Where Bar Roma had traded for many years, before making a dignified retirement exit, Tex-Mex chain Chimichanga has taken up residence. I popped in for a visit on a night of fiercely hostile weather.

With not another patron dining this evening, it was rather odd to see such a big barn of a place in unpeopled splendour. I suspect the aforementioned wild weather was largely to blame.

Given the title of the restaurant, I felt my main course selection was already made, choosing the pulled pork chimichanga. I opened with calamares.

The latter arrived presented simply. The batter was thick and had good crunch, but rather overpowered the squid. The accompanying chipotle infused mayo was decent, but the dish was in the realm of “solid but unspectacular”.

That pretty much sums up the main course, too. Accompanied by fairly characterless salsa, rice and beans, the chimichangas pork filling was light on flavour and lacked any kick. It was just rather insipid, which was also a good description of their house wine.

So overall, Chimichanga was a bit boring and safe. Both dishes were fairly underwhelming. While Bar Roma wasn’t exactly setting the heather on fire, it was a restaurant very well-matched to its location, with good quick service, reasonable pricing, and it catered well for big parties. Chimichanga just feels generic and ordinary, so isn’t a place that will be high on my list for a revisit.

Scores
Blythe scores Chimichanga
2/5 for food
2.5/5 for presentation
3/5 for setting
3/5 for service
giving an overall 10.5/20

I ate: calamares; pulled pork chimichanga

I drank: water, white wine, red wine, espresso

I wore: dirty old boots

Total bill: £26.85