Freebirds World Burrito
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: None
43 Reviews for Freebirds World Burrito
This use to be one of those "OMG you live in Austin and you haven't had a Freebird's Burrito" kind of place but as of now, this place is a chain reaching to our far north step-brother-child-of-satan Dallas. It's still got some good Burrito's and the habanero sauce is a hit-or-miss scenario. I prefer this over Chipotle because there are more choices and it's closer to home. It's just about the same price as well.
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Freebird's vs. Chipotle
I'll start with Freebird's. They have 3 (4?) different types of tortilla for you to choose from (as opposed to Chipotle's one standard tortilla). Their meats are about the same as Chipotle's...umm sauces: they have a wider selection of salsas as well as their special bbq sauce. And you can take some home with you and they won't charge you extra for it. As far as rice...Chipotle's rice is amazing. I'm not sure if Freebird's offers rice. I don't remember. As far as decor goes, Freebird's is more interesting. Soo...go to Freebird's if you want a spinach, cheyenne pepper or wheat tortilla but go to Chipotle if you want a big ass burrito.
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Top Five Reasons I Shamelessly don't know the difference between Chipotle and Freebirds:
Cons
1. Freebirds has a Austin Weird vibe
2. Strange employees.
3. That music sucks.
4. BBQ Sauce does not belong on Burritos. Or in them.
5. Not that tasty, but big, fresh and fast.
Pros
1. Sour cream costs $.75 extra, the way of the future everywhere.
2. No carnitas at Freebirds, don't miss it, the steak will do.
3. Well seasoned and tender meat.
4. They have a "bowl" option.
5. I like Uncle Ben's, and it gets lost in the roll-up anyway
So in the Battle of the Big Burrito Chains, my vote doesn't count, but Freebird's sure serves some bulk.
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Just so that you can accuse me of bias right off the bat, I like Chipotle better than Freebirds. Now, with that out of the way, onto the review!
It was a while back when I heard of Freebirds. It was actually right after the first Chipotle came in near my hometown of Schertz,TX and I was intrigued to compare the two but the nearest one was halfway across San Antonio and I didn't ever feel the need to drive that far just for that. It appeared that I would never be able to hold my own battle of the burritos.
Fate, however, intervened.
I came to school in Austin and found out there was a Freebirds within 5 minutes of me. So I tried it out and while tasty I would have to say inferior to Chipotle. It kept me occupied until the Chipotle off of Barbara Jordan came in but thats not to say I didn't enjoy it.
I liked that you can add queso and that they have a variety of sauces to choose from. I also liked that they had multiple sizes available and while I don't stray from my flour tortillas it was cool to see that they had some options. It was good food and it was close by.
The people at Freebirds are a different story. I think they purposely hire people who don't appear normal. I think they are trying to go with the whole "Keep Austin Weird" thing but sometimes it just creeps me out. Also some of the folks who make your burritos assume you have the hearing of superman. I often have to ask for them to repeat themselves and speak up. Usually they are friendly and make sure your burrito is exactly what you want but it just seems like sometimes you are pulling teeth.
After my initial experience with Freebirds I came back a few times but then I went a whole year without visiting. I went back today and I just felt like it was different. They changed their prices so that now they aren't even numbers after tax and they've added a lot more vegetables and other toppings (is that the right word?) but they don't have any listing for prices on those. I know sour cream, queso, and guacamole are 73 cents more each but how about all these other things? The people almost seemed weirder than before and despite there being like 10 people behind the counter I still had to wait quite a while before I was served.
One last comment before I wrap this up.
Who decided that you need 4 layers of aluminum foil between your mouth and burritoy goodness? I mean honestly, I feel like unwrapping the thing is half the battle.
Overall Freebirds has decent food with a unique staff. While I don't mind going there, if given the choice I would pick Chipotle every time.
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I used to pretty much mouth orgasm everytime I ate at Freebirds, and the prices are good. But in the last couple of years their ingredients have changed a bit-for the worse. I like that they still have more of an ingredient and tortilla choice than Chipotle, but it just isn't the same!
But I still love this place, and am finally giving it a second chance after a year of switching over to Chipotle. That guy Mat sure is cute!
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Horrific. The two times I have gone, the place was filthy. Crusty tables, dirty floor, dirty employees. One time I got a burrito, the other a "bowl". The burrito had brown lettuce and salsa that was on the verge of becoming wine. The bowl also had brown lettuce, and a three inch deep puddle of some sort of liquid at the bottom...and a hair. A short curly one. I think it fell off a filthy employee's bare armpit...or worse.
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I will always pick Freebirds over any of its competitors for the same reason as Nicholas S. I love the fact that they let me get queso instead of beans. I didn't even have to ask for it the first time. When I said I didn't want beans, they offered to put queso instead - and it was great!!
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I'm glad I gave this location another chance. First time I went it took 20 minutes before I got my food with only 4 people in front of me, and there was easily twice that number working behind the counter. They were also apathetic and generally unpleasant to be around. This time they were fast and friendly, so I'll definitely be going back again.
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Ok, you see how I have 5 stars up there? Here's why... I ADD QUESO.
See, I went through this love/hate relationship with Freebirds while I was in college. I would either be really into it, or think it was the worst thing ever invented. Then I realized what I was doing wrong. What I should have been doing all along. Saying six simple words..."Can I get some Queso, too?"
How easy is that. Of course, you all must know I do NOT agree with putting lettuce and a bunch of tomatoes on my burritos. Save that for a salad. The best burritos consist of: beans, meat, chese, and hot sauce. Rice is optional, but those other ingredients should always serve as your base for any burrito you ever have.
At Freebirds, this is my game plan.
Stand in line hoping that whoever I get to make my burrito knows what they are doing and doesn't skimp on the ingredients.
Say, "I'll have a Freebird on Cayanne."
Rice, Beans, Cheese? YES, Please.
Rice + Refried Beans + the Jack (they also have a cheddar mix)
Meat?
I usually go with the Steak or the Dark Chicken. Lately, the steak.
This is where you gotta tell them what you want! The person making your burrito will say... Any Sauce? and here, right here, at this moment is when you say...
Can I get some Queso, too? or some variation of that. Make them do it. Right here, Right now. This will allow for the queso to start mixing in with all your Base ingredients.
After the queso is added, I go for the Death Sauce (because I'm Mexican and I cannot resist spicy) and I also add some of the Mild (verde) sauce.
Any vegetables?
Ill have some White Onion and Cilantro.
Anything else?
No Thanks, that looks great.
The person making your burrito will then wrap your burrito up into some foil and then you are set.
I suggest buying a drink because this is one of the few places in town that offers Cherry Pepsi and if you didn't know, It's Awesome. It also helps wash down that burrito.
Additional tip. By the drinks they have a Hot Sauce Bar...Bar-b-cue, Hot, Mild and on the table you can find the Death sauce. I usually get a little plastic container of each and put little combinations of each on different bites throughout my burrito experience. The barbecue is actually pretty awesome, but I only suggest putting it on yourself as it seems like you could totally ruin your burrito if you had too much. (i.e. asking them to put it on while making your burrito)
So that's about it. All you 1 and 2 star reviews on this list....please return to Freebirds and make a burrito that is Identical to the one described above. No one will point and laugh when you admit your mistake.
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I'm surprised to see a lot of ones on this boar and how people like Chipotle better. I love the options at free birds, way better then chipotle. And by options i mean good options like vegetables, cheese, beans or heck what if you only feel like half a burrito, then you get the half bird. Or if you want more go with the Monster or Super Monster. Again when I'm in Austin I try to make it out to this place. And if people want to talk about how lifeless the tortillas are then come to Chicago where Corn rules and flour ones taste worst then any I have ever had.
Last Note: The first time I had Chipotle I swore I would never go there again, I thought it might compare but it in no way can it come close.
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Top Five Reasons I Shamelessly Like Chipotle Better Than Freebirds:
1. Sour cream costs $.75 extra at Freebirds (free at Chipotle)
2. No carnitas at Freebirds
3. Generally tasteless meat at Freebirds
4. No "bowl" option at Freebirds
5. Freebirds' rice tastes like Uncle Ben's
Sure, Freebirds has a cooler vibe, sassy emo-ish employees, better music, and That BBQ Sauce. But Chipotle's food is a hundred times tastier and fresher. So in the Battle of the Big Burrito Chains, my vote goes to Chipotle.
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Freebirds is yet another entry in the genre of the big fat American burrito. Unlike Chipotle, this place offers a whole wheat tortilla. Hell yeah! This is awesome for those of us who'd like to eat a massive burrito with marginally reduced "carb guilt".
Besides the regular burrito (which easily packs 4 dig worth of calories), they also offer a "monster" burrito and a "super monster". I haven't tried either one, and, frankly, I find the idea of someone ordering one of these kinda horrific and disgusting.
On the whole, the burritos here are tasty but not mind-blowing. Now if Freebirds would have the temerity to venture outside the confines of steak and chicken burritos, they might just push the big fat-ass American burrito envelope.
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Compared to this place Chipotle sucks. Freebirds is what austin is all about anyway...a chill envoirnment good food, and a gigantasitc burrito. Its always a great place for a causal lunch, dinner or quick in and out when you are on the run. Bottom line just go try it, and decide for yourself, if you have never been there then for sure its worth at least one go.
Remember people this is american food, not mexican :)
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First of all, don't be fooled. Austin is not the birthplace of Freebirds.
If it was, you might have a little more taste, imagination, and better prices seeing as how a loooooooooong time ago, people used to be able to afford to live here AND go out to eat! hahaha!
It just doesn't do it for me. I don't taste any major flavors jumping out, and that's kind of sad for something that's weighing in at a pound or more. I mean, that's a LOT of something that doesn't have any taste.
I've had it 3 times, and each time it's been kind of a let-down.
Anyway, my vote is for Changos. It's on South Lamar near Alligator Grill and Half Priced Books...but a little farther south, AND they have Horchata!
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I'm encouraged to see other 1-star ppl here, because when I usually tell people I hate Freebird's, I nearly get stoned to death.
Carrie is right about intestinal parasites. I have eaten here several times, and I am ALWAYS sick afterwards. I just won't eat there anymore, because I've never not gotten sickly afterwards. And even if I didn't get sick, I just didn't feel the food was worthy of the praises it always gets. Mission Burritos in Houston is way better, and the Maximos at Chango's own Freebirds any day of the week (but you pay a premium).
I've also eaten at the one Aggies claim is the original on what they call their drag across from their campus. I was treated very rudely once it was learned that I'm a Longhorn. Enough with that crap.
I wanted to like Freebird's, but due to too many pukings and nasty bowel movements, I just can't. Also, I can't stand their commercials. It's like they're trying to be Austin-y weird, but it fails - miserably. Please leave the tin foil to wrapping burritos.
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Everyone compares the Freebird's to the Chipotle! who will win1?!?
I personally like chipotle... (don't stone me yet), but Chipotle is no longer owned by McDonald's !!!
Freebird's.... you gotta love those burrito sizes. I can down a monster by myself and still crave a bit more meat. I love how you can pile jalapenos into your burrito. that's fresh baby. mmm.
You can choose your tortilla types (wheat, spinach, cayenne, flour). That's nice but I can never taste the difference cept for wheat. The rice is more mexican to me (to me...) but I'm so Asian that I like my rice white (chipotle). But it's good.
Three meats! Dark meat Chicken. White meat Chicken. BEEF.
summary:
3 meats!
4 sizes!
4 tortillas!
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Freebirds represents everything that I love and cherish in Austin. When I first moved to the city, my friend, Dennise introduced me to Freebirds. It was love at first sight. I've never had a burrito that I didn't like. My sister totally disagrees with me and would prefer Chipotle any day....but then again...she's a classy dame and I'm the wild child... what I'm saying is....Chipotle is classy (boring!)....be crazy, try Freebirds, and go home insanely happy.... :oP
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Beware the burritos. I think the Californians or the Aggies or whoever is responsible for this abomination are trying to slip us some intestinal parasites through this location, the closest Freebirds to UT, because when I go to this Freebirds, more often than not, I get ill. I haven't been a whole lot of times, 3 total. The first time it was alright. The second time, I ended up puking. The third time my Aggie friend wanted Freebirds so we went and I got sick. I think it's because the lime sauce was contaminated. I didn't notice at first, but a couple of bites into the burrito I smelled fish. I've always just assumed it was the lime sauce since chicken and rice and cheese can't possibly go that bad without growing fuzz. I can usually forgive a restaurant for possible food poisoning but twice in a row and something as gross as fishy lime juice is unforgivable.
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Cons-
* I absolutely hate Freebirds tortillas. All of them. The plain flour ones are tasteless. The cayenne ones have no appreciable hint of cayenne at all. The green ones (spinnach?) disturb me. And I'm not going to say anything about how they get stuck in your teeth. Whoops.
* Rice: no seasoning.
* Guacamole: If I wanted green food coloring blended with moist bird feces, I'd go to a pet store.
* The "steak" is poor quality meat cooked with a recipe that someone else threw in the trash.
* The chicken, white or dark, tastes like chicken.
* Commercials: They infuriate me. Having a Freebird's commercial come on the radio while driving inspires me to drive my car through the window of their nearest "restaurant." Bah.
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The food is simple, decent and they never give you a weird look if you decide to leave out the meat. Actually, I've been impressed with the high level of service from the folks working behind the counter, and that makes me feel like I'm supporting a business that is focused upon being just and sustainable
On the down side, I still feel like a moron buying Mexican food from whitey as opposed to the real deal on the other side of I-35! I've heard that carnitas is truly transcendental, but I can't go there (...yet, I'm a recovering vegetarian!)
I guess I shall continue to purchase burritos here even as my inner Che and Pancho Villa scream!
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Well, it's ok...but for a quick bite, I don't mind going here. I have yet to try Chipoodle to be able to compare.
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Gnarly.
Peanut sauce on a damn burrito???
Ethnic fusion cuisine is obnoxious even when it is prepared well, and breakfast tacos, not burritos, are the appropriate vector for administration of Mexican food. Burritos don't belong in Texas. They belong in California, as do the Californians. There goes the neighborhood.
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How can I forget about Freebirds? We went for lunch today and I remembered just how much I like it.
Freebirds is what it is, and I like what it is. I always get a spinach or cayenne tortilla, dark meat chicken, black beans, pico and a little cheese. Topped off with "death" sauce and some Bad-Ass BBQ sauce, it makes a tasty meal.
At lunch, the line snakes out the door, but we were on an assignment to wrangle a dachshund for a photo shoot at work (I love my job) and so we were in the neighborhood early and stopped off for a bite. We got there in the nick of time because that place was packed as soon as we sat down. It's also really loud, and drinks are all Pepsi products, blech.
I did notice that the tortillas were stuck in both of our teeth really badly after we ate. And we both had spinach tortillas. Men were FLOCKING to us. We had to keep swatting them away with foil. It was sick...
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Why did you have to make my meat salty? I want to give you a bonafide 4 stars but I can't because the beef was too salty!
The foil sculptures, the friendly staff, and the variety in meal creations makes me almost like you as much if not more than chipotle! C'mon. I will visit you 3 more times and update this rating but this is the rating based on my salty encounter with you. Beef is not meant to make me want to swallow a gallon of water!
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Freebirds is one of those places that can be great or lousy depending on what you're looking for and how you order. The other reviews accurately point out some of pros and cons of Freebirds (except about the cheese, which does not cost extra, unless you want extra).
The tortillas are the worst part: they're like dried paper slightly reanimated by steaming. I always get cayenne, though the name must refer to the color, because I can't taste any of the pepper. At best, the tortilla doesn't detract from my burrito experience, as long as I don't focus on it, and I peel back the foil wrapping in 1-inch strips, as the sign advises. Otherwise, the moistened paper tortilla might rupture...
The steak is indeed for salt lovers only. If you love beef jerky, you're probably about to have the best burrito ever. Otherwise, I'd opt for chicken (white or dark) or veggie (grilled peppers and onions). Of course, the grilled veggies require that you love both salt and black pepper, because they are thoroughly infused with both.
In retrospect, the rice is a bit bland. I started going to Freebirds before Chipotle opened and spoiled me with it's delicious, buttery cilantro-lime goodness. Still, I find Chipotle and its rice to be an entirely different experience. At Freebirds, I'm happy to have the rice serve as an unassuming medium to soak up the best part of Freebirds: the sauces.
Freebirds Death Sauce is one of my favorite hot sauces, and I'm a hot sauce connoisseur. It's quite hot with its habanero base, but it also has a great, well-rounded flavor and smooth consistency. The best part is that you can have as much as you want, because it's also in shakers on most of the tables. If you want a pure habanero experience, their hottest sauce is just called "Habanero"; it's good, but I prefer Death. If you're not a chile-head, the tomatillo-based "Hot" sauce is really tasty verde sauce, and really not all that hot. BBQ and Mild sauces are also available, but I've never tried them.
The next best thing about Freebirds is the fresh jalapeos. Of all the burrito places I've been to, Freebirds is the only one to offer this. They have much more flavor and heat than those flimsy pickled jalapeos you normally find elsewhere. Fresh cilantro is also available.
If you're worried about the mediocre tortillas, allow me to recommend the "Bird Nachos". In contrast to their floury brethren, the corn tortilla chips in the nachos are excellent. It took me awhile to try them, but now I mostly opt for nachos over burritos here. As they'll usually ask you, I'd also recommend having them put on the queso after the rice, beans, and meat. Putting it on first makes it hard to mix with the other ingredients, and putting it on last (e.g. after lettuce) can be messy.
Finally, there's the issue of the service. At best, there are a number of career burrito artists, who I recognize as working here at least 5 years ago. If you get one of these, your burrito will be generously loaded, and expertly rolled into the perfect shape (unlike those awkward "burrito balls" you sometimes get at places like Chipotle and Qdoba). At worst, you'll end up with a sleepy college neophyte that has yet to learn the art. There's still hope here though, as long as you're not shy about telling them what to put on and when, and call them on any light scoops. They're on their own for the rolling, but they usually do fine, and will start over with a new tortilla if they screw up.
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Freebirds isn't the best burrito that I have ever had, but they are always a reliable choice for lunch or dinner. I first started eating at Freebirds in College Station back in 1997 and it has become a regular part of my diet ever since.
There is a decent amount of possible combinations so if you don't like your first try here you can always try something different. I have tried many different burritos here but I found a combination that is exactly what I am looking for so I tend to stick with that.
My biggest complaint is that the steak here is terrible. It tends to be a bit on the fatty/grizzled side so I tend to stick with a vegetarian burrito. I am allergic to poultry so I have never had the chicken, but I hear that it is much better than the beef.
A lot of people tend to over-hype Freebirds as the greatest place in town, but it isn't. That's why so many people tend to be disappointed after eating here for the first time. It is a great place to go if you want to get completely stuffed with a few friends without spending a ton of money. Don't come here expecting a life changing experience.
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The way people go on about this place, you'd think you were gonna cream your pants after biting into one of these burritos. Unfortunately, I did not. If I had, I would have given it 5 stars. I did eat it in under one minute though. I got your basic chicken Freebird on a spinach tortilla with beans, rice, guacamole, and cheese. The burrito was good but it seemed a little pricey to me. $9 for a burrito and a drink. That won't stop me from going back.
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i'm not afraid to admit it: i lived for 3.5 years in austin, longhorn country, and was an aggie sympathizer the entire time. neener neener. did my best friend from high school in cali go to a&m? she sure did. did i visit her all the damn time? i sure did. did i eat freebird's on northgate while shitfaced? i sure did...more times then i can count. so i'm a total freebird's groupie.
and let's just stop comparing it to chipotle, shall we? i mean, come on. if i want an egg mcmuffin, i'll get an egg mcmuffin.
so here's the thing: regular, chicken, whole black beans and (the kicker) half that squeeze bottle of bbq sauce you're wielding. it's goddamn heaven.
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I hate to do it, but I can't endorse this kind-of-local phenomenon. Freebirds World Burrito originally began in Santa Barbara, CA before moving to College Station and eventually on to Austin and other Texas locations.
I've been to the 41st St. and SoCo locations many times and have been continually disappointed. The location on 41st attracts many students as both customers and employees, making for long lines and slow, disinterested service. The food is never hot, our burritos always fall apart, and as a friend of mine has pointed out, the size of your meal depends entirely on who your "burrito builder" happens to be during that visit. Some employees make every effort to stock your order with all the fixings you ask for, while others carelessly toss a few shreds of lettuce, a couple peppers and a dash of cheese on your tortilla. But, I must be honest....I think my real angst towards Freebirds has more to do with their charging extra for sour cream, cheese or guacamole. The guacamole I can understand, but extra for cheese and sour cream? C'mon.
Taste buds said...Yech, Blech, Pa-tooey.
www.freebirds.com
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This place definitely lives on reputation and its bbq sauce because most everything else kinda blows. The meat is usually spongy and the rice is usually bland. The workers don't seem to care about anything except for keeping the chalkboard menu nice and cute looking.
Food: 5/10
Service: 5/10
Ambience: 5/10
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This is my favorite place to eat in Austin! I just love it. The food is always fresh, the people are always friendly and it's never overcrowded. I love the option of eating outside and the fact that it only costs $7 for dinner and a drink.
You have the ability to control everything that goes into your burito. If you opt not to get beans or rice or something keep in mind that you can then get queso, guac or sour cream for free. If you get everything and still want one of those things keep in mind that they are an additional 25 cents each.
My sister and I love this place so much we eat here at least once a week if not more. It's something you'll never get sick of and will constantly be craving!
Yummy......
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As someone who seen the insides of Freebird's for longer than I care to mention, take my word for it, and go get a real burrito somewhere else. Maybe your tastebuds override this review, and if so, more power to you... but this is the saltiest, most preservative filled food outside of a laboratory. The employees have little incentive to anything other than keep from being fired, and so there have been some confirmed anomalies that have come out of their kitchen. Did I mention how much salt is in this food? The menu isnt particularly cheap, especially when contrasted with the cost and quality of the ingredients in the food. Do youself a favor and get burritos from Changos, Polvos, Chuys, or any of the other local burritorias.
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When I was a younger man, I traded my writing skills to University of Texas students for simple items like a case of beer or a Freebirds burrito. Even after hammering out a 5 page essay on some boring subject, I always felt I got the better end of the deal. I only point this out to let you know exactly how good a Freebird's burrito can be. With the right selection of items, the burrito can rival the Fillet Mingon as a true masterpiece. It seems like the "greatness" of a Freebird's burrito has diminished a bit, but maybe that's because I'm no longer a broke 20-something trading term-papers for burritos.
However, I'm reserving the 5th star because I don't think Freebirds qualifies as a "must visit." The food is still really good in my opinion and if you want a quick, filling lunch, Freebirds is a fine choice. But it's not a must-visit Austin experience.
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This placed was introduced to me by someone that grew up around the Austin area; she raved and raved. And, I agree, it's good...it's just not GREAT. And while I know that most people love big portions- their portions are immense, and are not, in my opinion, the kind you want to take home for later. I'm also, as others have said here, not impressed with their ingredients (type and quality) to cost ratio. Most days, I'd just rather go to Chipotle.
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This place's reputation outlives the actual awesomeness of what it serves, which is not awesome (anti-awesome).
People who visit Austin are always talking about how great this place is and people from Austin think it's overrated. Well, it is. It's expensive and all you're getting is a silly burrito like the ones they serve at Chipotle. If they food was a lot cheaper and if there were crazy toppings that other places haven't already ripped off, such as the once delicious Hooya's in Denton, then I'd probably eat here all of the time because it's right next to my bus stop.
What IS cool is the alumninum animals decorating a few nooks in the sky-painted ceiling. And C. T. is right; the employees are all in local bands or look like they should be.
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i was having a bad day at work when my good friend split a freebird's cookie with me and totally changed my day around... well, not totally but it did make me think to go to freebird's after i got off and get a burrito. so i did and it was good. not spectacular but pretty good. the hot sauce is actually hot so that's always a good sign and it filled me up just enough.
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As far as a fast-food lunch -- when you've just spent a couple hours at Sears shopping for Levi's and Kenmore vacuum cleaner bags and you're about to head to Lowe's on the other end of town to pick up some grout -- it's a snippet better than average. It's not great, it's not horrible - it's basically okay, especially if you're just going to split a Monster-size between two for nothing more than a hold-over snack. (I think they have a different understanding of Monster-size than I do - the size is laughable more than it's scary.)
I like it better than I do all the other fast food burrito chains, even though the quality of your burrito does indeed depend on mood of the employee preparing it. But it usually ends up to be a decently satisfying snack, and it doesn't make me run for the Tums afterward (like a certain McD's owned burrito chain...).
p.s. This location does not have the impressive collection of foil thingies that the one on South Congress has.
Freebird's has some quite good burrito's. I've moved from Austin to Northern California and while I generally think Texas Mexican food is far superior to NoCal Mexican food, the burrito is one thing NoCal does well. For that reason I would give Freebirds three stars for being good quality, but not great - but the 4th star is for the fact that you can get a spicy bbq sauce on the burrito. It's fusion food baby!
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Gotta review this place because I go here so damn much. My roommate works here and I work next door so I get free food so much how could I not eat here every day? All the employees are tight and they have some amazingly good salsa for a burrito place. Skip the burrito and go for tacos or nachos. Sometimes the meat tastes funny and sometimes the guacamole is bland but nobody's perfect.
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If they call themselves Freebirds, then they need to play Leonard Skynard Constantly. Anything else is an injustice to the freebird heritage.
So finally the giant assembly line burrito has made its way to Austin with your choice of 3 tortilla sizes, 4 tortilla flavors, 4 meats, and bottomless sodas. While I end up spending $10 - $12 for lunch, I usually end up with leftovers for dinner.
The problem is that all the good stuff costs extra and seriously bites into your burrito budget. The illusion of freedom of choice means that you have no one to guide you to real flavors. Indeed all the combinations of food basically taste the same. Worse you feel bad about yourself because you didn't design the ultimate burrito. I want a place that takes responsibility for its burrito design and gets it right like El Chilito.
A lot of people give this place high marks, but I would say it comes form lack of experience with true burrito excellence.
Lord knows this bird is