Taco Mazama Mexican Kitchen

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

According to its website, Taco Mazama is ‘Glasgow’s first Californian style burrito bar and taqueria’, and there’s a distinct street-food feel to the burritos, quesadillas, tacos and salads, all assembled before your eyes as they would be on a mobile kitchen truck. Thankfully – given Glasgow’s weather – the Byres Road branch has room for about 20 to sit down and eat inside, while Renfield Street is mainly takeaway (with limited room to perch). The third branch in just two years has recently opened in Strathclyde Union (for Uni staff and students), suggesting the format is working. It’s fast food alright, but fresh, light and relatively healthy. Fillings include a deliciously smoky shredded barbecue beef, and there’s a decent vegetarian offering including a hearty aubergine and mushroom chilli. At under six pounds for a generous combination of meat, rice, beans, cheese, salad and salsa all wrapped up in a burrito, it compares well in quality and value with other fast-food options – and for most Glaswegians, it’s a welcome change from the ordinary.

Takeaway review
Big fat burritos are the order of the day (or more likely evening) at Taco Mazama. The Mexican chain of two – the original city centre branch and the sit-in or takeout west end version – offers good value from a brief but tempting takeaway menu, much of which travels well, with online ordering and reliable delivery. For just under a fiver the brick-size burrito comes loaded with rice, beans, cheese, salsa and sour cream – plus a filling of your choice, including marinated chicken with meaty chargrilled flavour and very tasty slow-cooked barbecue pork. The quesadillas are a more subdued snack, served in either half or full portions and filled with cheese, caramelised onions and a desired filling.

• High point: Fresh, tasty fast food
• Low point: No licence, so no beer with your burrito