Belfast is set to add a new location to its list of Mexican restaurants as UK-based chain Tortilla announces arrival.
UK-based Mexican fast food chain Tortilla has announced that it will add a Belfast restaurant to its list of locations.
The people of Belfast are no strangers to Mexican food: the city is home to several well-loved restaurants that serve the cuisine of the North American country. Tortilla will hope to compete with Belfast establishments such as La Taqueria, Boojum, and Acapulco.
From California to London – a UK-based restaurant chain
Tortilla started in 2007 when Jennifer and Brandon Stephens opened the first branch in Islington, London.
Jennifer and Brandon grew up in San Francisco, and the state of California has a historic reputation for excellent Mexican cuisine, largely thanks to its high Mexican population and proximity to the US-Mexico border.
They moved to London in the early 2000s and fell in love with the city, despite its lack of California sunshine and quality Mexican food. Of course, they could do nothing about the weather, but they could do something about the food, and thus, Tortilla was born.
Since then, the chain has grown considerably: according to their website, Tortilla has 75 restaurants across the UK. Their Belfast store will be the latest, but surely not the last.
Belfast – no strangers to Mexican food
Tortilla announced its imminent new Belfast location in a post on Instagram. “Belfast, it’s happening,” read the post. Real California burritos & tacos are dropping in NI very soon (we might even be talking NEXT month)”.
“We can’t wait. Tell your bestie, girlfriend, boyfriend, mum, dad, cousin, grandma, and great great uncle – the more the merrier”.
The people of Belfast are no strangers to Mexican food. Perhaps the city’s most famous Mexican restaurant is Boojum, whose flagship store opened on the city’s Botanic Avenue in the same year that Tortilla opened in London.
The parallels between Boojum and Tortilla don’t stop there either. Boojum has spread across the island of Ireland, albeit on a much smaller scale than Tortilla’s expansion in the UK.
Boojum was also recently purchased by restaurant group Azzurri in a move which will surely see the restaurant expand into the UK.
Other beloved Belfast Mexican restaurants include Acapulco in the east of the city, Little Mexican Deli in Dairyfarm Shopping Centre, and La Taqueria’s two locations.
Tortilla will open at 9 Arthur Square, Cornmarket. You can sign up to be the first to know about opening events at the restaurant’s website.
