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Jim Britt's life revolves around food, chef-prepared or from his own kitchen. Beyond the blog, Jim is a partner a gBritt PR in Portland, which specializes in lifestyle public relations.


January 18, 2008
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Long Live Burrito!

San Francisco, I hate to break it to you, but you're no longer the burrito capital. You have been displaced by Westbrook, Maine. Say it loud, say it proud, Westbrook is the new Burrito capital. Go ahead San Franciscans, tell me why I am wrong. Brag about your numerous Latin restaurant options, the various sizes of your burritos, sizzling hot sauces, authentic this or that. Go ahead. You're wrong. You're wrong. You're wrong. Get on a plane or glide to Maine on your skateboards, find your way to Burrito in Westbrook and experience burrito perfection.

I am a seeker of Latin cuisine. During the last two decades I have sought out countless Latin eateries. While in San Fran, a few times, I discovered that the Latin food was indeed darn good, I found a place called Wahoo in Hawaii that is forever burned into my flavor memory, and on a trip into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, I was treated to cuisine usually only shared with locals -- which was extraordinary. While in Atlanta, Chicago, San Diego and many others -- the Latin eateries were all exceptional. But, in all honesty, Burrito in Westbrook, Maine has them all beat.

The luscious fish burrito that I enjoyed today for lunch was the finest burrito I have ever enjoyed. It as wrapped in a soft, sweet, lightly grilled tortilla and filled with flaky white fish (that fell to pieces in my mouth as if it had been caught this morning in local waters). The rest of the fillings: perfectly steamed rice, delicate black beans, young scallions, thick sour cream, melted cheese, and warm salsa, combined to create an unmatched marriage of textures and tastes.

I read a comment on Burrito that complained of the chips served with the meals. I don't know about you, but I don't order for the chips. I am eating what comes in the center of my plate. In this case, it's a traditional burrito made by folks who put an exceptional amount of love into their cuisine. You can taste it in every bite.

So, burrito lovers of the world, I advise you to make tracks to Burrito in little Westbrook, Maine. Come and taste it yourselves and then tell me if you agree. I think you will.

Cheers -

Posted by jbritt at 08:47 PM
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Comments

Where is it in Westbrook? What else do they have on the menu?

Posted by jersk
January 22, 2008 06:55 AM

It's at 652 Main St. Very easy to find. The menu also includes quesadillas, tacos, nachos, and daily specials.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=burrito+westbrook+maine&spell=1

Posted by Jim
January 22, 2008 09:03 AM

Have you been to Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill in South Portland? (209 Western Ave) They have the best burritos in the world. As a matter of fact they were chosen as the Home of the World Burrito Eating Championships and the official burrito of the Portland Pirates and I heard rumer they were the official burrito of the speedway in scarborough.

Posted by Fred
January 22, 2008 05:06 PM

Costa Vida? First of all, it's a chain and while I have nothing against chains... I do know that paying a sponsorship fee to have a Burrito Eating Contest held a location does not necessarily have any reflection whatsoever on food quality. Do we really need to see people eating a 10 lb. Burrito anyway? I've eaten at the restaurant Burrito quite a bit and they are far from a typical Mexican Restaurant. This is an adventure in fresh-made Latin food. No frozen and thawed chain-created food in sight.

Posted by Chris
January 24, 2008 12:24 PM

Why would you order chips at a Mexican restaurant? They should be free. Oh wait, this is Maine.

ps. At least in SF you can get a burrito as big as your head for $5. And, by the way, never ever say San Fran. It's akin to making fun of a Mainah's accent.

Posted by k-luv
February 2, 2008 08:41 AM

While they weren't awful, Burrito's offerings were bland, and NOTHING like a california style burrito. The tortilla's were 'pressed' on a grill after stuffing, rather than steamed before filling. The salsa was onion heavy and the tomatos were not as ripe as they could be (the same comment could be made about my partner's mango salsa) and while we did get some chips they were the straight out of the bag kind.

Yes, they are a chain, but for something that comes even close to what I crave when I think about my years in SF and want a Mission Burrito - I too go to Costa Vida.

Posted by j
February 5, 2008 10:12 AM

Sorry guys, but you're all wrong. When it comes to dining, Mainers do a lot of things well. But three foods that Mainers can't seem to get a handle on are burritos, hot dogs and sub sandwiches.

Lets start with burritos. Costa Vida is a joke. If you absolutely MUST buy a burrito from a chain restaurant, have the decency to drive the 50+ miles to Portsmouth and pick one up at Chipotle (since those folks are taking their sweet time establishing a much-needed presence in Maine). As for the other joints in this town, Burrito was the best of them, but still seriously lacking. As for Fajita Grill (Westbrook), Margaritas, the now defunct Granny's, etc... they are all crap. Do yourselves a favor and head out to SF (burrito capitol of the universe) to see how a REAL burrito is made.

About the closest y'all have come to making a REAL hot dog are the dogs served at Chicago Dog in Scarborough. Those nasty looking red-encased dogs that you find served just about everywhere else are a joke.

Lastly, the subs... The ever-popular "Italian" (found at Amato's, Anania's and just about everywhere else in this state) is an abomination that manages the feat of tasting like garbage AND insulting those of true Italian descent. Those subs are about as "Italian" as Big Macs are Portuguese.

Want a real sub sandwich, Mainers? Take a tip from Jim's Steak-Out in Buffalo, NY. Their ham & turkey club sub is the best sub sandwich I've ever had.

Posted by matt
March 31, 2008 02:36 AM

I TOTALLY agree with Matt!!
I grew up in western NY, where they know how to make REAL subs-where does this "Italian" expression come from anyway? Italian food seems to be pretty much nonexistent here in Maine. I grew up in an area described as Little Italy, and let me tell you, the horrible crap they pass off as "Italians" here are the worst! Nasty, weird, soggy, barely sliced things, with a tiny bit of totally tasteless "toppings" thrown on top of the little slice. Rubino's in Rochester, NY and most places in & around Buffalo, Rochester & Syracuse where they make their own rolls and actually put stuff with flavor in the sandwiches are good/great.

And who wants a bunch of red food dye on those nasty things that Mainers seem to consider hot dogs? Blech. I will give points to Wasses hot dogs, they're not bad, but we had white hots back in WNY as well as "red hots" (NOT the terrible dyed red version), and they were actually really GOOD! I guess when one has not experienced other parts of the world, one doesn't necessarily know any better...

As for Mexican, I spent a lot of time in Mexico as well as California, and the stuff they serve at Burrito is by far the WORST excuse for Mexican I've ever had!! It is not Mexican, it's just a bunch of (once again tasteless) stuff rolled into wheat tortillas, which was totally flavorless and over-priced for what you get. And any Mexican restaurant worth it's salt needs to make GOOD salsa (most tasteless, awful stuff I've ever tried was Burrito's!), and enchiladas, which aren't even part of Burrito's regular menu. So, authentic? No way! Good? Absolutely not!!

I guess the moral of the story is, stick with fresh seafood, Mainahs! I will say it's the best lobstah around.

Posted by MM
July 25, 2009 05:24 PM

I TOTALLY agree with Matt!!
I grew up in western NY, where they know how to make REAL subs-where does this "Italian" expression come from anyway? Italian food seems to be pretty much nonexistent here in Maine. I grew up in an area described as Little Italy, and let me tell you, the horrible crap they pass off as "Italians" here are the worst! Nasty, weird, soggy, barely sliced things, with a tiny bit of totally tasteless "toppings" thrown on top of the little slice. Rubino's in Rochester, NY and most places in & around Buffalo, Rochester & Syracuse where they make their own rolls and actually put stuff with flavor in the sandwiches are good/great.

And who wants a bunch of red food dye on those nasty things that Mainers seem to consider hot dogs? Blech. I will give points to Wasses hot dogs, they're not bad, but we had white hots back in WNY as well as "red hots" (NOT the terrible dyed red version), and they were actually really GOOD! I guess when one has not experienced other parts of the world, one doesn't necessarily know any better...

As for Mexican, I spent a lot of time in Mexico as well as California, and the stuff they serve at Burrito is by far the WORST excuse for Mexican I've ever had!! It is not Mexican, it's just a bunch of (once again tasteless) stuff rolled into wheat tortillas, which was totally flavorless and over-priced for what you get. And any Mexican restaurant worth it's salt needs to make GOOD salsa (most tasteless, awful stuff I've ever tried was Burrito's!), and enchiladas, which aren't even part of Burrito's regular menu. So, authentic? No way! Good? Absolutely not!!

I guess the moral of the story is, stick with fresh seafood, Mainahs! I will say it's the best lobstah around.

Posted by MM
July 25, 2009 05:51 PM

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