Finding a place to eat out with a newly mobile and sometimes picky 1 year old can be challenging! I mean, who wants to go to a restaurant and feel like all eyes are on you and your wandering, sometimes whiney toddler? Certainly not me! That’s why my husband and I were so excited to discover California Tortilla!
The family-friendly fast casual Mexican-style restaurant opened recently at 300 Atlantic Street in Stamford (complete with high chairs, a kids menu and changing tables in the bathroom).
So, after taking my son, Johnnie to see The Very Hungry Caterpillar at The Palace Theatre, “CalTort” as it’s nicknamed, was the perfect option for a 5 p.m. dinner! Here’s why we loved it!
The Casual Environment
We felt right at home from the moment we walked in! We were greeted by very friendly staff members who handed us a menu and cheerfully took our order… all while chatting with the baby who happily waved and chatted back! We were able to put him down to walk around a little bit while waiting for our food, which arrived very quickly… amazing for any parent with a restless or tired child!
The Kid’s Menu
Let me start with my husband’s comment on this, “Wow! What a great deal!” Because seriously, it is! We got our son a beef Kids-Adilla, a drink in a cute soppy cup or juice box, tortilla chips with queso and a cookie for $6.59. And boy did Johnnie LOVE it… especially the chocolate chunk cookie. There were other great options, too including the cheeseburger taco (a must try next time) and a mini burrito. You can add chicken or beef to either!
The Fresh Ingredients
Kids menu or regular menu, I didn’t feel guilty about the three of us eating anything. Why? Because California Tortilla knows that the ingredients in their food matter. Their food is made fresh in small batches daily and they use whole, fresh, chopped veggies. So I knew our dinner wasn’t coming out of a can or a bag. In fact, their guacamole is hand-smashed, using Hass avocados. (The chips and guac were a crowd pleaser for sure!)
Aside from the kid’s menu, there were great options for my husband and I. My husband got a Korean BBQ Street Taco and a beer, I got a California Sunset Bowl and a mini wine… because why not? Beverages aside, each dish had a unique flavor. Something we haven’t always gotten at fast casual Mexican-style restaurants.
Check out the menu here!
Plus, you can specialize each dish to your taste. If you feel like your food needs an extra kick, just head to the Wall of Flame, which features more than 75 hot sauces all ranked 1-10, tongue melting to mild!
It’s Allergy Friendly
Since everything is made fresh daily, and each dish is made individually, California Tortilla is able to customize orders to accommodate allergies. Definitely a relief for parents of children with food allergies! Online, you can even find an allergen chart for each of the foods they use to help when placing your order.
The Location
California Tortilla is in a convenient location for families looking for somewhere to eat after seeing a show at The Palace Theatre (like we did), catching a movie at Majestic or Landmark and shopping at the mall (good for all holiday shoppers to keep in mind).
The Loyalty Program
True story, I registered for the Burito Elito Loyalty Program the day after our dinner because I can’t wait to go again! With this program, the more you eat, the more you get because you earn points for every dollar you spend at the restaurant.
Joining is easy – just download the mobile app (App Store or Google Play), pick up a card in-store and register it online or simply join online and give the cashier your phone number on each visit for easy lookup! Plus, you get a FREE burrito for your birthday!
Can’t wait to start using the program on our next visit!
BONUS: The Green Initiative
California Tortilla is committed to reducing their ecological footprint. Products are 100% compostable. How? The napkins are made from 100% sugarcane fibers, soup and side cups are produced with all-natural plant-based and renewable resources, plates and bowls are made from all-natural agricultural by-products and bags are 100% recyclable and made from 40% recycled content.