A new Mexican street food venture is making waves in County Durham after a hugely successful launch weekend that saw eager customers quickly snap up its authentic offerings.

Birria Street Kitchen, founded by 29-year-old Bishop Auckland resident Thomas Mallen, officially opened its doors on June 5 and immediately attracted strong local interest. The business specializes in traditional Mexican birria dishes, with recipes carefully developed and refined over several years.

Thomas said the idea was inspired by his passion for cooking and a desire to bring authentic Mexican cuisine to an area where he felt such food options were limited.

After spending years experimenting with recipes and traveling to explore different culinary traditions, he identified a gap in the North East food scene and decided to create a street food concept focused on genuine Mexican flavors.

To ensure authenticity, Thomas sources specialist chillies and spices directly from Mexico, aiming to recreate traditional recipes as accurately as possible for local customers.

The business currently operates from a street food trailer outside The Green Tree pub in Bishop Auckland, a location familiar to Thomas from his time as a regular customer. The trailer is expected to remain at the site throughout the summer.

Before launching Birria Street Kitchen, Thomas worked in sales and business development. However, his passion for food ultimately encouraged him to pursue a career centered on cooking and hospitality.

The project has been months in the making, with extensive preparation and recipe development leading up to the launch. Customers can expect dishes that are rich in flavor, made with quality ingredients, and inspired by authentic Mexican street food traditions.

Thomas describes the menu as comforting “soul food” that can be enjoyed year-round, whether paired with a refreshing drink on a warm summer day or as a hearty meal during the colder months.