Local entrepreneurs and Wakaberry founders Michele and Ken Fourie recently opened this trendy San Francisco-inspired burrito bar on Mackeurtan Avenue, Durban North. Offering diners a variety of giant tortillas filled with a mixture of Mission burrito (AKA San Fran burrito) ingredients, the new taquería-style eatery joins a host of popular spots on this up-and-coming foodie strip. Nikita Buxton grabbed herself a seat at Four15 for a Mexican feast.

Food

This is certainly no dainty affair. To start, a simple choice of chips and dips get the taste buds going. Warm corn tortilla chips are served with unlimited salsa from the salsa station for R25, guacamole is R30, picante cheese dip is R30, or get a combo of all three for R68. The warm crunch of the chips and refreshing accompaniments make for a fairly tame yet welcoming starter before the burrito binging commences.

Be warned, the burritos are rather hefty. That said, each bite has a different flavour and texture combination, making it too tasty to not finish. Classic burrito combinations of cheese, beans, rice and pico de gallo are bundled up in a large tortilla-style wrap that has a thicker texture (similar to that of a roti). The vast menu features traditional offerings as well as a range of exotic options, such as the Thai Me Up Burrito with grilled chicken, roasted red peppers and a spicy Thai peanut sauce.

A Four15 burrito waiting to be wrapped up and served. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

We tucked in to our selections, which were all served with a side of sour cream and unlimited salsa. The carnitas burrito was filled with slow-cooked pulled pork that had a wonderful smoky flavour to it. This was complemented brilliantly with a tang of coriander and lime-infused rice (R68). The fajito-rito option is great for those who want to forgo the rice and beans and prefer fresher ingredients, such as grilled green peppers, onions and shredded lettuce (R78). The Mission original with carne asada is bursting with slow-roasted beef, guacamole and all the trimmings (R68).

The salsa station at Four15. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The consensus at the table was that the food is full of flavour but slightly lacking in the chilli department. If you’re looking for that extra lashing of heat, the salsa bar has a few options with added mild chilli, but maybe order a few jalapeños on the side. For those who want to try their hand at crafting their own combination, there’s also a build-your-own section.

If you can fit in dessert, try the churros (if they haven’t already sold out) or the refreshing tri-colour sorbet. The gourmet Mexican milkshakes sound worth a try with flavours such as the toasted coconut shake, toasted s’more shake, or the choc-mint-brownie shake.

A table feasting on their burritos at Four15. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Drinks

A limited range of beers, ciders and wines are available, but the list includes refreshing Coronas and Naked Mexican beers that are served with a slice of lemon. Corkage is only R10 if you want to sip on something special from your wine cellar. For some Mexican thirst-quenchers, tequilas and margarita cocktails are also on offer. The kiddies can take advantage of the unlimited soda from the soda station for R20.

Ambience

The décor is transporting and it adds something bright and eclectic to Durban’s restaurant scene. Pops of colour accent the space with a corrugated wall boasting cheerful graffiti art. Brick walls and wonky wooden tables and chairs add warmth and the quirky salsa station adds more playfulness to the room. The bar section features booth seating (perfect for a date) and a cosy corner couch with funky scatter cushions.

The festive interior at Four15. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Service

One of the latest restaurants to adopt the fast-casual dining concept, this spot doesn’t offer a full table service. Instead, diners place their orders and pay at the counter before heading back to their tables, where enthusiastic waiters will serve the food. Drinks can be ordered at the bar or with your waiter, and can be added to your bill. The restaurant has also recently obtained a new tablet POS system to make things run a bit more efficiently.

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read the editorial policy here.

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