Bangalore set to get a taste of Mexico via three Americans

“A burrito is a healthier,lighter lunch option that suits the frantic pace in this tech city,” said Mueller,a graduate in public policy,who conceived the idea in 2010 when he spent six weeks near Jaipur as part of his semester abroad.

A burrito is a foil-wrapped Mexican meal with an American twist and consists of a roti-like wheat-flour tortilla enclosing fillings like Mexican-style rice,chicken,beans,lettuce,salsa,avocado,and sour cream.

So far,only Americans and Europeans of Indian origin or Indian overseas have moved back to India to escape shrinking economies. Westerners have been re-locating but only for work.

“Our families questioned our plan ,” said Connell. “But India offers us the opportunities that America does not.”

“Bangalore is the perfect test market because it is the America of India. Many multinationals are here,people are well-travelled,but cannot find the food they are used to in the US,” said Khalsa.

Khalsa is so named as his American parents converted to Sikhism in the 1970s though they have never visited India. “My parents looked towards India for spiritual solace and here I am looking to India for material guidance,” he quipped.

The Indian palate is quite ready for Mexican food,Mueller said: “It’s roti versus tortilla,chutney versus salsa and dal versus beans.”

However,the trial runs suggest there are barriers. Many tasters during the trial un-wrapped the foil of their burritos,and proceeded to separate the rice,vegetables and tortilla. “Indians are not used to eating rice and roti together but we hope Bangalore will be the trendsetter,” said Mueller.