I have never understood the difference between burritos and tacos. At the little Mexican chain restaurant, Benito’s Hat, the menu choices and ordering process is clearly illustrated on the wall so customers can get their takeaway quickly and easily. For those visitors wishing to enjoy a more leisurely meal, a small area with wooden tables invites you to sit down with your food.

We began with a round of watermelon margaritas cocktails that were a definite highlight of the meal. Cold, fruity and totally unique in flavour they were unlike anything I have ever tasted and complimented the food. The pomegranate margaritas weren’t as enticing with a slightly bitter taste though still refreshing, perhaps a more grown up option. We ordered some nachos with guacamole, salsa, sour cream and cheese to pick at while sipping our cocktails. They were delicious, all the components were good, especially the extra fresh guacamole that had noticeable chunks of ripe avocado and a spicy kick. I would have liked a little more of the toppings… but perhaps that was just me being greedy!

We both opted for burritos, probably the most substantial of the main meal options. There are various meat choices: grilled chicken, braised chicken, braised pork, grilled steak, grilled vegetable and the regularly changing seasonal special. We chose different varieties of chicken with an assortment of extras: cilantro-lime rice, salsa casera, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole and cheese. The wraps arrived in an instant, less than five minutes passed between ordering and the delivery. The burritos were generous and filling, more than just a snack, bulging with all the quintessential Mexican ingredients. They were high in flavour but just not quite warm enough.

I have never experienced a Mexican dessert so was curious about Benito’s offerings… annoyingly our first choice, the Flan Casero (a fluffy type of crème caramel) was not available so instead we ordered one portion of bunuelos to share with a final cocktail. This was an unexpectedly delicious recipe, crispy strips of tortilla coated with sweet cinnamon and sugar and served with cold vanilla ice-cream and a decorative strawberry. The tortilla was extra fresh and crunchy thickly covered in the heavenly sweet mixture, particularly nice after dunking in the ice cream.

Benito’s Hat has four branches in Central London, offering fresh, fast Mexican food at Goodge Street, Covent Garden, Oxford Circus and King’s Cross.

Visit the website here.