High Tech Burrito, Hawthorn by Big Fil

It's fast food Jim, but not as we know it.

In Melbourne fast food wrapped in bread or a roll normally means a gyros, a hamburger or maybe a falafel roll. Burritos aren't that common. High Tech Burrito Australia advertises itself as 'Born in Mexico, Raised in California, Now in Hawthorn', but if it continues to pump out quick, tasty, healthy meals it may have to add 'Eaten around Melbourne'.


High Tech Burrito is set up in a bright, well lit shop. It has kind of an improved Subway like feel, a bit generic but still nice enough as somewhere to eat. Everything is prepared after the order is received using fresh ingredients. Unlike some kebab shops, where anticipation about tasty pieces of lamb or chicken is balanced by concerns about overcooked meat from the outside of the spit or alternatively undercooked meat from the inside leading to food poisoning, HTB gives the impression of very high level standards of hygiene and cleanliness.


HTB offers a wide selection of burritos and a smaller selection of other options, such as the fish tacos. These are the soft shell variety with grilled fish, fresh cabbage cold slaw, chipotle dressing and pineapple salsa, served with couple of small slices of lime. Not bad, but the dressing and salsa left it a little sloppy to eat compared to the burritos. I also thought that it could have used a little more fish compared to the other ingredients.


No issues with the burritos though. Indulging my liking for spicy food I ordered the steak burrito with jalapenos, onion and hot sauce, with some guacamole on the side. They also come filled with rice and choice of black or pinto beans. The jalapenos added enough heat to make their presence known, the meat was moist and the whole burrito was packed with flavour.


A big advantage of burritos over gyros is that you don't normally get the same problem with the sauce running down your arm - not so much an issue at 2 in the morning after a big night out but definitely one if visiting after work while still dressed in the uniform. The burritos are much less sloppy than your average takeaway meal.


The grilled chicken fajita was at least as good as the steak burrito and possibly better. It came with bell peppers, onions, melted cheese, rice, lime sour cream and salsa in a flour tortilla. Neat, tasty and filling.


Overall
Healthy, quick and tasty. Service was good, particularly from the guy who I assume was the owner, who treated everyone as a guest rather than a customer (except for paying of course). For fast food the price was slightly above the going rate but not reasonable given the quality of the food. I visited at a fairly strange time of the afternoon to be eating but there were still a number of people around, so I suspect it is quite popular with the locals (always a good sign). A good option for a quick bite if you are in the area.

Verdict
Food - 7.5
Ambience - 7
Service - 8
Price 6.5

Address
838 Glenferrie Road
Hawthorn VIC 3122
Tel: (03) 9818 1482