JUST RANKIN’ SH!T

5 Best Mexican Chain Restaurants, Ranked

Not just On The Border, but everywhere you look

Omar L. Gallaga
LEVEL
Published in
2 min readDec 1, 2020

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Photo illustration; source: MediaNews Group/Boston Herald/Getty Images

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5. Chipotle Mexican Grill

This chain overcame its tongue-tripping name to become ubiquitous with a Subway-like concept where you see your big-ass burrito get stuffed in public. If only the food were as great as the idea. (If you can’t get queso right, you’re not getting high up on this list.)

4. Taco Bell

Open late, super cheap, hits the spot when you’re drunk or haven’t eaten all day, generous with sauce packets. This place is never going away, so stop feeling guilty about your patronage. RIP Gidget.

3. Qdoba Mexican Eats

A better iteration of Chipotle, with a little more heat around dishes like the Cholula Hot & Sweet Chicken. We’d ding them for a menu that doesn’t favor beef dishes, but we’re too busy wolfing down these chicken street tacos.

2. On The Border

Typically, a little better than you expect, with a menu a mile long and lots of combo options if you want to, say, eat beef…

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Omar L. Gallaga
Omar L. Gallaga

Written by Omar L. Gallaga

Tech culture writer and podcaster, now freelancing in Texas. Bylines: Washington Post, WSJ, CNN, NPR, Wired, Texas Monthly. Here for all your wordy needs.