More bang for your buck

• Source: Global Times
• [13:38 June 03 2010]
• Comments

A burrito at Pizza 2 Go. photo: Tom Mangione

By Tom Mangione

Burritos, the coma inducing carbohydrate bombs of Tex-Mex cuisine have begun to land in Shanghai in force. And most of these aren't the gourmet, boutique burritos that Shanghai dwellers have had to choose from before. These new street-wise burritos are made for take-out, and won't cost you an arm and a leg, despite the fact they might be about the size of one. The Global Times took a look at the burritos around town that you can get for under 50 yuan ($7).

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is the project of Víctor Alarcón, a Mexican entrepreneur from Acapulco, a resort city on Mexico's Pacific coast. Inside, the restaurant is comfortable but not overbearing, prominently featuring reproductions of paintings depicting the gruesome deeds of Montezuma and Cortez, two of Mexico's most legendary historical figures. Alarcón told an inquiring diner, "In this painting, you can see Cortez burning Montezuma's feet with acid."

The menu consists of both Mexican and Tex-Mex classics - enchiladas, tacos, burritos - all for very reasonable prices. Tostadas and tacos can be had for around 12 yuan each. The rather simple 35 yuan chicken burrito was stuffed with chicken, soupy, refried beans and a bland Mexican rice with diced carrots and corn. However, what made up for what would have otherwise have been a dull burrito was the chicken, cooked in a rich, dark mole poblano.

Teotihuacan, 580 Yuyuan Road, near Zhenning Road, 6226 3098, 10 am to 12 pm.

El Gato Verde

This new Mexican take-out/delivery joint is a project developed by the people who brought you Boona and Moogoo, which recently opened on Fenyang Road. El Gato Verde also recently opened just down the street in the converted front hall of an old public housing unit. In addition to Mexican standards like burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas, the store also sells homemade yogurt with honey. While there's only take-out and delivery at the moment, plans are in the works to offer a dine-in service as well.

The burritos here were the best of all the places that we tried. The shredded chicken burrito for 35 yuan included pico de gallo, jalapeños, refried beans, Mexican rice, sour cream and guacamole. The highlight of the meal was the shredded chicken - marinated in spicy peppers for an extra zing, and the pico de gallo - onions, tomatoes and cilantro all freshly diced and well mixed. The only possible downside was the guacamole, a puree from a squirt bottle, decent on taste, but lacking the chunkiness you get with most homemade guacamoles.

El Gato Verde, 74 Fenyang Road, near Fuxing Road, 6431 0043, 11 am to 8:30 pm.

El Mexicano

This Mexican restaurant originally started in Hongkou district, but then began to set its sights on plans for citywide delivery. With a new location in Minhang district and a new website in the works including online ordering, El Mexicano has plans to get Shanghais Mexican food market under wraps.

The chicken fajita burrito for 35 yuan (41 yuan with a 6 yuan delivery fee) was a solid offering, featuring beans, cheese, rice, diced tomatoes, fried onions and peppers and a well-grilled chicken breast, juicy and tender. In addition, the burrito had been grilled on the outside, giving the tortilla an added crunch which contrasted with the softer textures of the fillings inside. However, the side of watery, red chili salsa left something to be desired.

El Mexicano, 3213 Chengjiaqiaozhi Road, Suite 1K, near Hongmei Road, 6083 0392 / 400 820 1336, 10 am to 10 pm.