Death by Burrito

Death by Burrito is an exciting contemporary Mexican grill and cocktail bar brought to you by Shay Ola of underground experimental concept, The Rebel Dining Society. Located at the renowned Catch Bar in the heart of Shoreditch, and in keeping with Rebel Dining Society traditions, experimental cocktails form an inseparable part of the dining experience.

At the bar was Ryan Chetiyawardana (formerly of Worship Street Whistling Shop), who has developed an exclusive (and lethal) Tequila-only cocktail list using Jose Cuervo Tradicional to go along with the street-food style menu.

The concept of murderous Burritos was created by the notorious Rebel Dining Society, who have showcased innovative culinary ideas featuring interactive art and musical performances at their dining events in the past. Always with a strong focus on catching your imagination, we sat in surroundings with a projected “Wet Paint” sign pulsing on the wall while screams of 80s classics, hip hop and garage loudly created background to the dining experience.

The Tequila-only cocktail list was diverse, with drinks on offer from Horchata, a spiced milky drink, to Turbo Chelada, a medley of lager, tequila, cucumber, lime and a topping of thyme salt air – which slightly resembled bath foam.

If that wasn’t enough to put hairs on your chest, the simple, yet exciting menu boasts small plates from £6 and Burritos or Tacos with fillings for £12: all Mexican street food.  The food came together, covering our table with street food style boxes, sampling first the Crab Cakes, not overcompensated with potato, and a plate of thyme laced Courgette flowers with Ricotta Poblano Crepes. The Taco and Burrito options are where the menu excels, offering options such as Pork Cheek with Crackling, Beef short rib with sweet potato, Baja fish and duck breast, yet no sign of chicken? In truth, we didn’t really miss it.

We then tried the Pork Cheek Tacos, which arrived piled on high, not shy of meat, with thin strips of crackling – the tacos buried under the mound with a selection of salad, blue corn tortilla chips and deconstructed guacamole – just like guacamole, only a more liquid consistency. Small touches like juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, pomegranate seeds and flecks of cheese added subtle flavours.

The Beef Short Rib burrito was crammed with braised flavoursome, smoky meat and mellow sweet potato which made for a perfect marriage. The portion size does not fail to disappoint and leaves you only wishing you could finish it all. After the food, we only savoured something sweet to finish it off, yet there are no desserts on offer at Death by Burrito.

Still a buzz on a Monday night, having spent less than an hour here, it’s a happening joint for quick, tasty Mexican street food washed down with killer cocktails and the indescribable mash-up of tunes, Death by Burrito is where it’s at.

Selina Periampillai

Food: 16/20
Cocktails: 15/20
Service: 15/20
Death by Burrito: 49/60

For further information or to make a booking please visit the official Death by Burrito website.