Neato Burrito: Hands down the best lunch in Central PA for contractors (and vegetarians, and people with gluten allergies, and health nuts, and honestly ANYBODY WHO IS LOOKING FOR A QUICK, HEALTHY LUNCH AT A REASONABLE PRICE).
Don’t get me wrong, I love being a business owner and would not trade it for anything in the world, but finding a relatively healthy meal over a 45 minute lunch break can turn into rocket science. We could simply pack our lunches and be done with it, however, the crew and I often find ourselves needing to get some fresh air while we are waiting for paint to dry (literally). You would expect there be a ton of local options for lunch. But factor in a couple of guys who don’t eat fast food, a vegetarian, and a Welshman with a gluten allergy – and your choices become radically limited. Enter Neato Burrito…
Currently in their 21st year of being in business, this local chain has always maintained a reputation for fresh, organic food, served in a great atmosphere for NOT a lot of money. The stores each have their own theme (fashionably coordinated to different decades by c0-owner and fashionista Grace) and offer something unique compared to the stale feel of a large chain restaurant. Each different location has it’s own personality, and they all have the same great food!
Originating in the Harrisburg Area, Neato Burrito can now be found in 7 locations across the mid-state, making it that much easier to become addicted to their California mission-style goodness. The newest store in Carlisle (800 East High St next door to Lowes) is the most ambitious to date – featuring ultra cool tables from the WWI era as well as the majestic (possibly hypnotic as well because I eat at Neato every time I see it) rotating neon sign. A top to bottom glass front side adds ambiance to the interior as well as creating an inviting entrance from the parking lot. Other locations include:
- Harrisburg (3370 Paxton St. in Harrisburg, PA across from the Harrisburg Mall in the Scottsdale Plaza)
- Lemoyne (1200 Market St in Lemoyne, PA in the West Shore Plaza)
- New Cumberland (316 4th St in New Cumberland, PA across from the Deuce Gibb Salon in the PNC parking lot)
- Mechanicsburg #1 (5238 Simpson Ferry Rd in Mechanicsburg, PA in the Windsor Park shopping center)
- Mechanicsburg #2 (6391 Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg, PA in the Silver Creek Plaza)
- Lancaster (1917 Fruitville Pike in Lancaster, PA in the Foxshire Plaz across from Starbucks)
Now that you know the locations (I will confess that I have been to all except for Lancaster, and I have eaten in the Lemoyne location twice in a day on more than one occasion), I can tell you about the very best part of Neato Burrito, which is of course the MENU. As I mentioned above, I have a VERY high maintenance crew of painters I need to feed at lunch, and Neato Burrito has something for everybody. They have several different kinds of tortilla shells ranging from tomato basil to jalapeño cheddar (including one that is gluten-free yet also somehow still tasty), 3 different choices of organic beans, salsas that are made fresh daily (pico and verde are a constant and daily specials include the sour cream based Jalapeño Feta and my personal favorite the pineapple-based Satchmo). The meat options are organic and always fresh, including daily choice of baked chicken, cajun chicken, angus beef (grass and grain fed beef that is hormone and antibiotic free), ancho chile pork (Rich’s favorite), and daily specials including Grant’s favorite Gringo Authentico (sweet lime juice and chipotle pepper marinated flank steak served with cilantro rice and a smoky sweet salsa) – so tasty I have been known to indulge despite being a full time vegetarian. The salad table features everything you would expect to find, plus the best daily made guacamole I can think of. Stuff your burrito with healthy goodness and then have it grilled to perfection, and if you are avoiding carbs go with burrito bowl instead. Even the fountain sodas are made by smaller companies that do not use processed sugar and corn syrup.
I would like to tell you more about Neato Burrito, but all of this writing has made me hungry. If anyone needs me – you know where I will be. Please join the crew and myself in always SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS!
If you enjoy this type of article, please find and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/justaddpaint and check out our website at www.justaddpaint.net . Also to see a full menu and more information about Neato Burrito and their mission style burritos, check out their Facebook page and website at www.facebook.com/neatoburrito and www.neatoburrito.com
