Mexican food gives me a similar sort of vibe that Indian food does – it’s full of flavour and fresh ingredients and can give you intense cravings when you haven’t had it for a while. One of my new favourite places to get my Tex Mex fix here in Goa is the Burrito Boys Bar & Bistro on the Calangute-Arpora Road.
Now, my taste of top-notch Tex Mex was whetted back when I moved up north. Every Saturday I would head to the Burrito Boys stall – their debut venture in Goa – at the Saturday Night Market in Arpora where Graham Vincent and Alex Schomberg were churning out roll after roll.
Their journey here started seven years ago, but their introduction to the food business began much earlier – at least for Alex. At just 16, he set out to follow his heart in London – working in a restaurant kitchen. But like all passionate people, he started from the bottom: washing dishes.
At 20, he joined a catering course at Westminster College and then went on to cook at one of London’s best upmarket cafés and bistro Conran’s Blueprint Café at Butlers Wharf.
While he was sweating it out in the kitchen, Graham was hard at work in his successful computer programming career. A few years ago, the best buddies decided to call it quits on the humdrum of city life and moved to Goa, to enjoy sunny climes and a relaxing atmosphere.
Their love for Tex Mex food led them to open Burrito Boys at Ingo’s night market in Arpora, pulling in long queues almost immediately. When the season wound down, they headed back home for the summer, setting up their food stall at all the big festivals where they received rave reviews. Boomtown, Glastonbury, Love Supreme, Victorious and Latitude have welcomed them with open arms every year.
As the brains behind the business, Graham has now pushed Alex to expand horizons once more, giving Goa a Burrito Boys Bistro on the Calangute-Arpora Road. Renowned for being the best Funk House Dj’s Northside of Goa, the Burrito Boys have created the perfect fun dining experience – it has become the ideal combination of the best sounds and ambience with stellar food that keeps people coming back for more
Nothing sells better than a good beef burrito and here, the boys do an amazing orange braised beef stuffed to the ends with black beans, sour mint cream, salad, green rice, tomato salsa, Mexican chilli sauce, jalapeños and a choice of toppings.
Of course, you can also go with the chipotle mushrooms which are almost just as popular, smokey chicken or caramelised aubergine. There’s no way you will be disappointed. You get perfectly done wedges of potato alongside.
Despite the name, burritos are not all they make. The Burrito Boys’ enchiladas – similar to the burrito but made with a corn tortilla – are a cheese maniac’s dream, slathered in a smooth sauce. The favourite in this section is the chicken tinga or pulled chicken.
In addition, there’s the all-time favourite quesadilla, the ever popular tacos including a battered mackerel version, as well as nachos and tlauda – a Mexican pizza – to share with friends if you’re just looking to graze.
If even this doesn’t float your boat, the Burrito Boys offer a juicy beef burger and a couple of specials that are sure to satisfy. Weekends are a crowded time at the bistro when the duo deliver their famous Sunday roast with lamb or chicken – literally heaven on a plate.
With the colourful décor and unbeatable food, Burrito Boys Bar & Bistro is certainly the best Tex Mex restaurant this side of town.
Contact: +91 73919 39683
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BurritoBoysGoa/
Sinéad McManus 