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.
Comments (28)
story makes kinda of a boring soap.
any other details? like joe kidnapped ian's dog or ian ordered a burrito from chipotle or something?
haha I got home from work with a burrito in my hands and my girlfriend had this on the screen. Still tastes the best!
I was actually at the Peter and Richmond location today and had the worst experience there ever. Despite the high volume of business that is standard for this location, I have always gone to this location due to its proximity to my workplace. Today, however, I was rudely snapped at by the woman making my burrito, then, because I didn't hear her give the number over the noise in the tiny shop, was told that I had already been told in a voice loaded with attitude. As of today, I will be hauling myself the extra 4 blocks to the other location.
Why why WHY have they added that possessive apostrophe to "Burrito's"? Unless the joint is owned by a guy named "Burrito" there's no reason for it. SIGH.
Have you cats even tasted a burrito before? I'm just wondering because this place was nothing special... anymore. When they opended the first location I was beyond stoked having just returned from a multi year sting in southern california. Then after moderate success MAJOR changes... huge staff hire and with it, the slump in quality ingredients.
Save the drama for your mama - this is about as news worthy as politicians wasting time in Ottawa.
As a former employee, I can say that
Joe was a very cruel boss (Adaleide store), while Ian (Original Store) has always been fairly kind.
I love the Burrito Boyz, and I will be going to whatever the new name is.
I like that he's opening up in the annex. A lot of clubbers will continue to attend from that area.
Joe's stores in the West End... well, we'll see how they go. I used to live there, and it aint pretty.
As a current employee who has worked at both locations I can tell you that the Adelaide store has rats the size of kittens. Joe's place is the last joint I'd ever eat at. I'd rather go to taco bell.
as a former employee i can tell you that ADELAIDE was by far the cleaniest store and there was no rats at all and Joe was a cool boss and really down to earth guy.
Joe is/was awesome and that Rat thing is Ludicrous. I chose Ian's side 'cause I knew them better and believed I'd get more respect, but if I'm drunk clubbing, I'm just walking to the closest one.
Having just gone to Burrito Bandits (Peter location) yesterday I can honestly say it doesn't rock my boat as much as it once did. We attempted the Adelaide site first and the line up was ridiculous, and while the line up at Peter wasn't any better we still got what we wanted. However, the meat tasted like it was fried several times, was not fresh, and tasted more like reconstituted ground beef than steak. I could barely taste the quac so while its "free" I'd rather pay the extra for the guac at Chipotle's (re: gourment burrito). I had wondered about the name change and so I found this article to cure my question. It may be okay but its nothing like a real Mexican burrito.
when your high a 45 minute wait is no probs. If you are aiming at expansion and growing your market a 45 minute wait for fast food is just not on!! Get a grip while you guys are fighting over the spoils/ franchise rights your number 1 priority is service and that has gone down considerably. Put your lawyer on hold and get back to making a product and providing a service that is worth patronising let alone franchising.
I just had a meal at the Lakeshore location and I have to say it was quite bad? The salsa was for sure from a jar as it had no heat at all and was bland beyond belief, the guac was yellow, the cheese was mozzarella and cheddar and from a bag (I saw them cut it open). It took a paper bag, a toothpick, wax paper, pho-aluminium foil, a laminated number card, and 9 min for them to deliver a product, and I was 2nd in line. A burrito should be fast, fresh, and cheap, this was none of that.
I went into Burrito Bandidos today and ordered the same thing I always do (I'm exciting like that) a small bean and cheese. The beans were runny, is this a new thing or just shitty cooking?
I have to admit, after going to BB's for 5 years I still don't have ALL the ingredients memorized. I don't understand why it's so hard for the staff to walk you through the selection, like at subway, instead of assuming you want everything on it. I always forget something and end up with shit I don't want on my burrito.
Does the staff really have to walk you through the selection? I mean, seriously.... the menu's on the wall isn't it? The trays of ingredients are right past the sneeze guard....
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