Meet the 'burritodilla,' the Tex-Mex meal you didn't know you needed
As thanks for subscribing to and reading Dining Notes, here's a newsletter exclusive.
Offering the “burritodilla,” “chiwawa” and a lineup of signature burritos, popular New Jersey-based Bubbakoo’s Burritos is planning its first Northeast Florida location.
The quick-casual Tex-Mex restaurant with a skater-surf vibe plans to open at 9810 Baymeadows Road in Baymeadows Village, next to Panera Bread, according to Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation and Jacksonville developer Sleiman.
Like market leader Chipotle, Bubbakoo’s prides itself on fresh, high-quality food made to order, allowing diners to customize their orders, choosing from dozens of ingredients and a lineup of sauces – all made in house – ranging from BBQ, Garlic Parmesan and Mango Habanero to Jamaican Jerk, Nashville Hot and Scorpion Pepper.
On the menu, look for Bubbakoo’s signature items (starting at $9.99), including Hibachi Steak and Shrimp Burrito, General Tsao’s Chicken Tacos, Sriracha Shredded Pork Nachos, Nashville Hot Chicken Burrito, Crispy Chicken Bacon Sriracha Ranch Quesadilla, Mango Habanero Grilled Chicken Taco Salad and Sweet Chili Shrimp Tacos.
Or build your own burritos, bowls, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, taco salads and more.
Then there’s the "burritodilla" — tortillas filled with premium ingredients (like a burrito), then grilled to golden and cut into pieces (like a quesadilla).
And the “chiwawa”? That’s a lightly fried, panko-crusted cheesy rice ball covered in nacho cheese and choice of meat and toppings.
[I hope you're enjoying this free newsletter. Support from readers like you makes our coverage of Jacksonville's growing dining scene possible. If you're not already a subscriber, now is a great time to support local journalism. Here's how to subscribe.]
Founded by Paul Altero and Bill Hard in Point Pleasant, New Jersey in 2008, Bubbakoo’s Burritos has more than 80 restaurants in 12 states with at least 19 more in development across six additional states, according to the company’s website.
In Florida, Bubbakoo’s operates in Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Melbourne, Naples, Orlando, Palm Bay, Plant City, Riverview and Zephyrhills. The Baymeadows restaurant would be the first in the Jacksonville area — and the first north of the state’s I-4 corridor.
At Baymeadows Village, Bubbakoo’s will join Metro Diner, Tasty Pot, Five F(x) Ice Cream, J Town Wings & Philly, Domino’s, Sushi House and the planned Gong Cha Boba Tea.
And the restaurant’s name? It comes from Altero’s time at the University of Delaware in 1995 when he was assigned to write a business plan for a mock business – Bubbakoo's Burritos, QSR Magazine reported.
Tacos and tequila? Yes, please.
Newsletter exclusive. Also in Baymeadows, work is expected to begin soon on Jacksonville's second Senor Loco Tacos and Tequila after a building permit was issued Tuesday for the restaurant at 9347 Baymeadows Road.
There, at the new Baymeadows Park, it will join recently opened Burger Barn Grill, First Watch and Starbucks.
The restaurant is the third of the Senor Loco Tacos concept from the Valencia family, which owns and operates multiple units each of their Anejo Cocina Mexicana, Salsas, Que Pasa Mexican concepts as well as 904 Tacos in Five Points.
Senor Loco Tacos debuted in Indian Harbour Beach in 2018. A second restaurant opened in Jacksonville's Tinseltown area in 2020.
And in case you missed it:
'We are so close': Singleton's Seafood Shack nears reopening after extensive renovation, repairs
Another closing looms: 'With great sadness,' Monroe's Smokehouse announces plans to close Southside restaurant
A favorite closes: After 12 years of 'love, laughter, blood, sweat and many tears,' Simply's Sara's announces restaurant's closure
More restaurant news below.
Have a question about a restaurant opening or closing in your neighborhood? Let me know.
Cheers!
Gary Mills
Deputy Managing Editor
The Florida Times-Union
Email: gmills@jacksonville.com
Twitter: @garytmills
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Bubbakoo’s Burritos bringing the burritodilla to Jacksonville
