Avocado Tree: A Chinese Chipotle

Susan Sheng | Nov 8, 2011 12:00 pm | 9 comments | 9716 reads

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, Avocado Tree is a most ardent, if not yet seasoned, bootlicker. Modeled after US chain Chipotle, Avocado Tree’s burritos (RMB 23-28) are generous and contain both black beans and corn, with chicken, beef and veggie options.

Sadly, the poppy lime-cilantro rice that makes Chipotle so darn addictive is absent – Avocado Tree’s plain white grains are somewhat soggy. Try the vegetarian burrito, and ask for spicy adobe sauce, which shines when combined with the kicky avocado.

Also rave-worthy is their guacamole (RMB 15, includes fresh tortilla chips), blending chunks of the buttery fruit with a sprinkling of salty goodness. It’s a far cry from the typical puce-colored cream that masquerades as “guacamole” here. Not quite a pseudo-Mexican fast food dreamboat, but it’s close enough for Beijing.

Daily 10am-9.30pm. 45 Chengfu Lu (150m west of Wudaokou subway station), Haidian District (188 1024 4682)
海淀区成府路45号（五道口城铁站往西150米）

Click here to see the November issue of the Beijinger in full.

Photos: Judy Zhou

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Chipotle Fan's picture Chipotle Fan Submitted by Guest on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 21:11

The Shunyi location needs to do a better job sticking to its opening hours. I went by there today at 8:40 PM and the guy said they were closing early, ahead of 9 PM, because they didn't have enough customers. Well, duh, now you've got one less customer in the future.

marilynmai's picture marilynmai Submitted by Guest on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 14:52

Avocado Tree is still in wdk, but it's no longer serving burritos. I don't suppose the noodles and xiaolongbao they're still offering will be much consolation?

They're opening a new location next to Home Plate Bar-B-Que off Xiaoyun Lu very soon, as in Thursday or Friday this week, at least according to owner Chelsea. (Same as we just reported on Capital Bites today.)

And yes, they do also have a Shunyi location, at Pinnacle Plaza.

mattpier's picture mattpier Submitted by Guest on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 21:33

Closed... So I was craving a burrito today and figured how better to ring in Memorial Day and Summer than with a burrito. I hoped on the train and went all the way over there only to find that it is closed and now a shoe store or something like that. If someone can tell me if it moved someplace else or if there is another substitute I would be happy to hear it but it appears from my trek today that "Avocado Tree" is no more.

MattyHar's picture MattyHar Submitted by Guest on Thu, 11/10/2011 - 10:21

I don't get the comparisons to Chipotle, they are both just fast food burrito places of which there are a million in the States. The food tastes nothing at all like each other and the menu choices are completely different. They don't even have Chipotle sauce! I thought it was pretty decent for Mexican in Beijing, just nothing like Chipotle. The guacamole was the best part.

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