Forsyth Fire Escape opens New York burrito pop-up at Southbank Centre

New York’s Forsyth Fire Escape has launched a four-week pop-up at the Southbank Centre as part of the Truffle Burger & Friends summer series. The temporary residency, which began on 27^th June, will bring the cult burrito concept – originally created during the COVID-19 lockdown – to the capital for the first time, offering a menu inspired by Dominican, Chinese and Thai cuisines.

Founded by Californian chef Isabel Lee, Forsyth Fire Escape began as a makeshift food venture on Lower East Side of New York City. During the pandemic, the chef gained a local following by lowering burritos from her apartment window via a bucket – a gesture that quickly went viral. The operation was eventually shut down following a cease and desist letter from her landlord, but Lee continued the project through a partnership with a local bodega.

“Forsyth Fire Escape is my pandemic baby, born during a period of uncertainty, to bring people together and shed light on the community,” says Lee. “Combining my California roots and Lower East Side neighbourhood with my Asian heritage allowed me to conceptualise a burrito bodega cult classic that I am fortunate to have kept alive almost five years later. Whether it’s lowering a burrito in a bucket down a fire escape in LES during lockdown as a pandemic-era pop up to now serving London’s iconic Southbank Centre by the River Thames, I am pleased to bring the spirit of togetherness to all flavour seekers across the world.”

Lee’s London residency will serve a selection of Forsyth Fire Escape’s signature items, including the Scallion Pancake Burrito, filled with pernil (slow-roasted pork), queso frito, guacamole and lemongrass chilli crisp oil. Other options include a Plantain, Egg and Cheese Burrito with pickled onions and a Thai-style chilli oil made with crispy garlic, shallots and lemongrass.

The pop-up will operate daily from 12pm to 11pm until Saturday 20^th July as one of Truffle Burger & Friends’ summer collaborations. The wider series runs until 21^st September and features a rotating line-up of international food vendors at the riverside venue under Hungerford Bridge, alongside permanent vendors such as Truffle Burger, Frank! Hot Dogs and Bar Under the Bridge.

Food Desk

Forsyth Fire Escape’s London pop-up runs from 27^th June until 20^th July 2025 at the Southbank Centre as part of the Truffle Burger and Friends summer series. For further information, visit the series’s website here.