The News:
Chipotle, the fast-growing, McDonald's-affiliated fresh-Mex chain, doesn't disclose the calorie or saturated fat content of its burritos. But the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)—the "food police" who blew the whistle on the fat content of popular Italian, Chinese, and fast-food restaurant fare—sent some of Chipotle's most popular burritos to an independent laboratory for analysis.

Among CSPI's findings:

Baja Fresh, a Wendy's-owned chain, has much more than burritos. Its chicken, cheese, or steak Quesadillas average 1,230 calories and have a nearly two days' worth of artery-clogging saturated fat. That's like having three Quarter Pounders with another half-day's sat fat thrown in, according to CSPI.

The Scoop:

"Fresh Mex chains cultivate an aura of healthfulness, and sometimes it's deserved," said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson, in a press release. "But because Chipotle doesn't reveal calories or other nutrition information, most people wouldn't have a clue that a Vegetarian Burrito is the equivalent of an overstuffed corned beef sandwich—plus 350 calories. Chipotle's Carnitas Burrito is like an artillery shell filled with a day's worth of saturated fat and sodium."

Chipotle's Chicken Burrito Bols—burritos without the 340-calorie flour tortillas—are CSPI's only recommended "Better Bites" at Chipotle. A Bol with chicken, black beans, lettuce, and salsa, has just 430 calories and four grams of saturated fat. Rice instead of lettuce adds about 200 calories. If you must have one of the oversized burritos (Chipotle claims that their burritos "beep when they back up"), share half of it with a friend or wrap the other half up for the next day's lunch.

Here are some more tips on selecting Mexican entrees, from DietWatch's Dining Out Section:

• Fajitas are a wonderful choice! Since all the ingredients are often served separately, you can choose exactly what goes in your fajita.
  
• The meats and vegetables are most often grilled. The only thing to check on is if the restaurant sautés the vegetables in oil. If so, ask if there is a way to cook them without oil.
  
• Chicken or Fish Soft Tacos are also a good choice if the chicken is breast meat and the fish is grilled with minimal oil rather than fried (although even grilling often means oil is slathered on first, but most of it cooks off). Ask for any sauces and cheese to be omitted or served on the side (mayonnaise is often added in Fish Tacos). Lettuce, tomatoes and other vegetables can be added along with lots of flavorful, nonfat salsa.
  
• It is better to order a la carte if possible. If not, choose one of the three sides offered. Don't tempt yourself with all three! A full dinner can be enough calories and fat for at least two meals.
  
• Grilled Shrimp or Marinated Chicken (if it's breast meat) is a great choice. Remember that the rice which comes with many of these dishes is not steamed—oil has been added, making the fat content typically around 30% of calories or more.
  
• All forms of tortilla—served warm with butter on the side, fried for chips, as a burrito, enchilada or fajita wrapper—should be considered for the number of bread servings represented.
  
• Burritos can pack a lot of calories (700-900 is common), even when the fat is below 30% of calories (meaning the total fat can still be high -- 20 g or more). Note that many restaurants use dark meat chicken for burritos, not breast meat, and their "heart healthy " claims are often false for this reason in addition to lack of legal understanding of the term.
  
• Refried beans may be cooked in lard. If possible, order whole beans instead. Beans are high in fiber and therefore do not raise blood sugar as much as other foods high in carbohydrate.