At Rito’s Mexican Food, a burrito can arrive covered in red or green chile, its soft tortilla giving way to tender meat and a generously filled center. The enchilada-style burrito is the order that has kept this compact Phoenix stop in local conversation for years.
The red chili burro is a familiar place to begin. Ordered enchilada style, it comes under a blanket of red chile rather than being handed over as a wrapped, grab-and-go burrito. The red mix burrito has its own following, while the green chili burrito offers a different route through the same hearty format.
Rito’s is built for straightforward, traditional Mexican food rather than a long, complicated menu. Burritos, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, chimichangas, rice and beans cover the ground nicely, leaving room to settle on an old favorite or add a few things to the bag.
A Burrito With a Good Deal of Chile
The red and green chile burritos are the reason to come hungry. The meat is notably tender and juicy, and the tortillas have the soft, flavorful texture people associate with tortillas made at home. It is a substantial, slightly messy meal in the best possible sense: the sort of plate that calls for a fork once the chile starts pooling around the edges.
The red chili burro gets much of the attention, but the green chile version is no side note. A green chile enchilada-style burrito paired with rice, beans and a couple of shredded beef tacos makes an especially full takeout spread.
Vegetarians or less meat-focused eaters need not skip the enchilada-style approach. A bean burrito served red enchilada style is a worthwhile order, with refried beans providing the familiar, comforting center. A bean-and-cheese burrito can take the same route.
The Rest of the Counter Menu
The menu’s directness is useful when a group is ordering together. One person can go after the chile burrito while another chooses beef, shredded beef or chicken tacos, and someone else can keep things simple with a cheese quesadilla.
Chimichangas are also on hand, including bean-and-cheese versions. Portions across burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas and tacos tend toward generous, so a small collection of different orders gives a table plenty to work through without needing an elaborate strategy.
Rice and beans remain the classic supporting players. They make an easy addition to a chile-burrito meal, particularly when the goal is a proper dinner rather than a single item eaten in the car on the way home.
A Small Storefront With Neighborhood Memory
Rito’s carries the air of a place people seek out again after moving away, or put on the list when they are back in Phoenix. It has become tied to a longstanding local food memory: traditional flavors, large portions and the particular satisfaction of taking home a bag of familiar Mexican food.
The storefront is compact, with a screen-door entrance and original-looking Mexican arches. Mexican-themed decoration gives the small space some personality, and the aroma of the food can meet you as you step inside.
This is not a large sit-down restaurant with a broad dining room. The action is at the front counter, where the service is patient and welcoming when the menu requires a little thought. For visitors who do not already have a usual order, red or green chile enchilada style is a sensible introduction.
Takeout First, Patio When You Have Time
Rito’s works especially well as a takeout stop. The food travels naturally for a hotel dinner, a concert-night meal or a Phoenix afternoon when you want something more grounded than a quick snack. The full flavors and ample portions give the order enough presence to feel like dinner.
There is no indoor dining room, but outdoor tables and chairs sit on a patio around the corner from the storefront. It is a pleasant option for a small group that wants to unwrap the order right away, though the compact setup is better suited to a few people than a large gathering.
Fresh tortillas are also sold in bulk, including larger dozen-based orders. For regulars, that turns a burrito run into an opportunity to bring a useful extra home.
A Few Useful Details
The Phoenix location is at 907 N. 14th St. Free street parking and a free lot are available, though open spaces can be harder to find at busy times.
Ordering ahead online is available and can be handy when the counter is busy. Typical spending generally lands around $10 to $20 per person, though a larger meal or several items can push that into the $20 to $30 range.
A red chile burrito, a green chile burrito and a few tacos make an easy way to sample the menu’s main lanes. Or keep it wonderfully uncomplicated: a bean burrito under red chile, rice and beans alongside, and a stack of extra tortillas for later.