Burrito Splendido’s Director of Operations Jarod King serves up some fresh, locally sourced, and produced fare at the newest location of the Mexican cuisine chain now located in the CANEX Mall at CFB Shilo on April 9. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

Priding itself on using local products and produce from Manitoba, Burrito Splendido was welcomed as a new addition to the CANEX Mall at CFB Shilo on April 9.

The Mexican restaurant chain was first introduced to Manitoba with its flagship store in November 2012. Since then, it has grown to seven locations in Winnipeg and Brandon, with the latest serving the families, staff, and members of the CAF at Shilo.

CFB Shilo Base Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel David Cronk, Chief Warrant Officer Eric LeClair Regimental Sergeant Major, Owner Danny Hashimi, Director of Operations Jarod King, CANEX Management, staff and lunchtime customers attended the lunchtime opening at the addition to the Garrison Grill.

New owner Hashimi purchased Burrito Splendido in October 2022 and is experienced in restaurant ownership with other big-name eateries in his portfolio.

He told Shilo Stag Media one thing that attracted him to the Burrito Splendido chain was the commitment to sourcing, serving and supporting local.

Supporting provincial industry and food production, the flour used to make each whole wheat and white tortilla is 100 percent Manitoba-produced, with the corn flour used for the soft tacos coming from St. Anne. All the pork is from Manitoba farms, and all the poultry in the Adobo Chicken is local from Granny’s Chicken. Peak of the Market Veggies is the restaurant’s go-to for fresh produce. Continuing with the promise to support local, the Bothwell cheese makes the quesadillas a melty moment.

“It makes the tastiest, meltiest quesadillas ever. It’s a fact,” their website states.

According to the website, Burrito Splendido’s menu embraces various dietary requirements and restrictions.

“Diets such as lacto ovo, lacto, gluten intolerance, nut allergy, vegan, paleo, or those just fussy … bring it on …” their website states.

One of the original founders and current Director of Operations, King, said the business was the brainchild of co-founder Ken Livingstone, who initiated the concept after visiting an eatery in the U.S.A. He repeats the story that Livingstone was so impressed with the server’s in-depth knowledge of the products, the cooking processes, where the ingredients were sourced, etc. that he wanted to model that.

“That blew him away. He knew that he could recreate that in Winnipeg … “

It took about a year and a half to open the first store, King said.

“It was all about fresh, local and doing the right thing.”

“We braise our own meats. We pull apart our own chickens, make our own rice, and do everything from start to finish every day. We are a local company making local food and cooking it right there.”

When talking about expansion, he said the same will be done in other provinces—local produce and products will support the menu, and in turn, the restaurant will support local.

“So it was all about local for us; it was all about making sure that we give back to the community that gives to us.”

King said that when they opened their fourth location, one of their staff members was a military wife who suggested offering a CAF discount.

“We were so embraced by 17 Wing we knew we had something good … So when we were offered the opportunity to be at CFB Shilo, it was a no-brainer. We already had a good relationship with the military so, why not be even closer?”

Burrito Splendido’s CANEX location staff Erica Gradwell and Ayden Grove, serve up some fresh, locally sourced, and produced fare at the newest location of the Mexican cuisine chain now located in the CANEX Mall at CFB Shilo on April 9. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)

CFB Shilo Base Commander LCol David Cronk welcomes Burrito Splendido owner Danny Hashimi to the new location in the CANEX Mall on April 9. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)

The official opening of Burrito Splendido in the CANEX Mall at CFB Shilo was welcomed by Base Command, CANEX Management and  Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News

Burrito Splendido’s Director of Operations Jarod King serves up some fresh, locally sourced, and produced fare at the newest location of the Mexican cuisine chain now located in the CANEX Mall at CFB Shilo on April 9. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)