Fitzroy Beach Burrito Mexican features indoor skateboard pool

When Beach Burrito Company opens on Gertrude Street in the next few weeks, Fitzroy's Mexican restaurant tally will click over to seven and its public pool count will go up to two.

But, the indoor pool dominating the floorspace of BBC will only ever be filled with pro skaters on exhibition, and is a big, indulgent ode (the space would otherwise hold around 40 seats) to founder and CEO Blake Read's love of skating in the '80s, when skateboarders took to empty swimming pools.

"I wanted to recreate the feeling I had in the 80s: engrossed, in love," says Read (now 40). "I think when people walk in and see the pool, it will trigger the same excitement."

Read lived in America for years before returning to Australia to open the first Beach Burrito Co. restaurant in Bondi, in 2006. Fitzroy will be outlet number 12, with restaurants in NSW, SA, Queensland and the ACT.

The fast-casual food ­– quesadillas, taquitos (tortillas filled with chipotle chicken or chilli con carne, rolled and fried) and nachos – is drinks-friendly. The drinks? Beers and jugs of cocktails, many of them frozen – referencing the cocktail of choice in Australian beach suburbs.

BBC will open daily for lunch and dinner, and seat around 70 – mostly on the mezzanine overlooking the pool.

Beach Burrito Company, 230 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, beachburritocompany.com