Despite its lowly look and feel this is one of Oxford's hidden gems. A fantastic place to grab a quick bite before a night out.

The Venue
Tucked away down St Michaels Street, off Oxford's Cornmarket, The Mission is right in the middle of town and within easy walking distance of almost all of Oxford's attractions.

The interior is very no frills. There's a large counter, and a choice of sitting at either one long central table or on stools looking out onto the street.

The People
You'll find the atmosphere changes with the time of day, it's a popular lunch spot for the workers of Oxford, who will generally opt for take away. In the evening The Mission becomes a place for people grabbing something to eat before or after a night out.

Expect to find a mix of students, people on a budget and those who are in the know. The canteen-style single table means you will be sharing space with your fellow diners, but it encourages lively conversation if you are not scared to talk to strangers.

The Food
The menu at The Mission is very simple - burritos or soft tacos with a choice of chicken, pork or beef, or a vegetarian option. All of these are cooked and seasoned to perfection. The pork or carnitas is especially recommended - spicy, tangy and cooked overnight for a melt in the mouth texture.

You get to choose what goes in your burrito. The basic burrito costs £4.95 and there's a range of fillings for 30p each. These include Mexican beans, guacamole, salad, and sauteed peppers, and with this much choice satisfaction is guaranteed.

If you can't handle a burrito (very large and filling), you can opt for soft shell tacos, with the benefit that you cn try all three meat varieties. They also offer salads and tortilla chips, again the basic is £4.95 and you add the extras.

The Drink
Not a lot of choice but they do have a licence which means you can choose between Corona, Sol and Desperado (the beer with tequila added). These are all £3.20. Soft drinks include Fanta, Sprite, Coke and Oasis, all for £1.25, and a bottle of still mineral water is £1.

The Last Word
Some of the best Mexican food you'll find in Oxford. If your only experience of eating Mexican is at a chain restaurant you simply must check out The Mission to find out what you've been missing.

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