I’m a huge fan of Mexican food, burritos, and really just food. That is why this battle of burritos is so important to me. I’ve done research and numerous taste-tests to prepare you for the next time you’re in the mood for Mexican.

Our two contenders are Boloco and Chiptole. Although they are both essentially fast-food chains, they use great, healthy ingredients and make amazing food. Here’s some background info:

Boloco, which began as “Under Wraps”, is a less traditional burrito restaurant which started in Massachuetts and has since spread to Vermont and New Hampshire. While the burritos are tremendous, Boloco also features a variety of un-Mexican wrap recipes such as the “tikka masala”, “memphis bbq”, “mediterranean”, and “bangkok thai”. You can also forgo these menu options and choose the exact ingredients you want them to throw in.

Chipotle is a larger chain, with restaurants across the country. At Chipotle, you choose between a burrito/burrito bowl/taco/salad, pick a meat (or guac and beans), and then just choose what you want them to add. Chipotle is decidedly more Mexican than Boloco, with a great variety of salsas but none of the international flavors in Boloco’s wraps.

Now that I’ve cleared up the basics, we can get serious.

PRICE: First things first, especially for a college student. Boloco’s largest size, the original, is $5.89. Chipotle burritos come in only one size, big, but the prices vary depending on which meat you choose – chicken is $6.45. Guacamole costs $1.50 at Boloco and $1.95 at Chipotle. Chipotle’s burritos are definitely bigger than Boloco’s, almost too big to eat, so the pricing comes out pretty close…but since you have some size choices at Boloco, Boloco gets the win.

ONLINE ORDERING: Ordering from Boloco online or from their mobile app gets you a 10% discount, which is awesome if you’re putting in a big order with your friends. Boloco wins!

AMOUNT OF FOOD: As mentioned above, Chipotle burritos are gigantic. So if you’re really hungry, Chipotle wins!

INGREDIENTS: Both restaurants pride themselves on their healthy ingredients and naturally-raised meats. Boloco, however, has a much wider range of ingredients so that you can make your wrap taste like pretty much anything (carrots, pickled onions, tofu, broccoli, etc.). They also have more salsa and sauce choices than Chipotle, things like Mango Salsa and Peanut Sauce if you want it. Because Boloco is more of a wrap restaurant than a burrito restaurant, you can make an awesome, traditional Mexican burrito or something completely different. Boloco wins!

MEAL OPTIONS: Aside from ingredients, Boloco has a number of meals to choose from: burritos, bowls, sides of chips, and breakfast burritos. While Chiptole doesn’t do breakfast burritos, they do offer tacos and salads. I always get burritos anyways, but Chipotle wins this one.

DRINKS: Boloco, unlike Chipotle, has smoothies. Delcious smoothies. Like “Nutella milkshake”, “mango passion”, and the “cookie monster”. Boloco wins, no contest.

STRAIGHT UP BURRITOS: Since Chipotle focuses entirely on Mexican wraps, I’d give it a slight edge over Boloco. The meats are really well seasoned and, while you have fewer ingredient choices than at Boloco, I think Chipotle’s Mexican ingredients make better burritos. Chipotle wins.

I can’t think of anymore categories, and Boloco is up by one, so it looks like we have a winner…Boloco!!

Don’t just take my word for it though. If you’re around BU, there’s a Chipotle on Comm Ave and on Brookline Ave. And there happens to be a cluster of Bolocos nearby, two on Boylston and one on Newbury. Enjoy!

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