How to Order at Filiberto’s for the First Time: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Walking up to a Filiberto’s counter for the first time can feel overwhelming. The menu board is packed with burritos, platters, and combo numbers, the line moves fast, and everyone around you seems to already know exactly what they want. This guide walks you through the entire process, from understanding the menu to placing your order with confidence, so your first visit feels like your fifth.

What Is Filiberto’s, Exactly?

Filiberto’s is a family-owned Mexican fast food chain that started in Arizona in 1993 and has since grown to more than 70 locations across Arizona, Southern California, Nevada, and New Mexico. It’s known for large portions, made-to-order burritos, and hours that stretch late into the night, with many Arizona locations open 24 hours. Unlike a sit-down Mexican restaurant, Filiberto’s operates as a quick-service chain: you order at a counter or drive-thru, and your food is typically ready within a few minutes.

Understanding the Menu Before You Walk Up

The Filiberto’s menu is organized into a few clear categories, and understanding this structure before you order makes the whole experience much smoother.

• Burritos: the core of the menu, available in dozens of combinations of meat, beans, rice, and cheese.
• Tacos: soft, hard-shell, and rolled tacos (taquitos), sold individually or by the dozen.
• Combination platters: a protein served with rice, beans, and often a drink included.
• Breakfast items: burritos and plates built around eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, or chorizo, served all day at most locations.
• Sides and extras: carne asada fries, chips and salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

Most items are also fully customizable, which means the printed menu is really a starting point rather than a fixed list of choices.

How to Place Your Order: Step by Step

Once you know the layout of the menu, ordering itself takes less than a minute. Here’s the process most first-time customers follow:

1. Decide how you’re ordering. Walk up to the counter, use the drive-thru, or order through a delivery app if you’re not visiting in person.

2. Pick your format. Decide between a burrito, a taco order, or a combination platter, since pricing and portion size differ across these formats.

3. Choose your protein. Carne asada (grilled steak), carnitas, chicken, or a vegetarian bean-and-cheese option are the most common choices.

4. Specify your add-ons. Mention any extras you want, such as guacamole, sour cream, or extra cheese, along with your salsa preference (mild, medium, or hot).

5. Pay and grab your order. Most locations accept cash and card, and orders are typically ready within a few minutes of paying.

What to Order First: Beginner-Friendly Picks

If you’re not sure where to start, a few items consistently work well for first-time visitors. The carne asada fries are one of the most ordered items on the menu: a full plate of fries topped with grilled steak, melted cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. The California burrito, which combines carne asada, fries, cheese, and sour cream in one wrap, is another safe first order. If you’d rather keep things simple, a bean and cheese burrito is a filling vegetarian option, and rolled tacos are an easy, shareable choice for a smaller appetite. If you’re stopping by in the morning, a breakfast burrito with eggs, potatoes, and your choice of bacon, sausage, or chorizo is a strong introduction to the full Filiberto’s menu.

How to Customize Your Order Like a Regular

Regulars rarely order exactly what’s printed on the menu board, and you don’t need to either. You can swap the protein in almost any burrito or platter, ask for extra or no cheese, request a specific salsa heat level, or add guacamole and sour cream to items that don’t normally include them. If you’re ordering a burrito, you can also ask for it “wet,” meaning topped with sauce and cheese, which changes both the texture and the price slightly. None of these requests are unusual, so don’t hesitate to ask for exactly what you want.

Combination Platters and Value Meals Explained

A combination platter includes your chosen protein alongside rice, beans, and often a drink, making it the closest thing to a full meal on the menu. These platters tend to offer better value than ordering the same items separately, especially if you have a bigger appetite. If you’re only looking for a quick bite, a single burrito or a small order of tacos will usually be enough and costs less than a full platter.

Common Mistakes First-Time Customers Make

The most common mistake is not specifying a salsa or spice preference, which usually results in a medium-heat default that can catch newcomers off guard. Another frequent misstep is assuming portions are small, which leads people to over-order; a single burrito or platter is often enough for one adult. Some first-time customers also skip asking about substitutions, not realizing that almost every item can be modified. Finally, ordering during peak late-night or lunch hours without checking wait times can mean a longer stop than expected, especially at busier locations.

Payment, Pricing, and What to Expect

Most Filiberto’s locations accept cash, debit, and credit cards, and many also support contactless payment. Individual items generally range from around three to eight dollars, while combination platters and larger orders typically fall between eight and fourteen dollars, depending on the location and protein chosen. Tipping is not expected at the counter but is appreciated for delivery orders.

Ordering Online or Through Delivery Apps

If you’d rather not visit in person, most Filiberto’s locations partner with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub for delivery, and some offer direct online ordering for pickup. Menu items and pricing can vary slightly by platform, so it’s worth checking your specific location’s page before ordering. For a full breakdown of prices by item, see our Filiberto’s menu with prices guide

What Makes Filiberto’s Different From Other Mexican Fast Food Chains

Compared to larger national chains, Filiberto’s stands out for two reasons: portion size and hours of operation. Burritos and platters are noticeably larger than what you’d get at most quick-service competitors, which is part of why combination platters are popular with people sharing a meal or looking for leftovers. The chain’s late-night and 24-hour hours at many Arizona locations also set it apart, making it a common stop after events, night shifts, or late drives. Because it remains largely family-owned rather than fully corporate-franchised, menu items and recipes stay fairly consistent from one location to the next, even as small regional differences in hours or specials can appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Filiberto’s a fast food restaurant or a sit-down restaurant?

Filiberto’s is a quick-service, fast food style chain. You order at a counter or drive-thru, and food is typically ready within a few minutes, though some locations have limited indoor seating.

Do I need to specify a spice level when ordering?

Yes. If you don’t mention a salsa preference, most locations will use a standard medium salsa. Ask for mild or hot specifically if you have a preference.

Is Filiberto’s open late at night?

Many Arizona locations operate 24 hours, while hours vary by state and individual restaurant. It’s best to check your nearest location’s specific hours before a late-night visit.

How much should I expect to spend on my first order?

A single item typically costs between three and eight dollars, while a combination platter with a drink usually runs between eight and fourteen dollars.

Can I customize my burrito or platter?

Yes. Protein swaps, extra toppings, and salsa preferences can all be adjusted at no extra hassle, and most staff are used to accommodating specific requests.

Does Filiberto’s have vegetarian options for first-time visitors?

Yes. Bean and cheese burritos, cheese quesadillas, and rice-and-bean bowls are all vegetarian-friendly and can be ordered without any modifications, making them an easy fallback if you’re unsure what else to try.

Should I order a la carte or a combination platter on my first visit?

If you’re not sure how hungry you’ll be, start a la carte with one or two items, such as a burrito and a side of carne asada fries. You can always order a combination platter on a return visit once you know your preferred protein and portion size.

Final Thoughts

Ordering at Filiberto’s for the first time only feels intimidating until you understand how the menu is organized and know a few reliable go-to items. Once you’ve placed your first order, whether it’s a plate of carne asada fries or a classic bean and cheese burrito, the rest becomes second nature. For a complete look at every item, category, and price point, browse the full Filiberto’s menu guide, or use our Filiberto’s near me locator to find the closest location before your next visit.