Tortilla

Burritos and tacos from Tortilla beat another preflight sandwich

Tortilla at London Stansted Airport serves fast Mexican-style food built around rice, beans, salsa and your choice of fillings in burritos, tacos and bowls. Expect a quick-service setup with counter ordering and food assembled in front of you, similar to high-street branches across the UK. Prices usually sit in the mid-range for UK airports, with a standard burrito generally coming in under £10 before extras like guacamole or drinks.

You’ll see the usual options: chicken, pulled pork, grilled vegetables and sometimes limited-time fillings, all loaded into tortillas or bowls with black or pinto beans. Salsa ranges from mild to noticeably hot, and adding guacamole typically adds around £1–£2 to the bill. Portions tend to be filling enough to cover a full meal, so a burrito plus a soft drink is often all you need before boarding.

Service runs on a grab-and-go rhythm, so you can usually get through the queue, order and pay in under 10–15 minutes outside the worst morning and evening peaks. Food holds reasonably well for a short walk back to your gate, especially bowls, which travel better than tacos. If you’re short on time before a Ryanair or easyJet departure, order a bowl without salsa on top to avoid leaks in a paper bag.

Watch the add-ons: extra meat, guacamole and bottled drinks can push a £9 burrito closer to £14–£15 quickly. Tap water is normally available if you ask, and sticking to a basic burrito or bowl keeps the price more in line with a standard airport meal. For a practical play, decide your filling and salsa level in advance so you don’t stall the line and miss a boarding call announced 30 minutes before departure.