Cheap Eat$
Readers of this column might recall last week's rant against trendy pastas. In light of that rant, this Cheap Eat$ installment might seem an about-face. After all, I am writing about wraps, a trendy food which puts a new spin on classic ingredients. Call me a hypocrite, but taste talks!
A spin-off of the classic burrito, wraps have caused quite a culinary stir of late, making menu cameos in venues from Wendy's to TGI Friday's. Yet Wraps International Gourmet Burritos gives wraps a starring role and above-the-credits billing.
Located in sprawling Meyerland Plaza, this eat-in or take-out boasts quick, creative meals at reasonable prices. The most expensive item on the menu rings in at $5.75, but the majority of the offerings cost about a dollar less.
And Wraps offers a lot more atmosphere than your local Wendy's. Tall ceilings and an earthy color scheme lend Wraps a trendy, yet classic, feel.
About a dozen tables for two and a counter with ten stools are the only seating options patrons have. Bringing groups to eat here might prove daunting, as putting the round tables together could be a pain.
Sit at the counter and plot your shopping trip around the plaza as you munch, or simply get your meal to go. The sheer variety of menu choices is Wraps' most notable feature. First-timers can easily find themselves overwhelmed by the volume of offerings on the menu.
A dozen different burritos, all crafted with steering wheel-sized, flavored tortillas are there to tempt you. Exotic choices include teriyaki chicken ($4.95), grilled ancho snapper ($5.50), Thai shrimp ($5.75) and chicken Caesar ($4.75). Vegetarians get a nod with the flame roasted vegetable wrap and the grilled vegetables with goat cheese wrap, $4.75 and $4.95 respectively.
As if these choices weren't enough, Wraps offers smoothies, some dairy and some non-dairy. The large smoothies cost up to $3.75. Flavors like the chocolate delight and apple jax make ordering just a wrap difficult.
As for the wraps, you can expect more than your run-of-the-mill Taco Bell burrito. Wrapped in construction-paper-thick tortillas, these burritos are huge and stuffed with all the goodies.
The flame-roasted vegetable wrap features grilled, marinated zucchini, yellow squash and eggplant, Spanish rice, lard-free black or pinto beans, caramelized onions and smoked chipolte sauce in a spinach tortilla. The flavors and textures meld nicely: Every bite has a slightly different, yet pleasing taste.
Carbohydrate-wary diners can choose the unwrapped burrito, which consists of any burrito filling served layered in a bowl. We tried the grilled chicken fajita burrito this way. The beans could have used more spice, but the chicken was pleasantly marinated.
Visit Wraps when you're in the market for a quick, healthy, huge lunch. It's a step up from fast food, with much more creativity and variety.
Hey, Cheap Eat$ readers, I need your help. I recently realized this column has all but ignored cheap breakfast places. So if you know of an inexpensive place with tasty breakfast offerings, send the info my way at: btavakol@bayou.uh.edu
Wraps International Gourmet Burritos
708 Meyerland Plaza Shopping Center
(713) 838-1100