Qdoba smothered burritos are something special

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Mexican restaurants seem to be popping up all over Rhode Island, challenging the number of Italian restaurants in our small state.

My Italian friends tell me that it is “all in the sauce,” and that is certainly true about Cranston’s Qdoba, which recently opened in Chapel View.

Qdoba’s new “Smothers” menu has a new line of smothered burritos and sauces that will knock your socks off. We know, because we tried them all, plus a few of their old standards.

We sampled the three-cheese queso, queso Diablo and ancho chile BBQ sauces with tortilla chips, and they were all unique and tasty. Salsas range from the mild pico de gallo to the fiery habanero.

The large smothered burritos feature sauces that go both inside and over-the-top. Inside each burrito are hot ingredients like Smother, rice, beans and your choice of chicken, pulled pork, ground beef, shredded beef, grilled steak or vegetarian.

The burrito is served in a bowl topped with a different Smother of your choice, plus shredded cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, lettuce and guacamole.

I ordered the Bold Red Chile with shredded pork, while Joyce chose the Smoky Chipotle Cream, the hotter of the three choices, with chicken and no beans. While Joyce loves Mexican food, beans are not part of it. We’ll save the Tangy Verde for another time.

General Manager Jason Furtado had 12 years with Dunkin’ Donuts before moving to Qdoba, the first of the popular chain to come to Rhode Island.

“I have a passion for good food,” he told us. “Our fast-casual Mexican brand is different than any other Mexican restaurant. Our food is cooked fresh every day, service is fast and efficient, and our customers can choose from our large selection of ingredients.”

This is one burrito that you eat with a knife and fork, either wrapped or in an edible bowl. The fun of dining at Qdoba is building your entrée.

Smothered burritos, Mexican Gumbo, three-cheese nachos, tacos (crispy or soft), grilled quesadilla and taco salad are available for $7.80 or $8.40 and make for a filling meal.

Qdoba Mexican Grill is located on your right as you enter Chapel View at 4000 Chapel View Boulevard (go slow or you’ll miss it). They do a large take-out business, in addition to catering and in-house dining in pleasant surroundings. Open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (9 p.m. on Sunday). You may call ahead for take-out at 946-5200 or go online at www.qdoba.com.

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