Best Bang For Your Buck Burrito in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
IMPORTANT: The Wrap Shack has relocated and is now a brick-and-mortar spot – find more details about it over at: https://www.parkdnh.com/
Look, I’m a huge Chipotle fan. Say what you will about Chipotle, their E.coli breakouts in 2016, and how they’re overrated, but I still personally think they’re one of the best bang for your buck meals out there – especially when it comes to 47 pound burritos. Until today.
I was just about to sleep, but had something nagging me in the back of my mind. I knew I had to get this off my chest. The burrito I had from the Wrap Shack in Portsmouth, New Hampshire today was the single best bang for your buck burrito I’ve ever encountered. There, I said it.
But, what exactly made it so great?
What You Need to Know: The Wrap Shack
I know, I know. This isn’t Ben’s Burrito. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a picture of it at the time (because I finished it within about 45 seconds). Credit to The Wrap Shack’s Facebook & Instagram page for this.
Located right on Islington Street as you head into Downtown Portsmouth, in what I think was an old Getty gas station, the Wrap Shack is somewhat unassuming at first – after all, how good could food in an old gas station’s parking lot be? Don’t judge a book by its cover. This is the real deal.
A good friend of mine swore by the Wrap Shack and their tacos. I however, opted for a burrito due to being an irresponsible adult and planning on eating the burrito while driving. Tacos are a bit tougher to handle. DWB (Driving While Burrito?). I went with ‘Ben’s Burrito’, which after adding chicken, came to a total of USD $7.50. The vegetarian comes in at $6, while should you choose to add beef, it will cost you $9.
So, why am I raving about this burrito and unable to sleep at 1am? Everything worked. I’d compare it more to a “light chimichanga,” due to a gentle fry and crisp of the tortilla. The pico and avocado worked well with a chipotle crema, which was a great offset to the light fry. It was gooey, crunchy, creamy, and saucy – all in one.
And, tt was also cohesive, which I prefer when eating burritos. If I didn’t prefer cohesiveness, I’d just order a burrito bowl. Also, it didn’t have that disproportionate amount of one ingredient you get with so many burritos all congregating in one part of the burrito (forgive me Chipotle).
After I took my first bite, I actually looked at myself in the rearview mirror to say, “Damn, that was good.” Next time, I’ll definitely be sitting at one of their picnic tables to relax and enjoy, rather than eat Ben’s Burrito while barrelling down the Spaulding at 70 miles per hour.
I will definitely be back for their fried haddock fish tacos with avocado sriracha and honey aioli or flash fried brussel sprouts in a sesame ginger sauce. I promise you that. This is just the beginning of my relationship with the Wrap Shack.
Website, Address, & Details: https://www.facebook.com/wrapshackportsmouth/ –> now: https://www.parkdnh.com/
- 361 Islington St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Other things of note: I saw a guy drop his tempura fried pickle dog on the ground, pick it up, wipe it off, and eat it. The food is that good. Also, make sure to check out their Instagram to get an idea of what they have on the menu for the day and some of their mouth watering bites.
If you’re more in the taco mood, I recommend checking out my article on Barrio Tacos in Portsmouth, NH.
Finally, if you are in the mood for great coffee, Turkish Delight (at one spot), and incredibly pastries, make sure to check out my article on three cafes to check out in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Big Body is a voracious lov…eater, a cowardly fighter, and a self-proclaimed curry goat BBQ-eating champion (don’t forget the donkey milk) who likes Stoicism, baseball, and writing in the third person. Having worked for himself for the last 7 years, he isn’t particularly successful but he does still drink ice-cold Sapporo draft beers with the best of them and knows his way around a Dai Pai Dong or two. He is based in Hong Kong but you can still find him in Saigon, Osaka, and Vienna for extended periods.