My photographer spent many of his formative years in Blanchard, or, as he calls it, The Churd.
And while young, hungry musician and Oklahoma Gazette photographer Garett Fisbeck was all about punk rock, he was also all about Burrito Grill, 215 W. Veterans Memorial Hwy.
Blanchard is just close enough to the world that you’re not isolated, but not so close that it’s terribly convenient. So while the rest of us might have easy access to Chipotles and Qdobas and what have you, in The Churd, if you want a tasty burrito, you head to Burrito Grill.
I do want a tasty burrito. I’m always ready for a tasty burrito. In fact, I might end up putting that on my tombstone.
Greg Elwell
1978-2023
“Beloved” father
“Adequate” son
Always ready for a tasty burrito
So what can you expect at Burrito Grill, even if it’s not your last meal on this earth? A heavenly burrito. Or even an appetizing salad.
I was not optimistic about the salad when the staff started making it. Starting with a Styrofoam container filled with giant handfuls of shredded iceberg lettuce isn’t very inspiring. But for all the crap iceberg lettuce gets, you must admit it usually doesn’t taste like anything.
And in my salad ($6.59), that was a plus. Because I wouldn’t have cared if it was romaine or kale or baby spinach or arugula once big chunks of spicy chicken were added and topped with dollops of fresh corn salsa, brown rice, pinto beans, spicy red salsa, cheese and more cheese and, yes, a little more cheese.
It was a glorious mess, and it tasted excellent. I didn’t even ask for sour cream or guacamole (which cost extra). It didn’t need it. This pile of shredded iceberg lettuce was topped with wonderful, flavorful ingredients and — once properly mixed up by my fork — it was a feast for the senses and also my stomach, which is what most feasts are for.
Can you get all of that in a burrito? Of course, and I highly recommend it. I went back and ordered black beans, roasted chicken, diced jalapeños, sour cream and some of that extravagant guacamole ($1.49 extra), and it was all wrapped in an enormous flour tortilla for $6.59.
Fisbeck encouraged me to dip it in queso, which was OK, but I didn’t think it improved the taste that much. It already was bursting with flavor. And my stomach was getting ready to burst the top button on my overworked jeans.
But that didn’t stop me from ordering tacos as well. For $6.59 (seems to be a theme here), I got three. I chose two crispy ones filled with ground beef and one soft taco with pulled pork. The ground beef was good. The pork was a bit cold. I liked them, but I thought the burrito was better.
“It’s called Burrito Grill for a reason,” Fisbeck reminded me.
“Shut up,” I didn’t reply, because he is a punk rocker, man, and he would probably head-butt me. Punk rockers are huge on manners.
So instead, I shared my cinnacrisps ($2.19) with him. They’re freshly fried flour tortilla pieces tossed in cinnamon and sugar. They, too, were satisfactory but not spectacular. They’re hard to eat without tossing yourself with cinnamon and sugar.
I liked the chips and queso ($3.58, including a drink, with an entree) better. They tended not to get on my clothes as much, which is a big deal for a guy who eats constantly.
I didn’t do a side-by-side of my Burrito Grill burrito with one from your chain burritoriums, but I can tell you this: It was satisfying.
Given the choice between Chipotle and Burrito Grill, choose BG. And the next time I’m in The Churd, it’s good to know there’s a burrito waiting for me, hopefully filled with spicy chicken.
Print headline: RIP, chains: Head to Blanchard for a spicy chicken burrito that’s so tasty, you just might memorialize your love for it on your tombstone.
