Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Freebird's
Freebird's is the type of place that seems to compete with, say, Chango's, Chipotle, and Baja Fresh.. i.e. they specialize in design-your-own burritos. Just to let you know, I find Freebird's vastly superior to the latter three. On some days, I will die of pleasure eating their stuff.
I'm going to say that my ranking is (from best to worst):
Freebird's
Chango's
Chipotle
Baja Fresh
Of those four, Baja Fresh is the one I really can't handle. It just affects me negatively on so many levels. First, the food's just nasty. It's like bathing in a sea of nastiness... for hours after you've eaten. Well, at least that's been my experience. Plus, it is Baja Fresh that replaced the Sound Exchange music store on Guadalupe street in Austin. It's unfair to use this against them, I guess, but it still hurts. At least they didn't knock down all of the wall art.
Anyway, this is not meant to be a Baja Fresh hate-fest. Besides, if Taco Bell offered build-your own burritos, I imagine they would rank lower than Baja Fresh. They would also rank lower than the dirt in my backyard. ... which, by the way, is free.
On with Freebird's then! My latest visit wasn't so great.. It was an absolute contrast with the first, heavenly visit. The second and third times were decent... but very clearly sub-heavenly. I'm not sure what happened. The first time I went, I was completely transfixed by the habanero sauce. Oh yeah. It was fire and damnation.. Fire and damnation totally taste good. The next couple of times, I got the same sauce... which was great.. but I wasn't really writing home about the other objects in the burrito (like beans, peppers, rice, cheese, etc). As for this latest visit... I'm reminded of the time a friend of mine had access to a potato gun. I would have rather starved that day for lunch, and shot my burrito with the potato gun into Barton Creek.
Let's consider this fourth visit a big freak accident. The main problems were that some things seemed to be missing from the burrito, like... there was not enough cheese, not enough pinto beans (replaced by too much rice), etc... Really, I like to like Freebird's. They do really cool stuff, such as loudly proclaiming their non-use of pig fat, displaying aluminum foil art, making many of their sauces fresh, and having several vegetarian options. Plus, again, I've had pretty good fast food there.
I can't stress the badassness of the habanero sauce. No one messes with Freebird's habanero sauce. End of story. Thinking of trying? Not a good idea. Now go away. For some reason, this reminds me of some dialogue from a movie (Maybe it's Raging Bull??):
Joe Pesci: "blah blah blah..." (something lightly denigrating DeNiro)
Robert DeNiro: "What? Get the %#&* outta here!!"
Joe Pesci: [starts following order... getting out of there]
Robert DeNiro: "... Where you goin? Come ere!"
Joe Pesci: [comes back]
Clearly, Robert DeNiro is in control in this scene. That's because he's like the habanero sauce.
Besides that, the other ingredients seem pretty fresh.. What's also cool is their choice of 4 or 5 different tortillas. (flour, cayenne, wheat, spinach, and corn (for tacos)). That's definitely a plus for me. Other choices you get are of beans (refried, whole pinto, or black), sauce (habanero is one of 7), "meat" (white chicken, dark chicken, steak, combo, or "veggie"), and "freebies" (tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, roasted garlic, lettuce, etc, etc).
Freebird's is also a Texas chain... so more "locality" points than Baja Fresh and Chipotle (I think Chipotle is partially owned by McDonald's). Chango's seems to be strictly in Austin, by the way.
I would say, for fast food, DEFINITELY give this place a shot, especially for burritos. For tacos, you might want to consider Maria's Taco Express or Mi Madre's... But this place surely rocks on a good day!
I'm going to say that my ranking is (from best to worst):
Freebird's
Chango's
Chipotle
Baja Fresh
Of those four, Baja Fresh is the one I really can't handle. It just affects me negatively on so many levels. First, the food's just nasty. It's like bathing in a sea of nastiness... for hours after you've eaten. Well, at least that's been my experience. Plus, it is Baja Fresh that replaced the Sound Exchange music store on Guadalupe street in Austin. It's unfair to use this against them, I guess, but it still hurts. At least they didn't knock down all of the wall art.
Anyway, this is not meant to be a Baja Fresh hate-fest. Besides, if Taco Bell offered build-your own burritos, I imagine they would rank lower than Baja Fresh. They would also rank lower than the dirt in my backyard. ... which, by the way, is free.
On with Freebird's then! My latest visit wasn't so great.. It was an absolute contrast with the first, heavenly visit. The second and third times were decent... but very clearly sub-heavenly. I'm not sure what happened. The first time I went, I was completely transfixed by the habanero sauce. Oh yeah. It was fire and damnation.. Fire and damnation totally taste good. The next couple of times, I got the same sauce... which was great.. but I wasn't really writing home about the other objects in the burrito (like beans, peppers, rice, cheese, etc). As for this latest visit... I'm reminded of the time a friend of mine had access to a potato gun. I would have rather starved that day for lunch, and shot my burrito with the potato gun into Barton Creek.
Let's consider this fourth visit a big freak accident. The main problems were that some things seemed to be missing from the burrito, like... there was not enough cheese, not enough pinto beans (replaced by too much rice), etc... Really, I like to like Freebird's. They do really cool stuff, such as loudly proclaiming their non-use of pig fat, displaying aluminum foil art, making many of their sauces fresh, and having several vegetarian options. Plus, again, I've had pretty good fast food there.
I can't stress the badassness of the habanero sauce. No one messes with Freebird's habanero sauce. End of story. Thinking of trying? Not a good idea. Now go away. For some reason, this reminds me of some dialogue from a movie (Maybe it's Raging Bull??):
Joe Pesci: "blah blah blah..." (something lightly denigrating DeNiro)
Robert DeNiro: "What? Get the %#&* outta here!!"
Joe Pesci: [starts following order... getting out of there]
Robert DeNiro: "... Where you goin? Come ere!"
Joe Pesci: [comes back]
Clearly, Robert DeNiro is in control in this scene. That's because he's like the habanero sauce.
Besides that, the other ingredients seem pretty fresh.. What's also cool is their choice of 4 or 5 different tortillas. (flour, cayenne, wheat, spinach, and corn (for tacos)). That's definitely a plus for me. Other choices you get are of beans (refried, whole pinto, or black), sauce (habanero is one of 7), "meat" (white chicken, dark chicken, steak, combo, or "veggie"), and "freebies" (tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, roasted garlic, lettuce, etc, etc).
Freebird's is also a Texas chain... so more "locality" points than Baja Fresh and Chipotle (I think Chipotle is partially owned by McDonald's). Chango's seems to be strictly in Austin, by the way.
I would say, for fast food, DEFINITELY give this place a shot, especially for burritos. For tacos, you might want to consider Maria's Taco Express or Mi Madre's... But this place surely rocks on a good day!
Comments:
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I really don't like the "choose your own adventure" style of Freebirds. If you get lucky and happen to find a good combination of ingredients, a freebirds burrito is decent. It took me several trips to get to that point. And even now, I somehow wonder if I still haven't stumbled across the magic combination that makes Freebirds interesting.
If your idea of a good burrito is no more than "a bunch of stuff in a tortilla", firebirds is very satisfying. On the other hand, if you want a burrito that was actually (for lack of a better word) architected, I think you have to go to your #2 pick, Changos.
To me, the difference is as clear as night and day. A chango's burrito tastes like someone sat down and thought about it and tried to create a perfect burrito recipe. Freebirds tastes like a bunch of stuff in tortilla. It's like comparing a sandwich at a good deli to a subway do-it-yourself special. That's not to say Freebirds is bad. It's just not as compelling as some of the other burrito choices in town.
If your idea of a good burrito is no more than "a bunch of stuff in a tortilla", firebirds is very satisfying. On the other hand, if you want a burrito that was actually (for lack of a better word) architected, I think you have to go to your #2 pick, Changos.
To me, the difference is as clear as night and day. A chango's burrito tastes like someone sat down and thought about it and tried to create a perfect burrito recipe. Freebirds tastes like a bunch of stuff in tortilla. It's like comparing a sandwich at a good deli to a subway do-it-yourself special. That's not to say Freebirds is bad. It's just not as compelling as some of the other burrito choices in town.
# posted by 
: 8:59 AM, September 28, 2005
: 8:59 AM, September 28, 2005
See... I actually feel exactly the opposite way. I've tried veggie options at Chango's, and I always leave underwhelmed, thinking "I guess that was okay... but I'd just love to add x and y, and remove z".. and Freebird's does a much better job providing that option.
I have a burrito template in mind whenever I go to Freebird's or any other "choose your own adventure" burrito place. I suppose I've gotten comfortable with it, plus I'm going for a good nutritional balance (though usually tortillas don't fit well into that criterion). It's basically like this:
- No meat (to be vegetarian)
- Beans (healthy protein to complement the wheat from the tortilla.. preferably not refried)
- Lettuce (at least *some* green vegetable)
- Cheese (if I'm not drinking milk with my meal.. more protein, taste, and calcium.. um.. and fat)
- No sour cream, no guacamole
- Other items for flavor and nutrition (roasted garlic, cilantro, bell peppers, onions, jalapenos)
- The sauce, for flavor
- Spinach or whole wheat tortilla
I guess if I don't like it one day, I declare Freebird's and myself partially responsible.
I personally don't get the "someone sat down and came up with a master burrito" feeling from Chango's. That, combined with my enjoyment of the choose-your-own-burrito idea, puts Freebird's way ahead for me. I still like Chango's more than the other fast burrito places, though.
I have a burrito template in mind whenever I go to Freebird's or any other "choose your own adventure" burrito place. I suppose I've gotten comfortable with it, plus I'm going for a good nutritional balance (though usually tortillas don't fit well into that criterion). It's basically like this:
- No meat (to be vegetarian)
- Beans (healthy protein to complement the wheat from the tortilla.. preferably not refried)
- Lettuce (at least *some* green vegetable)
- Cheese (if I'm not drinking milk with my meal.. more protein, taste, and calcium.. um.. and fat)
- No sour cream, no guacamole
- Other items for flavor and nutrition (roasted garlic, cilantro, bell peppers, onions, jalapenos)
- The sauce, for flavor
- Spinach or whole wheat tortilla
I guess if I don't like it one day, I declare Freebird's and myself partially responsible.
I personally don't get the "someone sat down and came up with a master burrito" feeling from Chango's. That, combined with my enjoyment of the choose-your-own-burrito idea, puts Freebird's way ahead for me. I still like Chango's more than the other fast burrito places, though.
actually the dirt in paul's backyard is not free. i think he imported it from his ancestral village in brazil. funnily enough, though anonymous, i'm rahul.
# posted by : 7:45 PM, October 07, 2005
: 7:45 PM, October 07, 2005
I think you must consider the enhancements to the dirt in Paul's backyard. Such as the valuable nutrients added by his top-hatted, monocled dog.
# posted by : 1:35 PM, October 25, 2005
: 1:35 PM, October 25, 2005
Paul, looks like you haven't been eating anything noteworthy b/c there hasn't been a post in a while. It's almost December! Quick, eat something good! - lily
# posted by : 9:02 AM, November 29, 2005
: 9:02 AM, November 29, 2005
Chango's is great. It is by far the best you will find in Austin. My recommendation for a starter is the super burrito with black beans and ranchera sauce. You won't go wrong there.
FreeBirds at its best might beat out Chipotle, but only on the variety of their menu. Chipotle is a one-trick burrito. There's a Chipotle clone named Qdoba that would definitely edge them both out. It doesn't come close to Chango's, and we don't have one here in Austin yet.
I have no idea what your complaint is about Baja Fresh. It's not greasy junk like Taco Cabana - it's fresh and light for the most part. I prefer La Salsa to Baja Fresh, and neither of them compare purely on burrito power to the big guns in town.
There's a new burrito place downtown called Wahoo's. I haven't tried it yet. I'm guessing it's more of a La Salsa/Baja Fresh place. I'm quite curious how it ranks.
FreeBirds at its best might beat out Chipotle, but only on the variety of their menu. Chipotle is a one-trick burrito. There's a Chipotle clone named Qdoba that would definitely edge them both out. It doesn't come close to Chango's, and we don't have one here in Austin yet.
I have no idea what your complaint is about Baja Fresh. It's not greasy junk like Taco Cabana - it's fresh and light for the most part. I prefer La Salsa to Baja Fresh, and neither of them compare purely on burrito power to the big guns in town.
There's a new burrito place downtown called Wahoo's. I haven't tried it yet. I'm guessing it's more of a La Salsa/Baja Fresh place. I'm quite curious how it ranks.
# posted by : 11:50 AM, July 26, 2006
: 11:50 AM, July 26, 2006
Freebirds is one of the worst places I have ever been. The first time I went to one the guy behind the counter called the previous customer a F-ing A-hole. (he used the full words). When I asked him if he was going to call me an F.A., he said "If you order something stupid I am." I didn't order. And on 2 later visits the food was boring and bland - and COLD. Freebirds is lousy. The Baja Fresh by my office (290 and Loop 1) just closed I am sad to say. It is being replaced by a Potbellies. Which is a Which Wich only worse worse.
# posted by : 5:38 PM, April 08, 2008
: 5:38 PM, April 08, 2008
Freebirds now have several outlets in London, England - including one at Exmouth Market.
# posted by : 7:43 AM, April 09, 2008
: 7:43 AM, April 09, 2008
What about Torchy's?
Also, this isn't a chain, just one spot, but I LOVE el Chilito. It inspires me. Their mole salsa is the stuff of dreams.
Also, this isn't a chain, just one spot, but I LOVE el Chilito. It inspires me. Their mole salsa is the stuff of dreams.
# posted by : 4:45 PM, June 24, 2008
: 4:45 PM, June 24, 2008
Mcdonald's no long own chipotle, but I agree with you regarding Freebirds. Thanks!
Dave
Santa Monica Apts
Dave
Santa Monica Apts
# posted by : 4:09 PM, March 30, 2009
: 4:09 PM, March 30, 2009
It is so good to see your blog. I love reading about reviews on various food courts and various food items. Thanks for letting us know about Freebird's.
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