Eat & Drink
Originally published on Thursday, 27th September 2012
DEATH BY BURRITO
Burritos to die for
Catch, 22 Kingsland Road, E2 8DA
@deathbyburrito1 | 020 7729 6097
Location
Anyone who's been to Catch in Shoreditch knows the crack: it's a bit of a dive but fun nonetheless. The downstairs bar now plays casa to new Mexican bar and grill Death By Burrito – and it works.
Vibe
It's loud, it's bustling and it's dark. This is not a restaurant for fine dining, it's all about good food and good times, where wooden cutlery is cool and using your hands is encouraged. Tunes du jour blast out (Frank Ocean and Azealia Banks when we were there), and the bar remains constantly packed; though table service means you can bypass waiting for drinks. It's a good second date spot (owing to the flattering candlelight and strong cocktails), or a fun pre-party den with friends.
Flavours
Brought to you by Rebel Dining Society's Shay Ola and Ryan Chetiyawardana (of Mr Lyan and Whistling Shop), expect hearty yet intricately flavoured combinations from a simple menu. This is food you get on the streets of Mexico City, but with a few gourmet ingredients thrown in. Crab cakes were crispy, the ceviche fresh and the Drunken Beans were deliciously smoky. The burritos are inventive: grilled duck breast and chimichurri, braised pig cheek and crackling, and smoked beef rib and sweet potato, which all come with their exceptional guacamole. Get the Baja fish tacos and slaw for Tulum incarnate. Drinks are tequila only (Jose Cuervo, no less): go for the Taqueria Toreador – their twist on a Margarita – and start (and finish) with their deconstructed Sangritas.
Decor
It's back to basics here (very Shoreditch): wooden backed booths and a few tables squeezed together make for intimate dining.
Upshot
The new go-to place for decent Mejicano. With Jay Z instead of mariachi. Mola!
