Tortilla open third store in Manchester - we paid it a visit

I’ll be the first to admit, that somewhat blandly, my go-to comfort-food cuisine rarely branches out to Mexican, but did my experience at Tortilla’s latest premises prompt me to embrace a new cuisine? And more importantly, are their burritos really made in less than 90 seconds?

By Arndale standards, it’s quite easy to find.  A ‘TORTILLA’ sign jutting out into one of the centre’s main walkways signposts the food spot well, even for those like myself, who lets say, lack a solid sense of direction.

On first impressions, and throughout for that matter, the staff were extremely friendly, I got the sense that the food they were eagerly promoting was grub they were genuine fans of.

Tortilla say all of their food is made ‘from scratch’ and to each person’s taste.  Customers have the option to pick what they want in their burrito with an impressive range of combinations possible, Mexican rice, coriander rice, black beans, pinto beans, the list goes on.

The sunset menu available from 5pm and contents of the 'House Burrito' (Image: NQ Staff)

But as previously mentioned, my knowledge of Latin-American food leaves plenty to be desired, so I took the option of Tortilla’s house burrito, designed for those whose choice of beans is normally from a blue tin labelled, ‘Heinz’.

A clearly visible preparation area, bustling with smells, reassures you that you’re dining experience will be slightly less vanilla than some of the other quick-bite options available.

Swiftly, my order was underway, but was it swift enough to merit their ’90-second burrito’ label?

Well, no it wasn’t, 15 seconds short, but I wasn’t prepared to let this minor disappointment ruin my evening, after all my food had just been served and it looked delicious.

To accompany my main, I chose the ‘Queso Fundido’, described by Tortilla as ‘hot cheese and chorizo’, and that’s exactly how it tasted.  I almost couldn’t get enough of it.

If you’re the sort to look at calories then you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised, only a reported 319 in what’s effectively a fat overload.

I however, am not the sort to let an insatiable post-work appetite be limited by something as meaningless as ‘calories’, and so spurred onto my large burrito, washed down with a frozen margarita.

Tortilla's 'House Burrito' (Image: Newsquest)

I’ll start with the ‘even better ifs’ (doing my best schoolteacher impression). The first bite I took was an unexpectedly lukewarm one, by no means alarmingly cold, but not as warm as you’d want for freshly cooked food.

Thankfully, once I was into the centre of the burrito, the temperature was just right, and I was absolutely loving it.

I was lamenting every previous time I’d given a firm “no”, when offered one of these before.

Every flavour was merited, and not one was overpowering.  The whole thing was gone in about five minutes.

As for the margherita, they’re not really my thing, but I didn’t mind this one, less on the ridiculously sour side, although admittedly, I couldn’t taste much alcohol.

And that was it, I’d consumed everything.  As for the price, it was after 5pm so I was able to choose items from the sunset menu; it would have been £10.50 for the house burrito and the hot cheese side.

Tortilla's interior (Image: NQ Staff)

Five years ago, I’m sure that would have been an eyebrow-raising cost, but in 2024, definitely within the bounds of ‘reasonable’.

Would I return? Yes. Will I choose it over the McDonalds and KFCs of the world every time? Probably not, it’s more of a treat than a regular haunt.

Nevertheless, Tortilla’s new store certainly exceeded my expectations. 

You can find it at unit 19a, of Market Street, and for the first month you’ll be able to enjoy two burritos for the price of one.