Food Review Barburrito

Tom Goodhand finds a fast food chain that's got it all wrapped up

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Food Review: Barburrito

It’s a simple concept, and it seems baffling that no-one in Leeds centre has done it yet. Fast food burritos – either to take away or eat in – and at a cost that means people won’t think twice about treating themselves.

If as you read this, a light bulb turns on above your head and you think, “that is a great idea, I’m going to do it”, too late. Barburrito have done it. And they’ve done it well.

This small chain of Mexican-themed restaurants already boast three units in Manchester and one in Liverpool, and have recently opened up a new site in Leeds on The Headrow as part of The Light development. We popped round one Friday lunchtime to see if their food was more than just takeaway trash.

We were fairly confident when we went in – you can’t go far wrong with a burrito, can you? – although the hectic service line and slightly baffling (although nice looking) signage and menus threw us off a little.

The premise, it turns out, is pretty simple. Like Subway, you pick what main filling you want (chicken, beef, pork or veg) and then work you way along the line, adding rice, sauces, salad, cheese, sour cream, guacamole to your burrito, until it’s stuffed full folded up and you cough up. Pretty simple really. There are other options too, including a burrito bowl (which is just what you think it is, a burrito in a bowl), tacos (like a burrito but in a crispy shell) or nachos covered in everything you’d expect nachos to be covered in.

I go for a chicken burrito meal, which comprises a chicken burrito, a swanky little bag of tortilla chips, and a “bottomless soda” (which is oh-so-very American, ain’t it?), which comes in at £6 (with an extra 50p for guacamole – definitely worth it). My partner is more restrained in her ordering and just gets a vegetable burrito (£4.25).

The burritos are actually pretty impressive – absolutely packed full of fillings, with the salsa and guacamole both obviously home-made and fresh. And while my partner’s vegetable option is less impressive (far too much onion, especially if you have to face your co-workers when you get back to the office!) she still leaves happy and replete.

For a takeaway concept, Barburrito really is relatively high-end – you can see it in the crisp and modern restaurant design, the food which is actually – shock horror – tasty, fresh and pretty good for you. OK, so this isn’t traditional, high quality Mexican food, this is cheap street food, served at pace to demanding lunch customers, and, in terms of meeting those expectations, the restaurant does very well indeed.

Posted on Wednesday 4th August 2010

Barburrito

62 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 8EQ

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