Taco Bell upscales with its new Cantina line

Chain: Taco Bell.

Company description: This burrito is part of Taco Bell's new Cantina line, which the company describes thusly: "Chef Lorena Garcia created Taco Bell's new Cantina Bell Menu by using bold and flavorful ingredients, including guacamole, citrus-herb marinated chicken, and freshly prepared pico de gallo."

Nutritional info: 760 calories, 27 grams of fat, 1,960 mg of sodium.

Price: $4.79.

Review: The "Cantina" project is Taco Bell's unsubtle attempt to go after Chipotle, which has redefined Mexican fast food over the last decade (in more ways than one: Check out the company's stock price over the last five years). The ingredients in the Cantina burrito — chicken, cilantro rice, black beans, guacamole, corn salsa, pico de gallo — will seem awfully familiar for anyone who's bellied up to a Chipotle counter recently. That said, Taco Bell should be given credit for executing this mimicry with aplomb. The cantina burrito is fresh and flavorful, and the cilantro dressing (one of the few ways in which Taco Bell departs from the Chipotle formula) is a nice addition, adding a creaminess that complements the other components well. We still prefer Chipotle's version, but given its price point (the Cantina chicken burrito comes in almost $2 less than a Chipotle chicken burrito), we expect the latter to be a popular alternative.

Also on the menu: Cantina Burrito Steak, Cantina Burrito Veggie, Cantina Bowl, Cantina Chips and Salsa.

Bottom line: Good option for Chipotle fans who can't get to — or don't want to pay for — the chain's fresh Mex options.