In a coup of sorts, Highpoint is the location of Victoria's first Guzman Y Gomez store - a chain that first started in Sydney, specialising in burritos, tacos and quesadillas.
Thank you Ms A!
That day Mother needed a Bex and a good lie down after one Chardy turned into three. Perfect, I thought, a big greasy burrito oozing with cheese for lunch - that will cure what ails me! So off to Guzman Y Gomez we went.
The condiment station is extremely generous - you can load your burrito up with jalapenos and test your manliness with three different grades of Tabasco for nada.
There are two burrito sizes - the adult mini and the kids version are the same size, as shown here. If this is mini, the large must be the size of a small dog. They are quite satisfyingly heavy and warm when clutched with two fists.
Two beef guerrero tacos, $8.50
These tacos were yummy. The beef is super slow cooked and shredded in a rich, earthy sauce. I'm pretty sure the cheese is proper Monterey Jack cheese. The big surprise was authentic, healthy (and hard to find in Australia) black beans. Pretty good.
"Little Guy" burrito with chicken, $5
This kids' burrito was packed with chunks of marinated chicken, smoky from the grill, white rice and a smattering of cheese. The tortillas are delicious, really toothsome and tender.
Pork chipotle 'mini B' burrito, $6.50
This grown-up spicy chipotle pork burrito also had meltingly tender, pull-apart meat. Those lovely black beans appeared again along with a pico de gallo chunky-type salsa, with all the juices running into soft white rice. Out of the three meat fillings, I think the chicken was my fave. They also do barramundi and an all-veg version.
Now hang on - where is the gloop, the mountains of yellow cheese and fatty, cheap meat? It's clear that these were not the fast food burritos that I had been expecting. Guzman Y Gomez don't appear to be perpetuating the Taco Bill-style cheese and sour cream fest that we have come to expect from el cheapo Mexican. This lunch was fresh and relatively nutritious. It's still a chain and it's still fast food, but it's a better option when you're marooned at Highpoint - although I wish they had real crockery for eat in like Nandos do, instead of everything being throw away.
So Guzman Y Gomez didn't cure my hangover. In the long run, though, that's a good thing. However, they do serve Coronas and margaritas, so maybe next time they can help me start a new one!
Guzman Y Gomez
Lower level, Highpoint Shopping Centre
Hours: Sun-Wed 11am-10pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-11pm
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I'm trusting you on this Lauren. So I will be bravng Knifepoint at some stage to check this out!
ReplyDeleteOh oh - my credibility is on the line with this one! Hey, if it's bad just douse it in their habanero-flavoured Tabasco. Have you seen this The Onion comic? "TASTY FIRESTORM!!!" http://theoatmeal.com/comics/sriracha
Deletehaha ... I think I need the T-shirt!!
DeleteWow I can't believe there is yet another Mexican place in Melbourne - when will they stop? Looks like this place is decent enough for a chain.
ReplyDeleteLooks quite good-- looking forward to trying to get out there soon!
ReplyDeleteI walked this place the other day when I was shopping, looked like it was buzzing. Glad to hear the tacos are good!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I went to knifepoint yesterday just to go to Guzman Y Gomez but they were closed, with a sign blaming an electrical problem. We had to have Grilled instead. We don't eat the bread and it annoys me that we can't get a discount for a bunless burger. I am excited that GYG has some gluten free options, yay!
ReplyDeleteBummer, how annoying! Here's hoping they get organised soon. Footscray Milking Station has quite a few gluten free options, and I have heard that the gluten free pizza bases at Eat Pizza (cnr Gordon Street and Ballarat Road) are really yummy.
Deletethis looks really good. i hope they would decide to franchise internationally so we can have a taste of those delicious tacos!
ReplyDeleteTried the pork chipotle burrito last weekend, and as far as Mexican fast food goes it was pretty awesome! Kid-friendly too. We'll be back, thanks for letting us know about this little gem!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! We did the same not long ago after couch shopping at Highpoint. Beats all the other greasy food court options hands down.
DeleteThis chain is on every corner in Sydney!
ReplyDeleteYes I know! Still, in that section of Highpoint where it's a choice between La Porchetta, Nandos, Grill'd etc, I would go the Guz.
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