Chef Wolfgang Schlitter, owner and operator of WAM Burrito in Weiden, Germany, seen here on Feb. 19, 2024, offers Mexican fare made with fresh ingredients, homemade sauces and proprietary spice blends. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)
Chef Wolfgang Schlitter cut his teeth in Michelin-starred kitchens around the world and now serves up burritos that kick.
The German is one half of the fictitious luchador tag-team duo, Wilfredo and Marcio, who give WAM Burrito in Weiden its name. The inspiration for Marcio is his girlfriend, Marion Od.
Located just under 15 miles from the U.S. Army’s Tower Barracks, WAM offers Mexican fare made with fresh ingredients, homemade sauces and proprietary spice blends.
“People from Mexico say it tastes like home,” Schlitter said Feb. 19. “That was, for me, very important.”
Chef Wolfgang Schlitter, owner and operator of WAM Burrito in Weiden, Germany, prepares a burrito for a customer on Feb. 12, 2024. The restaurant opened in late 2022. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)
Schlitter, 42, grew up modestly in neighboring Neustadt an der Waldnaab. He always dreamed of being a chef and received training at the renowned Jörg Müller restaurant on the German island of Sylt, which had two Michelin stars at the time.
The experience laid the groundwork for WAM, as the restaurant was split into fine dining and also down-home comfort food. He went on to work in restaurants in Denmark, Spain and the Cayman Islands, to name a few locations.
While working as a sous chef for the Bellagio in Las Vegas in 2006, he lived with a Mexican family and learned about its cuisine. Schlitter opened WAM in November 2022.
The main event there is obviously the burritos, which are finished off in a press to give them a crispy exterior. Schlitter offers an array of options, from chipotle pulled pork carnitas to carne asada; he also does monthly specials like Bavarian weisswurst.
WAM also features fish and vegan options, such as cauliflower asada and chorizo tofu. Toppings include rice, beans and cheese, as well as lettuce, red onions, peppers, cilantro and guacamole, to name a few.
The meat in the chipotle pulled pork burrito at WAM Burrito, in Weiden, Germany, was tender and well-spiced. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)
All the vegetables except for corn, which comes from a can because of scarcity, are prepared fresh daily, Schlitter said. The restaurant also has a selection of sauces that are made in-house.
The burritos range from 8 euros for a chico luchador burrito to 10 euros for full size. They also offer burrito bowls for 10 euros and a selection of french fries platters or nachos.
The assortment of beverages includes horchata, a freshly made rice drink that a guest I dined with enjoyed, adding that it wasn’t overly sweet like some lesser versions. Jarritos Mexican and bottles of Corona are also stocked in the fridge.
I’ve been to WAM several times now and I’m always amazed at the quality and flavor. The chipotle pulled pork had a nice texture and pulled apart effortlessly. I added some burrito sauce to give it a little zing.
The chorizo burrito at WAM Burrito in Weiden, Germany, is made with fresh ingredients and homemade sauces. The restaurant has drawn in a significant clientele from the Army's base in Grafenwoehr, which is about 15 miles away. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)
My favorite is the chorizo — minced meat with a proprietary chorizo spice blend — topped with a little burrito sauce and “bang bang” sauce for a spicy kick.
Every bite exploded with the meat’s natural juices and spice, and there was a wonderful synergy between the meat, fresh vegetables, rice, beans and sauces. I finished it off with a cold mandarin Jarritos.
For me, the undisputed champion of Mexican fare near the garrison at Grafenwoehr has to be WAM Burrito.
WAM Burrito in Weiden, Germany, first opened its doors in November 2022. It offers Mexican fare made with fresh ingredients, homemade sauces and proprietary spice blends. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)
WAM Burrito
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 9, Weiden, Germany
Hours: Open 7 days a week, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Prices: Burritos range from 8-10 euros, plus add-ons. Cards can be used to order online, but only cash is accepted at WAM. They will deliver 15 burritos or more to Tower Barracks in Grafenwoehr; send a request via Instagram.
Information: WAM does not have a phone. Order online at wam-burrito.igetnow.com/menu
