El Burrito, Fitzrovia, London

LOVE El Burrito! Delicious food, great people, wonderful experience.
They also host many fun classes, such as making sugar skulls or pinatas.

Flavours are good and for me slightly better than benitos hat. The price is pushing on too much I think for a lunch. £6 for a burrito mainly filled with cheap rice.

The service needs improving as I have asked several times for more of one filling than another. each time they just fill the same way. once I got a couple of tomatos extra, then they proceeded to try and charge me 50p more.

I go to this place for lunch all the time (at least once a week), and it remains the best burrito I've had in London. Now that doesnt mean to say that its the slickest operation, or the neatest finished product, and the poly trays you get are a bit dubious. But mexican food should be FULL of flavour, and El Burrito delivers every time.

Their range of fillings is wider and more authentic than any other outlet - rather than ramming your wrap with loads of rice and bland meat, they offer up meats in a range of amazing sauces (tinga is fab), and pack in flavour with pico de gallo, a range of hot sauces, salad, and wonderful guacamole.

Part of a mexican food operation also including Mestizo restaurant (where they feature some of the same taco recipes) and the online mexgrocer.co.uk, they really know what they're talking about. Just a shame its often in rapid-fire mexican spanish so I cant listen in!

A couple of tips to make it a great lunch- the breakfast burrito is fab, but my absolute favourite is pastor (marinaded pork & pineapple). And make sure you always ask for 'everything' in the salad/sauce bar - they know what they're doing flavour-wise so let them make you the best burrito imagineable. Enjoy!

I've been to El Burrito a few times, but it's not worth going there in my opinion, because Benito's Hat is around the corner.

El Burrito serves up a pretty authentic burrito, however they are assembled inconsistently, and the last one I had suffered a burrito containment failure of epic proportions. I can eat a well-prepared burrito with one hand, but I found myself having to scoop out fillings with the supplied tostada chips to try and prevent containment failure. Suffice to say this failed, and I was left with sauce everywhere.

In terms of taste, El Burrito is a little bland. They have some work to do if they want to be top of the burrito league.

I like Mexican food. I like it a lot. So when a pal suggested we go here for a bit of lunch, then I was rather pleased.

Initially, my heart sank as I arrived as there was a queue out of the door, making me think that this was going to be one of those hellishly busy places that made my head explode.

Alas, this wasn't the case. El Burrito was busy because, well, the food was cheap enough and very good.

The system is weird however. A man in a cap darts out of the door and issues you with a polystyrene tray (much like the tray you'd get a kebab in) and asks you what you'd like to eat before you've even got inside. This is an attempt to speed the whole process up.

However, once he'd written my order on the tray, I found myself repeating it to the people inside anyway, making Cap Man seem a bit superfluous.

That said, this is pretty small-fry because once I got my food, I wandered into the back and got a seat and got stuck into a gigantic burrito that could've fed a football team (granted, a football team of very tiny humans, but you've got to play along with analogies like that without taking them at face-value, okay?).

It is advised that you stock up on napkins however because, unless you're made out of magic, there's no way you can plough your way through a burrito without getting it all over you. I'd barely opened mine and I had half a chicken and 40 ladles of guacamole in my hair.

That probably says more about me...

Suffice to say, this is a great little place and worth repeat visits. Next time I'm in the area, I'll certainly be paying El Burrito a visit.

Despite their being some communication "issues" between the staff and my order taking far too long, I'll definitely be back to El Burrito.

Not only was my chicken burrito really good value, it was massive and delicious. So big that I couldn't finish it. And I never leave tasty food behind. It causes me pain. It was my first burrito (how I lived for 21 years without trying one sooner is beyond me), so I don't know how authentic it was, or how it compares to other burritos. But I think tastiness is more important than authenticity.

A couple of tips: The seating area in El Burrito is window-less and a bit cramped, so you're better off getting it to go. And don't forget your napkins! Eating burritos is a messy business.

Pretty authentic burrito, but the quality is variable, and there is a much better place over the road. Can't really recommend.

El Burrito has a lot of options for fillings, and I went with the chicken tinga. They pack a lot into these burritos, including pickled jalapenos. Quite different from Luardo's, since the rice looks like basmati and the beans are more of a bean paste than individual black beans. Also not wrapped as tightly so they're a lot messier to eat. Still tasty though, and they come with a few tortilla chips on the side (helps to scoop up all the filling that will inevitably spill out). I still slightly prefer Luardo's but then again I haven't tried all of the interesting fillings here (they even have a chicken mole).

Good value and great for a quick lunch, despite the queue - took us about 5 minutes to be served.

The burritos themselves were pretty big and really nice, actually - definitely a nice change from Eat/Pret around the corner.

The closest thing to a real burrito I’ve had since I was last in Mexico. By far, my favorite burrito joint in London… and apparently other people’s favorite too (the queue was lengthy). Still, for American expats craving the Mexi-Cali tastes of Chipotle, go to Benito’s Hat around the corner or Tortilla in Islington. Alternatively, Mexicali in Chelsea makes fantastic tortilla soup (and he tells me that the burritos are good, as well).

http://londondiningout.tumblr.com/post/214642508/best-bur...

I was really disappointed. I've heard all these great things, but it was not really that great - didn't even taste very Mexican!

I got a chicken tinga quesadilla; the chicken tasted more tomato-y than anything. They are REALLY stingy with the toppings/fillings; pretty much everyone kept asking for more. There is no sour cream - what???

With Benito's Hat just across the road, I would MUCH rather go there - you get more for your money.

I have been craving a burrito since I was last in California visiting home. I was given a reccomendation to go to El Burrito as they have the “best burritos in all of London”. Upon viewing the menu I was very excited. I placed my order and rushed back to work to consume my burrito. The first problem with this burrito is the lack of beans. Barely any at all! Another problem was the amount of lettuce, probably to make up for a lack of fillings. The only good part of the entire burrito eating experience was the guacamole. I spent 6 pounds on a less than sub-par burrito? Crap. Should have gone to Nandos around the corner. I've come to the conclusion that London, or even the entire UK, can’t make a good burrito. I’m going on burrito strike until I go home again. Ah Taqueria CanCun on 18th and Mission Street in San Francisco. That’s a great burrito, and for 4 dollars! Real life Mexicans too! Hot damn that’s a deal. Everytime I’ve had a Mexican food experience here I’ve been let down. However if you’d like a burrito that costs less with less internet hype and tastes a bit better go to the cafe that serves full english breakfast on Clevland Street behind Fitzroy Square. That says a lot about El Burrito. pffft

Got handed a menu to this place as I was strolling up Goodge Street to grab something for lunch and decided to give it a go.

Have to say, at first I walked and in and I wasn’t impressed straight away. The staff were friendly but the place just felt a bit empty and lacking.

I had a chicken burrito and I had to eat some humble pie, it was amazing! It was spicy, the chicken was tender and it wasn’t absolutely stuffed to the gills.

Only complaint I would have is that the nachos were really dry and bland tasting.

Definitely going to check the place out again and explore the menu a bit more!

Until today I though my relationship with Mexican Food was doomed thanks to the bland, flavourless chilli con carnes and and torillas which plagued my University days. Thanks to El Burrito though i’m all 'loco’ over their spicy cuisine once again.

My only criticism is the quandry that their menu puts you in with Burritos, Tacos & Quesedillas all on offer with a mouthwatering variety of fillings. Today I opted for Quesedilla filled with Cochinita (melt in your mouth pork cooked in a sauce of achiote and orange juice) which really hit the spot with intense flavour and juicy tomatoes. Next time I will be taking the plunge and devouring a Chicken Mole which uses Mexicos most famous sauce consisting of 20 ingredients (even chocolate).

All I was missing was an ice cold cervesa but hey, thats the pitfall of the working lunch.

Mexican food made by a… Mexican? Can it be? Is this one of the most authentic food experiences in London?
So it is straight up and down, a simple counter, a smile, an easy to grasp menu that is mix and match, and a whopper of a burrito at the end. My veg one was simply perfect, some lovely spiced rice, loads of flavourful vegetables stuffed with more jalapenos than I think most people consume in a year! But I have always played for Team Spicy and these guys did not disappoint.
It’s quick, cheap and cheerful (and who isn’t looking for something like that in their precious 1 hr lunch break?)

Look, I’d never admit it out loud, but I’m no Mexican food connoisseur. My idea of amazing Mexican food is an old el paso burrito/fajita box set with some chicken strips and powdered seasoning. Slap on as much cheese, salsa and guac as I can stuff in there (yes even if all three accompanying every Mexican dish is pure sacrilage) and have an elbow-licking good time.

So given this, I may not be the best to give advice on the best spots to dine Mexican around the capital. But I have visited most and can say that El Burrito certainly hold their own. The Burrito was packed full but not greasy or runny but with a decent pack of flavour in there. As others have said, it’s about £4.50 for a tummy-filling burrito, with an extra 50p for guac (a tad annoyingly). I was a little bemused by the dry tortilla chips they throw in the box, not quite sure what to do with them and wishing I had my salsacheeseguac trio to ease my worries but I guess I need to learn some time. Great for a hangover/work lunch hour/something different and affordable.

Yep, another burrito place. God this town is full of them. but here’s the thing, this one is pretty damn good. i mean, it’s completely souless, but the food is damn good.

I’m impressed - decent sized burritos, without being watery and fatty so gunk goes everywhere. They don’t overfill them which is important, I think. As stupid as it sounds. Plus, you get cutlery, which you don’t get at the mexican stall at the food market over the road.

I really like it here. I really like being able to sit outside and watch posh people in Charlotte Place. I like only paying £5 for my lunch (although, don’t charge me extra for gaucamole, that’s taking the piss - it’s a burrito for goodness sake).

I don’t like the nachos that were nothing else but dull Dorritos (in fact, I’d rather they’d serve dorritos’), and I’d really like a smile behind that counter - we didn’t want to stay inside really. It was frosty.

Better than Benitos hat? No. Yummy? Yes.

This place is fantastic! We went for a team meal here having failed to get a seat for us 5 at Benitos Hat and we were not disappointed!

Generous portions for both nachos and burritos left us all absolutely stuffed. The food is yummy, the speed of service is fast and they make it just the way you want it.

I would highly recomend going here early though - when we left at 1:30pm there was a huge queue!

Typical Mexican “street food”, also known as “taquería” food. Found almost everywhere in Mexico, this is not intended to be fine dining, but rather a quick stop for lunch, dinner, or apres-outing. Mostly authentic Mexican, haven’t found it in this format anywhere else in London. This is a venture by the same people who own and manage “Mestizo”, which is probably the only authentic Mexican dining establishment in London. Not always is everything available, but that only serves to prompt one to try something new. For a true “taquería” experience, order the “Pastor” tacos, a specially marinated and seasoned pork, normally served with pineapple. The sauces are all homemade, and you can taste the difference! Very much recommend, especially if you enjoy spicy foods…!

After reading reviews on here about El Burrito, my need for Mexican food in London drove me to check it out. I have to say that I absolutely loved the beef tacos.
The place reminds me of a taco bar style chain back in the US called “Moe’s” which I wish would make it internationally, though I know it never will. This place improved on the feeling I got from Mexican restaurants such as that in the states by having a clean and quick atmosphere and some truly amazing food.
I would recommend going at an off-lunch time as I’ve managed to avoid the rush doing so, but the service has always been quick, so a line isn’t that bad.
While I wish they had ground beef as a filling option, something I can’t find most places around here, for a good taco I highly recommend this place.
After seeing someone else get the nachos and the burrito, I can’t wait to go back and try both, as they looked amazing as well.