Let the breakfast burrito wars begin!

By Patricia Calhoun Mon., May 18 2009 at 10:15 AM

Categories: The Dish

Adam Richman stopped by Jack-n-Grill for Jack Martinez's burrito challenge.

In this corner -- weighing in at seven pounds (if you're going for the official Big Burrito challenge, as Adam Richman did on a recent episode of Man v. Food), or a more reasonable pound or so, if you just want to grab a breakfast burrito when the place opens at 7 a.m. -- is Jack-n-Grill, Jack Martinez's New Mexican joint that's been drawing the crowds to 2524 Federal Boulevard for a decade now.

And in the other corner -- across the street at 2505 Federal -- is Santiago's XII, which opened this weekend, complete with a makeshift drive-thru. This shop, which moved from West 38th Avenue, is a link in a homegrown chain that's been spilling across the metro area like beer on a Saturday night -- except that none of the Santiago's outposts have a liquor license. But they do have tidy, to-go breakfast burritos that won over Gustavo Arelleno when he visited town last year, and a green chile that won Best Green Chile honors in the Best of Denver 2009 -- taking the crown from longtime winner Jack-n-Grill.

Let the breakfast burrito wars begin!

Tags:

Adam Richman, Jack-n-Grill, Santiago's

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Jackn Grill may have the biggest, but the best Breakfast Burrito is made a mile east on Belleview at Mi Cocina Mexican Restaurant. Even better than Santiagos.
Burrito Giant at 38th and Tennyson(ish) has addictively good breakfast burritos. They have the best green chile, and everything else is perfect, too.
also, Haden's bar & grill has a lot of amusement. ping pong, wii, golf on flat screen tv, 4 pool tables, basketball hoop game, and even a punching bag game with a competition for bar tabs for the hardest hitter. come on by, and tell them Becca blogged about the place, if you would. Thanks all. Becca songmaiden49@gmail.com1
I am a cook at Haden's bar & grill, next to Sam's #3 on parker & havana. We make an awesome breakfast burrito. huge. The green chili smothered on it is great. Anyone know how to enter this burrito war competition?
While I got to Santiago's the most, I live near the one at 6th and Santa Fe, and I lover their burritos. I think Mercedes makes the best breakfast burrito in town. Whenever I get the chance I run by their location on Colfax not far past Sheridan.
Santiago's is hands down the best thing after a long hard night of drinking and fun leaves you feeling like something that cat dragged in thenext day. However, I must ashamedly admit that just another mile east down Leetsdale is Viva Burrito which serves one of the second best breakfast burritos in Denver. I never eat there, because it's kinda scuzzy with absolutley no atmosphere, and thre's no real signature green chile to go with it so the authenticity lags, but it really rocks. You can get extra bacon and some cholula and you're good to go. A little Americanized no doubt, but they're fabulous and open all kinds of hours (2 a.m. anyone?!)
Ewwww.....Emilio's on Colfax and Logan buys their tamales and who knows what else from their frozen food vendor. You can probably trust that eating a breakfast burrito from 7-11 will be much better than Emilio's. Cheers to Jack and his Family!
Santiagos and jackn Grill are real good, but don't forget the original Chubbies on 38th and also Emilios on Colfax and Logan. All four know what it takes to make a great breakburrito - awesome green chile!!
Bubba Chino's breakfast burritos are vastly better than Santiago's. Bubba Chino's chile isn't quite as hot as Santiago's hot, but it has a better flavor. Haven't had a breakfaster at Jack 'n Grill.
If you will note, Santiago's also won Best Breakfast Burrito this year. Their Breakfast Burritos to go are the best in town. So tasty. Jack n' Grill's $2 burrito's are 95% potato. I love both restaurants. Santiago's is great for fast breakfasts and lunches that are delicious. Jack n' Grill is great for slow lunches and dinners. Burgers, chile rellenos and the chile itself rule at Jack n' Grill. For breakfast burritos on my way to work, though, I'll take Santiago's any day.