Chiquito — Restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne

We've only been to Chiquito's once before, in 2018 and we had a pretty bad (mid) experience, so much that we hadn't returned until yesterday. Perhaps it was a one off and we've been missing out on a pretty decent restaurant, easy access to a burrito when there are few burrito bars around nowadays.

We chose Chiquito's on a Saturday night mainly because it was quiet. The service was great, cannot fault it one bit. Very speedy with the starter but the main course took close to 25 minutes. The nachos we got for the starter were nice, home-cooked tortilla chips (according to the signage) which was a nice change from most places that use tortilla chips from a bag. We started to call ourselves silly for putting off this place for 6 years because of a single bad experience!

Everything changed however when we decided to order a classic build-your-own burrito. I, myself, went for a chimichanga, a deep-fried burrito, and my partner went with a good old fashioned normal burrito. Surely, this authentic Mexican restaurant, the biggest Mexican restaurant chain in the UK no doubt, would have a classic burrito done perfectly, stuffed to the brim with filling, right?

Well, no, not at all, the main was the biggest disappointment I've had in a long while. The burritos (which I will refer to both our burrito and chimichanga as), was unbelievably tasteless, we both decided on the BBQ sauce/marinade/flavour but alas it was more of a tiny hint of the stuff. We both went for pulled pork (which was supposed to be covered in flavour, right? The flavour we chose?) was basically just plain pulled pork which has a very strange taste without a nice marinade, I'm sure most people agree. The black beans that make up a nice 30-40% of a burrito? were non existent, a few were scattered in here and there. The rice had no flavour, just plain rice basically. And... nothing else. Burritos are supposed to be packed, filled to the brim with ingredients and flavours but it was reminiscent of a deflated balloon. My partners burrito was delivered cut in half, which was strange, my chimichanga wasn't though. The tortilla wasn't sealed too good so couldn't pick it up without it falling apart, we both had to use a knife and fork in the end, very, very disappointing experience! In the end, we were right about our first experience, if you're in the mood for nice authentic Mexican food? I would recommend you find a smaller business that specialises in delivering an authentic experience and avoid this chain at all costs, not worth the disappointment, don't let this place be your one and only experience with Mexican food, it's much better than this! I swear!

Last but not least, the price. Off the top of my head it was between £10-15 for a burrito (with a few tortilla chips on the side) that is extortionate for a burrito, especially of this quality. I am aware of burrito bars that create burritos jam-packed with ingredients, so much in fact that they struggle to close it, for less than a tenner! Find one of them instead!

I am fully aware it's almost definitely not the chefs, most likely a result of a corporate choice to create a menu that uses the least amount of ingredients while maintaining a high selling price. It's the centre of Newcastle, what do you expect?

TL;DR: If a Mexican restaurant can't make a decent burrito, then...

Unfortunately i have to share details of the worst service i have ever received in a restaurant.

Myself, my wife and two young kids.

The restaurant is large and was about 20% full when we arrived. We were greeted well and taken to a table. That was unfortunately the highlight. No hint or suggestion from the team that there could be a wait.

After a long wait, our food and drinks order was taken. We ordered just mains but asked for some nachos with dips to share while we waited for the mains. Drinks were served promptly.

After 30 minutes wait, our nachos that had been sat under a warming rack for an age turned up and were barely edible, we ate them as we were getting hungry.

40 minutes after the nachos arrived , our mains had yet to arrive. Numerous tables around us has arrived after, been served, paid and left.

On no occasion were we offered further drinks and we were approached only once by the team to be told it should not be long.

I decided to speak to the manager who was shocked and said she would chase up our meals.

Another 10 minutes passed and our meals arrived, delivered one by one a few minutes between the first three. The last was 10 minutes later as they admitted to dropping it on the floor and had to make a fresh (the first bit of honest, and real communication all meal. And the first offer of apology)

On the whole, the meals were ok, but ruined by the experience before. We were told the manager would speak with us at the end.

We did receive a check back, and they came to take the dessert orders once we had finished. The desserts were not rushed out to us.

At no point during the whole service did we get offered further drinks.

The manager sent a team member with the bill verbally offering 30% off the meal. I accepted their offer as an apology.

When looking at the bill, 30% was taken off two main meals. Nothing off the children's meals or drinks. I wasn’t chasing a free meal, but a saving of £9 after the service received was barely apologetic.

At this point we had been in the restaurant over 2 hours and we had all had enough. So I paid and left, with zero attempt at communication from the team.

Genuinely disappointed with the lack of care and...

Chiquito has gone down hill. I always used to get excited going to Chiquito. The food was amazing and always a great atmosphere and a great setting. Free popcorn was gave whilst waiting on food. I hadn't been in a long time as we don't go out for food often, it's always a treat. We were already in town so decided to grab something to eat. We decided on Chiquito as we seen the 2 courses for 12.99 or whatever it was. We waited a while before someone came over (i'm guessing she was the manager) she said someone would be a long shortly. We got sat down and ordered drinks which took a while to come, we didn't mind so much as we seen it was busy. We eventually got our drinks and ordered our meals. We opted for the 2 course option. I ordered Nachos and a burger and my partner for the chicken strips and for a main chicken with pulled pork. Starters came out and were okay. Not liking the paper under the nachos as everything sticks to it. My partner got 3 chicken strippers which were okay. Mains came and we were both disappointed. I didn't finish my meal. The burger was clearly cheap and had probably been frozen and not freshly made. It tasted like something you'd get out of a scran van (burger van) I gave my partner a taste and he agreed. The chips tasted like frozen chips also. My partner said his meal was disappointing also. He was expecting chicken breast (or at least something that tasted like chicken and not a chicken nugget type texture) with the pulled pork on top. He pretty much had to pull the pork himself and he said the chicken wasn't great, in fact he said that the chicken on the starters was better than the main. The service was good as the lad asked if we wanted any extra sauces and asked if everything was okay. I'd also like to point out that the menu looks cheap. It's very basic and bland and doesn't reflect the surroundings. (I guess it does reflect the meals though!) Speaking of surroundings, I can't complain. The place is cosy and comfortable. The lighting etc is all atmospheric and I always love the fabrics etc in all the Chiquito restaurants, just a shame how bad...