Bajio, Cafe Rio, or Costa Vida?

It is time for the showdown.  Which one is best: Bajio, Cafe Rio, or Costa Vida?  Or is it (as was my opinion) that they are all exactly the same?

I decided to do a taste test.  Six people participated.  Three were salad testers and three were burrito testers.  None of the people who participated have any food judging experience although a couple of them have competed in cooking contests and have a couple of first place finishes to their name.   Each couple went to a different restaurant and picked up a Sweet Pork Salad and an Steak Burrito to go.  We ordered each salad with black beans and their creamy green dressing (whatever they happened to call it).  The steak burritos were ordered enchilada style with black beans. Then we all met at a central location and judged each dish on the following:


Value Score = Weight (oz)/Cost($)
Overall Appeal (visual appeal, aroma, garnish)
Recipe (Cooking, ingredient combination, too moist or dry)
Taste (Flavor combination, Seasoning, Texture)

This test was conducted on a Friday evening at about 6:30 pm.
Bajio's in Syracuse Utah.  There was not a line at Bajio's.  The place was almost empty.  
Cafe Rio in Layton Utah. The line at Cafe Rio was 4 rows deep but the line moved quickly.  The dining room was full.
Costa Vida in Layton Utah.  The line at Costa Vida had about 4 people in it, but they had a bit slower service than Cafe Rio.  The dining room was about 1/3 full.


Here are pictures of each entree and the judges comments:

Salads

Bajio Ensalada with Sweet Pork

Weight = 20.3 oz
Cost = $8.49
Judge's Comments:
- Meat Dry
- Not much flavor
- Tortilla hard
- Meat dry
- Less flavor
- Veggies not as fresh
- No flavor
- Very little meat


Cafe Rio Salad with Pork Barbacoa

Weight = 28 oz
Cost = $7.75
Judge's Comments:
- Best pork
- More meat
- Bigger pieces
- Best Tortilla
- Best presentation
- Best pork
- Less meat (note: meat must not have been divided equally)
- More salty
- Spicier


Costa Vida Sweet Pork Salad

Weight = 24 oz
Cost = $6.99
Judge's Comments:
- Best tortilla
- Best meat, moist
- Best dressing
- Tortilla fluffy (best)
- Better dressing than the others
- Best dressing

Burritos

Bajio Classico Burrito with Smoked Beef

Weight = 30 oz (Note, they include rice and beans to the side as well as guacamole and sour cream)
Cost = $8.49
Judge's Comments:
- Rice was dry
- Meat was dry
- Very bland
- Dry
- OK flavor
- Steak a bit dry

Cafe Rio Fire Grilled Steak Burrito Enchilada Style

Weight = 25 oz
Cost = $7.50 + .95 to get enchilada style
Judge's Comments:
- Moist rice
- Large chunks of meat
- Spicy, but not hot
- Chili powder flavor
- Well cooked
- Good ingredient combination
- Good Flavor
- Moist and mixed together


Costa Vida Grilled Steak Burrito Enchilada Sauce.

Weight = 25 oz
Cost = $7.49
Judge's Comments:
- Meat moist but chewy
- Rice moist
- Good flavor
- Meat chewy
- More cheese than the others
- Meat a little tough, but moist
- OK flavor, and good texure

Overall Comments:

And the winner is . . .

Cafe Rio came in first with a score of 16 points on the Burrito and 16 points on the Salad.
Costa Vida came in second with a score of 15 points on the burrito and 15.5 points on the salad.
Bajio came in last place with a score of 14 on the burrito and 10 on the salad.

My thoughts:
Almost all of the judges commented that  it was hard to distinguish between Cafe Rio and Costa Vida.  Bajio is a bit of a better value if you want the extras like enchilada style, guacamole and sour cream.  The other two places charge extra for these items.  If you just want the basics, Costa Vida is slightly less expensive.  Cafe Rio and Costa Vida are so close in price, value, and taste that either place you select would be a winner.