The 2.5 minute Mission

Officially launched at the beginning of March this year, this is one Oxford eatery that has gone from strength to strength since the ‘open’ sign was turned to face the waiting crowds for the first time.

In the bustling town centre, but just off the beaten track, The Mission Mexican Grill has had a cult following since whispers started amongst the local community of American students that the burrito was finally coming to Oxford.

On opening, the restaurant delighted diners with the freshest and finest ingredients, creating truly authentic California-Mexican cuisine in the form of burritos, fajita burritos, tacos and salad bowls. “True to his roots” one American diner commented on enjoying lunch at The Mission. And this is certainly a lunch – “One burrito at lunchtime in The Mission and I was still full at supper” said The Oxford Student in a recent review.

Now, and moving forward The Mission takes pride it it’s pledge to only serve full of flavour, wholesome food, bringing a much welcome change to the food to go market. “It is possible for a quick meal before a film or whilst out exploring the city to combine the best quality ingredients, amazing flavours and value for money all wrapped up in a tortilla!” says owner Jan Rasmussen.

Jan and his wife Sharon also own popular neighbourhood café Greens on St Giles. Having launched The Mission in Oxford at the start of Spring they’ve been truly overwhelmed by the response from local shoppers, tourists and students alike. A month after opening they were serving 1000 burritos a week, and now just three months down the line this has doubled to almost 2000 – one every 2 ½ minutes!
This is why staff at the restaurant are trained, expert burrito makers. Watching them create your lunch is mesmerising. Quite how everything fits and remains within the flour tortilla is a mystery – the chicken, rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, salsa – this mouthwatering medley is probably the most satisfying shopping stop or pre drinks fill up that you’ll find in the city.

And the burrito may be bringing smiles to more faces very soon. Jan is currently looking at potential plans for expansion into other key cities across the UK, with other university towns being at the top of the list. The philosophy clearly works; and with a Mexican chef on board, it really is an authentic experience at The Mission, something owner Jan is dedicated to continuing. “I’m excited about the possibility of introducing Cal-Mex cuisine to other cities; there is a definite market for good food on the go; the burrito is the answer, and we know burritos!”.

END.


Notes to editors:
Open 11am – 11pm 7 days a week. Prices from £4.50.
The Mission is a Mexican Grill and licensed premise.
www.missionburritos.co.uk
Facebook group – Burritos in Oxford
8 St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2DU
For further information and photography please contact Catherine Warrilow at Warrilow PR. catherine@warrilowpr.co.uk. 01235 211589 / 07976 294754.




Additional Information.
The Mission burrito, named as it hails from the Mission District in San Francisco, was refined and embellished in the area and dates back to the 1960’s. The style has spread widely through the San Francisco Bay area, with variations spreading across the US.

The San Francisco burrito, often referred to as a Mission or Mission-style burrito is distinguished partly by the amount of rice and other side dishes included in the package and partly by the sheer size of the foil wrapped meal.

Some say that Mission burritos were inspired by burritos brought into the fields by California Central Valley farm workers, and that they were adopted in the city from there. The cuisine is often referred to as Cal-Mex or Mexican-American.