Please note the following opinions are based on chicken burritos - I'm really boring and get the same thing everywhere- so cannot testify for the other burritos out there.
Chipotle – Finally an outpost of the cult American chain. The ultimate hangover food. Burritos, tacos, bowls and killer margaritas. This is my ultimate burrito place. I eat here at least once a week and often I have stood outside the place waiting for it to open, staring through the windows at the staff willing them to let me in early. Whilst the staring doesn't work, Chipotle is still a great experience. Yes the venue is ugly and utilitarian but the food... oh the food. I like Chipotle because they use chicken thighs. I like Chipotle because they have four different types of salsa instead of three. I like Chipotle because they have brown and white rice. I like Chipotle because they warm their wraps sufficiently to ensure melting. But most importantly I like Chipotle because they put their burrito together well. This is no easy feat. A poorly constructed burrito will involve getting mouthfuls or just rice, or just peppers. A well constructed burrito means that you always get the mix of flavours and ingredients as you eat. The evidence is in that I have never not finished a Chipotle burrito. At the other places, I have at least on one occasion not been able to finish, with Chipotle no matter how full I am I don't have the will power to stop. I once read that making a Chipotle burrito healthy was easy - all you have to do is cut it in half and throw it away ( a testimony to the portion size). I have never met anyone who can do this.
Chilango- The only place that has equally good burritos as Chipotle (some say better!) but sadly, no margaritas. I find Chilango is a bit more hit and miss than Chipotle, where I know my burrito will be heartbreakingly good. To be honest, this is the only real competition though. There are three Chilangos in London (I think), one in Holborn, one on Fleet Street and one in Islington. Now my issues with Chilango stem from the fact that a) they dont have mild roasted salsa only the fresh chunky kind with raw tomato, which I don't like in a Burrito b) Their chicken is normally less tender than Chipotle, possibly because Chipotle exclusively uses Chicken thighs whereas Chilango I think uses a mix c) I find they aren't warm enough so the cheese doesn't melt sufficiently. Saying that, its better than the three that follow.
Benitos Hat - Lovely venue and staff but sadly, only average burritos. Full review here.
Adobo - Newcomer to Holborn. Major points for enthusiasm from the staff who looked so happy about my burrito but sadly, not nearly as good as Chilango/Chipotle although at least a couple of quid cheaper. All in all it was too dry - from the chicken, to the cheddar to the sour cream. The rice was a bit bland as well. No magic. Not a bad burrito (is that possible though?) but not as good as the competition.
Daddy Donkey - Yes, it is possible! I had such high hopes for Daddy Donkey after hearing it was "The Best Burrito in London". Really this place has a massive following. Cult almost. The basis of any good burrito is the meat, which is why I favour Chipotle above all else as they use chicken thighs making it almost impossible to have dry chicken, and worse, a dry burrito. Daddy Donkey's chicken breast was overcooked and the rice was bland. It was the only burrito I've never managed to finish. It was not only boring but the dryness of the thing made it a challenge to eat. Also, its a van instead of a restaurant and given English weather this makes life tough because who wants to stand and wait in the rain? Oddly enough, this place incredibly popular which clearly shows a lack of competition in the area and is giving me ideas about opening my own burrito place where we would only use chicken thighs and the guac would be free. Until then, I can only dream.
Chipotle – Finally an outpost of the cult American chain. The ultimate hangover food. Burritos, tacos, bowls and killer margaritas. This is my ultimate burrito place. I eat here at least once a week and often I have stood outside the place waiting for it to open, staring through the windows at the staff willing them to let me in early. Whilst the staring doesn't work, Chipotle is still a great experience. Yes the venue is ugly and utilitarian but the food... oh the food. I like Chipotle because they use chicken thighs. I like Chipotle because they have four different types of salsa instead of three. I like Chipotle because they have brown and white rice. I like Chipotle because they warm their wraps sufficiently to ensure melting. But most importantly I like Chipotle because they put their burrito together well. This is no easy feat. A poorly constructed burrito will involve getting mouthfuls or just rice, or just peppers. A well constructed burrito means that you always get the mix of flavours and ingredients as you eat. The evidence is in that I have never not finished a Chipotle burrito. At the other places, I have at least on one occasion not been able to finish, with Chipotle no matter how full I am I don't have the will power to stop. I once read that making a Chipotle burrito healthy was easy - all you have to do is cut it in half and throw it away ( a testimony to the portion size). I have never met anyone who can do this.
Chilango- The only place that has equally good burritos as Chipotle (some say better!) but sadly, no margaritas. I find Chilango is a bit more hit and miss than Chipotle, where I know my burrito will be heartbreakingly good. To be honest, this is the only real competition though. There are three Chilangos in London (I think), one in Holborn, one on Fleet Street and one in Islington. Now my issues with Chilango stem from the fact that a) they dont have mild roasted salsa only the fresh chunky kind with raw tomato, which I don't like in a Burrito b) Their chicken is normally less tender than Chipotle, possibly because Chipotle exclusively uses Chicken thighs whereas Chilango I think uses a mix c) I find they aren't warm enough so the cheese doesn't melt sufficiently. Saying that, its better than the three that follow.
Benitos Hat - Lovely venue and staff but sadly, only average burritos. Full review here.
Adobo - Newcomer to Holborn. Major points for enthusiasm from the staff who looked so happy about my burrito but sadly, not nearly as good as Chilango/Chipotle although at least a couple of quid cheaper. All in all it was too dry - from the chicken, to the cheddar to the sour cream. The rice was a bit bland as well. No magic. Not a bad burrito (is that possible though?) but not as good as the competition.
Daddy Donkey - Yes, it is possible! I had such high hopes for Daddy Donkey after hearing it was "The Best Burrito in London". Really this place has a massive following. Cult almost. The basis of any good burrito is the meat, which is why I favour Chipotle above all else as they use chicken thighs making it almost impossible to have dry chicken, and worse, a dry burrito. Daddy Donkey's chicken breast was overcooked and the rice was bland. It was the only burrito I've never managed to finish. It was not only boring but the dryness of the thing made it a challenge to eat. Also, its a van instead of a restaurant and given English weather this makes life tough because who wants to stand and wait in the rain? Oddly enough, this place incredibly popular which clearly shows a lack of competition in the area and is giving me ideas about opening my own burrito place where we would only use chicken thighs and the guac would be free. Until then, I can only dream.
