Burrito Trifecta: Tres Burritos – Un Dia
Posted by CMH Gourmand on May 16, 2008
My friend Craig inadvertently started me on a quest. The concept – can a man live on burritos alone? I searched for the burritos that would cover me for three square meals. It was a wonderful search.
BREAKFAST
Cucos Breakfast Burrito
chorizo
refried beans
salsa
sour cream
rice
potatoes
cheese
This was a tough decision for me. Starliner Diner came in as a close second. Cucos wins out for price and ingredient density. This tortilla is tightly packed with all the goodies I listed above. Cuco’s serves up free chips and salsa for breakfast as well. Their self serve salsa bar helps you enhance your burrito any way you like it. I also like their potatoes – they are cut small in a kind of mini French fry style. I typically cannot finish my breakfast burrito here, that is a rare occurrence anywhere, anytime.
Cucos Taqueria & Grill
2162 Henderson Road
Columbus (Henderson Rd – between Sawmill and Dierker)
614.538.8701
Cucos Web site
(has a dinner coupon)
Hours (?)
The web site and the menu are in conflict.
Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM to 10 PM or 10 AM to 10 PM (I walked in at 9 AM)
LUNCH
CBC Cuban Trio Burrito
beef
pork
chicken
seared red cabbage
corn
red peppers
black beans
pablano peppers
onion
Fontina chesse
Provolone cheese
Parmesan cheese
smoked chili sauce…
in a honey wheat tortilla
covered with more smoked chile sauce
chive aioli
The only downside with the Cuban Trio Burrito is that it is a lunch only item. CBC does not do lunch on Saturday or Sunday. This means I have to take the day off work or do a three-hour lunch to pull this off. The burrito + chips + plantains makes up the trio as do the three meats and the three cheeses. The smoked chile salsa (as addictive as crack) is the value added bonus. This is currently my most craved meal as well as the one I have the least access to. The plantains are the best in the Columbus metro area – no doubt about it. Serving Suggestion: CBC Beer Flight chased with a pint of Apricot Ale.
(Update May 21 – I am in heaven. I just saw the new CBC menu – the Cuban Trio Burrito is on the dinner menu and they have added BBQ Plantains as an appetizer. I have not tried BBQ Plantains before but I will as soon as possible. If someone (Andrew) beats me to this – please post here.)
CBC (Columbus Brewing Company)
525 Short St
Columbus (Brewery District)
614.464.2739
www.columbusbrewingco.com
(See my post on CBC from October 2007)
DINNER
Northstar Cafe Thai Burrito
roasted chicken or seared tofu
(If you ask they will mix both together – that’s what I do)
peanut sauce
crunchy slaw – with carrots
brown rice
tortilla chips and salsa
There is a lot going on in this burrito. It is a fine blend of Southern California and Southeast Asia. You feel so healthy after eating it you could almost order another. But you don’t, you just rationalize ordering a peanut cookle or praline scone to go. Yum. An insider secret – skip the chips and replace with a simple salad for no extra charge. All you have to do is ask for this switcharoo.
Northstar Cafe
Short North – 951 North High Street 614.298.9999
Beechwold – 4241 North High Street 614.784.2233
One day, three burritos. Just do it.
CMH Gourmand - Eating in Columbus & Ohio 
Tom said
I have no big disagreement with your best 3 – however, here’s another 3 that I think rival these:
Breakfast – Northstar – sweet potatoes, sausage, grilled eggs instead of scrambled, yums!
Lunch – Starliner Diner – veggie or chicken, veggies, sauce, chomp!
Dinner – LaBamba – big as your head – get the chicken and add avocado. Not always consistent there – but when it’s on, it is so on.
Maybe not as upscale as your list – but it’d be an interesting battle
andrew said
I’m surprised to hear that CBC has the best plantains. I’m most fond of El Arepazo’s plantains (not to mention all the rest of their food). I honestly haven’t tried one of their burrito’s though because I’m on such a rut with some of the other dishes. I’ll have to try out CBC’s lunch one of these days.
lisa said
I really adore the Northstar breakfast burrito, but now I’m absolutely intrigued by your suggestion. I wonder what I’m doing tomorrow morning… Hmm…
Lanibug said
I have to agree with the comment about La Bamba – it maybe a chain, but their chorizo is to die for, add avocado – yum……