Restaurant Review: Chiquito, Leicester Square
25th January 2013
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Chiquito might not be the first destination that springs to mind when you’re looking for an evening bite to eat. But the chain rolled out a new menu at the end of last year, and it comes as a welcome surprise when pitted against the low expectations of fast, low-budget Mexican fare in the middle of the Central London tourist trap.
For a person who wouldn’t necessarily choose Mexican food, Chiquito’s new menu is extensive and stuffed with tempting combinations. Think Chorizo & Gem Lettuce Wraps, followed by Southern Fried Chicken and BBQ Pulled Pork or Blackened Salmon Sizzler, topped off with an Elderflower Fizz cocktail and Churros – fried doughballs sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate sauce.
Subtle, understated and minimal is not what Chiquito is about. The main menu covers all bases, and then just keeps on going – it is split into Starters, Sharing Starters, Burgers, Double Burgers, Tex Mex, Hot Baked Wraps, Sizzling Specials, Favourites, Fajitas, Quesadillas, Salads and Sides. It’s a menu that offers page after page of unexpected vs. tried and tested Mexican creations.
It also boasts a cocktail menu and an All Day Drinks Menu, as well as Kids’ Favourites and Young Adults, which includes ‘mocktails’.
We ordered Chicken Wings (£5.95) to start, with a choice of BBQ or Peri Peri sauce and sour cream, then BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas (£9.25) and BBQ Texan Chicken Melt (£13.95), which came with skin-on-fries, corn on the cob, onion rings and coleslaw, followed by Golden Nugget Cheesecake (£4.45). The food was hearty and moreish – exactly what you expect from a Mexican feast, with more flavour than you might expect.
As with the majority of restaurant chains the atmosphere can vary wildly depending on your location and this particular branch, ideally located for the Leicester Square cinemas, Theatreland and the attractions of Covent Garden, is likely to be almost a flagship in the company’s portfolio. The service was prompt without sacrificing on quality, and we never felt rushed – surely a rarity in busy chain such as this.
For a person who wouldn’t necessarily choose Mexican food, Chiquito’s new menu is extensive and stuffed with tempting combinations. Think Chorizo & Gem Lettuce Wraps, followed by Southern Fried Chicken and BBQ Pulled Pork or Blackened Salmon Sizzler, topped off with an Elderflower Fizz cocktail and Churros – fried doughballs sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate sauce.
Subtle, understated and minimal is not what Chiquito is about. The main menu covers all bases, and then just keeps on going – it is split into Starters, Sharing Starters, Burgers, Double Burgers, Tex Mex, Hot Baked Wraps, Sizzling Specials, Favourites, Fajitas, Quesadillas, Salads and Sides. It’s a menu that offers page after page of unexpected vs. tried and tested Mexican creations.
It also boasts a cocktail menu and an All Day Drinks Menu, as well as Kids’ Favourites and Young Adults, which includes ‘mocktails’.
We ordered Chicken Wings (£5.95) to start, with a choice of BBQ or Peri Peri sauce and sour cream, then BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas (£9.25) and BBQ Texan Chicken Melt (£13.95), which came with skin-on-fries, corn on the cob, onion rings and coleslaw, followed by Golden Nugget Cheesecake (£4.45). The food was hearty and moreish – exactly what you expect from a Mexican feast, with more flavour than you might expect.
As with the majority of restaurant chains the atmosphere can vary wildly depending on your location and this particular branch, ideally located for the Leicester Square cinemas, Theatreland and the attractions of Covent Garden, is likely to be almost a flagship in the company’s portfolio. The service was prompt without sacrificing on quality, and we never felt rushed – surely a rarity in busy chain such as this.
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