Instagram Food Wars: Burrito Bowls

For months now, I've been seeing commercials on television for Taco Bell's new Cantina Bell menu spearheaded by noted Chef Lorena Garcia. I was curious, nay even a little intrigued. This was the fast-food chain that had not so very long ago given birth to the insanity that is the Doritos Locos Tacos. (Seriously: taking one of my all time guilty pleasures, the Dorito and turning it into a TACO SHELL? I am still in awe of the creativity and culinary panache that went into such a move. It also helps that the damn things are delicious.) What could possibly go wrong with this notion?

So, randomly, after a morning riding around in the back of the brother-in-laws minivan, the Missus and my two nieces in tow, we found ourselves going to Taco Bell for lunch and on a whim, I decided to try the new Cantina Bell Bowl:

As you can see, it was delicious. (And it comes with a spork. Cool.) It was, dare I say even fresh, possibly even appetizing and was a pleasant surprise given the usual unhealthy delights I indulge in when I get Taco Bell. (More intriguing news: they're expanding their dessert menu and a breakfast menu is reportedly being tested here and there...) The chicken was tender and moist, the rice and beans delicious, the lettuce you got the sensation might not be the freshest of fresh but it tasted fresh enough. All in all it was a nice, moderately healthy alternative to the usual fare of Taco Bell. I approve and give my requisite two thumbs up.

But, the rumor was that Taco Bell was trying to challenge the mighty Chipotle... so naturally, you know what that meant:

BARBACOA BOWL!

What's not to like about this? It's essentially a Chipotle Burrito sans tortilla in a bowl. Which is good because personally, Panchero's tortillas are better- perhaps a matter to be debated in a future edition of IFW- but Chipotle might just have the edge with the barbacoa thing. And alas, it's on the strength of the barbacoa that we have to give the edge to...

CHIPOTLE: Sorry, Taco Bell... while you've created a worthy competitor to perhaps, the SW Chicken Salad of McDonald's, you have yet to dethrone the Kings of Fast Casual dining. There was more in it for a start but you should be proud of your accomplishment. The Cantina Bell thing- it actually tastes good and you can taste the quality as well. That's no mean feat in the fast food business.