Burrito vs Quesadilla vs Fajita: What Is the Difference?

A burrito is a large flour tortilla rolled and closed around a filling. A quesadilla is a tortilla folded or stacked around melted cheese and filling, then toasted and cut into wedges. Fajitas arrive as sizzling strips of meat or vegetables that you wrap yourself. Hawaii in Side serves all three, with chicken, meat and vegetarian options.

Three dishes, one tortilla

All three dishes share the same building block: the soft tortilla. What changes is what happens to it. A burrito wraps everything up for you, a quesadilla toasts the tortilla around melted cheese, and fajitas hand you the parts so you can build your own. That difference decides how hungry you need to be, how messy dinner gets and how easy it is to share.

Side-by-side comparison

These describe how the dishes are usually made. Hawaii's menu does not give a detailed description for each one, so ask your server how the kitchen prepares them and what comes alongside.

The burrito

A classic burrito is a large flour tortilla wrapped around a generous filling, typically meat or vegetables with rice, beans, cheese or sauce, then folded at the ends so nothing escapes. It is the most filling of the three and the easiest to eat as a complete meal. At Hawaii you can choose a Chicken Burrito, a Mince meat Burrito or a Vegetarian Burrito. Our burrito page covers it in more depth.

The quesadilla

The name comes from queso, the Spanish word for cheese, and that tells you everything. A quesadilla is a tortilla folded or layered around melted cheese plus a filling, then toasted until the outside is crisp. It is usually cut into wedges, which makes it lighter than a burrito and very easy to share. Hawaii serves a Chicken Quesadilla, a Mince meat Quesadilla and a Vegetarian Quesadilla. The chicken quesadilla has its own page too.

The fajita

Fajitas are the interactive one. Strips of meat or chicken, usually cooked with peppers and onions, are brought to the table hot, often still sizzling, with tortillas on the side. You assemble each wrap yourself, adding as much or as little as you like. It is the most social of the three. Hawaii's menu lists a Chicken Fajita, a Meat Fajita, a Mixed Fajita and a Vegetarian fajita. Our chicken fajita page goes into more detail.

What about tacos?

Tacos are probably the best-known Mexican dish of all: small tortillas, folded and filled, eaten in a few bites. They are not on Hawaii's menu. If you are craving that hand-held style, a quesadilla cut into wedges is the closest experience, and Chicken Nachos are a good sharing alternative from the Mexican section.

Which should you order?

• Very hungry, want one complete plate? The burrito.
• Love melted cheese and a crisp bite? The quesadilla.
• Dining as a group or a couple? Fajitas, especially the Mixed Fajita if you cannot choose between chicken and meat.
• Vegetarian? All three come in a vegetarian version. See our vegetarian Mexican guide.
• Prefer minced meat? Compare the two mince dishes in our mince meat quesadilla and burrito guide.

How spicy are they?

Mexican-style food does not have to be fiery. Heat usually comes from salsa, jalapeños or sauces, and many kitchens can adjust it. For an honest look at heat levels on Hawaii's Mexican dishes, read how spicy is the Mexican food? and tell your server how much heat you like.

Halal and drinks

All meat and chicken at Hawaii is halal-slaughtered, and pork is served only on request and prepared separately. Because Hawaii is a bar too, Mexican dishes pair easily with a cold beer or a cocktail, and Happy Hour runs daily from 19:00 to 20:00.

The whole Mexican menu

Beyond these three, the Mexican section also includes Mexican Chicken, Mexican steak, Chicken Nachos and Buffalo Chicken Wings. Our Mexican food in Side guide brings them together.

Plan your visit

Hawaii Restaurant & Bar has served Side old town since 2000 and is open daily 10:00–02:00. For current prices, check the live menu. Free round-trip pickup runs from selected hotels, and you can book a table online or on WhatsApp at +90 533 930 12 83.