Around Town

Rosslyn Restaurant to Hold Burrito Eating Contest

El Cachudo (Courtesy of Guajillo)

To help celebrate Mexican Independence Day and its own 15 year anniversary, Guajillo in Rosslyn will be giving customers the chance to scarf down a burrito the size of a small newborn baby.

The Mexican restaurant in the Colonial Village Shopping Center (1727 Wilson Blvd) will hold its annual burrito eating contest this coming Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. Up to six contestants will attempt to eat a 16-inch, seven-pound burrito called El Cachudo for a chance to win a future dinner for two, said Guajillo spokeswoman Joahna Hernandez.

“El Cachudo is a 16-inch long burrito made with flour tortilla, filled with Mexican rice, refried pinto beans, Oaxaca cheese, pork carnitas, shredded beef, shredded chicken, lightly battered tilapia and most importantly, voodoo salsa made with a blend of fresh habaneros and garlic. It is served with pico de gallo and sour cream on the side,” Hernandez said.

The current record to beat is 20 minutes, which was set by an 18-year-old named Ian, she said. Guajillo co-owner Rolando Juarez started the contest in 2009 and named the burrito El Cachudo, which is a slang word for devil in Spanish, Hernandez said.

In addition to its large size, El Cachudo also has a spicy kick due to the homemade voodoo habanero salsa.

“As for the spicy level, you only need to pour a few drops [of the salsa] on a taco to give it a spicy kick; a little goes a long way!” Hernandez said in an email. “As you may know, an habanero chiles are even hotter than thai peppers and serranos.”

Anyone brave enough to sign up for the burrito eating contest can call 703-807-0840 or email [email protected] for more information.

Guajillo will also be holding specials starting today through Sept. 19 in honor of the Mexican holiday and its anniversary. The restaurant will serve $15 El Taconayo, a build-your-own taco meal, $15 tequila and Mezcal flights and $4 Coronas and Pacificos today. On Saturday, the restaurant will serve brunch starting at 11:30 a.m. with $5 spicy margaritas, according to a press release.

The full press release, after the jump.

Guajillo opened 15 years ago as one of the first restaurants in the area to serve mole poblano and traditional staples of regional Mexican cuisine. The family owned restaurant will celebrate with a Mexican Independence Day themed menu available from September 15 to 19.

On Tuesday, Guajillo will offer $15 deals such as El Taconazo, a build your own taco platter with five options to choose from: carne asada, fish, al pastor, grilled cactus, lamb, pork carnitas, $15 tequila and Mezcal flights and $4 Coronas and Pacifico will also be available. On Saturday, la fiesta starts at 11:30 am with brunch and $5 spicy ritas. All burrito lovers are invited to beat the record of the Cachudo Challenge, the current record is 20 minutes to finish a 7lb burrito filled with four meats and voodoo habanero salsa. Contest starts at 4pm, whoever gets the best new record will get a chance to win a dinner for two.

All week specials will include the emblematic Chile en Nogada, a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with grass fed beef picadillo, walnut cream sauce and pomegranate; Costillas en Salsa Verde, baby back pork ribs braised in salsa verde and cactus nopalitos and street food specialties such as sopecitos and molotes (Oaxaca style empanadas). Imbibe while you cry Viva Mexico with craft cocktails such as La Piña Borracha (a house brewed fermented tepache mixed with Vida Mezcal, lime and orange bitters and the Waheyo Margarita made with Los Amantes Mezcal, guajillo shrub, lime and passion fruit. The special additions to the menu will be available during dinner and range in price from $10 to $18.