Beach Burrito opens 14th venue in Dee Why on Sydney’s northern beaches

Love Mexican? Then head to Dee Why where Beach Burrito has opened a hot cantina that’s bursting with style and plenty of so-Cal-influenced food.

Margaritas all round? Beach Burrito has classic cocktails on the menu. Picture: Braden Fastier

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Frozen margaritas, chic pebbled courtyard dining, fringed beach umbrellas, sunny yellow chairs ... if you fancy a taste of sunshine without the price of a plane ticket to southern California, then Dee Why is the place to go.

Beach Burrito has only been open for six weeks, but locals are loving it.

There’s a bit of a backstory to Dee Why’s latest hotspot and Beach Burrito’s 14th venue, Craig Read says.

Casual dining: Beef nacho especial. Pictures: Braden Fastier

Read’s brother Blake opened the first one in Bondi 10 years ago.

He’d travelled to California, liked the mix of Mexican meets So-Cal food and brought the concept back to Sydney.

Now there are pockets of beachy Mexicana in the ACT, Victoria, SA and Queensland, as well as Newtown, Coogee and Cronulla. There’s even a Beach Burrito in Jindabyne that’s open during the ski season.

Don’t think beach bland with matchy-matchy decor or tacky sombreros, each one has been decked out with its own distinctive feel.

Bondi fits the beach shack mould; while stylish Dee Why blends zen with lairy.

Tacos are alwasy popular. Picture: Braden Fastier

It’s a smart move from Blake Read, who found a niche in the Mexican food market and plugged it with a heap of chillies, corn chips and chimichangas.

Dee Why is a homecoming too, the Read boys are local.

Although Bondi is the first, it’s taken years to find the right place on the beaches, Craig Read explains.

That wait seems to have paid off. Beach Burrito is buzzy, fast-paced order-at-the-counter venue.

There are slushie machines churning frozen margaritas, but staff also make classics like salt-rimmed Tommy’s margaritas, or a Beach Burrito favourite, jugs of Oaxaca, which is a blend of tequila, agave, mint, lime juice and watermelon.

Order a frozen margarita at Beach Burrito’s counter.

Go on weekends and Beach Burrito opens earlier and keeps customers filled with breakfast burritos.

They’re stuffed with chorizo, scrambled egg, pickled onion, spinach and tomato chutney.

For burrito fans, there are lunch burrito deals on weekdays, when they start at $12. With 12 combos including flying pig and fish baja, there’s plenty of choice. Happy eating.

Welcome home boys.

Twitter @beverley_hudec

BEACH BURRITO

Essentials

154-158 Pacific Parade, Dee Why

Phone: [phone]

Open: Monday to Friday; 11am to 10pm. Weekends, 10am to 10pm

Go for: Nacho especial with beef or chicken, corn chips, beans, cheese, salsa, pico de gallo, jalapenos, guacamole, sour cream $19.95; 12 types of burritos; frozen margarita, $12

Vibe: So So-Cal

Bottom line: $57.95