Food > The Big Eat Out: or IN

Nanna Mexico

21/12/16

The Gen

Bored of your limp cheese butty or your shame filled fast food binge during the lunch hour from work? If only there was an alternative... if only. *Crickets gently chirp* Hang on, I think I’ve just been somewhere that fits the bill. That’s a lucky coincidence.

Nanna Mexico feels like something that should have been there for ages, something that should already be a franchise. Your food is assembled from scratch in front of you at the counter from an assortment of ingredients. Much like Subway except instead of hearty Italian bread you get a tortilla, instead of Italian herbs and cheese bread you get a tortilla, and instead of honey oat bread you get a tortilla. Like Subway except using locally sourced and freshly cooked ingredients! Like Subway but better.

Atmosphere

Opening the door the spicy smell hits you like a luchador with enchiladas for fists. Soft and warm tortilla knuckles do naughty things to your nose when the ref isn’t looking. The interior has an aggressive, industrial look broken up with blocks of bright colours and dashes of neon. Downstairs we have the counter, a production line of deliciousness with a few fixed seats. Upstairs we find two rooms of seating and the décor changes, all angles, and optical illusions, more neon. Business down below, party up top. I like it, stylish but not necessarily relaxing. The tables, benches and stools are all aged wood that look great but don’t match the overall aesthetic. The front seating area has a great Mexican mural, and views out over White Lion Street, if you like that kind of thing.

The Main Event

The owner enthuses passion for his food and for his business. It started with one food truck and things have grown considerably. He now has two more and has just opened his third restaurant in Norwich. He tells me it is all about the quality of the food, to buy fresh and cook simple.

Prepared in front of you, you choose your choice of dish (burrito, tacos, enchilada, quesadilla, nachos, tortillas and salads) and your choice of meat fillings. After that you can mix and match extras to create your customised treat. Seeing it form gives you more of a connection with your meal than if it were prepared in a kitchen.

If I see something on a menu called a Big Ass Burrito I’m gonna eat a Big Ass Burrito. Then I’m going to write about it and pay particular care not to put a comma in by mistake. I chose Carnitas (slow cooked pork) but could have chosen any number of other meats or vegetarian options. As it’s carefully formed before me I feel a bond grow between me and my big ass burrito, my child. I name him Colin. He’s a growing lad and is soon bursting with rice, cheese, pinto beans and peppers. Just like his poppa. A dash of hot sauce as well, only the best for my lad. He is carefully tucked up by the culinary midwife in a tin foil blanket to keep him warm. Upstairs at our table I hold my boy close to me, warmth radiates from him and tears form at the corners of my eyes. I’m a father. I’m also hungry. The first bite brought some regret but the enjoyment soon made me forget... what’s his name... Clive?

The soft tortilla felt like comfort food and went down easily. The carnitas was deliciously tender and packed with flavour and the hot sauce left me with a deep and satisfying heat. My only concern was that it wasn’t big ass enough, but when you finish something thinking you want more, that’s definitely a good sign.

With the burrito we also had a quesadilla with onions, peppers and black beans. Described by the server as pizza like it was more similar to a grilled cheese toastie but was delicious. Again it was simple but comforting and a great vegetarian choice for lunch in the city.

Overall

Simple food, fresh flavours, quick service. Nanna Mexico is definitely a place to stop in for a quick bite or lunchtime treat. There’s plenty of competition nearby but the price is good and the food is better.

Venue – 7

Fodder – 7

Value – 8

Overall – 7