Big Island Burrito — Restaurant in Indialantic

This is another place that I've dined at many times throughout the past 20 years. A co-worker, who lived in FL for many years prior to my arrival, recommended it to me. I eventually learned that it was a hit with many other locals, and back then, the Melbourne area wasn't like it is now with respect to food choices, so they had a loyal following.

For me, a burrito shop was an entirely new concept especially coming from Northeast PA where such places were non-existent in the late 1990s to early 2000s timeframe. Many times I'd stop on my way home from a day on the sands at Cocoa Beach, grab a burrito and a drink and take a nap once I arrived home.

I've pretty much stuck with the same item throughout the years, which is an extreme burrito with taco meat, yellow rice and black beans. That's the extent of my request, and other ingredients are added regardless of the meat, rice and bean choices.

The burrito, when done right, is just awesome. My experiences throughout the years have been mostly positive, but there are times where I noticed a lack of consistency that detracted from the visit. As an example, I had been away for a few months and returned in October 2021. Of course, BIB is one of the first places I visit, and as I bite into the burrito, I'm met with a lot of Chipotle. Now, I had never tasted it before, and while it may have been there all along, it was certainly at a lesser amount, and too much of it takes away from the overall taste of the burrito. I chalked that one up to possibly a new worker and let it be. I did eat the burrito even though the sauce made a mess by the time I was near its end.

The two most recent times I've visited were in May and June of 2022, and I wasn't impressed with either visit. In May, it looked as if the burrito, or at least the tortilla, was grilled. This was new to me, and I wasn't a fan as it cruncher and flaked apart in my hands and made a mess. That had never happened before, as I've only had soft tortillas. June's visit wasn't much better, as the taco meat was so greasy. It's almost as if a slotted spoon wasn't available to transfer the meat to the shell, so again, a mess.

I don't want it to seem like I'm slamming BIB or recommending that you never go there. I also don't know if BIB changed owners, cooks, staff, etc. and new combinations, layering ratios are being tried out, but I wish they'd revert to their offering of a few years ago. Truth be told, I'll eventually return with the hope that they find more a bit more consistency.

As for the other things folks like to know about, the restaurant had a makeover a few years ago. The general layout is the same, but it's much improved. Staff is great, and many seem to be long-term employees. They're pleasant and attentive, so kudos there. Parking used to be ample, but the Publix next door eats up some of those spaces. You'll be able to find parking, it just may not be right...

Gone down hill significantly in the past year or two. Always a 30 minute min wait for any order. Never have things in stock. Was way better few years ago and I doubt it's because of the pandemic or shortages. Just seems they don't care about customers anymore. Maybe new management or customer increases due to the new Publix. Too bad. Was a great little place. Locals who've been around since before 2018 will know what I'm talking about.

Edit: 4/23/2022: Reply from owner: "ummmm wrong"

Clearly they don't care about customers' experience. Instead of addressing concerns, they say you're wrong. Way to alienate customers who support your business

Edit: 4/24/2022 Been reading through the reviews over past several months and it seems I am not the only one who has noticed a significant reduction in the food quality, attitude of owner toward customers, and hidden fees/up charges.

Turns out someone bought the place recently and that is the source of all the negative changes (i.e. 30 min wait for all orders, lower quality food, poor attitude towards customers, hidden fees/upgrade charge for fish).

I used to recommend this place to everyone. That stops now. I hope someone else buys it.

I should mention that the servers who have been there since before the change in ownership are great. Unfortunately one of the new servers, who I assume is the owner's daughter from other reviews (younger girl), has the same bad attitude towards customers. I witnessed her watching one of the original servers talk to me and could feel that server's clear discomfort. It's obvious the servers from previous owner can see the changes are causing the place to tank. I would bet that it's become very uncomfortable to work there with the new regime. Felt like a scene from 1984. Big brother is watching.

I would normally recommend they improve, but the owners rude, blaming, and accusatory responses to myself and other reviewers make it clear it's an ingrained personality problem and not likely to change.

Very disappointing that new owners ruined what was once a hidden gem. The people are speaking. Listen up. You won't survive long on...

I have to say I’m not to happy with my recent experience. I used to love big island and when I get down in the area get food from here. With this last experience I’ll say I can’t support this establishment. 1. The food wasn’t as good as it used to be. 2. The prices are crazy (ya I know cost have gone up) but these prices are a bit much for what it is. Also paid more for sour cream and my burrito was supposed to be wet with queso. Hardly any sour cream and the queso wasn’t very wet. 3. They add dumb charges like a take out fee. 4. Hardly any protein in the burritos at all. 5. Their online menu on the website apparently doesn’t have updated prices so caution when ordering. Two burritos cost $38!

Wow what a great response from a sarcastic owner that apparently doesn’t even know his or her own site!!! I’m not stupid and I know not to look at Google pictures or third party sites. I go directly to the business website. So nice try to make me look incompetent. I posted a video for you so you can go ahead and look at your menu. Also I don’t need to post videos or pictures. You are not the same owners your staff even said so. On top of that I don’t go to chipotle or Taco Bell. No other restaurant charges for take out boxes! Should advertise that on your website too when you fix your prices. The food used to be great. Maybe it was a mess up on your cooks end but there was hardly any meat. The cheese was clumped together and I paid extra for sour cream which there was hardly any in...