Zambrero

Can’t help but give this place 5 stars. It’s just delicious. Go hard on the verde and basilo sauces. They’re rocking. Doesn’t matter which location i go to, they’re always consistently tasty. Nachos are great. Burritos are awesome. Such good value for money. And hey, it’s a social enterprise. Eat and do good all at once. Such a great concept.

Zambrero has fast become a favourite lunch break destination for myself and my workmates due to the generous portions, chill atmosphere and ethical endeavours. Zambrero is a fresh spin on the old Cali burrito craze, but manages to improve on those familiar themes. The restaurants are spacious and comfortable, most of the staff have decent customer service skills (though I’ve encountered a few who are just embarrassingly terrible) and the food always tastes fresh. I often opt for the quesadillas with tangy verde sauce, but the burritos and salad bowls are also great. In addition to being tasty, many of the menu items are part of a ‘Plate 4 Plate’ initiative where each purchase also donates a plate of food to a child in need. Yes, the food is a few dollars more than your run of the mill Mexicali, but I’m happy to pay it considering all of the above.

Zambrero is close to my work and I’d heard mixed reviews so I decided to try it for myself. It’s not particularly cheap, they charge $ 2 for some guacamole even though you’re already spending $ 12 on a burrito for lunch but the place is clean and you get service with a smile so you overlook that part. It’s a pity the meat is as mushed up as the refried beans that you can’t tell what meat it really is but it tastes good. Its competition for lunch patrons is the dirty Dominio Pizza next door which always has a queue down the street of predominately students. I might give Zambrero another go one day.