Fresh and tasty: Jerusalem goes Mexican

Mexican food has been the one cuisine that Anglos have been craving for decades in Jerusalem- Burrito Hai goes a step towards remedying that.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
‘Jerusalem Post’ news editor Noa Amouyal joins Seth Frantzman in biting into burritos (with margaritas thrown in) (photo credit: SETH J. FRANTZMAN)
‘Jerusalem Post’ news editor Noa Amouyal joins Seth Frantzman in biting into burritos (with margaritas thrown in)
(photo credit: SETH J. FRANTZMAN)
"We’re open, come on downnn,” posted proprietor Missy Witt on Facebook, announcing the opening of a new Mexican burrito place in Jerusalem’s iconic – and increasingly gentrified – Mahaneh Yehuda.
Migrating from a sometimes weekly pop-up operation on a Nahlaot rooftop to an actual storefront on Eshkol Street near the famous Rachmo restaurant, this almost hole-in-the-wall has a simple décor, complete with a guitar and sombrero on the wall and a saguaro cactus on the sign.
Mexican food has been the one cuisine that Anglos have been craving for decades in Jerusalem; we are Mexican-deprived.
Burrito Hai goes a step towards remedying that. With its grand opening last Wednesday and a spanking new rabbinate kashrut certificate, it is bringing the local public margaritas, sangria and Coronas (all 18) alongside chicken and beef burritos (NIS 26) and other goodies like tortilla soup and rice and beans (both NIS 18).
I stuffed my mouth with a wonderful beef burrito, packed with guacamole, pico de gallo (I had no idea what it was, but the salsaeque salad-like concoction was good), parve sour cream, baked beans and ladles of hot sauce. Other choices of fillings included some sort of corn salsa, regular beans, lettuce and mild sauce.
The restaurant accomplished what you want from a burrito – tender meat and a taste explosion. The margaritas were strong but could have used a bit more flavor, as they tasted a bit bland (you can get a deal on price if you combine a drink with a burrito).
Seating also needs some work, as the few tables are almost too small for your elbows, though a porch provides some more standing room. So maybe the key is takeaway or standing and eating or a quick snack to take back to work.
Either way, you won’t need to say Donde es la peda? (Where’s the party?) anymore… our burrito dreams have arrived.
More information: www.facebook.com/ groups/738597552877418/?fref=ts