Chihuahuas welcome as Mexican fast food arrives in Brussels

While the burrito trend has found favour in other European capitals, it’s still difficult to find decent Mexican food in Brussels. But that might be about to change with the arrival of CHEZWaWa, a laid-back restaurant in the Châtelain neighbourhood with the mission of getting Belgian tastebuds excited by the stuffed wheat flour tortillas.

While rice, beans and salsa are a bit of a must as a filling, burritos can technically be filled with just about anything. “There isn’t that one perfect burrito. It all depends on how you like it,” says restaurant founder Palmer Colamarino, who grew up in San Francisco, the cradle of the dish in the US.

That’s why instead of a classic menu, the restaurant has a roll-your-own-burrito counter, a steam table assembly line where customers can get creative, pick the ingredients they like and try out new combinations with each visit.

Local and fresh

The California-style, rolled-your-own-way burrito is also known as the Mission, named after the San Francisco district, a traditional taqueria stronghold. Colamarino went to secondary school there and fell in love with Mexican food. He moved to Europe after college.

“For the last 25 years, I’ve stuffed Mexican ingredients into my suitcase every time I visited family back home,” he says. With the launch of his new venture, that won’t be necessary any longer.

When it comes to finding suppliers, he actually counts on local, fresh produce. “Though I spent lots of time trying out recipes on my friends and researching cookbooks, for me it’s not the exact recipe that’s key, but the choice of high-quality ingredients,” he explains. Accordingly, products are farm-fresh, organic and seasonal, and everything you see on the counter is made from scratch.

If burritos aren’t your thing, the slightly lighter tacos are an alternative, and there’s a dish of the month for those who prefer to not have to think about which ingredients to pick.

And good news for dog owners: Customers are encouraged to bring their chihuahuas along, and might even get a discount. For those who haven’t noticed: the restaurant’s name is a play not only on the name of the Mexican region but also on the dog breed that originated there.

Chez Wawa, Rue Américaine 91, Ixelles. Photo: Frederic Raevens