NY-Based Dos Toros Taqueria Bringing Bay Area Burritos to Chicago

Dos Toros Taqueria, a popular taco and burrito chain based in New York, is expanding to Chicago. Owners Leo and Oliver Kremer have applied for a city liquor license for a location at the office building at 1 N. Dearborn St. in The Loop. Dos Toros specializes in Bay Area/Mission-style burritos, something uncommon in Chicago.

It’s their first location outside of New York. There are 13 locations listed on the chain’s website. The Kremers have been very open in their desires to open in Chicago, and have also targeted Boston. They opened their first Dos Toros in 2009, and have fared well competing against Chipotle for fast-casual burrito dominance. Chicago has no shortage of neighborhood taquerias, but Phil Stefani and Adolfo Garcia’s Broken English Taco Pub demonstrate that there is room for a chain model in the city, especially in areas like The Loop, Old Town, and Lincoln Park.

The menu is comparable to Chipotle, again using an assembly line-style model. Dos Toros’ menu does include a quesadilla, an off-the-menu ”secret” item available at Chipotle.

The Kremers are from Berkley, Calif., which explains their affections for Bay Area burritos. They are partial to fare from Gordo Taqueria, one of the burrito recommendations from Eater SF.

Dos Toros management wasn’t immediately reached for comment. This post will be updated upon receiving a response.