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Tortilla: The California-Mexican experience – plus giveaway!

May 15, 2011 by Katie Bryson 74 Comments

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Eating Mexican food in the UK has historically been a disappointingly naff Tex Mex experience that cost a fortune.

But the arrival of places like Wahaca on the scene has seen a marked improvement in authentic cuisine. And now Tortilla – the Californian take on Mexican grub – has pitched up in London. A chain of five (soon to be six) grab and go burrito joints.

California-Mexican denotes a fresher and lighter approach to food which, true to American habits, is also perfect for take-away.

I was invited along to Tortilla’s Market Place store in Oxford Circus for a masterclass in Burrito rolling and was instantly charmed by the beaming team of staff.

Founder Brandon talked us through his vision of bringing a bit of California to London, and his passion for only using the best ingredients. He spent six weeks on his quest to find THE perfect cut of steak – this is one burrito-obsessed guy!

Getting stuck in

Our first challenge was to mash up our own versions of guacamole to be tasted by chef Bruno from a selection of ingredients. Avocado, onion, garlic, tomato, coriander, chilli and lime were all on offer. Rather than follow a recipe we were encouraged to taste as we went along.

I went heavy on the lime juice for a zingy and fresh finish, texture wise I mashed it pretty vigourously as I’m not a huge avocado fan and like it to be smooth rather than chunky. It was interesting how different everyone’s efforts looked and tasted.

Next up it was Burrito rolling time – it was quite nerve-wracking getting behind the counter, but the staff were like a gang of cheerleaders as we all stepped up to have a go. The poor customers looked a bit bemused, but we were having fun! (I’ll point out here that we weren’t actually serving any customers)

It was tempting to try and cram ALL of the ingredients into my burrito, but I held back for fear of failing to be able to wrap it up. There was juicy steak, grilled chicken and braised pork, two different types of rice, guac, cheese, sour cream, pinto and black beans, peppers and onions, and three salsas – hot, medium and mild.

I went with the tender and juicy pulled pork and then a little bit of everything bar the hot salsa. The rolling was successful with a little guidance…

We then sat down to devour our burritos with some really lush beers – I opted for Pacifico.

Fancy trying for yourself?

Well the lovely folks at Tortilla are offering fans of Feeding Boys and a Firefigher the chance to win a free meal for two people consisting of a burrito and a drink per person – either a soft drink or bottle of Corona. And there are two prizes up for grabs!

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

There is one main way to enter and a couple of ways to get bonus entries. You must leave a separate comment for each bonus entry otherwise they will not be counted.

1. For your first chance to win please tell me what you like in your burrito by commenting on this post.

2. For a second chance to win please tweet this post Win free burrito and beer at @tortillauk with @cookingkt http://wp.me/pU5T8-GU and comment telling me you have done so along with your twitter username

3. For a third chance please follow me @cookingkt on Twitter and comment to tell me you have done so.

GIVEAWAY RULES

This giveaway is open to all readers over 18 with a UK mailing address. Be aware that Tortilla only has branches in London. The winner will be chosen using an online randomiser and announced in a subsequent post.

As I am allowing multiple entries the randomiser may choose the same person twice, in this case I shall pick another winner until there are two separate winners. You need to leave your e-mail address in order to comment, I am the only person that can see it. Please do NOT include it in the comment.

Closing date: 10pm Saturday 28th May 2011

Good Luck!

Thanks to Tortilla for inviting me as their guest

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Filed Under: Restaurant review, Win Tagged With: beer, burrito, California-Mexican, competition, eating out, giveaway, Mexican food, tortilla

« A trio of party canapes
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Comments

  1. kim mayhead says

    May 15, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    My favourite thing to put in a burrito is chilli con carne ( Quite Hot ! ) Cheese and salad Yum ! Follow you on twitter @kimmy2849 and have tweeted the competition

    Reply
  2. lucy vassallo says

    May 15, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    in my burrito i like guacamole,salad and chicken.

    Reply
  3. lucy vassallo says

    May 15, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    Have tweeted Win free burrito and beer at @tortillauk with @cookingkt http://wp.me/pU5T8-GU @lucythebaker

    Reply
  4. lucy vassallo says

    May 15, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    Following you already @cookingkt on twitter @lucythebaker

    Reply
  5. Sarah Cooper says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    I love chilli con carne

    Reply
  6. Silvia says

    May 15, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    I love cheese burritos 🙂

    Reply
  7. Nancy Bradford says

    May 15, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Refried beans and cheese with a little pico de gallo.

    Reply
  8. dawnyj says

    May 16, 2011 at 11:59 am

    My favourite thing to have in a burrito is refried beans, jalepenos and lots of cheese with a big dollop of sour cream on the side!

    Reply
  9. dawnyj says

    May 16, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I’ve tweeted “Win free burrito and beer at @tortillauk with @cookingkt http://wp.me/pU5T8-GU‘ I’m @dawny_cupcake

    Reply
  10. dawnyj says

    May 16, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    And I’m also following you – looking forward to lots of foodie tweets!
    @dawny_cupcake

    Reply
  11. rominicole says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Hey I did follow both of the accounts and sent the twitt needed!

    I like my burrito veggie- LOADS of guacamole, cheese, cream, loads of veggies!

    yumyumyum

    My twitter name is rominicole.

    Reply
  12. Wendy Mann says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    I love pork mince cheese gucamole and sourcream with some jalepenos…what i don’t get is people putting Chilli into Burritos the 2 things are completly different???

    Reply
  13. Tom Whitaker says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    Definitely the steak/black beans/rice with cheese and guac (not bothered about the sour cream). Mild salsa for freshness plus loads of Cholula for a kick.

    Reply
  14. Tom Whitaker says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Following you too – @bommy.

    Reply
  15. Neasan says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    I love a steak burrito with pinto beans, cilantro rice, cheese, sour cream and hot sauce (hotter the better) and a bottle of Cholula on the side.

    Reply
  16. Neasan says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    @neasan just tweeted “Win free burrito and beer at @tortillauk with @cookingkt http://wp.me/pU5T8-GU“

    Reply
  17. Neasan says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Following you as well (@neasan)

    Reply
  18. Emily M says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    Tequila chicken!! mmmmm 🙂

    Reply
  19. Emily M says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    Am off to tweet and am already following you on twitter
    @emymc

    Thanks for making me very hungry!! x

    Reply
  20. Theresa Driscoll says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    my favourite is pork.
    i’ve done the lot now, retweeted, commented and sent you message on twitter, can almost taste my free pork burrito

    Reply
  21. Victoria Corney-Young says

    May 16, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    My favourite burrito is stuffed full of crispy skinned duck and all the usual sides….yumm!!

    Reply
  22. Victoria Corney-Young says

    May 16, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Have tweeted your message ( @VickysKitchen )

    Reply
  23. Victoria Corney-Young says

    May 16, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    Already following you.

    Reply
  24. Carolynn Woodland says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    Chicken, onion, garlic, lime, coriander, ginger

    Reply
  25. Laura Pritchard says

    May 20, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    Chile con carne is my favourite filling!

    Reply
  26. Laura Pritchard says

    May 20, 2011 at 10:15 pm

    Re-tweeted the message @Isis1981uk

    Reply
  27. Laura Pritchard says

    May 20, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    Following you on Twitter @Isis1981uk

    Reply
  28. claire woods says

    May 22, 2011 at 9:01 am

    guacamole,salad

    Reply
  29. claire woods says

    May 22, 2011 at 9:03 am

    For a second chance to win please tweet this post Win free burrito and beer at @tortillauk with @cookingkt http://wp.me/pU5T8-GU – DONE @clairew137

    Reply
  30. claire woods says

    May 22, 2011 at 9:04 am

    For a third chance please follow me @cookingkt on Twitter – done

    Reply
  31. Emma L Clarke says

    May 22, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    Strips of chilli beef, mayo, tomato salsa and mozzarella cheese. Yum!

    Reply
  32. Emma L Clarke says

    May 22, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    For a second chance to win I have tweeted the message (User ID @emma1111111)

    Reply
  33. Emma L Clarke says

    May 22, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    For a third chance I already follow @cookingkt on Twitter (User ID: @emma1111111)

    Reply
  34. anthony says

    May 23, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    i like my burrito with pork or steak, refried beans, rice, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and hot sauce… and a beer of course

    Reply
  35. Ellie says

    May 23, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    Gorge bit of fresh avocado and pulled pork. NOM.

    Reply
  36. Fiona Maclean says

    May 24, 2011 at 8:04 am

    sorry, I am a dreadful meateatarian;) I like lots of chilli con carne, guacamole, sour cream, and just little salad for crunch!

    Reply
  37. Fiona Maclean says

    May 24, 2011 at 8:05 am

    I’ve tweeted Win free burrito and beer at @tortillauk with @cookingkt http://wp.me/pU5T8-GU @fionamaclean

    Reply
  38. Fiona Maclean says

    May 24, 2011 at 8:05 am

    and I am following you on twitter;)

    Reply
  39. Aaron says

    May 24, 2011 at 10:31 am

    I like my burrito with chilli con carne, jalapeños and loads and loads of yummy, sticky cheese.

    Reply
  40. G L says

    May 24, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    My burrito is totally vegetarian, no cheese , no cream but lots of tomato salad and coriander.

    Reply
  41. James Spicer says

    May 24, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    following you and loving the vibe!

    Reply
  42. Kim says

    May 24, 2011 at 11:06 pm

    This may sound sad, but I’ve never had a burrito, so I wouldn’t know what filling to have. But if I was lucky enough to win, I’d love to try chilli con carne, refried beans…ohh, they all sound soo delicious.

    Reply
  43. peter says

    May 26, 2011 at 7:43 pm

    steak burrito – delicious!!

    Reply
  44. Melanie Thomas says

    May 27, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    Grilled fish, coriander, lime juice, and sour cream, yummy for my tummy :}

    Reply
  45. Joanna Sawka says

    May 27, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    I like burrito with cheese

    Reply
  46. Joanna Sawka says

    May 27, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    tweeted @joanna_kow

    Reply
  47. Joanna Sawka says

    May 27, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Following @joanna_kow

    Reply
  48. Kellie says

    May 27, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    Cheese spread, steak, cheese & maltesers for that little bit of crunch and sweetness. (Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it-AMAZING!)

    Reply
  49. Susan Spires says

    May 27, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    I love them all to be honest but my fave has to be the melted chesse, pasta (so unhealthy, but worth it!) and fresh salad an a yougurt dressing!

    Reply
  50. Leonie Sanford says

    May 28, 2011 at 12:27 am

    I tweeted @blogatwit

    Reply
  51. Leonie Sanford says

    May 28, 2011 at 12:28 am

    i follow cooking kt on twitter @blogatwit

    Reply
  52. Dej Pygott says

    May 28, 2011 at 7:32 am

    I love a chicken burrito with black beans and rice. Yum!

    Reply
  53. Dej Pygott says

    May 28, 2011 at 7:34 am

    I tweeted about the comp-@dejanestpas

    Reply
  54. Dej Pygott says

    May 28, 2011 at 7:34 am

    I already follow you on twitter @dejanestpas

    Reply
  55. Erica Price says

    May 28, 2011 at 8:46 am

    Chilli & cheese

    Reply
  56. Erica Price says

    May 28, 2011 at 8:46 am

    Tweeted @ericahughes

    Reply
  57. Erica Price says

    May 28, 2011 at 8:47 am

    Following you @ericahughes

    Reply
  58. susan willshee says

    May 28, 2011 at 8:56 am

    my fave thing is soya mince, reconstituted using passata to give it a tomatoey flavour, plus lots of onions and mushrooms

    Reply
  59. susan willshee says

    May 28, 2011 at 8:57 am

    have tweeted as @susanwillshee

    Reply
  60. susan willshee says

    May 28, 2011 at 8:58 am

    following you on twitter too, @susanwillshee

    Reply
  61. Victoria Wilson says

    May 28, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Got to have some sweet potato in there somewhere!

    Reply
  62. Nickie C says

    May 28, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    I prefer beef mince – but not many places seem to do that, so I usually get carnitas. Yum!

    @nickiem

    Reply
  63. Nickie C says

    May 28, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Tweeted – http://twitter.com/nickiem/status/74452280597942272

    @nickiem

    Reply
  64. Nickie C says

    May 28, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    I follow you on twitter too, @nickiem xx

    Reply
  65. Danny says

    May 28, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    A mix of pinto and black beans, lettuce, lots of mild salsa and cheese. The more coriander in the salsa, the better.

    I tweeted as well. xdrquinnx on twitter..

    Reply
  66. Leanne Bucknall says

    May 28, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    I like my burrito filled with a really tasty chilli beef, topped with a nice spicy tomato sauce.

    Reply
  67. Leanne Bucknall says

    May 28, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    Tweeted – @lebeeuk

    Reply
  68. Leanne Bucknall says

    May 28, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    Following on twitter – @lebeeuk

    Reply
  69. Lauren says

    May 28, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    steak and cheese!

    Reply
  70. Rob Clayton says

    May 28, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    Feta Cheese, Lettuce, Red Peppers

    Reply
  71. kim corke says

    May 28, 2011 at 9:26 pm

    Juicy steak, fried onions, grated cheese and garlic mayo yum yum

    Reply
  72. Charlotte Hoskins says

    May 28, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    I like chilli beef, cheese, sour cream and salad…. oh and a bit of salsa and a few jalapenoes – yum!!!

    Reply
  73. Charlotte Hoskins says

    May 28, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    I’ve tweeted for you @charbarcrazy

    Reply
  74. Charlotte Hoskins says

    May 28, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    I already follow you :o) @charbarcrazy

    Reply

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About Katie

I’m Katie Bryson – Freelance Food Writer, wife of a strapping vegetarian and mum of two boisterous boys – keeping them all fuelled and trying to stay sane is a daily challenge so I thought I’d share my experiences. Read More...

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