Qdoba Mexican Grill
175 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60604
Qdoba Mexican Grill Menu
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Burritos
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Cheese Nachos
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Signature Flavors
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Taco Salads
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Three Tacos
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Tortilla Soup
Healthy Meal suggestions for Qdoba Mexican Grill
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Burritos
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Cheese Nachos
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Signature Flavors
-
Taco Salads
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Three Tacos
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Tortilla Soup
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Address :
175 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL, 60604 - Phone (312) 212-1201
- Website https://www.qdoba.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Jonathan R.
Great place for lunch. Qdoba seems to put more flavor into there food as opposed to Chipotle. Don't get me wrong, Chipotle can make a great burrito, but I think Qdoba spices creates a flavor different from Chipotle. If I had to make a decision between the two, I would go Qdoba. Plus, you can get points for free food at Qdoba.
(4)Joseph L.
You can think of this place as a Chipotle, but 100 times better with more options for your burrito. A MUST visit!!! I just moved to Chicago and was relieved that they had one up here. Highly recommended!!
(5)adam d.
uhm, they DO have beer at this place, which is great. sure its corporate but great guac and tasty tasty tasty. good quesadillas. If you're a veg-head, they ahve good options for you, the veggies aren't made in the same place as the meat and there are breakfast options too. five kinds of salsa and good value. 100 x better than chipotle. If only they had Horchata....
(3)Julia B.
Awesome guacamole and chips. Every time I come here I get the three soft shell tacos with Chicken in them. They are great!! I also really like the fact that they have a lot of different choices to add to a meal..salsa's and more.
(3)Danny W.
Whoever invented Qdoba was a pretty smart person. They saw how successful Chipotle was and pretty much copied their entire business model. Seriously... think Chipotle, add different logos, some additional salsas and toppings and few different names for their burritos and you have Qdoba. They're not as good though. I can't exactly put my finger on what they are lacking, but I left saying "it's not Chipotle." I'm sure it's like Pepsi and Coke to some people. Give it a try and see what you think, but I'll always be loyal to the CPT.
(4)Laura P.
Average place. Pretty good food. Service is just okay, sometimes a little slow. There are long lines around lunch time but almost always a place to sit as they have a lot of room. They also have TVs if you are needing a little entertainment. But if you need a good lunch for under $10 this place is a good option. They also have coupons every now and then for buy one get one free meal which is pretty awesome.
(3)Bill S.
Wow these places still exist... Apparently. But overall it's a nice chipotle sister. I love their queso dressing however they charge u arm and leg for fajitas when chipotle free. Overall food tastes better and you can customize more freely. Feels like chipotles bowl are a bit bigger size too. Not a bad option when there's a long line at chipotle. Granted it's not Mexican food rather American style Mexican so don't be expecting Los burritos brothers or something along those lines.
(4)Lori S.
The customer service was great! But I didn't like the food or the price, it cost me ten dollars. I got a burrito and drink, there was no sides. This is one of those places you pick what you want on it. The burrito was small and the tortia didn't taste good.
(3)Marie S.
I work in the building that's the only logically reason why I continue to go here the lettuce has been brown the last 3 times I went here and the customer service needs improvement- like if you don't want to work today leave ur attitude is not needed.
(2)Farwah R.
I like qdoba more than chipotle. I like the different options on the menu. You can customize your entree however you want. I like that they offer a queso sauce to make the burrito cheesier. you can get your queso spicy style too. You can get different sauces like bbq, or ancho chile. if you don't want a burrito you can get a quesadilla. This food is not authentic mexican food. I think it is gentrified mexican food. Just like bombay wraps is not authentic Indian food. The owners took indian recipes and changed them to sell them. I think qdoba is closer to a tex-mex restuarant than an actual mexican restaurant. Coming to qdoba, or chipotle or burrito beach for that matter is like eating a tamale pie. It not a mexican recipe its a tex-mex recipe. The quality of Chipotle has gone downhill. I feel like the burritos aren't as good as they used to be. I think it might be because the chain is getting bigger. They are adding more stores. They are getting bigger, but bigger doesn't mean better food. I like that qdoba burritos are big though, in that case bigger is better.
(3)Colin J.
I watched a guy stormed out of this Qdoba after a fight with his girlfriend but not before stopping to grab a Mello Yello refill. Now that's a power move.
(4)John H.
OK for lunch.
(3)Juli A.
Hey Danny, what it's missing from Chipotle is the extra salt, gristle and fat. It may not be as satisfying as Chipotle to you, but that would be saying that it's not as satisfying as say a double bacon cheeseburger. Unlike it's mass marketed national rival, Qdoba is a REGIONAL chain that prepares everything fresh in-house with fresh ingredients. Put your finger on that. For my two cents, this is one of the best locations. Consistently fantastic food and service. I've never been dissatisfied with a meal, eat in or take out. The staff is friendly and they offer a lot of healthier options - brown rice over white, wheat tortilla over white, etc. and watching them prepare the guacamole by hand with fresh avocados is a bonus.
(4)Adam K.
I have to give this place 5 stars. I feel somewhat awkward reviewing a fast-food restaurant on Yelp, but this one does deserves my five stars. Albeit, I'm a huge foodie after dusk, this is where I eat two chicken tacos daily for lunch to stay in shape. So why 5 stars at Qdoba? It's because these folks really take care of you. I once left my wallet on my desk at work and by the time I got to the cashier I realized what an idiot I was for leaving my wallet in the office. I was not looking forward to running back to my office and back to Qdoba to pay. What did they do? They just let me have it and said 'don't worry about it, it happens to the best of us.' Now that's service I tell you. I still went back the next day to pay for it, but they said 'nah it's ok we're family here.' I totally appreciated it. Now, Starbucks, listen up...next time you snub me as trash for forgetting my wallet and waste a drink (I see you pour it out purposefully), think about how honest (some) customers can be instead of crossing all the t's and dotting the i's. Thank you Tracey at Qdoba! :)
(5)Laila C.
it tricks you into thinking it's just like Chipotle but with more options...IT'S NOT. they give you less flavorful chicken and steak. Meager portions of meat. Bland salsas AND when I asked for one of their specialty things with pesto-they ended up just giving me a regular chicken bowl. GROSS. Just go to Chipotle-Steve Ells will thank you and so will your taste buds.
(1)Sejal P.
This place sucks! it's a good concept, good food but lousy service and management. They are really behind with technology! I ordered Gumbo without meat - but they can't remove meat option. I had to pay for chicken gumbo, however their register will charge you extra .70 for adding Green Peppers and Onions. According to Qdoba, killing animals is less expensive over Green Peppers and Onions! I get it, it's common for Vegetarians to pay extra for their meals, but this one is not worth it $10 for lunch! I find it morally wrong and i would never support them with my business again!
(1)Mary T.
I've got another Qdoba review on the books so I'll get down to business. Qdoba is about on par with Chipotle and Burrito Beach in terms of authenticity, but here's the one thing it's got going for it the others don't - the Qdoba Card. Each time you eat you get points and those points get you stuff. Even better the stuff doesn't have to be free Qdoba food, you can get gift certificates to lots of other places! Even though I prefer Chipotle (you haters can suck it!), I'd probably give this place 4 stars because the food is decent and the card is pretty cool, but I have to knock them down a peg for service. Service is inconsistent; occasionally I stand at the counter waving my arms like I'm directing a 747, but most frequently I'm practically getting pushed out the door. I don't care how smiley they are, they need to give people a chance to hand their money over before they start moving on to the next guy. It's like one of those lame debit card commericals where paying in cash brings everything to a grinding halt! If they're that concerned with the line backing up try putting another cashier on duty!
(3)Ernie C.
Far better and tastier than Chipotle. I love their chicken nachos and guacamole, but am in love with their breakfast burrito even more. Their "secret" is the queso sauce and the never dry, extremely juicy and tasty chicken that they put on their menu items. Their salsas are good too, but take a side of queso with chips, instant snack!
(4)Mike S.
Alright kiddies, SAT time. Qdoba:Chipotle::Sam Adams:________ a) Guinness b) Budweiser c) J.W. Lees Vintage Ale, 2003 edition, Lagavulin cask finish d) all of the above e) none of the above f) a and c, but not b Solution: b. Neither of them is great, or reaches the full potential of what a burrito can be, but in case of emergency, Qdoba is much much better than Chipotle. Steak queso burrito, mmm...
(4)Candice K.
There are no words to describe how much I love Qdoba's Mexican Gumbo (with grilled veggies). I've been to a couple other locations, but this one is right across the street from my apt, so this is the one I frequent the most. The staff are kind of hit-or-miss. Some employees are super friendly, others don't really speak or make eye contact. My biggest complaint is the inconsistency of the portion sizes. Sometimes my gumbo gets 3 scoops of rice and one ladle of soup (which barely gets the rice wet). Other times it's 1 scoop of rice and 3 ladles of soup (which is basically just SOUP). Can we get some consistency here, please?! I would say the perfect ratio is probably 2 and 2. But regardless of what my perfect ratio is, you'd think they'd have at least SOME kind of guidelines for this, wouldn't you? Don't Subway employees have to count the number of pickles they put on a sandwich? Also, my portion size shouldn't vary so drastically from visit to visit. Sometimes my bowl is so full that it leaks after the lid is put on, other times it's half empty. The same goes for the burritos. Sometimes they're brick-sized, other times they're skimpy as hell. Sometimes you get a full bag of tortilla chips, other times you get half a bag. :( They'd get 5 stars if they could just train their employees on how to properly make the entrees, so it didn't feel like such a gamble whenever we go here. The food is always delicious, but it sucks to pay the same price as always, but get half as much food sometimes.
(4)Polly P.
Last time I've been there it was way too many people, so even though I enjoyed the food, I rated this place with only 3 stars. Today we went here for breakfast at around 10:30 am- such a big difference! No people at all. The place is nice and clean. The design is very simple, so it doesn't look like a neighborhood Mexican restaurant, but the food is GREAT! Try their chicken breakfast quesadillas!
(4)David G.
Cheap fast great. Get exactly what you want.
(4)Chuck S.
Not too Shabby! You can customize your Burrito so who doesn't like that.
(3)Meghan O.
Oh Qdoba....You dirty lil.... I love you. If you have been here & didn't like something, I urge, nay, beg you return and order the veggie gumbo. You can add meat, they won't mind. But trust a fat person on this..... the gumbo (whatever that even is) is worth it & has never dissapointed me yet.
(5)a m.
Look, I'm not trying to say this place is great; it isn't. But it is FAR superior to Chipotle in the burrito category, and is an affordable option for lunch. To put my review in the proper context, consider this: the only thing I *ever* order here is the chicken burrito. Everything else I've tried sucks. But that chicken burrito is ok. But watch out for the guacamole: when they ask if you want it, they don't mention that if you say yes it's like $2 and not all that good. To all of the reviewers that object to the authenticity of this place, come on, what do you expect? It is a chain store located in the loop, and I don't think they're deceptive about what they are.
(3)Michael G.
If I could find a way to mainline whatever is in Qdoba's rice recipe, I don't think I'd ever be unhappy again. The problem is, I think the secret ingredient is more addicting than anything else I could simularly put into my bloodstream. Having done extensive "scientific" research into all of the fast food Mexican places in Chicago, I have found there is no way to duplicate the euphoria of eating a Qdoba burrito. I have attempted to calibrate all the different salsas, rices, and tortillas at every other similar restaurant (that are closer to work and cheaper than Qdoba such as Burrito Beach and Burrito Buggy, and yes even Chipotle) but it has been an epic fail in conjuring the sheer joy that Qdoba's staple item produces. What I think I have discovered is that it's the rice (which makes me feel bad for those people cursed with being allergic to cilantro in the way that makes it taste like soap) and the sticky tortilla the fillings are wrapped in - which is where I think they actually hide the crack. This particular location, under the El tracks at their southwest corner, recently seems to have added more indoor seating to overcome their one former flaw (long, but quick moving lines and lack of indoor chairs). The window seats are particularly great for people watching on Van Buren Street if you can get them. Personally, I have an issue with waiting to tear into a Qdoba burrito until I get back to the office, so eating in is a necessity. I need my fix right away!
(5)Erika G.
Those of us who work at home, occasionally have to bathe, put on a clean outfit, polish up our table manners and take it downtown to meet a fellow freelancer for lunch so we can bitch about the sorry state of the economy. Comparisons to Chipotle are unavoidable here. Qdoba burritoes are as delicious and well-seasoned, with a similar array of add-ons and ingredients. I opt for the bowl rather than the traditional tortilla wrap, as I dislike jamming something larger than my hand in my mouth. Wait . . . okay, never mind. ;-) However, Chipotle, comes out ahead. When I go to a place like this downtown (up north, I always opt for a non-chain taqueria), it's because I'm Really Hungry, and Chipotle gives you more food for the money. With a drink, a burrito lunch comes to $9, and that's sorta pricey (another vote for taquerias) for my frugal fashionista self. And that brings me to one of my rants about Chicago. WAYYY too many chain restaurants downtown. What is it about the Loop and environs that there are almost no one-off, unique restaurants? Must everything be homogenized and sanitized?! That said, this place is fine for lunch. The ordering method is speedy, and the place looks clean. The guys behind the counter are super cute and had big smiles for me - very pleasant. My pal and fellow Yelper Robert S. and I hopefully did not offend the other patrons with our giggling and taking up a table for way more than an hour, as we long-lunch-takin' freelancers are wont to do.
(3)Tara M.
I LOVE Qdoba. For anyone who goes to Chipotle over the Q, you are missing out! Their queso sauce is to die for, and it is the horribly unhealthy addition to their menu that makes their food far superior to Chipotle! I always get the steak nachos and add rice to them. I also had the mango chicken salad a couple of weeks ago and it was great, except that we all agreed that it actually had too much chicken in it (yes, this is possible). But like all salads that you don't make yourself, it has a ton of fat & calories in it. Thus why it was so delish! And if you are a frequent diner, be sure to get a Qdoba card to get your 11th meal free!
(5)Kate M.
If you've never been to a Qdoba let me 'splain how it works...there is a counter (very subway-ish) and multiple people at different points to fulfill your every mexican food desire. So, I start at the beginning and tell the nice man I want a naked vegetarian burrito with grilled vegetables. He asks what kind of beans, I say "black". He asks what kind of meat I want, I say "No meat, just grilled vegetables". Then he passes me onto the next person without even a look at the aforementioned grilled vegetables. Here's how the next back and forth went: Her: Sour cream? Me: No Her: What kind of salsa? Me: Pico de gallo Her: Cheese? Me: No. Can I have grilled vegetables on that? Her: Guacamole? Me: Yes, and can I please have grilled vegetables on that? (See how I added the "please"?) Her: Guacamole? Me: Yes, I'd like the guacamole please. I'd also like the grilled vegetables. *Pointed at grilled vegetables* Her: Guacamole or grilled veggies? Me: Both? Her: Guacamole? Me: Yes Her: *passed the naked burrito sans vegetables off to the person who wraps it up* Me: Can I get grilled vegetables on that? Other Her: Sure, did you tell them you wanted grilled vegetables? Now, I realize I'm not dealing with engaged people who aspired their entire life to make me a naked burrito. However, I do think it's acceptable to only ask for grilled vegetables once, or twice, before a person is given grilled vegetables. Also, why am I reviewing a Qdoba? More importantly; why are you reading reviews of a Qdoba?? This is the low point of my week. PS; I did enjoy the naked burrito, in case you care.
(3)Brian B.
I've never found anything I really liked at Qdoba. It tastes all right but not top tier, like Big Star.
(2)Ryan C.
I'm not too big on chain restaurants. These corporate conglomerates kicking out the unique mom and pop restaurants are killing. However, they make a mean burrito and taco salad. Their taco salads are awesome. However, I have a problem. I've changed my eating habits of eating healthier and backing off of gyro's and stuffed pizza. You'd think a salad would be healthy. Hello?!?! A salad should be healthy. Curious of the nutritional facts, I went to their website to see if it was good or not. 56 grams of fat and 1400+ calories. WTF.!?!?!?!? What's the purpose of eating a salad that's not healthy? It's like saying that smoking crack cocaine isn't REALLY that bad for you...they'll both kill you some day! No wonder I was still gaining and not losing. 6 months of lies that I was eating. If you are a calorie counter, not the place to go. Damn it's good, but no more... Qdoba, we are done...no more lies! I could have continued to eat gyros and stuffed pizza and not felt guilty about it.
(4)Alex R.
for fresh, fast, tasty food it's tough to beat for the value. A naked chicken taco salad, no dressing with extra veggies, under $9 and it's almost big enough for two meals. Best of all it's actually healthy if you choose wisely. And the Qdoba card rules....chipotle can't hold a candle when you and the options are much more extensive!
(4)Bill M.
I was heading home one recent evening after working a bit late, and it was a crummy snowy night. I knew I had to go home to shovel the sidewalk, but I was hungry too. I wound up at Qdoba (actually located at the corner of Van Buren and Wells even though its address is in a building with a Jackson address). Its closing time is 8PM, so I actually made it with an hour to spare. It was really dead in here on this cold snowy evening, so I had a booth in the dining area all to myself. I was compelled to order the Ancho Chile BBQ burrito with pulled pork. I also asked for toppings like corn, tomato, and cheese. The tortilla had a too-moist texture and no flavor, but the ingredients combined with the tangy-yet-spicy sauce to create a rather tasty combination (or was I just really hungry?).
(4)Jewel D.
Wandered in here during a -15 degree day in need of the closest thing to "Mexican" food in downtown. All I gotta say is it should be a crime to be outside during that kind of weather. Of course Qdoba is far from "real Mexican" food but when your whole body is frozen underneath the 5 layers you're wearing, I think it's time to go indoors. Being from southern Cali, I had never heard of Qdoba but instantly I was reminded of Chipotle. I guess it's pretty comparable but there are WAYYYY more options here at Qdoba. I got a burrito bowl which was decent but not as satisfying as the many burrito bowls I've had at Chipotle. I know they're starting to open up more Qdoba's in so cal...wouldn't mind seeing them more out here.
(3)Aaron S.
After a visit to Qdoba, I can safely say that this place is just simply not Mexican food. There are (in my mind) officially two different kinds of restaurant that qualify as "Mexican". The first serves dishes that are "cheap fake Mexican", like Taco Bell and its insane reasoning for combining tortillas and an amalgam of ingredients at a price low enough to warrant not caring about the grease and saturated fat content. The second serves "authentic Mexican cuisine" and makes up for the high prices with some Mexican side dishes that come with a full meal. Qdoba is neither, and is hence not an official Mexican restaurant in my mind. First of all, it is certainly not in the "cheap fake Mexican" category because it's certainly not cheap. While you can possibly consider it "fake" due to the ingredient-based monstrocities like "Roasted Chile Corn Salsa" and "Mango Salads" and "Poblano Pesto Burrito", they do at least serve SOME semblance of Mexican food. But Qdoba needs to learn that CILANTRO DOES NOT EQUAL MEXICAN. The cilantro runs rampant in this place like a nightmare for anyone who, like me and enough others to warrant an actual IHateCilantro-dot-com website's existence, is not fond of this bitter herb. The rice is even famous for having cilantro in it. It's in practically every dish here. I tried this place out and ordered a steak burrito. With no cilantro-infested rice, thank you. If there's one thing I loathe even more than rice infesting my burritos, taking up precious space that could otherwise be filled with meat and beans, it's rice that also tastes of cilantro. Watching the top-notch chef in action, I witnessed as a large tortilla was placed in position, and then blind scooping of haphazard ingredients took over. I may not be a chef, or a Mexican cuisine specialist, but I'm almost certain there's a little art to constructing a burrito. If so, I must have gotten the Picasso of the burrito-art-scene. Let me point out yet another thing. Refried beans are supposed to be a paste. The beans get mashed, creating a pleasant mouthfeel with some slight lumps and a creamy refried bean puree. At Qdoba, they disagree, and ladled in what can only be described as a less-flavorful version of boston baked beans. The beans were still whole, tough and chewy, and swimming in a thin liquid of "bean juice". This restaurant is in the Chicago Loop near many upscale businesses - why would you serve something that threatens at every bite to downpour foul bean liquid on your customers' shirts? The meat was also stringy, and I prefer my salsa with smaller pieces of tomato and NO CILANTRO (but every salsa they offered me contained cilantro, and this one at least was left with sizeable chunks that could be picked out manually as I ate). All in all, a pathetic burrito. That cost me over $7. Add a drink and it was over $9. Here's the last major problem I have with the place: at an "authentic Mexican cuisine" other-option restaurant for Mexican food (for example, Salseria), when you're stuck ordering an entree costing over $7, they give you a heaping side of rice, beans, guacamole, shredded lettuce - and all-you-can-eat tortilla chips. Even at a place less awesome than Salseria, the chips come with the meal. And yet I dropped over $7 for a half-assed burrito at Qdoba and that was it. A large tinfoil-wrapped log dripping bean juice - that's it, get the hell out, screw you. I was so outraged by this (because a true test of a Mexican restaurant is the chips) that I had to go BACK up and place an order for chips. And do you know what she did? Opened up a DRAWER near the register and scooped out some chips into a paper bag. They keep their chips in a freakin' drawer?? On top of that, they were awful chips. I had three and gave up - dumped the bag on a coworker's desk when I got back and said "free chips for anyone who can stomach them" - and several people agreed that three of those chips was their limit. This place fails on every level in my book when it comes to "Mexican" cuisine - and doesn't deserve to display that word in its title. I do not recommend this place at all, unless you are in two groups of people: those who would consider the "best Mexican food" somewhere that served organic non-Mexican bland food but wrapped it in a tortilla - and those who enjoy cilantro to the point of considering it a fetish of theirs. The rest of you should avoid this place like the cilantro-ridden plague that it is. You're better off at Taco Bell. They may have greasy heart-attack-inducing food, but it's cheap and won't drip bean juice on you.
(1)Julie F.
Always a great place for a fresh lunch! Employees are friendly and food is always good!!! Will forever be a repeat customer! They also have wonderful catering!!
(5)Jeremy W.
Went here today for lunch and my latest visit to Qdoba firmly solidified my feelings about this place, Chipotle is better. After trying the fancy burritos at Qdoba last week and then giving the Taco Salad it's day in court today, this place just does enough for me to warrant 3 stars. The main reason is their meat lacks in adequate seasoning, too bland.
(3)Kristi K.
So, I've long had an internal debate as to whether Chipotle or Qdoba is better. Are they authentic? No. But if you're looking for a quick lunch....they fill a need. Today has sealed the deal for me, though. Each trip to Qdoba has gotten worse and worse as of late. I think today will be my last. I ordered a Burrito Bowl. Could they let it go? (apparently, it's what Chipotle calls them...ouch, branding, ouch) No. They said "Do you mean a naked burrito?" Sure. This meal was doomed from the start. I order a bean "naked burrito". Very little rice, and while they oblige me by adding both kinds of beans, they don't bother to drain the juice before they slop them over my rice. Gross. I complete my order, am obnoxiously rushed out of the way down the line (You're busy. I get it. I'm moving!) and sit down to eat. Lettuce was disgusting. It was the inner part of the lettuce-- large chunks of white with no flavor. The green parts were rather limp. Also, I'm not positive the beans or rice were ever warm, because when I mixed it all together, it was as cold as a party thrown for Donald Trump by Rosie Odonnell. Flavor was mediocre. At best. Chipotle it is!
(1)Demetrio P.
Qdoba is a-okay! I compare it mostly like another Chipotle-type restaurant. I've tried their taco salad which comes with a taco shell bowl, filled with lettuce, toppings, and your choice of meat. I tried their chicken, which I have to say is quite tasty. I will be back to try their other menu items, especially their tortilla soup and I love a good bowl soup! Overall, okay food, okay service, okay prices.
(3)Daniel H.
I think a 3 may be somewhat harsh, but I am giving it this because it is claiming to be authentic Mexican food and charging outrageous prices for it. I don't think the food is terrible or anything, you just shouldn't go here if you want Mexican food. It is kind of like taco bell...just overpriced. For the $8 they charge here, you can get an authentic Mexican burrito, a side of rice and beans, and a drink. I just don't get it really. What I really love about this place is the 3-cheese queso. Maybe they should mix the pinto beans and black beans and call it 2-bean frijoles? Anyway, if you have tried chipotle, you have tried qdoba. There are those fanatics out there that prefer one over the other...all I can say is you probably aren't Mexican if you are truly debating this. They are the same thing except you'll probably spend a little more money at qdoba for the 3-cheese cheese...or for "fajitas" (they add onions and green peppers like Chipotle, except they charge you). I hear they have other good options, I've just never tried em.
(3)Manny S.
Watch out for the sneaky upsell. If you try to order a soup and a taco, they charge you for a $7 combo. I didnt want a combo, and no I didnt need a coke! I like their tortilla soup, but I would highly recommend to skip the chicken and expect for your soup to not be very hot. The texture is so weird you cant tell if its fat or chicken. Eck. Not the best quality meat.
(2)Nancy H.
I think Qdoba might just be my fave fast food Mexican place since today. I outgrew Chipotle a long time ago, and you know Taco Bell doesn't stand a chance in this category (it's "super" fast food). Taco Fresco is too healthy, Burrito Beach feels too heavy, and Taco Burrito King--well, I'm only comparing places you go to while sober. Now I've only eaten their tacos and chips, and these were catered to us, although I expect both to taste the same at the restaurant. Something about the marinated meats (I tried chicken and steak) is just so addicting! I don't like how they cut them up in cubes, though, I prefer thin strips, but it's still outstanding. And the guacamole was fresh with just the right amount of avocado chunks (not much). And if you are ordering a taco bar lunch for a large group, consider Qdoba. They will come equipped with aluminum pans, candle fuel, metal stands, and all the fixings you need (meat, lettuce, cheese, chips, pico, different salsas) in containers all labeled for you. Great service both over the phone and in person for delivery!
(4)Johnny B.
I don't know why, but Qdoba just doesn't do it for me. I can't put my finger on it. I love their chips and queso, and if pressed to eat there with a group, I can swing it with a chicken quesadilla. But my true mexican desire, tacos (or a burrito), is never satisfied. It just never seems as good as Chipotle or Taco Fresco. I wish I could pinpoint it, but that's all I got. This review was probably neither useful, nor funny, nor cool.
(2)Stella S.
I used to love this place, but the service has gone completely downhill in the past year. My significant other and I arrived exactly an hour before close, and ran into our neighbor, who was the ONLY OTHER PERSON in line. And it still took them twenty minutes to get us to check-out. I guess I really shouldn't expect much from someone who has a name tattooed on their neck. On top of it all they ran out of guacamole, and refused to make/get anymore our. Listen, I'm willing to pay the obnoxious price of $1.19 for an extra scoop of guac. so have it available. It's also customary to wait until the customer leaves before making annoyed eye-rolls at them. All my neighbor was doing was asking questions about their offerings. It's not our fault that you work at Qdoba, we've all been there though, so suck it up buttercup or quit.
(1)Nick S.
The three cheese queso and the quesadillas are really good. The thing about places like Qdoba (or even Chipotle) is that it always seems like a crapshoot with the chicken and steak - sometimes it is to die for, sometimes you might at well be chewing on a rubber ball. The ground beef doesn't get used as much as the other ingredients and often the people on the line won't add water and stir it up.. so be prepared to get dried out ground beef. The shredded beef has never done me wrong at this location. I usually play it safe and get a grilled veggie burrito (mmm!) or a taco salad and takes my chances on the chicken or steak. This place gets mad crazy during the lunch hours but the employees are fast and rarely make mistakes. The employee turnover rate isn't high as it should be for a place like this, and for us customers that is a good thing.
(3)Aloysius T.
This was very much my first love. I used to work across from one and discovered the Chicken Mole Burrito. Since then, those bastards got rid of it and replaced it with the Ancho chile burrito. Which is pure shiet in my eyes. The steak is better at Chipotles, but the chicken is just as good. If you want a good deal, order the shredded pork. It's more filling and they tend to give you more since they have to use the tongs to grab it, instead of that Facist spoon that only houses 6 cubes of meat. I love their habanero salsa cuz it's muy picante. But I will always miss my long lost love...the Chicken Mole burrito. If anyone else misses this burrito, please message me. Perhaps we can start up a petition.
(4)Kyle H.
Given that I just said I liked Qdoba better in my Chipotle review...I'm sad that they got rid of the Chicken Mole burrito. Bring it back! Good Taco Salad, veggie burritos, tacos are fresh tasting. The lines move quickly. This location has outside seating which fills up...take your Q to Go and sit by the Board of Trade garden!
(4)Sara V.
Qdoba vs Chipotle: A battle of epic proportions. Qdoba Chipotle Flavorful rice Bland, "Mexican flava" rice Good beans that Nasty beans that make my tummy cry don't hurt my tummy Delicious guac Never had their guac Haven't tried meat Meat is overcooked and tastes like something the cat dragged in. Hot salsa actually hot Forgets my salsa all the time and even when and has good flavour it's there you can't tell. (even though it's not authentically Mexican hot). Good fast Mexican Bad food in general Loop food And the winner is.....QDOBA!!! Seriously guys, if you're gonna get Mexican food in the Loop for lunch, skip the Chipotle hyped up garbage in a tortilla and get something with flavour instead. It may not be authentic but at least it doesn't make you want to push your lunch back up the chute.
(3)Apara W.
I am sticking to Chipotle. I tried the vegetarian burrito, huge portions- but too much rice made it so flavorless. Overall, too bland. There was nothing to like about the burrito. Service was good, friendly staff- so 2 stars for that. Its pretty comparable to Chipotle for prices too. I don't plan to go back.
(2)Darrin D.
Had the taco bar catered to the office and it was amazing. The meat was hot and the sides were fresh. Will definitely do this again!
(4)Lindsay K.
This is my favorite place in town for lunch. There is usually a line from 11:30 to 12:30, so I try to avoid it at that time. But when there is one, it sure does move fast! I even tried the online ordering today and was very pleased. I am picky and have had problems with other online orders in the past, but this one worked out great. Food was ready, hot, and just as I asked for it. Great to walk past the line, too!
(5)Gail L.
In my last breakup, I got Qdoba before 1pm, and he gets it after 1pm. You so don't want to end up standing next to your ex-bf while waiting in line at Qdoba. Especially since he's no longer forced to listen to my "rice does not belong in burritos" rant in the hopes that I'll shut up and have sex with him later. Speaking of which, rice so doesn't belong in burritos. Beans, yes. Chicken, of course. Yummy veggies? If you are in the mood. But Rice? Of course not. Rice goes on the side. It seems to me that putting rice in burritos is just a cheap way of bulking out the burrito. However, I do love their tortilla soup - its not the usual nasty thick mashed up mess you get elsewhere. They serve the tortilla strips on the side so you can add them at the last minute for crunchy goodness. It's just a little spicy, and best yet, there are no beans and corn in it. The quacamole is very very good, and their chips are great.
(4)Ben K.
If you live anywhere near corporate/fast-food america, you have almost undoubtedly had a burrito at some point from Qdoba or Chipotle. If you have only been to Chipotle, here is the reason to come to Qdoba: the burrito shell itself. When you first make your burrito order, the first worker on the line will put your burrito shell into a steaming device that moistens it sufficiently to allow all the ingredients to fit well inside and then be wrapped up together without worry of spilling out the sides like a fat guy in an airline seat. What this means is that when you sit down to your meal and unwrap your burrito from its tinfoil shell, you will actually be able to consume it in an enjoyable and reasonably clean fashion, and a normal number of napkins will be sufficient for you rather than having to empty the entire napkin container to have any hope of keeping your pants clean over the course of your meal. I don't know about you, but for me, this is a big factor. Additionally, the rice at Qdoba is fantastic. I am sure it is decidedly more unhealthy than the rice I make at home for a variety of reasons, but they manage to avoid it being so greasy that I am disgusted with myself upon finishing. Finally, a few more points to Qdoba for stocking Cholula brand hot sauce, which I find to be more conducive to mexican food than Tabasco brand (which has its own place elsewhere).
(4)Moise K.
Oopsie! My burrito exploded as she was making it! Is it my fault that I like loaded burrito or was she lacking expertise? I am not sure, but this explosion caused me to be late for few minutes from my Lunch break. She had to make another one! Definitely a clean spot and conveniently located in the financial district. The outdoor sitting is a plus!
(3)Wesley R.
It's Bizarro Chipotle! Although I usually try to refrain from comparing or referring to a competing location/brand, it's hard not to think of Chipotle when you're at Qdoba. Clean restaurant, fast-food taste repeatable menu items, assembly line ordering and food creation...and a long line at lunch (this is a Loop Lunch Location). Am I at Qdoba or Chipotle? Most people will not see a substantial difference between the two, and for the most part you should be able to get what you normally order from Chipotle. "A burrito bowl is called a 'naked' burrito here? Weird!" The major differences for me is that the menu certainly has a lot more variety compared to Chipotle. They also offer quesedillas. I am also a big fan of their Ranchera sauce (part of their Fajita Ranchera Burrito). They also have a mole sauce that's pretty good too. You can also sign up to use a free Qdoba card, which tracks the purchases you make, and gives you a free burrito after you've spent enough. When the weather is nice, they have seating outdoors. Otherwise, on busier days it is a challenge to get seating, especially if you have a large enough group.
(4)Virginia T.
Yes, Q'doba is a lot like Chipotle. I don't "frequent" either place so I won't be one of the ones comparing the two. It was incredibly busy and under construction (remodeling) when I was there. Despite all this, the service was fast and friendly. The food was good-it wasn't very hot though. I dunno, it didn't seem worth nearly $9 for what I got.
(3)Rachel L.
I have other preferences when it comes to burritos but I can't stay away from Qdoba because of that damn pulled pork quesadilla. I ask for the roasted corn salsa instead of the fresh tomato (the tomato makes it soggy and not stick together). I have a problem when there is an inch or so of empty tortilla around the edge of a quesadilla. Who wants empty bites? But Qdoba fills that huge tortilla shell to the edge and then puts in that press so the cheese is melty and delicious. And it comes with sour cream and guacamole for dipping, perfect!
(4)Eric M.
I like Qdoba. I like their nachos mostly - I'm not as much a fan of their burritos. Their tacos are okay, too. I don't like that it's hard to throw out their black plates in their garbage cans.
(3)Matt W.
As long as I have a few extra dollars in my pocket, Qdoba is a great place to grab lunch. They have a TON of burrito options, all the ingredients are fresh and the quality is top notch. WAY better than McSicko (Chipotle) and only a little bit more on the wallet. I recommend the shredded beef burrito with both corn salsa and salsa verde, cheese, red onion and lettuce. Yum yum yum.
(4)Gene K.
Much better selection that the Formerly Owned by McDonalds Chipotle, and the points card seals the deal. The breakfast menu is OK, but the lunch/din-din is solid.
(5)Ellen G.
The Mexican Gumbo is the main reason to go here. Get it with the pork and add guacamole. Best lunch in the neighborhood.
(4)Madan R.
OK, first of all I am not a food critic. I need food that tastes good, no complex flavor, don't complain too much about how the meat is cooked etc. Just give me good food, throw in a smile and I am happy. I work in the loop and almost every work day I eat my lunch outside. I love Chipotle, and especially the one near Monroe. Good food and energetic staff is always a nice combination. But there are not a lot of choices at Chipotle. I can eat only so many Burrito bowls every month. I know they have this soup, but, haven't tasted it yet. So in my quest to find different variety of Mexican food (again, to me Mexican is what they say is Mexican food, not a critic as stated above), I tried Qdoba. I once remember my friend singing praises about Qdoba and he also said "never mention Chipotle and authentic Mexican in the same sentence". And SOOOO I tried this place. The food is good, and lot of choices. I almost made notes in the Calendar with what to eat on what day. So many choices. Add to that they have this rewards thingy, eat 10 times and get a free burrito. Add to that you get 100 points free, so thats definitely a positive thing. You might ask a) Good food, b) rewards c) choices but why two stars. Well, similar to a few experiences stated here, the staff is really killing the place I guess. Here is my exp: I wanted Fajitas on my bowl. I told the first server that I want Fajitas, she said it will cost extra and I am like yes, thats fine. She does not put anything. So I ask her again, she does nothing again. My bowl goes to the next person, so again I ask and voila! wish granted. Then I add Mild and hot sauce and she just pushes my bowl to the next person and starts attending the person behind me in the Q. OK, but I need corn, so I bring her attention and ask her for corn. She adds it and she is already pissed off. That I have ordered too many things. And in an irritated tone she is like "anything else". I think they need to go to Chipotle or even to a Subway, where the server, goes through every ingredient and find out how to serve! I will go there again, so many choices. But, naah, that kinda service does not deserve more than 2 stars.
(2)Robert F.
Ah Qdoba... how I will miss you if I move back to Canada. You and your flavorful steak. Your friendly staff. Your "naked" options for people who pretend like they're eating healthy. Your cookies made me feel like I was tasting chocolate chip for the first time. You never judged me for being utterly ignorant of Mexican food. I'll never forget the months it took you to train my palette to go from mild to medium salsa.
(4)Mark B.
LOVE qdoba... just tried it for the first time a few months ago and kept returning for more. when i first ordered i was under the impression that they stole the entire concept from chipotle. i love chipotle but for some reason (maybe their queso) i prefer qdoba's burrito's over theirs.
(5)Marin C.
I liked their food, plus if you are thrifty (and/or able to contain yourself) the servings are so huge you could make it into two meals. I am all for that.
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