Burrito Gallery in Brooklyn Station

[vicupstate]

Higher rent at the new location could be to blame for the smaller portions.  Just another example of why downtrodden but salvageable buildings should  be preserved because new construction requires a higher level of debt that a new business cannot support when just starting out.   

[johnnyliar]

I've been twice so far for dinner. Once with table service on the patio, and once by standing in line downstairs.
It felt exactly like the one downtown. Decent food, somewhat strange/inattentive service.

I actually think that my experience was better both times at the new Brooklyn location than most of the times I've been to the downtown location, which I eat at regularly. My burrito was about the same size as downtown burritos, and the other time I got a "Torta" which I don't believe was on their old menu.

Yes there are some hiccups, but that's going to happen with a whole new staff.

[fieldafm]

You know what I really love about BG in Brooklyn (besides the tortas and the awesome rooftop deck)?  The fact that they've been open one week, got feedback from customers that their taco tortillas were too small (the protein portions stayed the same between downtown and Brooklyn, just the size of the tortilla changed)... and as of today, they are now serving the larger tortillas. 

This is a restaurant with great leadership, that will be humming like a well-oiled machine in no time.

[Captain Zissou]

^That's good to hear.  The tortillas have been stuffed, but the small size makes it seem like you're not getting a lot of bang for your buck.  I tried the calamari taco yesterday for the first time yesterday and it was great. I'm going after work today and i may get a taco and a torta.

[Captain Zissou]

I can confirm that the tortilla sizes are now bigger! Weirdly, I almost missed the small tortillas.  Still had a couple service issues, but they are starting to get things ironed out.  Considering the bad weather, they were pretty slammed for a thursday night.  I'm sure tonight will be another packed house.

[edjax]

Stopped by there this afternoon at 1:30.  The place was packed.  In fact the entire complex was packed. Not a parking spot to be had.  I actually parked on a dirt lot beside the circle drive. 

[David]

So it's been 4 months since the new BG opened and it's great in the sense it's across the street from my work, and they have upped their portion sizes to match the original location, but the main thing about the new BG is the menu items taste completely different than the downtown location. Blacken chicken quesadilla, steak tacos, shrimp tacos, even the nachos, they all have less seasoning, more of a bland taste in my opinion.

I still drive to the downtown location to get my original BG fix. But does anyone know what the deal is? How can a place with the same name taste completely different? It taste more like Tijuana flats than the original BG.

If this were a new place with a completely different name, I wouldn't notice, i'd probably say it's not bad. But the DT BG has always been a "flavor town" experience as Guy Ferrari would say.

[BridgeTroll]

Same for me... I stopped going... not a fan of the service either... 

[vicupstate]

I have eaten at BG downtown but it was years ago as I am not local. My GUESS, and it is only that, is that a difference in rent/mortgage between the two locations is driving the initial difference in portion, and the suggested difference in seasoning levels currently. 

If true it supports the argument that has been made on this forum many times before, that rehabbing an existing space is more economically competitive that building or renting newly constructed space. 

   

[RockStar]

Uh, you don't season less or change your product because your rent is high. I mean you can, but you won't make rent that way either.

It's obvious what the difference is : One was built by the guys who started it and have a passion for food, the other by businessmen who have a passion for money.

The passion for money always lacks flavor.

[brainstormer]

^ Nailed it, Rockstar!

[BridgeTroll]

Uh, you don't season less or change your product because your rent is high. I mean you can, but you won't make rent that way either.

It's obvious what the difference is : One was built by the guys who started it and have a passion for food, the other by businessmen who have a passion for money.

The passion for money always lacks flavor.

Dying for a Hoptinger update Rock star...

[vicupstate]

Uh, you don't season less or change your product because your rent is high. I mean you can, but you won't make rent that way either.

It's obvious what the difference is : One was built by the guys who started it and have a passion for food, the other by businessmen who have a passion for money.

The passion for money always lacks flavor.

So overhead has no influence on price of the food, quantity of the food or quality of the food offered?  I take it the two locations have different owners?

[Steve]

Quality of the ingredients maybe, but a commercial sized container of oregano or sage or whatever isn't likely going to tip the balance on making rent - I think that's RockStar's point.

RockStar likely nailed it, but personally I don't have an issue with the BG food at either location. There are some differences, but I'm cool with it. Does every multi-location restaurant's food have to taste the same at all locations?

[exnewsman]

My first visit t the Brooklyn site was for lunch. Place was packed but the food came out rather quickly. Had the enchilada. Tasted great. I like the décor. I look at the two locations as sisters, not exact but with enough similarities that you can enjoy both. Can't wait to check out the view from the rooftop. BTW - service was good, no issues at all. Very friendly.