Tldr: skip the cantina bowls and eat locally
As a test, was curious to see how The New TB Cantina chicken bowls stacked up to Chipotle and Taqueria chicken bowls in terms of taste and value here in the Bay Area. I realize in CA we’re blessed to have Taquerias on every corner.
Left to Right
Taqueria: $15
Chipotle: $13
Taco Bell: $10
Is the Taqueria really 50% better than Taco Bell and 15% better than Chipotle? Yes it really is.
The Taqueria was easily 5x the amount of actual chicken more than TB and at least 3x more than Chipotle. Both TB and Chipotle felt like rice bowls with lots of veggies and a small side of chicken. While the TB chicken may be an improvement from before, tasting them side to side with the others it clearly tasted processed and preserved like canned chicken noodle soup compared to the other two.
The Taqueria tasted more like a chicken salad with some rice and beans on the side. It was extra heavy on the sour cream and guac, but very light with the pico compared to TB and Chip. To be fair, the Taqueria has a self service salsa bar with a big tub of pico that customers use generously.
Chipotle wasn’t bad and better than I expected. Although it’s strange to be eating a chicken fajita with all the extra vegetables namely corn, bell peppers and plain “brown” rice that I’m not used to having in tacos or burritos. For being just $3 more than TB, I’d go there instead and as an occasional change up from a Taqueria.
My favorite TB item will always be the soft taco supreme and I’ll either get that or something cheap off the value menu going forward.
by kfun21