Burrito chain picks Durham for first NC location. When it will open

A new Mexican fusion chain has landed in North Carolina.

Bubbakoo’s Burritos picked Durham for its first restaurant in the Tar Heel State, opening the location in the Target-anchored Renaissance Village shopping center.

The Durham franchise location is owned by Yash Patel.

“Introducing Bubbakoo’s Burritos to the state of North Carolina is a meaningful moment for us, symbolic of the support we’ve seen for the brand and our hopes to continue to grow the brand to new parts of the country,” Patel said in a news release. “Bubbakoo’s is all about fresh ingredients, friendly service, and creative combinations that keep guests coming back.”

Bubakoo’s Burritos first opened in 2008 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, and has since grown to more than 130 locations in 17 states. In 2025, co-founders Bill Hart and Paul Altero sold the business to private equity firm Thompson Street Capital Partners.

Bubbakoo’s Burritos menu

The restaurant’s menu offers a variety of “signature creations,” including the Papi Hibachi Burrito, filled with steak and shrimp, cilantro-lime rice, black beans, pico de gallo, sour cream and cheese. Bubbakoo’s also makes a Nashville Hot Chicken Burrito, stuffed with fried chicken coated in hot sauce, rice, cheese, black beans, cheese, sour cream and pickles.

In addition to its burritos and burrito bowls, Bubbakoo’s sells quesadillas and “Chiwawas,” which are panko-crusted cheesy rice balls filled with protein, sauces and other toppings.

Customers can also order soft and hard-shelled tacos, nachos and taco salads.

Vegetarian options such as Mexican street corn nachos and quesadillas, and loaded tater tots, are available.

The menu items are customizable, and diners can create their own meals. Most entrees range from $11-$16.

As sides, Bubbakoo’s offers chips with dips such as guacamole, salsa and queso (starting at $3), plus tater tots and curly fries (starting around $6).

Bubbakoo’s Burritos opens in Durham

Durham’s Bubbakoo’s restaurant is at 8202 Renaissance Parkway. The store opened Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Bubbakoo’s celebrates Taco Tuesday with a special deal. Customers can get three customizable tacos and a side of chips for $8.

This is the latest out-of-state Mexican or taco chain to expand into the Triangle. Last year, California’s Del Taco opened its first North Carolina location, bringing its burritos, quesadillas, tacos, nachos, cheeseburgers, doughnuts and crinkle-cut fries to Durham.

Velvet Taco, the Texas chain offering innovative takes on tacos, just opened a location in Raleigh’s North Hills. Raleigh is also home to the only Wong’s Tacos outside of Virginia. Wong’s describes its blend of Asian and Mexican as “Mexanese,” offering tacos filled with kung pao chicken, poke nachos and chorizo-stuffed egg rolls.

This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 1:32 PM.

Renee Umsted

The News & Observer

919-419-6579

Renee Umsted is The News & Observer’s Affordability Reporter. She writes about what it costs to live in the Triangle, with a consumer-focused approach. She has a degree in journalism from TCU.