Now Greenwich Avenue power shoppers can take five from browsing Mikimoto at Richards to grab another shiny accessory — the signature aluminum-foil-wrapped monster burritos at Chipotle.
The fast-food Mexican chain, which serves up 1.5 to 2 pound burritos in an assembly line, high-school cafeteria style, dropped on the Avenue earlier this month.
Sure, perhaps it’s a low-brow lunch option for those Greenwich residents who populate the town with one of its 977 Porsches and 117 Ferraris, but who doesn’t like watching while a member of the 99 percent ladles on the salsa and guac? At this establishment, less is never more.
Apologies for the blurry photo, it’s tough to ask random people to wait while you take photos of their tacos with your cell phone.
TOMATILLO TACO JOINT: 65 EAST PUTNAM AVENUE, COS COB
Moe Gad has been busy. The owner of Pacifico in New Haven and Sonora in Port Chester has been dipping his toe into more casual fare of late, first opening Moe’s Burger Joint locations in Old Greenwich and Bridgeport. His newest (for now, as he hints at a possible pizza joint in the works) venture is Tomatillo in Cos Cob.
Tomatillo has been open about two months, though I’m fuzzy on the exact timing as I only found out about it when I happened upon a sticker at the O.G. burger shop. I dropped in for a visit last month.
My first impression was “Chipotle on steroids.” (Side note: Who knew Chipotle was up to four locations in Connecticut?) The biggest difference is in the variety. While Chipotle sticks to simplicity, Tomatillo offers fillings like chili and fish and toppings like olives and jalapeño peppers. The variety isn’t overwhelming, but there’s more from which to choose than at the alternative. The layout is clean, but a little counter-intuitive. You order from right to left, but the menu signage detailing the steps to place an order goes from left to right. It seems like a small thing, but I definitely did feel slightly disoriented as my first instinct was to go to the left side to order.
Personally, I wasn’t thrilled. The tortilla was tough, the rice was dry, and the habanero salsa wasn’t all that hot. The fridge is well-stocked with Mexican sodas and the menu offers other drinks, smoothies, and desserts I have yet to try.
I’ve got to get back to Tomatillo pretty soon to give it a second chance, as Moe’s other efforts have proven worthy. Yet, with El Charrito and Casa Villa up the road, the call to Cos Cob isn’t overwhelming. Yet.
Now Greenwich Avenue power shoppers can take five from browsing Mikimoto at Richards to grab another shiny accessory — the signature aluminum-foil-wrapped monster burritos at Chipotle.
