Burrito Express is off to a sizzling start in Maricopa.

The restaurant’s Fast and Fresh concept celebrated its official grand opening Friday morning in the Circle K on Porter and Honeycutt Roads after it first opened in January. The grand opening drew customers through the morning with a steady stream of free burritos and giveaways.

Employees dished out 200 free burritos before noon, each paired with a raffle ticket for a chance to win a $500 gas gift card. Free swag, drinks, snacks and samples added to the buzz.

Burrito Express owner Angel Marin said he wanted to challenge expectations of their product.

“Burrito Express is not gas station food,” he told InMaricopa and multiple curious customers that morning. “This is a Burrito Express inside a gas station.”

That is true. The Tempe-based chain operates eight standalone restaurants and only recently added their “Fast and Fresh” concept to Circle K stores, including two locations in Maricopa.

Marin said while the “Fast and Fresh” brand doesn’t customize orders — that would understandably negate the fast part of the concept — they do pride themselves in preparing fresh ingredients throughout the day.

“Every egg is cracked by hand, our salsa and beans are made every single morning, we shred our chicken by hand every morning,” he said, adding they do not use freezers.

Burrito Express also passed its first health inspection last month with flying colors.

Tasha Phillips, a Sorrento resident, said she stopped in after another customer recommended she check out the burritos during her morning errands.

“I needed gas and one of the guys told me to check it out,” she said. “I only just heard of [Burrito Express] the other day.”

The concept serves breakfast and lunch burritos daily until 3 p.m. Prices range from $4.85 for a basic bean and cheese burrito to $8.99 for heftier options, like a steak and egg.

“I really just want people to try it,” Marin said. “We’re very, very confident in our product. The best part is burritos travel anywhere.”