Bean and cheese burritos are a fast-food staple loved by many. These simple yet satisfying handheld meals combine creamy beans and melty cheese wrapped in a warm tortilla.
We’ve sampled burritos from popular chains across the country to bring you this ultimate ranking – from disappointing offerings to the absolute best bean and cheese burritos you can grab on the go.
1. Burger King’s Bean Burrito
Burger King’s attempt falls flat with dry beans and sparse cheese. The tortilla often tears easily, creating a messy eating experience.
Available only in select locations, this burrito feels like an afterthought on their menu. Most customers don’t even know it exists!
2. Jack In The Box Bean & Cheese Burrito
Jack’s burrito suffers from inconsistency issues. Sometimes the beans are watery, sometimes too dry.
The cheese distribution is uneven, leaving some bites flavorless. They use a thick tortilla that often overwhelms the filling.
3. Wendy’s Black Bean Burrito
A limited-time offering that never quite found its footing. Wendy’s uses black beans instead of traditional refried beans, creating a different flavor profile.
The cheese melts nicely but the seasoning is bland. The tortilla quality is decent but can’t save the uninspired filling.
4. Sonic’s Bean Burrito
Surprisingly small for its price point. The beans have a canned flavor that’s hard to ignore.
Their cheese blend is acceptable but nothing special. The tortilla is often steamed too long, resulting in a gummy texture that sticks to the wrapper.
5. Hardee’s Bean & Cheese Burrito
Decent-sized burrito that lacks flavor depth. Their beans have a pleasant texture but need more seasoning.
The cheese is generously applied but melts unevenly. Found primarily in their breakfast menu, this burrito feels like it needs a few more ingredients to truly shine.
6. White Castle’s Bean Burrito
This one surprised us with their burrito entry. It’s small but has a homemade quality to the beans.
The cheese portion is stingy compared to competitors. Their tortillas are warmed properly but the overall execution feels like an afterthought on a slider-focused menu.
7. A&W’s Bean & Cheese Burrito
Surprisingly tasty for a root beer-focused chain. Their beans have a hint of sweetness that’s unique.
The cheese blend includes a touch of cheddar for sharpness. Available only at certain locations, this burrito suffers from limited availability rather than quality issues.
8. Carl’s Jr. Bean & Cheese Burrito
A hearty burrito with a generous filling. Their beans have a smoky undertone that sets them apart.
The cheese is plentiful but sometimes clumps rather than distributes evenly. The tortilla is substantial enough to hold everything without tearing..
9. Dairy Queen’s Bean Burrito
Dairy Queen’s surprising menu addition delivers consistent quality. Their beans have a smooth, creamy texture that pairs well with their cheese blend.
The tortilla is grilled briefly, adding a slight crispness. Not available at all locations, this underrated option deserves more recognition among fast-food burrito fans.
10. Qdoba’s Basic Bean & Cheese
Qdoba offers a step up in quality with freshly prepared beans. Their cheese is melted perfectly throughout the burrito.
The tortilla is steamed to optimal flexibility. While simple, this burrito benefits from Qdoba’s focus on ingredient quality, though it lacks the flavor complexity of higher-ranked options.
11. Chipotle’s Black Bean & Cheese
Their version features whole black beans rather than refried. Cheese is high-quality and generously portioned.
The tortilla is substantial and warmed perfectly. While technically a build-your-own option stripped down to basics, the quality of each component earns it a spot in our top ten.
12. Moe’s Southwest Grill Bean & Cheese
They offer a choice of bean varieties in their simple burrito. The pinto option has excellent flavor with hints of cumin and garlic.
Their cheese is melted thoroughly and distributed evenly. The tortilla is pressed briefly, creating a slight exterior crispness while maintaining interior softness.
13. El Pollo Loco’s Bean & Cheese Burrito
Favorful burrito with beans that taste homemade. Their cheese blend includes both jack and cheddar for complexity.
The tortilla is fresh and has good elasticity. Their attention to proper bean seasoning makes this a standout option that tastes more authentic than most fast-food offerings.
14. Baja Fresh Bean & Cheese Burrito
Baja Fresh lives up to its name with notably fresh ingredients. Their beans have excellent texture with visible whole beans mixed in.
The cheese is high-quality and melts beautifully. The tortilla is made in-house daily, giving it a freshness that elevates the entire burrito experience.
15. Del Taco’s 1/2 Pound Bean & Cheese
Del Taco offers incredible value with their hefty burrito. The beans are slow-cooked daily in each location.
Their cheese is plentiful and consistently melted throughout. The tortilla stands up well to the substantial filling, making this one of the most filling options on our list.
16. Taco John’s Bean Burrito
Taco John’s creates a surprisingly excellent basic burrito. Their beans have a distinctive flavor profile with hints of onion and spices.
The cheese is abundant and melts perfectly. The tortilla is lightly grilled, adding texture contrast and helping to seal in the flavors of this Midwest chain favorite.
17. Taco Cabana’s Bean & Cheese
This Texas-based chain offers authentic Tex-Mex flavor. Their beans are made from scratch daily with a perfect creamy consistency.
The cheese is queso fresco style, offering a different profile than competitors. The tortillas are freshly made in-house, giving this burrito a truly homemade quality that’s rare in fast food.
18. Taco Bell’s Bean Burrito
A classic that’s stood the test of time. Taco Bell’s beans have a unique flavor profile instantly recognizable to fans.
The cheese melts perfectly, and their red sauce adds complexity. The tortilla is consistently steamed to the right temperature, creating that signature Taco Bell chew that’s kept this item on menus for decades.
19. Taco Bueno’s Bean Burrito
Taco Bueno earns high marks with beans made fresh throughout the day. Their cheese blend includes both yellow and white cheeses for flavor complexity.
The tortilla is substantial yet tender. What sets this regional chain apart is their attention to proper bean seasoning and generous portioning.
20. Roberto’s Taco Shop Bean & Cheese
This West Coast chain takes top honors with truly exceptional quality. Their beans are simmered with secret spices creating deep, complex flavor.
The cheese is a perfect blend that melts beautifully. Their hand-made tortillas are slightly thicker than competitors. The perfect vessel for the flavorful filling.