What will be the food trend of 2010?
With the news that Chipotle Mexican Grill will be opening its doors in London next year, this month’s issue of Restaurant Magazine claims that 2010 will be the year of the burrito. This is exciting to me for multiple reasons – it could benefit my job and my taste buds – and I have been telling people ‘the burrito wave is coming’ for months!
The American build-it-your-way style of burritos, tacos and fajitas is very popular back home, where you can find a Moe’s or a Chipotle on just about every street corner (think Giraffe, Wagamama, Ping Pong). It’s always kind of surprised me that the UK hasn’t caught on yet, and while Londoners can find a Pret or an Eat with their eyes closed, they still have to do a bit of searching for the likes of Chilango, Tortilla, my personal fave and client-of-mine Daddy Donkey or new kids on the block Poncho No8.
With the success and popularity of Wahaca, people in London seem to be more accepting of my favourite cuisine, and I find people more and more accepting of the word ‘burrito.’ If done right, Mexican food is delicious, healthy (or not, depending on what you order, but the important thing is that it CAN be healthy and still taste really, really good) and served with plenty of fresh salsas and guacamole.
Photo courtesy of Mathilde Delville
The successful expansion of places like Chilango and Wahaca, some might some the burrito wave has rippled out. But in my opinion, it’s only just begun. There’s much more potential for the burrito to hit the streets of London and eventually the whole of the UK, and there’s more where that came from: think tacos, quesadillas, nachos (by this I do not mean tortilla chips – I mean real, covered in cheese, meat and salsa nachos), taquitos, flautas and more!
I’d say we’re about to hit the peak of the Mexican food trend and it will be the most notable one of 2010. And I consider myself to be a reliable source – I’ve been tracking people’s thoughts and opinions on Mexican food in London for about 15 months! Others might say the banh mi revolution will overpower the burrito, and some are voting for street food in general.
What do you think will be the biggest food trend of 2010?
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Comments (12)
love love love it. more mexican options makes me love London even more!
I have to bring you to a Mexican place in Paris which does the best burritos I have ever had. I’m a big fan of Mexican food and I can’t wait to try Chilango and Daddy Donkey soon! Very nice point of view about street food, great reading
Wahaca has certainly raised the bar when it comes to Mexican food, Chilangos is also good for the faster option. I winder if the wave has crested though or if it really wl get biggger in 2010. I hope so…
I hope we get more good quality mexican food here in the UK – Poncho No 8 and Wrap it up are rather bland. I love Wahaca and Green & Red – let’s get more of that!!
Mathilde – best burritos in Paris!? Wow – didn’t think I’d ever hear that. We need to get you to Daddy D ASAP, you will love it!
Urban Foodie – not sure it’s crested yet – as I said, fingers crossed we’ll see how much more potential there is for great Mexican food in the UK.
Cynthia – agree with you completely about the bland thing – was really not impressed with Poncho No8 and such a shame since it’s so close to my office. Wahaca is currently my fave restaurant in London, and personally I think Green and Red is more about the tequila than the food. We need to get you to DD too!
Surely 2009 was the year of the Burrito and the dreaded cupcake? I predict 2010 is the year of the Banh Mi.
think you could be right lizzie!
I’m surprised that you can’t find good nachos there. In Sevilla there are a several places I know of that serve nachos just how you described them in this blog.
God, now you’ve got me craving them. Btw, how is London treating you?
I’m jealous. There is a Chipotle in every part of Florida except Fort Myers! I hate Moe’s, so where can I get my Chipotle-esque fix around here?
errr this article is a wee random, but I recollect it must to do.
Skillful topic. Sure, you create a acceptable approximation.
We’ve had the same Mexican restaurant in our town (Ampthill nr Bedford) named ‘Fajitas’ for 17 years. The food is brilliant and we love the margaritas!
It’s good to see the rest of the country is catching up on our culinary tastes us at last!
Sounds lovely! I just came back from mexico last week and find myself addicted to these incredible enchilada recipes now!! Must go back next year sometime, I suppose, and this time head off the beaten road a little. Looking to reading more!