Street Burritos: Luardos Vs Freebird Vs Daddy Donkey

Since starting this blog, i realised that i'd neglected to write about the excellent mobile burrito vans which have sprung up all over London over the past few years. So over the past couple of weeks i decided to try three of the most popular, all of which are situated around the Old Street/Farringdon area.

You only need to see the massive queue for Luardos burrito van in the culinary haven of Whitecross St on a Friday to understand that their burritos really are very good indeed. By the time we got there at 1.30 they had already run out of steak and, midway through queueing, the chicken was a gonner too. Still the carnitas was excellent, served with hot salsa and large dollop of guacamole . Bonus points for using my favourite Cholula hot sauce there too. For £5 this is a excellent value and a great option, especially if you work on Old Street's Silicon Roundabout.

On Monday i braved a flurry of snow to try Freebird on Exmouth

Market. The queues were much smaller than Luardos (though this may have been to do with the sudden arctic gust which terrorised the lunch hour) but this was no reflection on its quality. I had their chicken, which was shredded rather than cubed making for a more carnitas like exprience, but the real treat was the fact they gave you the option of refried beans - as far i know the only joint in London to do so. Price was £5.50 including guacamole, over my normal £5 lunch limit but arguably worth it.

On a very sunny Wednesday lunchtime, i braved a killer hangover to visit Daddy Donkey on Leather Lane. Daddy Donkey's guacamole recipe spread like wildfire online last week thanks to an appearance on Market Kitchen, and they're streets ahead of their competitors in using social media to further their brand, so, it's fair to say i was expecting 'big tings'. I opted to try their Picadillo beef, which as was ok, but a bit lacking in flavour, though their guac was creamy and impressive. Their burritos are fat and stubby which makes them feel more authentic than some of their competitors, but at £6 for the works, kinda on the pricey side for an average lunchtime. There's lots to love about Daddy Donkey as a brand and their enthusiasm for spreading the word of good burritos, but unlike Freebird and Luardos, i didn't come away desperate for a return visit.

VERDICT?

It's a close call but Luardos clinches it. Get involved.

Barburrito A Go-Go

Thanks to Richard from Like Father Like Daughter who pointed me to a recent article from the Manchester Evening News about Manc based Burrito chain Barburrito and their plans for expansion.

There’s a lot to love about Barburrito -  a great location for starters at the heart of Manchester’s redeveloped Piccadilly Gardens – and some cracking food.  I’m also grateful to them for making me realise that there’s an appetite for burritos outside of the M25, thus providing me with the inspiration to start this blog whilst eating there on a rainy November afternoon. 

 I’ll do a proper review of their food next time I’m up north, but what excites me about Barburrito is their ambitious expansion plans. They’ve already opened in a branch in Liverpool, and with stores to come in Leeds and Birmingham, alongside more branches in Manchester,  they could easily become the biggest UK burrito chain by mid 2010. I’ll do a proper review of their food next time I’m up north, but what excites me about Barburrito is their ambitious expansion plans. They’ve already opened in a branch in Liverpool, and with stores to come in Leeds and Birmingham, alongside more branches in Manchester,  they could easily become the biggest UK burrito chain by mid 2010. Exciting times indeed. 

Speaking of burrito chains, in yesterday's Times Online there was a quote from  Chipotle founder Steve Ellis in an article about spotting business opportunities. This is certainly the first time i've seen Chipotle mentioned in the UK press - is the PR starting to gear up for their April launch over here?