Freebirds Expands To USC: 7-Pound Burritos For All

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Freebirds nachos

Freebirds, known for its bulging burritos (the Super Monster weighs in at 7 pounds), nachos, and salads -- all custom made from a row of over 40 ingredients -- is expanding to USC, and 16 locations throughout California. A staple for UC Santa Barbara students for over 20 years, as well as Texans for nearly the same, Freebirds will open across the street from the USC campus on Thursday, January 13, 2011. Each location has a "roller," who helps you make difficult decisions such as choice of burrito size, and fillings of grass-fed beef, hormone-free chicken, pork carnitas, crispy fish, veggies and hot peppers.

Freebirds

"Libby" riding her hog

Its first location in Isla Vista was opened by two Santa Barbara locals, who later sold the brand to Tavistock Restaurants. Since the sale, the Mexican chain, which changed its name to Freebirds World Burrito, opened 44 restaurants in Texas, and hopes to do the same on the West Coast.

Unlike its 24-hour location in Isla Vista, the 2559 square foot USC space will be open Monday through Wednesday, 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. On opening day, January 13, 2011, Freebirds will partner with two L.A. charities, The Art of Elysium and Union Rescue Mission. Its newest location -- with a blue, multi-colored Volkswagen van, driven in from Texas and parked out front -- hopes to attract USC students, Angelenos, and a caravan of UCSB alumni.

Freebirds World Burrito: 3335 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles; (213) 746-1212.