Who doesn’t love a bargain burrito?
Durham’s Whole Enchilada offers a $4.99 burrito special every day: On Monday the special is a beef burrito; Tuesday is red hot turkey; Wednesday is steamed spinach; Thursday is ranchero chicken; Friday is black bean or vegetarian refried bean; Saturday is curry chicken; and Sunday is chili.
The Whole Enchilada is relatively small and super casual, with just a handful of tables, plus some counters and bar stools. Most of the business seems to be take-out. The burritos aren’t the only bargain, and there are healthy options as well, including gluten-free tortillas and “homemade healthy” soups
Since it was a Thursday we tried the chicken burrito special, which was boneless breast of chicken in a semi-spicy tomato sauce with yellow rice, black beans, lettuce, Jack Cheese and pico de gallo. All of that yummy goodness comes stuffed in a flour tortilla (there is no cheese baked on top). It’s definitely filling and enough for a meal. We ordered a side of guacamole for $3.50 to slather on top.
The nacho plate (it actually comes in a tin to-go container) is $8.50: a meal of corn tortilla chips topped with jack cheese, (tons) of black beans, jalapeno peppers and pico de gallo. For an extra buck, you can add ranchero chicken, original beef, beef chili or spicy chicken.
We were pleasantly surprised at the soup specials, touted on the menu as “homemade healthy.” Offerings that day included black bean and corn, butternut squash and mushroom barley. A 12 ounce soup costs $3.50; and a 16 ounce is $4.50.
The soup flavors may change, but the restaurant’s chili offerings stay the same: fat-free veggie, low-fat chicken, lean spicy turkey, and lean beef. A 12 ounce chili is $5.50 and a 16 ounce is $6.50. Soups and chilis come with tortilla chips.
Other meal options include enchiladas with your choice of filling. For $8.50 you can have two corn tortillas (we tried original beef for our filling), covered with Jack cheese and red sauce (not spicy). Fillings also include spinach, BBQ chicken and black beans with Jack cheese. Prices are $8.50 and $9.50, depending on the filling.
Salads, tacos (hard and soft shells) and quesadillas round out the menu, and no meal costs more than $12 (unless you add on extras or sides).
Kids meals for ages 12 and under are $5.50, and include Tots Tacos (2 mini hard shells with Jack cheese and served with yellow rice) and Ninos Burritos (a 10” flour tortilla with Jack cheese and yellow rice).
While you’re there, don’t forget to sign up for the rewards program. For every dollar $1 you spend, you earn 1 point. Accumulate 100 points and receive one free entree (up to a $10 value).
>>The Whole Enchilada, 370 Main St., Durham, is open 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays. Information: 860-349-2300 and www.the-whole-enchilada.com. The Whole Enchilada has three other restaurants, in Guilford, Branford and Westbrook.
