again, chips never taste as good as when they are hot out of the bag.