The Burrito Boyz Split Up

The Canadian government isn't the only organization doing a major unexpected reshuffle right now: the Burrito Boyz (formerly of three locations, two of which are downtown) also recently broke up.

This, as a friend of mine put it, is why rock bands spend millions of dollars a year on group therapy: you don't mess with success. Having topped blogTO's list of the best burritos in Toronto (and to die-hards like myself, the fondness remains as unquenchable as the craving for their food), the Boyz now face the unenviable task of competing with themselves.

It's a risky move, especially right now, with an unstable economy, added heat from dozens of other hot-and-ready burrito joints around town, and corporate interest in the market area (thanks to upstart mini-major burrito joint Chipotle's).

Joe Vassallo and Ian Angus, who coined the Burrito Boyz franchise somewhat ahead of the recent popularity explosion of gourmet burrito joints, have indeed gone their separate ways and divided up the property. Joe will be running the Adelaide location from now on (that's the one where you pay first, then order), and Ian will retain the original B-Boyz (where you order first, then pay, then fight six men twice your size for one of the three available bar stools).

Ian will not, however, be retaining the Burrito Boyz name itself. Yep, under the terms of the dissolution, the cramped cellar that was formerly Burrito Boyz North (Peter and Richmond) is going to have to be renamed.

At Burritowhat.ca, Ian and his staff are running a contest to sort out the new name. Any ideas are welcome until December 10, with a $500 prize to the winner - and yes, you can cash out your $500 in equivalent burrito value if you choose.

Until the new name is announced, the Peter Street location is notable for its unadorned sign: "Burritos."

Both Boyz are also looking at expansion options. Ian will open a new location in the Annex (woo hoo!). Meanwhile, Joe is holding on to the Mississauga location and will open an Etobicoke location soon.

Thankfully, with enough change already going around, neither owner is advertising any change to the burrito recipe which made them famous.