When Burrito Mama launched a few weeks ago, Twitter was abuzz with excitement at a new burrito place in the City. You'd think we'd experienced a burrito drought (well we sorta did when Kerb got kicked off the Gherkin and Luardo's had to set up shop at Whitecross instead) with all the huzzah. Burrito Mama, to celebrate their launch in One New Change, offered a free burrito for everyone who popped by from 12-4pm. So naturally, I did.
The line was epically long even at 11.45am when I showed up - after waiting 20 minutes I realised it wasn't really worth that much for a £6 burrito and elected to come back a couple of weeks later. Definitely a better idea as there was no line to speak of although I have to credit this more to the speed of the assembly line they've set up. It felt like I had barely ordered before the tortilla was steamed, meat and beans scooped in, the full range of toppings layered on, and the entire thing rolled, wrapped, and bagged. I've seen some expert burrito lines but this one takes the cake.
Unfortunately, the taste didn't quite live up to the execution. The wholewheat tortilla (I know - bad decision) was a tad soggy and very chewy which got us off to a bad start. The meat was also a bit underseasoned - after being cooked for hours in spices, I expect a potent mix of flavours rather than the light meaty taste my pork belly had. Also, if offering pork belly, make sure to render the fat a bit otherwise it's less melt-in-your-mouth and more chewing gum. The "hot" salsa was more akin to chilli ketchup than any real heat and was quickly lost in the guac and sour cream. All in all, it wasn't a bad burrito, just not a good one.
For £6, it's a decent value proposition on the face of it and for most will undoubtedly be a perfectly good lunch. If you are a spice lover like me then you are probably better served heading to Freebird near Liverpool St or waiting for the warmer months when Burrito Joe returns. read more