It’s been nearly 15 years since Champion Burritos began whipping up burritos inside a North Kansas City gas station.
In 2023, the restaurant made its Johnson County debut in Shawnee — where owner Ernesto Aguirre lives. Champion Burritos was well received there early on, he said, and it got him wondering where his restaurant could head next.
“Like any other business, we wanted to grow,” he said.
That desire for growth ultimately took Champion Burritos to Olathe. The restaurant opened its doors there last week, already seeing “a bit of a crowd” on its first day.
Champion Burritos opened at 539 E. Santa Fe St.
- The restaurant took over a space just off Santa Fe and Copper streets in Olathe.
- Ice cream shop Palacana previously occupied that space before relocating to a different space in Olathe.
- Champion Burritos’ regular hours in Olathe are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Champion Burritos offers “authentic Mexican flavors”
As the name implies, the restaurant is known for its burritos, which come in a variety of forms. But the restaurant also offers other items like street tacos, quesadillas and nachos.
Some of the menu’s most-ordered items, Aguirre said, include the “el campeon” burrito (with either chicken or steak) and the quesabirra tacos.
For those geared toward breakfast, Champion Burritos also offers breakfast burritos all day.
“We cook everything to order, and it goes from the refrigerator to the grill,” Aguirre said. “Everything comes out fresh.”
Champion Burritos has family ties
In a way, Champion Burritos was a full circle moment for Aguirre. One of his early memories from his “younger days”, he said, was watching his mother prepare burritos.
Champion Burritos is also a family affair in the present day, with Aguirre’s wife, Adriana Aguirre, working alongside him at the restaurant. So do their children, Irvin, Levi and Milca Aguirre.
Champion Burritos isn’t done expanding either. The restaurant plans to begin offering catering services soon.
But Aguirre said he also hopes to bring Champion Burritos locations to other places in Johnson County, depending on how its launch in Olathe goes.
“We’ve just kept growing,” he said. “To stop and look back at where we were 15 years ago and at where we stand now, it’s exciting.”
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