Filibertos serves made-to-order Mexican food with proteins like carne asada, carnitas, and al pastor. Most burritos and tacos run $4–$8, and you can customize nearly everything. The restaurant prioritizes portion size over fancy plating, making it popular for lunch, dinner, and late-night visits across Arizona and California.
What Filibertos Is & Why People Order There
Filibertos operates as a no-frills Mexican restaurant chain with locations scattered across Arizona, Southern California, and a few other states. You walk up to a counter, order from a menu board, and watch staff prepare your food in an open kitchen. No table service. No fancy decor. The appeal comes from affordability, portion size, and customization.
The chain doesn’t market itself like a trendy fast-casual restaurant. Filibertos restaurants occupy small storefronts, usually with basic seating and minimal overhead. This model keeps prices low while maintaining quality ingredients. Your meal arrives quickly—usually within 5–10 minutes—making it ideal for people with limited lunch breaks or appetites that need filling fast.
You’ll see the same core menu at most Filibertos locations, though some franchises add regional items. The kitchen staff works fast without compromising on assembly. You choose your protein, choose your base (burrito, taco, quesadilla), and pick your toppings. Sour cream, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and multiple salsas are standard additions.
Main Menu Items & Prices
Filibertos organizes its menu around two main categories: proteins and bases.
Proteins (Most locations offer these):
Carne asada runs $6–$8 for a burrito or plate. This is grilled strips of seasoned beef—lean, flavorful, and the most popular option. Carnitas cost similar prices and consist of slow-cooked pork that’s shredded and crispy. Al pastor pulls influence from tacos al pastor, featuring marinated pork with pineapple notes, typically priced $6–$8. Grilled chicken is the cheapest protein around $5–$7, making it the budget-friendly choice. Carne guisada (beef stew) ranges from $6 to $8 and appeals to people wanting something saucier and more tender. Fish tacos appear at some locations for $5–$7 and work seasonally.
Bases:
Burritos run $6–$9, depending on protein and size. You get one large flour tortilla filled with your protein, rice, beans, and toppings. Tacos cost $4–$6 for three tacos, each made with corn or flour tortillas. Quesadillas range $6–$9 and include cheese, protein, and your chosen toppings sealed inside a tortilla and grilled. Enchiladas cost $7–$10 and come with three rolled tortillas covered in red or green sauce with cheese. Nachos are $7–$9 for a large platter with toppings layered on crispy chips. Chile rellenos (a poblano pepper stuffed with cheese and covered in sauce) run $7–$9.
Combo plates range $10–$15 and typically pair a protein with rice, beans, and warm tortillas. This is where you get the most food for your money if you’re sharing or have a serious appetite.
Sides & Add-ons:
Rice runs $1.50–$2. Refried beans or black beans cost $1.50–$2. Guacamole adds $2–$3. Extra salsa, pico de gallo, and sour cream cost 50¢–$1.50 each. Chips and salsa start around $2–$3 for the basket.
Prices vary by location and have shifted since 2025, so check your local restaurant’s menu before assuming exact figures.
Proteins You Should Know About
Understanding each protein helps you decide what to order, especially if you’re new to Filibertos.
Carne Asada is your go-to for beef lovers. The meat comes grilled to order with a char on the outside but stays tender inside. You taste the marinade—typically citrus and spices—without any overwhelming smokiness. It pairs well in burritos where the filling stays intact, and it works equally well in tacos where you can taste each ingredient.
Carnitas appeal to people who want richness without heaviness. The pork breaks apart easily, soaking up your chosen salsa. This protein works best in burritos, where you can stuff in extra guacamole and sour cream to balance the fattiness.
Al pastor gives you something between carnitas and carne asada. The pork carries a subtle sweetness from the pineapple marinade. The meat texture stays slightly crispier than carnitas. Order this if you want flavor complexity in a taco format where you can taste individual components.
Grilled chicken is your leanest option and your cheapest. The meat is tender and absorbs salsas well. This protein wins if you’re eating lightly, watching calories, or simply want something mild.
Carne guisada is beef slow-cooked until it shreds easily. A savory gravy clings to each piece. This works best on plates where you get rice and beans to soak up the sauce, though people do order it in burritos.
Customization & How to Order Smart
Filibertos thrives on customization. You control nearly every component of your meal.
When you order a burrito, specify exactly what goes inside: Do you want guacamole? Extra? No salsa? Both salsas? Double cheese? The staff will build it how you ask. If you want a burrito that’s half carne asada and half carnitas, they’ll do it. This flexibility means your meal matches your appetite and preferences perfectly.
Ask about salsa options. Most Filibertos locations keep mild (red) and hot (green) salsa available. The hot version carries genuine heat without tasting thin. Some locations rotate in specialty salsas. Tasting both before deciding saves you from surprises.
Request corn or flour tortillas for tacos and enchiladas. Flour tortillas hold more filling but are heavier. Corn tortillas offer more authentic texture and slightly less guilt if calories matter to you.
Build your plate strategically. If you order a combo, you’re getting rice and beans automatically. Request them on the side if you’d rather control portions. Some people ask for extra meat instead of beans or skip the rice entirely. Filiberto’s staff accommodates these requests without hesitation.
Nutrition & Dietary Considerations
Filibertos doesn’t publish formal nutrition information, so estimates come from the USDA and comparable restaurant chains.
A typical carne asada burrito lands around 600–750 calories, depending on toppings. Add guacamole, and you push toward 900 calories. A burrito with grilled chicken sits closer to 500–650 calories. Three carnitas tacos run 400–600 calories, depending on tortilla type and toppings.
Sodium runs high. Restaurant burritos easily contain 1,500–2,000 mg of sodium (50–70% of your daily limit). This matters if you monitor salt intake for blood pressure or other health reasons.
Vegetarian options exist. Order bean burritos, cheese quesadillas, or veggie plates with just rice and beans. Ask what vegetable options they have—some locations add grilled peppers and onions upon request.
Allergies require direct conversation with staff. Filibertos doesn’t have allergen documentation online. Corn, soy, and dairy appear in most dishes. If you have serious allergies, speak to someone making the food and verify ingredients before ordering.
The Items Regulars Actually Order
Walk into any Filibertos during lunch and watch what people choose. Patterns emerge.
The carne asada burrito dominates every location. People order it plain (just meat, rice, beans, tortilla) or loaded with every topping available. It’s the baseline choice that rarely disappoints. The consistent quality and simple flavor profile appeal to first-timers and daily customers alike.
Carnitas burritos come second. The richness satisfies bigger appetites, and the meat pulls apart so thoroughly that you taste it in every bite even with a thick burrito.
Combo plates move steadily, especially among people eating lunch alone or with coworkers. You get volume without having to decide between five menu items. A carne asada combo feeds most people until dinner.
Carne guisada plates attract repeat customers who know the sauce is the star. First-timers usually skip this one because they don’t understand the appeal until they taste it.
Nachos are the compromise meal. Sharing nachos with a friend means splitting cost and calories while still feeling satisfied. They work as a side or as a light meal.
Tacos attract speed-conscious customers. Three tacos take less than five minutes to eat, making them ideal if you’re rushing back to work or want something quick for dinner.
Tips for Getting the Most Value
Your order size should match your hunger level, not default menu suggestions. Many first-timers order too much. Start with a burrito or three tacos if you’re unsure. You can always go back.
Water is free. Drinks cost extra and add 10–15% to your bill. Skip them unless you’re staying to eat.
Combo plates offer better value than ordering sides separately. If you want rice and beans alongside your protein, the combo beats buying them as add-ons.
Guacamole is real avocado, not guacamole-flavored paste. It costs extra for a reason. Skip it if you’re budget-conscious, but know that it genuinely improves your burrito.
Order during off-peak hours (mid-afternoon or late evening) for faster service. Lunch and dinner rush times mean 10–15 minute waits even though the food only takes 5 minutes to cook.
Ask about any specials. Some Filibertos locations offer discounts on certain days or run loyalty programs. Worth asking at the register.
Final Word
Filibertos menu reads simple on paper but offers real flexibility in execution. You’re not buying a preset meal; you’re ordering components that staff assembles to your specification. That transparency—seeing your food made in real-time—builds confidence in what you’re getting.
Go for the carne asada if you want to experience what makes the chain popular. Customize it how you want. Watch it get grilled. Eat it while it’s warm. That’s the Filibertos experience.
