Birria Street Kitchen Bishop Auckland Mexican food trailer

Birria Street Kitchen is the brainchild of Thomas Mallen, 29, from Bishop Auckland, who said the idea came about after he spent years perfecting his recipes and felt there was a gap in the Mexican food scene in the North East.

The new venture launched last Friday (June 5) serving authentic birria flavours and traditional recipes which was a hit with the locals.

Thomas said: “I’ve home cooked for years and travelled here, there and everywhere, and I found Mexican food was something you just don’t really get around the North East, especially in places like Bishop Auckland.

Thomas Malon and Birria Street Kitchen outside The Green Tree pub in Bishop Auckland. 5/6/2026. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo (Image: Stuart Boulton)

“With the food I’ll be serving, it’s very authentic. I’m importing all of the correct chillies and spices from Mexico directly, so everything that’s going to get served around Bishop Auckland is going to be as authentic as possible.”

The new venture is operating from a street food trailer outside The Green Tree pub, Thomas’s former local.

The trailer will continue operating outside until the end of August, after the owners of The Green Tree announced they will no longer continue running it after summer.

Food from the Birria Street Kitchen outside The Green Tree pub in Bishop Auckland. 5/6/2026. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo (Image: Stuart Boulton)

Tom said his love for cooking encouraged him to pursue his passion full-time.

He said: “I’ve always been an avid cook. I’ve cooked for friends and family for years, but I wanted to share that experience a bit further.

“I’ve worked in sales and business development, but I decided to pull away from that to go after something I actually appreciate doing, which is serving and cooking great food.”

The business idea has been in the works for the last five months, where Thomas has been perfecting his recipes, which he has been developing for several years.

Birria Street Kitchen outside The Green Tree pub in Bishop Auckland. 5/6/2026. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo (Image: Stuart Boulton)

He said customers can expect “high-quality, authentic and definitely flavoursome” dishes.

He added: “In particular for summer or winter, it’s very much soul food.

“It will warm you through while you’re having that ice-cold pint in the beer garden, but it’s also the kind of food that will make you want to come out in the colder months too.”

After opening last Friday, Thomas said the launch was “fantastic”.

He said: “We sold out on our first weekend and have had some really strong reviews from customers since opening.

“People are saying it’s something we just don’t have around here and so it’s been great to see people so excited to have authentic Mexican food on their doorstep.”

A customer with food at Birria Street Kitchen outside The Green Tree pub in Bishop Auckland. 5/6/2026. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo (Image: Stuart Boulton)

He added: “We’ve worked hard to focus on quality and authenticity, and it’s clearly resonating with people.

“It’s been a really positive start for us and gives us a lot of confidence going forward.

“We’re looking forward to building on that momentum over the summer.”

Birria Street Kitchen will be serving outside The Green Tree every Friday and Saturday over the summer, with plans to start trading elsewhere in September onwards.

Opening times are 2pm to 8pm on Fridays and 12pm to 8pm on Saturdays.