foodierudy

I love Mexican food.

I have fond memories of eating these really tasty enchiladas when I lived in Park City, Utah.  Chunky chicken, rolled in soft corn tortillas, smothered in a fragrant, fiery sauce with rice and grated cheese on the side.  Perhaps more Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican, but very good.

Park City had a large Mexican population, employed in the usual lowly cleaning jobs that the local Americans wouldn’t do.  Since I was just a poor pastry chef, I lived in a poorer part of town, in some dodgy condo development.  A couple of times a week some Mexican would park his car outside our building, and start selling burritos wrapped in foil from his boot!  He’d be surrounded by kids, dragging along their mums (and purses!).  To this day I regret not trying them.  Judging by their popularity with the kids, they must have been good.

Back in NZ, I loved eating at the Flying Burrito Brothers in Wellington, great atmosphere, with good fresh Mexican favourites.  When I returned to Masterton for a flying visit, some couple had also opened a little Mexican cantina - simple fare, but nice fresh flavours.  Here in London,The Texas Embassy near Trafalgar use to be the place to go for Tex-Mex food.  However, after repeated disappointments, I refuse to go back, and have been searching ever since.

So, after reading a very good review by the Metro’s excellent Marina O’Loughlin, I was very keen to try Benitos Hat, a new mexican fast-food/cafe/restaurant.  It seems “Mexican” is in at the moment, with a whale load of new places offering good, cheap Mexican eats.    There’s often a Freebird Burritos van parked in Goodge Place, swarmed by a hungry crowd of burrito-lovers.  I’ve also noticed El Burrito in Charlotte Place, and Soho’s Mexicali, which I walk past often enough on my way for a flat white at Flat White (of course).

Last night after work, I met the lovely M in town, near Goodge St.  We found the place easily enough - a happy, bubbly little joint chocka-full with people.  We squeezed our way in and after a perfunctory glance at the menu choices, started building our burritos.  I went for the slow-cooked pork option (hmmm - tender, fragrant and very meaty), while M chose the chicken.  As I inched my way along the counter the chirpy serving girl continue to compose my feast - refried beans, fluffy rice, frrresh guacamole, fiery salsa, crisp lettuce leaves - until the soft tortillas are filled to bursting point.  Somehow, utilising some mysterious skill, she managed to fold it all neatly into a little package, wrap it in foil, and place it in my little plastic basket, with a sprinkling of tortilla chips on the side.  Behind me M arrived with her neatly folded bundle.  Beer for me, freshy squeezed Limeade for M, and we’ve just cracked £15.  Not bad.

It’s a lively little place, no frills, but friendly.  The walls are a zesty lime green, and for furniture a collection of hard chairs squeezed around little tables.  (M reckoned the little stool I’d scrounged for her was more probably comfortable than my chair - I agreed.)  Benito’s Hat is definately not the place for a long, romantic dinner - but for a fun, cheap and cheerful meal, with great tasting food, it’s fantastic.

The food was very good, filling, and cheap.  Next time we have to try the margaritas on offer - made with freshly squeezed lime and 100% agave tequila, no mixes!

Benito’s Hat, 56 Goodge St W1

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 4th, 2008 at 11:46 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.