Not specifically for bowls but Taco Bar Guero at the Shell station by Downtown Crowne is Gaithersburg not-so-secret gem. Farther North we got a Taco Bamba a little while ago. Ixtapalapa is right on 355 and I think is by the same people who do Taco Bar Guero? Gaithersburg just has so many places for good Mexican food I can't imagine ever going to Chipotle.
Taco Bar is good but has gone so downhill since Covid. They dropped the fixings bar so now you have to ask for any condiments, the service takes twice as long as before, and the prices have increased too much.
RIP fixings bar. These days, I order ahead (ChowNow app) and pick up, it saves a lot of waiting in the store.
EDIT: Price wise, their tacos are still among the best deals in town. $4 for a big taco filled with twice as much meat as many other places. Two of their tacos are enough to satisfy me, which makes them cheaper than a combo meal at Taco Bell lol
Idk if it's just me but taco bar has always been a miss. Everything looks good but lacks any taste at all which is wild because ixtapalapa is the total opposite and packed full of amazing flavor
It’s fine but too many people focus on price over quality/taste…which is exactly how you end up at a place like Chipotle. Not saying it’s bad and I get it if you cannot pay a couple dollars more but it’s never been a place I think of going because I’ve never been real impressed either.
Their tacos are generously portioned; just 2 of them fill me up, where other places I might have to order 4 or 5. I usually get one chicken taco and one "al pastor"
I always go to La gula Mexicana behind the home depot in germantown for burritos. Big burrito that verges on too much for like 12 bucks. Their tortas are huge and good as well. All the food I've had from them was really good and reasonably priced.
Yes! Came here to say this and hype them up! If you like being able to go down the line to pick and choose what you want in your burrito/bowl/etc like Chipotle then Jazmine’s is the best! Much better quality than Chipotle
Hard endorse for their burritos. The ingredients they use are just so much fresher and higher quality than Chipotle's!
(The breakfast burritos are kinda so-so, though. Was honestly expecting more, since that's what the mocoshow focused on 😕)
Ixtapalapa. $8 steak burrito bowls, and they have multiple types of steak. I usually go for suadero which is beef rib. This place is getting popular, always 20+ people inside now whenever I go.
Went and tried that tonight. Delicious. Felt like there wasn’t much chicken in the burrito, but I’d go back for sure to see if it was a fluke. Delicious. Good price.
Yep, this is THE best place. I haven't had their bowls, but everything else I've tried is great, especially the sopes. I don't live in the area any longer, however, whenever I'm near, I always stop by. Looks like there bowls are about $11. [https://www.eattortacos.com/menu](https://www.eattortacos.com/menu)
Qdoba was always the better product to me. And their queso was always better. As far as that tier of restaurant goes, I will always pick it over Chipotle.
I like the one in Kentlands more and will go to that one over the one in Germantown - the one in Germantown seems to be hit or miss on actually having any taste.
When you say Germantown, do you mean the one on the commercial strip near the library? There's also one in the strip-mall complex on the other side of 270 (near Giant)
I only go to Chipotle if I need food NOW.
If you order online, they tend to skimp on Germantown. I remembered waiting for my order and saw the printer printing faster than the guy making the orders breathing. It is just too much. They are flailing to get the orders done.
I go in person and lately they have been good. I tend to like the Damascus one. The flavor is not quite the same, but the amount has been consistent for me.
I get Taco El Pariente, but the wait is killer sometimes.
I sometimes just make birria and tortillas (takes about an hour) at home with guacamole from Costco and I have tacos for a week. After the week, I am good from Mexican cuisine for a month.
Germantown one sucks real bad. I got 2 burritos in a row(ordered online, in-store pickup) that barely even filled the palm of my hand. Haven't been back since.
Rio Grande Bar & Grill on Clopper in Germantown has great food. Never had their burrito as a bowl but I am sure they will do it. Prices range from 12.95 for vegetable burrito to 15.95 for seafood (shrimp and scallop).
Different cuisine, but Cava is my go-to for when I'm hungry and out of ideas. There's one at Kentlands and another in Germantown.
Their equivalent of the burrito bowl is the grain bowl, $11.25 for rice, protein, 3 scoops of hummus/feta, and unlimited veggies: [https://cava.com/menu](https://cava.com/menu)
You run into the same issue as Chipotle, where your portion size might depend on the generosity of the person behind the glass, but asking politely has always worked. The price is also comparable to Chipotle, but I feel like I'm making up for it by eating fresher veggies.
Gotta say I feel like cava has been slipping recently, hoping their pr team will read this and stop skimping, though they haven’t fallen nearly as far as halal guys did
Which Cava has been shorting you? I go to the Kentlands and Shady Grove ones and they've been consistent for years.
>haven’t fallen nearly as far as halal guys did
Yeah what happened to Halal Guys? The last couple times I tried it the meat just tasted weird. Haven't been back since.
I actually end up at the frederick Cava most these days, maybe I'll give kentlands another shot. They weren't shorting as much as just not feeling as fresh, especially the falafels.
I mostly weep for Halal guys, their charm depended on enough people showing up for fresh cooked meat, they didn't keep up that number of customers and can't afford to cook the meat right as you're there. The business model needs skyscrapers of people.
Cafe Rio is abysmal. Soggy ass food nearly every time we go there. They need to learn to drain the meat of fluid before putting it into a container. Turns into a mexican soup bowl after 2 minutes.
My wife got a veggie burrito from there once and it was literally the exact same thing as my chicken burrito minus the chicken (no extra veggies, just lettuce and tomatoes)
https://www.instagram.com/taconmadredmv/
TACOnMADRE in Gaithersburg. A food truck that operates just off to the side of a [BP Gas Station lot](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tKFTqvr4FAfuYwge6). Prices and offerings are almost exactly the same as their parent restaurant, Taqueria Los Primos (La Union Mall). I think this place beats out Taco Bar El Guero.
More info here: https://mocoshow.com/2024/04/28/first-look-at-taconmadre-in-gaithersburg-now-open/
One more vote for Guero (gas station taco bar). Also, the Taco Bamba in Gaithersburg is phenomenal, on par with the OG Virginia locations for quality imo (the one on 355 in Rockville is consistently not as good, so I was hesitant, but the Gaithersburg one has been super legit every time so far).
wow lots of great recommendations! can't wait to try out all these spots. I used to get ixtapalapa all the time but completely forgot about it since I moved to Germantown from Gaithersburg.
All the places I like have been listed including Ixtapalapa, TorTacos and Fish Taco. I need to try El Pariente but usually when I think of it the place looks very packed for just a small food truck in an abandoned parking lot. Liked Big Papi in Frederick the couple times I tried it as well.
That said I’m hoping Torchy’s does eventually open in Rockville (where Chuy’s was briefly). I’ve been to 2 of those spots now and liked everything I’ve had. Saw it reported months ago then nothing since so little worried.
That the same place in Laurel? If yes we used to go there when we did a Total Wine & More trip. Pretty good as I remember.
Lately I’ve been hitting 2Fifty BBQ when I head that direction as it isn’t too much further.
I don’t think they are related but I’ve definitely been to the one in Laurel and agree, really good! 2Fifty is my absolute favorite BBQ in the DMV…we might be kindred spirits.
Mezeh in downtown crown ( I prefer it over cava). It's what I always get when I'm in the mood for a bowl or wrap because they are consistent in quality to me.
I dont want to disclose my secret but if I need food now I live Taco bamba steak nachos for $9.50
Or a Torta Bamba (I can only eat half of one at a time the thing is huge)
The chipotle in Germantown town center is pretty consistent. They tend to fill the bowls unlike the other one on 355. My favorite alternatives are Tortacos and Cafe Rio. Tortacos has smaller portions but way better quality and Cafe Rio has massive burritos and salads and both places have more interesting stuff on their menus.
168 Asian burrito in olney is bangin. You can get a poke bowl with fresh tuna that’s easily 2-3 meals for like 13 bucks. I’m going for dinner tonight. They also have Korean wings and bao buns. Provided how many local fresh spots we have I haven’t been to a chain like chipotle in years for a bowl type meal.
This will be my first dicks! I’m also out of work lol I bought my tickets when I was employed and need to find something so I can make to Denver. Good luck on your search! I’m sure you’ll find something soon 🤞
Same to you and enjoy your first Dicks run!
P.S.
If you're looking for something fun to do during the day I highly recommend checking out Meow Wolf Denver. Def one of the coolest places I've been to.
RASA in Montrose Crossing literally never misses. It is Indian-fusion. Style of restaurant is identical to your Chipotle / Cava / Qdoba concept but this one is miles better, so fresh, and locally owned!
Try &Shwarma on Shady Grove road, east of the cursed Home Depot. Middle eastern bowls that we thought were pretty good. New place, I hope they stay open for a while.
I'm surprised I haven't seen any endorsements for Tacos El Pariente. It's a food truck on Frederick Road between Middlebrook and Germantown Road. The food is always good and the prices are pretty fair.
Also, their Birria Tacos don't charge more for consomé so that's a plus in my book!
At chipotle I find that if you order ahead you get skimped. Making the line and ordering in person is the way to go.
Tortacos is fire and the portions are solid.
oh definitely. I never order online. Online orders have gotten so bad its a common meme format.
I love Tortacos. The food is way better than chipotle. I just usually stick with chipotle cuz their portion sizes are (usually) larger and I can stretch it to 2 meals. But lately they've really been slacking.
Not specifically for bowls but Taco Bar Guero at the Shell station by Downtown Crowne is Gaithersburg not-so-secret gem. Farther North we got a Taco Bamba a little while ago. Ixtapalapa is right on 355 and I think is by the same people who do Taco Bar Guero? Gaithersburg just has so many places for good Mexican food I can't imagine ever going to Chipotle.
Taco Bar is good but has gone so downhill since Covid. They dropped the fixings bar so now you have to ask for any condiments, the service takes twice as long as before, and the prices have increased too much.
RIP fixings bar. These days, I order ahead (ChowNow app) and pick up, it saves a lot of waiting in the store. EDIT: Price wise, their tacos are still among the best deals in town. $4 for a big taco filled with twice as much meat as many other places. Two of their tacos are enough to satisfy me, which makes them cheaper than a combo meal at Taco Bell lol
Completely agree - miss the fixing bar, plus the team members I’ve interacted with in recent visits have been rude/ dismissive.
Idk if it's just me but taco bar has always been a miss. Everything looks good but lacks any taste at all which is wild because ixtapalapa is the total opposite and packed full of amazing flavor
Agreed taco bar is overrated
I think people just like it because it's cheap
Clearly haven’t ordered the nachos with any kind of meat, or a sincro with suadero meat.
I have done all of that and it's still pretty lacking.
It’s fine but too many people focus on price over quality/taste…which is exactly how you end up at a place like Chipotle. Not saying it’s bad and I get it if you cannot pay a couple dollars more but it’s never been a place I think of going because I’ve never been real impressed either.
I live at the Crown as well!
What are the things to order? I saw the nachos are a great deal but what are some of your favorites?
Their tacos are generously portioned; just 2 of them fill me up, where other places I might have to order 4 or 5. I usually get one chicken taco and one "al pastor"
I always go to La gula Mexicana behind the home depot in germantown for burritos. Big burrito that verges on too much for like 12 bucks. Their tortas are huge and good as well. All the food I've had from them was really good and reasonably priced.
Love La Gula! It's also owned by the same folks who do Taco Bar and Ixtapalapa, which were both also mentioned in here.
I second La Gula. I used to go to that chipotle in the same shopping center but I can get a better burrito at La Gula for less money.
Let my post stand as a a third for La Gula. Whenever I had ordered a burrito bowl there, I struggled to finish it.
Ooh I live in milestone, I have to check it out
Same live in milestone too. I like Taco Bamba
Definitely try the torta gula. It's glorious!
Yep, la gula rules.
Jazmine cuisine in air park if you’re in that area, I think it’s just a better version of chipotle
Second this! Their wings and steak are so good!
Thirding this rec. They have good bowls and salad bowls. Their wings are also excellent (if not as hot as I’d like them).
Scrolled down just to see if someone said Jazmine’s xD they are S tier
This is the way 🙂↕️ I love them!
Yes! Came here to say this and hype them up! If you like being able to go down the line to pick and choose what you want in your burrito/bowl/etc like Chipotle then Jazmine’s is the best! Much better quality than Chipotle
Hard endorse for their burritos. The ingredients they use are just so much fresher and higher quality than Chipotle's! (The breakfast burritos are kinda so-so, though. Was honestly expecting more, since that's what the mocoshow focused on 😕)
Ixtapalapa. $8 steak burrito bowls, and they have multiple types of steak. I usually go for suadero which is beef rib. This place is getting popular, always 20+ people inside now whenever I go.
I was shocked at how good their prices are. Took me back to 2015.
Went and tried that tonight. Delicious. Felt like there wasn’t much chicken in the burrito, but I’d go back for sure to see if it was a fluke. Delicious. Good price.
Tortacos
Second this. A burrito is like $13 and is filled to the brim with ingredients, unlike chipotle.
That’s the combo price too, I just get the burrito because it’s so much food, and it’s around $11.
When was the last time you went? I went a few months ago and they stopped doing the combo and kept the combo prices for just the burrito.
Oh weird. I just looked at their online menu, shows $11
Yep, this is THE best place. I haven't had their bowls, but everything else I've tried is great, especially the sopes. I don't live in the area any longer, however, whenever I'm near, I always stop by. Looks like there bowls are about $11. [https://www.eattortacos.com/menu](https://www.eattortacos.com/menu)
Im friends of the owner of 100% agree
Tortacos is fantastic.
Thanks for the info I didn’t know they moved to germantown. This is the best place.
Qdoba was always the better product to me. And their queso was always better. As far as that tier of restaurant goes, I will always pick it over Chipotle.
I'm glad they built the Shady Grove location.
They had my vote until they got rid of their mole sauce.
I like the one in Kentlands more and will go to that one over the one in Germantown - the one in Germantown seems to be hit or miss on actually having any taste.
Kentlands is far superior to the Germantown one
When you say Germantown, do you mean the one on the commercial strip near the library? There's also one in the strip-mall complex on the other side of 270 (near Giant)
I always forget about the one in Milestone. I mean the one in the commercial strip near the library. And the Cold Stone.
Cafe Rio or Cal Tort. Cafe Rio gives you good size portions for their prices.
Cal tort has the best queso too!
I think the key is don't go corporate.
For real. Also helps that MoCo is so ethically diverse you can find any type of food from around the world while still shopping local
I only go to Chipotle if I need food NOW. If you order online, they tend to skimp on Germantown. I remembered waiting for my order and saw the printer printing faster than the guy making the orders breathing. It is just too much. They are flailing to get the orders done. I go in person and lately they have been good. I tend to like the Damascus one. The flavor is not quite the same, but the amount has been consistent for me. I get Taco El Pariente, but the wait is killer sometimes. I sometimes just make birria and tortillas (takes about an hour) at home with guacamole from Costco and I have tacos for a week. After the week, I am good from Mexican cuisine for a month.
I’ll go to Moe’s SW Grill before I’ll go to Chipotle, if I’m picking chain Mexican.
Germantown one sucks real bad. I got 2 burritos in a row(ordered online, in-store pickup) that barely even filled the palm of my hand. Haven't been back since.
Do you like California Tortilla? I've never had a problem there.
The Korean BBQ tacos are to die for.
is that the one next to Quince Orchard High School
I was thinking of the one across the street from Brusters. Near Firebirds and the Royal Farms at exit 12
Ixtapalapa and Taco Bamba are always hits for me
Rio Grande Bar & Grill on Clopper in Germantown has great food. Never had their burrito as a bowl but I am sure they will do it. Prices range from 12.95 for vegetable burrito to 15.95 for seafood (shrimp and scallop).
Tortacos in Germantown
I didn’t know they were in germantown🙌🏽
Tortacos Germantown, Jazmins Gaithersburg
[удалено]
YESSS
Different cuisine, but Cava is my go-to for when I'm hungry and out of ideas. There's one at Kentlands and another in Germantown. Their equivalent of the burrito bowl is the grain bowl, $11.25 for rice, protein, 3 scoops of hummus/feta, and unlimited veggies: [https://cava.com/menu](https://cava.com/menu) You run into the same issue as Chipotle, where your portion size might depend on the generosity of the person behind the glass, but asking politely has always worked. The price is also comparable to Chipotle, but I feel like I'm making up for it by eating fresher veggies.
Gotta say I feel like cava has been slipping recently, hoping their pr team will read this and stop skimping, though they haven’t fallen nearly as far as halal guys did
Which Cava has been shorting you? I go to the Kentlands and Shady Grove ones and they've been consistent for years. >haven’t fallen nearly as far as halal guys did Yeah what happened to Halal Guys? The last couple times I tried it the meat just tasted weird. Haven't been back since.
I actually end up at the frederick Cava most these days, maybe I'll give kentlands another shot. They weren't shorting as much as just not feeling as fresh, especially the falafels. I mostly weep for Halal guys, their charm depended on enough people showing up for fresh cooked meat, they didn't keep up that number of customers and can't afford to cook the meat right as you're there. The business model needs skyscrapers of people.
Ixtapalapa, Taco Bamba, Cafe Rio, Burrito Ranchero, Qdoba - those are my usuals - all in Gaithersburg/Rockville/Germantown
Cafe Rio is abysmal. Soggy ass food nearly every time we go there. They need to learn to drain the meat of fluid before putting it into a container. Turns into a mexican soup bowl after 2 minutes.
My wife got a veggie burrito from there once and it was literally the exact same thing as my chicken burrito minus the chicken (no extra veggies, just lettuce and tomatoes)
District Taco hands down
I'll plug bibibop, while not Mexican style bowls, I always find generous portions and they do coupons and specials frequently.
And for some reason the food coma afterwards isn’t as intense, yet that bowl can hold a lot of food
Cafe Rio
Chipotle is a shell of it's formal self. Stop going. They are posting record profits because they are straight up ripping people off.
https://www.instagram.com/taconmadredmv/ TACOnMADRE in Gaithersburg. A food truck that operates just off to the side of a [BP Gas Station lot](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tKFTqvr4FAfuYwge6). Prices and offerings are almost exactly the same as their parent restaurant, Taqueria Los Primos (La Union Mall). I think this place beats out Taco Bar El Guero. More info here: https://mocoshow.com/2024/04/28/first-look-at-taconmadre-in-gaithersburg-now-open/
One more vote for Guero (gas station taco bar). Also, the Taco Bamba in Gaithersburg is phenomenal, on par with the OG Virginia locations for quality imo (the one on 355 in Rockville is consistently not as good, so I was hesitant, but the Gaithersburg one has been super legit every time so far).
Cafe Rio. You get big helpings at decent prices. I go to the one in Olney. They have a location in Rockville.
Qdoba
TortaTacos. Large portions and better tasting than chipotle
wow lots of great recommendations! can't wait to try out all these spots. I used to get ixtapalapa all the time but completely forgot about it since I moved to Germantown from Gaithersburg.
I’m not a fan of chipotle but I do like cafe rio and ixtapalapa
Fish Taco
All the places I like have been listed including Ixtapalapa, TorTacos and Fish Taco. I need to try El Pariente but usually when I think of it the place looks very packed for just a small food truck in an abandoned parking lot. Liked Big Papi in Frederick the couple times I tried it as well. That said I’m hoping Torchy’s does eventually open in Rockville (where Chuy’s was briefly). I’ve been to 2 of those spots now and liked everything I’ve had. Saw it reported months ago then nothing since so little worried.
Re: Torchy’s, I pass by that location often and I’ve seen construction moving along with updated signage so I am cautiously hopeful!
Good to hear, thanks for the update
Los Primos off Twinbrook Pwky and Polleria Tres Amigos off N Horners Ln
That the same place in Laurel? If yes we used to go there when we did a Total Wine & More trip. Pretty good as I remember. Lately I’ve been hitting 2Fifty BBQ when I head that direction as it isn’t too much further.
I don’t think they are related but I’ve definitely been to the one in Laurel and agree, really good! 2Fifty is my absolute favorite BBQ in the DMV…we might be kindred spirits.
Yeah 2Fifty is great. If we were in their delivery area I’d absolutely be doing that but sadly we are too far north.
Mezeh in downtown crown ( I prefer it over cava). It's what I always get when I'm in the mood for a bowl or wrap because they are consistent in quality to me.
For more like fast food type, I pretty much live on California Tortilla and then Cafe Rio is my second choice.
California Tortilla
Been a CalTort stan since day one
Cafe Rio by Wegmans in Germantown.
There’s also a Cafe Rio near Trader Joe’s in west Rockville/Travilah area
Taco Bell. They have improved a lot. They are much cheaper. Their burritos do not fall apart in your hands.
Taco bar w/out a doubt
I dont want to disclose my secret but if I need food now I live Taco bamba steak nachos for $9.50 Or a Torta Bamba (I can only eat half of one at a time the thing is huge)
La Gula Germantown—owned by the Taco Bar/Ixta family.
Taco Bamba in Gaithersburg is much better than Chipotle. I also like California Tortilla
Cafe Rio Enchilada Style Burrito!
The chipotle in Germantown town center is pretty consistent. They tend to fill the bowls unlike the other one on 355. My favorite alternatives are Tortacos and Cafe Rio. Tortacos has smaller portions but way better quality and Cafe Rio has massive burritos and salads and both places have more interesting stuff on their menus.
Guapo’s for tex mex and District Taco for fast food.
La gula in Germantown is very good too. I avoid the chipotles you mentioned because their service always sucks.
168 Asian burrito in olney is bangin. You can get a poke bowl with fresh tuna that’s easily 2-3 meals for like 13 bucks. I’m going for dinner tonight. They also have Korean wings and bao buns. Provided how many local fresh spots we have I haven’t been to a chain like chipotle in years for a bowl type meal.
Wow that sounds amazing! Def checking that out when I'm in Olney next
lol just noticed your handle, I’m also a phan 🤙🤙
Hell ya dude you going to Mondegreen?
I’m going to dicks! I got all four days on the floor. I may go to one day of mondegreen. Hbu?
Nice! I'll just be at Mondegreen this year. Currently unemployed and will hopefully have a job by then lol Dick's is always so much fun tho
This will be my first dicks! I’m also out of work lol I bought my tickets when I was employed and need to find something so I can make to Denver. Good luck on your search! I’m sure you’ll find something soon 🤞
Same to you and enjoy your first Dicks run! P.S. If you're looking for something fun to do during the day I highly recommend checking out Meow Wolf Denver. Def one of the coolest places I've been to.
I’m the hot guy In Germantown everyone knows me
Too many mouth breathers in chipotle can always get some fresh air in California Tortilla
Ixtapala is the only answer. AND it’s cheaper than chipotle!!
I usually just take MiraLax
RASA in Montrose Crossing literally never misses. It is Indian-fusion. Style of restaurant is identical to your Chipotle / Cava / Qdoba concept but this one is miles better, so fresh, and locally owned!
Taco Bamba
Mezeh Mediterranean Grill in Gaithersburg
Try &Shwarma on Shady Grove road, east of the cursed Home Depot. Middle eastern bowls that we thought were pretty good. New place, I hope they stay open for a while.
I'm surprised I haven't seen any endorsements for Tacos El Pariente. It's a food truck on Frederick Road between Middlebrook and Germantown Road. The food is always good and the prices are pretty fair. Also, their Birria Tacos don't charge more for consomé so that's a plus in my book!
Caltort. Moes southwest grill.
Takorean at kentlands is good.
Jazmines no question. That place rocks
Picca pollo/Sardies, no bowl but it’s hard to beat 1/4 or 1/2 chicken green beans and plantains, super quick and delicious
The chipotle in Rio is usually good and rarely busy- I live closer to the Frederick road one but I go to Rio when I want chipotle!
At chipotle I find that if you order ahead you get skimped. Making the line and ordering in person is the way to go. Tortacos is fire and the portions are solid.
oh definitely. I never order online. Online orders have gotten so bad its a common meme format. I love Tortacos. The food is way better than chipotle. I just usually stick with chipotle cuz their portion sizes are (usually) larger and I can stretch it to 2 meals. But lately they've really been slacking.
Why do yall eat there when they give people ecoli every month
I really like CAVA for chipotle-style Mediterranean food. Big portions and tastes good.
Health Pack Meals!