Costa Vida menu guide
The Costa Vida menu, item by item
The costavida menu is organized around a build-your-own format: choose a base, choose a protein, add toppings, finish with salsa. This walkthrough covers burritos, bowls, tacos and sides so you know what to expect before you reach the counter.
Fast-casual flow. Familiar if you have ordered at a Mexican grill before.
How it works
Base first. Protein next. Toppings and salsa to finish.
That is the whole costa vida line. You call each choice in sequence, skip anything you do not want, and see the plate built in front of you. Write group orders down before you walk in — the line moves faster than you expect.
Flour tortilla, rice, beans, protein, cheese, cold toppings — rolled to order.
Burritos
Burritos are the default order at Costa Vida and the largest item on the menu. A flour tortilla gets filled with rice, beans, a protein, cheese and cold toppings, then rolled and handed over.
You can ask for it wet or dry, and you can skip any ingredient. A Costa Vida burrito sits in the same range as a Cafe Rio or Chipotle burrito — large enough to be a full meal. If you are comparing chains on portion, start here.
- Ask for light rice or no cheese if you want a smaller-feeling build without changing size.
- Wet means sauce over the top — better eaten in-house than on the road.
Bowls
Bowls are the same build without the tortilla. Rice or greens form the base, protein goes on top, then beans, cheese and salsa. They are the easier order if you want to see everything on the plate or if you are eating at a desk.
Bowls also travel better than a burrito if you are taking food back to the office. For anyone judging a chain on protein and salsa quality, a bowl is the cleanest test — nothing hides behind the tortilla.
Tacos
Tacos come in smaller portions, usually two or three to an order, on soft corn or flour tortillas. You pick the protein per taco, which makes it easy to try two different fillings in one visit.
Fish tacos are the Baja-style marker here: lighter, citrusy, usually paired with a fresh salsa rather than a heavy sauce. If you are not sure which protein you like, tacos are the lowest-commitment way to find out.
Simple and lighter plates
Quesadillas
Quesadillas are the straightforward option: a tortilla, melted cheese and a protein, pressed and cut. They are popular with kids and with anyone who wants something simpler than a full burrito.
You can add rice and beans on the side, which turns a quesadilla into a full plate. If you are ordering for a group with mixed preferences, quesadillas are usually the safest item to include — mild, familiar, easy to share.
Ordering for mixed tastes? Add one quesadilla to the tray. It covers the cautious eater while others go for sweet pork or beef.
Salads
Salads replace the tortilla with a bed of greens, then follow the same build: protein, beans, cheese and salsa. They are the lighter option on the costavida menu, though the portion is still substantial.
If you are watching carbs, ask for the salad without rice. The dressing is typically a light citrus or cilantro-lime style, which fits the Baja-style flavor profile and keeps the greens from feeling heavy.
Protein choices
The core proteins are grilled chicken, shredded beef and sweet pork. Vegetarian builds use beans, rice and veggie toppings instead. If you are new to Costa Vida, sweet pork is the one to try first.
Sweet pork
Regional signature
Richer and lightly sweet rather than hot, associated with the Intermountain West chains like Cafe Rio and Costa Vida. Good in burritos and bowls where the sauce can coat the rice.
Grilled chicken
Lighter pick
Leaner and citrus-seasoned. Works well in salads and tacos where you want the salsa to lead. A practical choice if you plan to add guacamole or cheese.
Shredded beef
In between
Savory and tender, sits between chicken and pork on richness. Holds up in quesadillas and wet burritos. Ask for a taco split — beef plus chicken — to compare in one visit.
Beans and veggies
Without meat
Vegetarian diners can build with pinto or black beans, rice and veggie toppings instead of a meat protein. Ask at the counter for the current options at your location.
Rice, beans, and sides
Rice and beans come with most items and can also be ordered on the side. The rice is typically cilantro-lime style, and the beans are usually pinto or black.
Chips and salsa are the standard add-on, and guacamole is available at most locations. If you are ordering for a group, sides are the easiest way to round out a tray without committing to more entrees.
Salsas and sauces
Salsas range from mild to hot, and most locations keep a salsa bar so you can adjust after your food is built. Common options include pico de gallo, tomatillo and a hotter roasted variety.
If you are unsure, ask for a sample cup at the register. The salsa bar is one of the clearest differences between fast-casual Mexican and a standard quick-service counter — you finish the flavor yourself.
Mild first: pico de gallo and tomatillo keep pork and chicken bright without heat.
Want heat? Add the roasted red at the salsa bar, a spoon at a time.
Drinks and desserts stay simple: fountain sodas, water, aguas frescas where offered, plus a cinnamon-sugar tortilla or churro-style sweet.
Drinks and desserts
Drinks are standard: fountain sodas, bottled water and usually aguas frescas at locations that offer them. Dessert is typically limited. If you are planning a group order, handle drinks separately from the food package — it keeps the count simple.
How to order efficiently
Order the base first, then the protein, then the toppings. Decide on salsa before you reach the end of the line, because that is where the decision point is. Takeout and online ordering are available at most locations.
- 1
Call the base — burrito, bowl on rice or greens, tacos, quesadilla or salad.
- 2
Name the protein and beans, then cheese and cold toppings.
- 3
Pick salsa last, and ask for extra on the side if you are taking food to go.
What travels well
Bowls and salads hold up better than burritos if you are transporting food. Burritos can get soft if they sit, so plan to eat them soon after pickup. Tacos are best eaten right away.
For catering or office orders, the burrito bar format solves this by letting people assemble at the destination rather than in transit. It keeps tortillas warm and toppings crisp.
Menu questions, answered
Short answers for first-time visitors planning a costa vida order.
Can I customize a Costa Vida bowl?
Yes. Bowls follow the same build-your-own format as burritos. You choose the base, protein, beans, rice, cheese and salsa, and you can skip any ingredient.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes. Vegetarian builds are possible with beans, rice and veggie toppings instead of a meat protein. Ask at the counter for the current options at your location.
Is sweet pork spicy?
No. Sweet pork is on the sweeter, richer end of the menu rather than the hot end. If you want heat, add a hotter salsa from the salsa bar.
Know what you want? See it made fresh.
Browse how the kitchen preps proteins, rice and salsas through the day, then head to the counter with your build ready.
2901 N Ashton Blvd, Suite 103, Lehi, UT 84043 · Mon–Sun: 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM