Downtown Burrito Watch

As I now try to spend every Friday at the downtown Central Library writing, I've found that one of the dumb tricks I play on myself to get myself there and working is to promise myself a burrito. Yes. It's silly, but it must be done (or rather, now that I've begun "playing this trick" on myself, I have to continue to follow through).

For the last few weeks I had been patronizing a relatively new spot called, oddly, Qdoba. I have no idea what this word is supposed to refer to, but there it was, on the other corner of the block where my once favored Baja Fresh used to stand until it got sucked into a black hole of construction and disappeared. Now: I gave Qdoba three tries. Each time, I got the same thing. The first week I liked it, though I had to admit, the chicken burrito gave me pause--yes, the rice was flavored, but perhaps overly so. Yes, the chicken was good. No, it did not come with complimentary chips, which can be considered fortunate or unfortunate. Most annoyingly, they have an in-house radio system that every so often blasts the scripted conversation between a couple of gringos (can you say kay-so?) advertising the very place you're sitting in, trying to eat in peace. The third time, sadly, will probably be my last.

Last week, I ended up in the bowels of one of the plazas, looking for a place promising burritos. I found it--The Mad Burrito. The name, I presume, is trying to be clever. It's located in a food court, and is per usual for a food court, rather nondescript. I ordered the Mexican Burrito and was pleased to find that it was tastier and more satisfying than the Qdoba chicken burrito. Except for the little blob of oil that developed in my paper tray underneath the burrito (okay, so the chicken may not be as healthily prepared), I was convinced that I had found a decent burrito spot (that also offers much more than burritos) in the Mad Burrito. Now, though, I'm set to branch out, expand my limited horizons. Next Friday, another cuisine, another downtown food establishment within walking distance of the library. Stay tuned.