If one didn’t pay attention as they entered Contodo Mexican Grill in Orange they may confuse it with Chipotle Mexican Grill. Not only is the menu nearly a match, but the assembly line design of meal making is too. None of this is a bad thing as I’m a big fan of Chipotle and welcome competitors to their realm of Mexican meals, especially if they are good. Fortunately for me (because they are right around the corner from home) and for Contodo, they are good.
Like I already mentioned their menu is a near match to that of Chipotle, burritos, tacos, bowls, salads, and tortas; all with your choice of Chicken, Asada, Carnitas, and Birria (shredded beef). I went ahead with my normal first try favorite of a carnitas burrito ($5.95). I had it filled with rice, meat, hot salsa, roasted corn, light sour cream, and cheese, same as I order at Chipotle. That’s it I didn’t order tacos, chips on the side, and since I drove I didn’t get a beer either (although the Modelo was calling my name). 
The burrito was just as good as I expected it to be based upon my previous visits to their competitor. In my opinion nothing really sets them apart from Chipotle, but that isn’t nessicarily a bad thing. The meat had good flavor and all the ingredients of the burrito melded together perfectly. The only detractor I could give it is that the burrito was filled a bit less then the huge 2 pound versions they seem to make at the Chipotle down the street on 17th in Santa Ana, but that particular Chipotle is an anomaly. All burritos at $5.95, choice of 3 flour of corn tortilla tacos is also $5.95, bowls are $5.95, salads are $5.95, and tortas are, you guessed it, $5.95! So the menu is pretty easy since everything is the same price.
Service was good, not only was the cashier nice but he even asked me if it was my first visit and when I told him it was he handed me TWO business cards for free burritos (with NO PURCHASE!) Talk about a bargain, I spent 8 bucks and I get free burritos for the next two Saturdays (the typical day I will visit).
Visit for lunch on 03/29/09
Check out Christian’s review at Orange County Mexican Restaurants.
Also Nancy at OC Register’s Fast Food Maven.
[xrr rating=4/5]
Contodo Mexican Grill
970 N. Tustin St. Ste. C
Orange, CA 92867
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