http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango Chilango - London, 142 Fleet Street, EC4A 2BP, United Kingdom en http://cdn.trustedplaces.com/i/uploads/placepics/303491_88efa26d.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/103sq8
Review by oogywawa

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, good value, crowded
When a company fulfills a mission statement then that's good for me. Fresh, fast food is what they boast and when I popped into their Fleet Street eatery for a takeaway Chicken Burrito that is exactly what I got.

A soft supple warm tortilla was swiftly dispatched through seemingly more sets of hands than "that" Barbarians try against the All Blacks. Each added an ingredient - be it "Hot Chicken", "Black Beans", "Sour Cream", "Cheese", "Rice", "Salsa"...try in the corner by Gareth Edwards - er no - where was I...!

This Burrito was the size of a loose head prop and what better manner to devour it than watching a lunchtime concert in the tranquil surroundings St Dunstan's Church just 100 yds away. Bliss.]]> Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:25:51 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/103sq81535127260 oogywawa lively good value crowded 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1t2rr8
Review by bellaphon

Rating: 2.00
Tags: lively, crowded
I offer no apologia to the polemical write-up of Chilango on my blog. I accept that my rant has (or will do soon) infuriated and insulted some Trusted Placers. Lynching imminent I suppose.

Came back here for lunch today just to uphold my first experience. The burrito filled with cochinito (shredded pork) and black beans tasted exactly as the first time, bland and remarkably â¬Üwhatâ¬"s all the fuss?â¬" except that on this occasion the wrap was given some livening up with some addition of hot chilango sauce. Oh the messy episode involving the spilling of the contents was once again noted. £6 for a portion of street food is a lot of money.

NB To be just, this place was teeming with eager diners today, in fact I even eavesdropped on a guy telling a girl that he comes here everyday. All right for some (or the majority) but certainly not for me.
]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:20:21 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1t2rr81674603380 bellaphon lively crowded 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1h2r98
Review by a_female

Rating: 4.00
Tags: good value, international
I love the idea of Mexican food but I can't say I would make an effort to seek it out. Well, that's until i tried Chilango. Ever since my first visit I've had a craving for their Tacos. Only one problem. I have to travel to Fleet street to get my Taco hit! Please open in West London.]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:11 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1h2r981847183549 a_female good value international 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1l0qb8
Review by mnavin

Rating: 5.00
Tags: mexican, cheap eat
My partner hails from California and was always complaining that you can't get decent Mexican food in London. Chilango put an end to that- surprisingly quick service by a friendly team creating deliciously fresh burritos! Chilango makes an excellent choice for lunch or a quick (but incredibly filling) bite before hitting the town- and it's healthy too.]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:27:30 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1l0qb81640045071 mnavin mexican cheap eat 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1k3qq8
Review by cgraham44

Rating: 5.00
Tags: lively, cheap eat, good value, crowded
Originally from San Francisco, the home of the best Mexican food outside Mexico, I have spent the last 8 years living in London on a desperate quest for a good burrito. My quest is now at an end. This is a place that is not only doing Mexican food right, they have actually managed to make me feel less homesick.

From the black refried beans and excellent salsa to the fact that they stuff the burritos to the limit, they far surpass the tons of other wannabe taquerias in London that all manage to somehow do a seriously half-assed job of it.

Looking forward to the next store!!]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:14:48 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1k3qq8595464617 cgraham44 lively cheap eat good value crowded 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1h2q08
Review by Lacrimosa

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lunch, tacos, salad, burritos, good value, beer, mexican
I too attended the Trusted Places Halloween party at this new Fleet Street eatery, lured by the prospect of delicious Mexican tuck and the opportunity to wear a pair of sequinned cat's ears.

The first thing to remember here is that your food is prepared very quickly and efficiently in a sort of smiley human production line:

STEP 1. Burrito, tacos or salad?

STEP 2. Chicken, pork, steak or vegetables?

STEP 3. Cheese or sour cream?

And so on, through about six or seven steps involving rice, refried beans, salad, salsa, guaccamole... it's all there, minus the sombrero. This proves a great way of providing choice while, at the same time, steering all us foolish amigos away from the temptation to have a little bit of everything (a phenomenon I like to call 'Buffet Syndrome'). Incidentally I chose a gargantuan pork burrito and the 'medium' spicy salsa, which I found to be pretty darn spicy!

The second thing to remember about Chilango is that, while it has the look and feel of an upmarket fast food restaurant, it can still furnish you with a chilled Mexican beer. Woo hoo!

The third thing to remember is the opening hours. Like many eateries in the City area, Chilango focuses on the weekday lunchtime and early evening crowd (Monday to Friday, 11am to 9pm) and is closed at weekends.

Ultimately a very positive, upbeat experience with fresh, tasty food. I might try a pork salad next time. Mmmm...]]> Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:20:23 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1h2q082099659515 Lacrimosa lunch tacos salad burritos good value beer mexican 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1a2qi8
Review by foxie

Rating: 4.00
Tags: laid back, cheap eat, good value, mexican
Very really pleased to be able to come along to the opening 'do last week and must say was pleasantly surprised by the food on offer. Not only was it extremely tasty (the pork in particular!), but the portions were ample and the prices posted extremely reasonable. Definitely added to my list of regular places for lunch!]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:45:20 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1a2qi8398261748 foxie laid back cheap eat good value mexican 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1a4q78
Review by walid

Rating: 4.00
Tags: Mexican, burrito, good value
I love this place for so many reasons. The venue is funky, well laid out, and clean. The staff, are friendly, efficient and great to practice my Spanish with ;-)

Now as for the food, well so many places claim to offer authentic burritos, but too often they end up to be tasteless and soggy. The burritos at Chilango's are definitely tasty, fresh, and have a great texture. Without a doubt they are some of the best ones I've eaten in London.

It's amazing what the co-founders of Chilango have done, I'm really happy that we celebrated our "Day of the Dead" Party at Chilango and can't wait to go back there for my favourite burritos.]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:40:49 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/1a4q782128608767 walid Mexican burrito good value 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/188qe6
Review by hollowlegs

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively
There certainly has been a recent insurgence on the burrito front; near where I work, 2 small cafes and a burrito van, within 2 mins walk of each other, get themselves a tidy queue every lunchtime.

I usually use two factors to judge a good burrito. One, is whether the server has big hands (in order to get myself a big 'un). Two, is whether my burrito leaks. Leaking burritos are not great and they make whatever you have left to eat fall apart. Chilango's burritos passed on both of these tests. It was a beast, and filled to the brim with pork, beans, rice and salad. The pork (is there any better filling, really?) was deliciously tender and there was no leakage. They were a bit mean with the extra hot salsa though.]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:19:22 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/188qe6346118175 hollowlegs lively 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/180qc7
Review by DanWilkinson

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lunch, fleet street, burrito, good value, mexican
I think we're right on the cusp of a bit of an explosion of Mexican food in London, and Chilango's well-placed to lead the charge here. Expertly-cooked ingredients are compiled to your preferences by people who really seem to know what they're doing, and the results transcend the usual lunchtime fayre by a country mile.

Sadly, I've come to know Mexican food in the usual Brit incarnation - think stodgy beans, overcooked chicken, unmemorable at best. My burrito from Chilango was spectacularly different: fresh, tasty, filling, great value and amazingly remained intact throughout, something for which both I and my shirt were grateful.

All in all, a welcome change from the careworn cheese 'n' pickle, Markies-style.]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:39:39 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/180qc71522917162 DanWilkinson lunch fleet street burrito good value mexican 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/189q46
Review by Lollyinlondon

Rating: 4.00
Tags: cheap eat Mexican
Chilango is Mexican slang for someone who's just moved to the bright light cities of Mexico and definitely a place of choice if you're looking for authentic Mexican food!

The ingedrients are fresh and the burritos mouth watering! Highly recommended]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:27:15 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/189q4694726682 Lollyinlondon cheap eat Mexican 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/182q17
Review by sue

Rating: 3.00
Tags: friendly, burrito, take away, mexican, takeaway
Chilango is a bright, modern Mexican restaurant/take away on Fleet Street, and as per the reviews below, I was also at the TrustedPlaces 'Day of the Dead' party there. If I worked in the area I am pretty sure I would become a regular at Chilango, either for a quick meal at one of the communal tables, or a take away burrito or taco to sneak back to my desk.

The menu consists of tacos, burritos and salads. I can never resist a burrito, and this one didn't disappoint. The soft but sturdy tortilla, the flavoursome chicken, lime-rice, re-fried beans (how I love you), cheese, sour cream and voila - the perfect burrito, well made to my specifications anyway. I loved that I could tell them exactly what I wanted in it. And it was delicious.]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:58:08 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/182q171673128959 sue friendly burrito take away mexican takeaway 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/165qp7
Review by Mexter

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, burrito, cheap eat, good value, mexican, lunch
The first thing you notice when going into Chilango is a riot of clean bright primary colours. As one of the other reviewers said, it's like a cross between Subway & small Wagamama's but for be the food was miles better than either of those two.

It's a Burrito restaurant with canteen style tables where you get to choose your own accompaniments to go with the main meat selection. So you have chicken, pork or beef, with a ton of rice as the base, then you can choose between three strengths of salsa sauce (only go got the hot if you can really cope with fiery) and then you can choose refried beans or pinto beans, and sour cream, guacamole, or grated cheese and onions, lettuce and other salad stuff.

This creates some of the largest burritos I've ever tried to get my mouth round. But they're not just big, they're yummy and extremely good value for lunch in the City.

Apparently Chilango is Mexican slang for someone who has moved to the bright lights of Mexico City looking for fun and excitement. If you're in London's City looking for big beautiful burritos look no further than Chilangos.]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:20:15 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/165qp71656486724 Mexter lively burrito cheap eat good value mexican lunch 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/165qg7
Review by Peter

Rating: 5.00
Tags: lively, good value, mexican
Chilango is a recently opened Mexican restaurant on Fleet Street, with some of the most passionate owners I have ever met. They are committed to introducing the delights of Mexican food to places like London.

It is a relatively small venue, and probably best described as a bright and cheerful place themed somewhere between Wagamama and Subway. Food can be eaten at shared tables or taken away.

The Trusted Places Day of the Dead party was held there at the end of October so we were all treated to some great food. The burritos were excellent and are made from fresh high quality ingredients. They are also very filling and represent good value for money.

With plans to introduce a few new options this place deserves to be a success. I'll certainly be going back for more.]]> Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:06:03 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/165qg7106605615 Peter lively good value mexican 51.514222 -0.107073 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/161q18
Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, tacos, burritos, cheap eat, Mexican
A lively and vibrant spot that's full of colour, in the best way, Chilango dishes up some of the best burrito's and tacos that I've had in London. It's a casual eating experience, eating on large communal tables. The pork deserves it's own mention. It's exceptional, cooked sous vide for 4 hours or so and then subjected to further treatments (that I can't recall!), it's cooked for 8 hours in total and the resulting meat is tender and full of flavour. The burrito's don't leak either. I've yet to try the other options but I'll be back to explore. All you lucky people in fleet st can eat there for lunch, I'll be visiting again some evening soon. It's definitely worth the trip.]]> Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:37:40 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango/161q181154796431 Niamheen lively tacos burritos cheap eat Mexican 51.514222 -0.107073