Santa Ynez’s Organic Burrito

If you find yourself in the Santa Ynez Valley seeking out a quick, healthy meal, Santa Ynez Burrito (1051 Edison St., Santa Ynez; 688-0750) is just the ticket. The restaurant sources produce from a half-dozen organic nearby farms, uses Lundberg organic rice, organic beans, Golden Farms free-range chicken, and plans to introduce free-range beef from Lompoc-based Rancho San Julian in the coming months. More a Mexican food stand than a restaurant, Santa Ynez Burrito is located inside Rio Market on Edison Street, with shaded outdoor seating and upbeat music over the loudspeakers. In addition to burritos at proportions a farmer would find satisfying, they offer tacos, salads, and chimichangas. As the long line at 2 p.m. on a Monday would suggest, the food is worth the queue, which moved quickly. Joe Swain, a Los Olivos native with a background in organic farming, was the founding owner in 2005, and five months ago returned to restore the menu to its original quality. He runs the restaurant as a collective with four friends. To give back to the community on their third anniversary, the entire menu will be half price on January 19, and all proceeds will go to People Helping People, a Santa Ynez Valley nonprofit.