Tipped

Try the burritos, ignore the slogan

July 06, 2008

This is just about the best burrito I've had in London. I also like the Luardo's truck that shows up at Whitecross Street Market, but Tortilla has a slight edge simply because of the options available. To start, Tortilla actually has a choice of sizes (hooray!), real Spanish rice, a choice between pinto and black beans, and real sour cream without any weird flavoring in it. I haven't been back to Mucho Mas for a while, and apparently they've improved their options too, perhaps in response to the competition.

Maybe only an American like me would appreciate such things, but I loved that you can get a soft drink that you fill yourself and with unlimited refills (a real rarity in London), and they make it easy for you to bus your own tables. Not that busing your own tables is particularly fun, but it prevents the sloppy pile-up you get at a lot of quick meal places.

It seems Tortilla has chain aspirations, otherwise why look so slick and corporate? If the goal was to be London-cool, they missed by a mile; if the goal was to look like something that Chipotle/McDonald's would want to buy out in about 5 years, they nailed it. I'm sure they are married to their slogan "Mexico > California > London" because it's printed on everything, but they should have consulted someone in marketing before they adopted it. For one, they literally use ">", which says to me 'Mexico is greater than California, which is greater than London' (not a glowing recommendation of their own food). I think they are trying to say that the food came to London from Mexico by way of California, which only means that it got dubiously reinterpreted twice. At least they don't offer baked beans as a London-style option... Anyhow, ignore the silly slogan, and go for the good burritos.

Tags: cuisine: mexican; burritos

Desperate seeking Mexican

March 31, 2008

This place is decent quasi-Mexican food, although it's a far cry from legitimate Mexican food. It's more akin to US East Coast chain Mexican food than to anything from the West or Southwest. The concept is simple enough: pick your type of food, pick your meat, pick your toppings, and there you go. My main gripe is that the food doesn't seem particularly fresh -- the meat often looks tired, and the guac is questionable on many occasions. That said, if I need a quick bite to eat on the way home, I'll usually stop by. And they've got a good selection of Mexican beers, although the selection varies widely. Minus a star for the lame California-Mexico-London logo.

Tags: cuisine: mexican, Mexican beer

New Burrito on the Block

December 08, 2007

Well I've continued my journey to find the best burrito in London, and I have to say that for the time being Tortilla is the leading contender in my book. As opposed to their rival Mucho Mas up the road (which I understand has adjusted some of its methods of late and deserves another visit by me), Tortilla serves up properly big burritos with a lot of choices and flavours.

The place is relatively small, with only three or four shared tables, so it can get a bit jammed, but burritos are eminently portable so it's not hard to take it to go. You have several options when it comes to your burrito (and they also serve up burrito bowls, salads and fajitas - there are also soups) from rice to salsa and beans (black and pinto - refried might be welcome). Two sizes of burritos can either fill you to the brim or tide you over as a good sized meal.

I found my burrito to be quite tasty and filling, and the portions were more than sufficient with gooey sauces making a proper mess - the guacamole was pretty good quality. Pricing is about the same as their rival up the road, and they have a selection of Mexican beers on offer - there is also a margarita machine, although I did not partake, it's way too cold nowadays.

If I had to nitpick, I'd say that although it seems like Tortilla learned some lessons from Mucho Mas' previously skimpy menu, they still haven't got everything just right. There are jalapenos on request, but they are chopped dried ones, and my experience and preference dictates pickled peppers. The salsas were sufficient, but not amazing (especially the pico de gallo) and the staff could probably use a bit more practice with their wrapping technique, but that will come with time. If you're looking for a burrito in London, this place is the one to beat.

Tags: mexican, burritos, mexican beer, take away

Yummy!

November 28, 2007

Awesome place. Perfect burrito, salas, beans, rice and chicken ( I did not have the steak or pork - although people were raving about the pork in the queue).

I have been three times now and I think I need to seek help for my burrito addiction.

I have tried every Mexican place in London ( I think..) and this is the best. Wahaca is also good if you have a few hours to kill...the service is slow.

Tags: burritos, mexican food, london, tacos

Good

November 27, 2007

Hmmmm whilst thinking about what to write for this review I quickly googled the place and found what I think might be the most gushing restaurant review I've ever read and whilst waiting for my friend to arrive for lunch today I wasn't able to save us a seat as the place was absolutely rammed so this place is obviously doing something right.

The food was good - I had a chicken burrito with black beans, cheese, sour cream and hot stuff - yeah it was really tasty. I think it must be quite new as the guy that works there came over a couple of times to check if everything was ok and if he could improve on the burrito - everything was ok. He then brought over a shot of frozen margerita for us both - sweet - they obviously care.

However - having just read the overly glowing review of this place I have to say that finding an amazing burrito doesn't really fill me with excitement or amazement. I've been to the States quite a lot and had on the whole good burritos which doesn't seem to be the case with most Americans - I guess they're reduced to eating fast food burritos so when you find a good one you shout about it.

The other thing is that to me burritos are soul food or comfort food (which usually translates as hearty and heavy) and the decor at Tortilla didn't exactly put me at ease - it was kind of like a Wagamama crossed with a Starbucks.

All in all I'd definately go again but I don't think I'd stop by of an evening.

A must try

November 26, 2007

This place is defintely worth checking out - the burritos were superb and the service really friendly. Definitely worth the trip to Angel

Tags: Burrito, cal-mex