Burrito franchise from Canada chooses site near Easton for first Ohio restaurant

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Tex-Mex eatery that allows customers to build their own burritos and bowls is opening its first Ohio restaurant in Columbus, with plans for expansion in the state. 

Toronto-based fast-casual restaurant Barrio Burrito Bar is coming to 3301 Morse Road in the Walnut Creek neighborhood near Easton. The eatery, established in 2005, has partnered with Sarang Franchising to bring 115 locations to Ohio, according to a news release. 

Barrio Burrito Bar serves customizable burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas and sides. The restaurant offers a variety of protein options such as jerk chicken, fish, barbacoa, bang bang shrimp and veggie ground. Other ingredients available for customizable meals include vegetables, beans, Mexican rice, cheese, crushed chips, and salsa, as well as sauces such as chipotle barbeque and “jalapeno eclipse.”

The restaurant is relatively new to the United States, with only four locations open so far: three in Michigan and one in Delaware, according to its website. However, the concept has over 300 restaurants in Canada, where it operates under the name BarBurrito. 

Barrio Burrito Bar is planning for a large expansion across the United States. Along with Ohio, the concept has franchise agreements signed for new restaurants in Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas and Illinois, ultimately planning for the development of over 665 locations collectively, according to a news release.

Chief Development Officer of BarBurrito Restaurants Jeff Young told NBC4 the company is in the preliminary stages of design and construction for the Morse Road eatery, so there is not a firm opening date yet.