Elsewhere around the world, burrito shops have a reputation as great places to end the night, similar to Bambi here, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a quick and casual Mexican joint outside of the United States. Burrito Shop defied our expectations. Owner and manager Bekir Ustaoğlu describes it as an “urban Mexican eatery” that blends the culinary culture of South America with metropolitan polish.
Ustaoğlu first discovered and fell in love with Mexican food while studying in San Diego before mastering the cuisine in the U.S. In fact, Burrito Shop’s “Gustavo” burrito is a nod to the chef who taught Ustaoğlu the subtleties of Mexican fare.
Burrito Shop serves a simple menu of six different burritos, the most popular being the California Original (16.75 TL), which combines beef, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. The burritos also include French fries, true to Southern Californian tradition. If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer size of the burrito, you can also sample the seven types of quesadilla, like the Bomba Atomica with chicken (13.75 TL) or beef (17.75 TL). Don’t let the name fool you. The “bomba” refers not to its heat level but the explosive blend of mozzarella, guacamole, sour cream and Mexican red beans – though you can of course make it as spicy as you can handle with the addition of homemade sauce. At Burrito Shop, you also have the option of designing your own burrito or quesadilla. Although the menu doesn’t include vegetarian options, Ustaoğlu’s happy to prepare a meat-free burrito if asked to.
Ustaoğlu is also responsible for the restaurant’s design, which incorporates a swing hanging from the ceiling for people who want to enjoy their burrito in an unorthodox fashion. Burrito Shop’s outdoor seating is already proving a popular destination for spring, but if you can’t spare the time, you’ll be glad to know they offer delivery all the way to Bahariye.