Takeout goodies

Burritos – just what the doctah ordered!

By Dena Miller

There’s always a time and place for that leisurely meal, whether to gently ease into your day or relax at the end of a long one. But sometimes a quick grab-and-go is exactly what you need and, in that, Taos has got you covered.

You wouldn’t be wrong if roadside food trucks were the first thing that popped into your head as you hit the road, whether for work or play. They’re a bona fide and beloved tradition in Taos, serving up breakfast, lunch and snacks galore. The most requested item? Burritos, of course.

At their simplest, you’re talking about a hand-held marvel whose end result is much more savory and satisfying than its humble ingredients would imply. But with your takeout options, you could also smother it with red or green chile, or both; you can dress it with lettuce, tomato, cilantro, avocado and onion; or, you can build your own.

Here’s the lowdown on some standout options around town.

Food trucks

Forget the cereal. A breakfast burrito is the ultimate breakfast of champions in these parts.

Stop by Rosa’s Tacos, Burritos y Mas, 1807 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, at the intersection with State Road 518, and definitely bring your appetite with you. Order a breakfast burrito with two meats – chorizo, sausage or ham – and top it off with your choice of Rosa’s famous pico de gallo or zesty salsa. (Don’t miss her tortas if you’re there closer to lunch time: The Cubano, stuffed with pork carnitas, ham and cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado and salsa, is incredible.)

Sharing the same corner is Antojito’s Taos, 1803 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, where Lorraine and Crystal Rascón’s carne asada smells mouth-wateringly good. “If I won’t feed it to my family, I won’t feed it to you,” Lorraine said. Ask for it in a burrito or – customer favorite – in a taco. And save room for fresas con crema(organic strawberries with cream) if you’re lucky enough to be there before they sell out.

Mary Jane’s Home Cooking, 616 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, has a veggie option for your breakfast burrito and also makes a fine to-go plate of huevos rancheros: your choice of eggs and chile, accompanied by potatoes and beans. In fact, all of their plates come loaded, whether you’re craving burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tamales or a combo. Just looking for a quick snack? You can’t go wrong with Mary Jane’s Frito pie, quesadillas and chicharrones.

And that’s exactly what Taos Chicharron Burrito Wagon specializes in, as their food truck name says it all. Located at 1328 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, next to O’Rielly’s, south of the Paseo del Cañon traffic light, you can’t beat their burritos, tacos, chicharrones and more. They get pretty slammed at lunch time and close at 2 p.m., so consider dropping by around 9-ish in the morning. Bikers love these guys! 

Restaurants

There’s only one problem with food trucks – they usually close after lunch, but your cravings for burritos don’t. Of course, Taos restaurants in town won’t let you down. Here’s a couple that will keep your hankerings in check.

El Taoseño, at 819 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, is “where the locals eat,” says their website and for good reason. Their all-daylong takeout menu has got all your favorites which they’ll serve up steaming hot and just the way you like it. Their breakfast burrito, smothered with chile, is a super-sized tortilla stuffed with scrambled eggs, hash browns and choice of ham, chorizo, sausage or bacon and served with a side of beans (you can get a hand-held, a la carte burrito for a lighter bite, also). If you want fries or hash browns on the side, be sure to get them smothered with chile and cheese.

There’s burgers, plates and bowls available (posolé anyone?) and owners Frieda and Fred Archuleta are now offering family dinners to go, each serving four to six hungry people: Enchilada Monday; Taco Tuesday; Frito Pie Wednesday; Combo Thursday; and Taoseño Friday.

Call ahead to order at (575) 758-4142.

Guadalajara Grill, north at 822 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (575) 737-0816, or south at 1384 Paseo del Pueblo Sur (575) 751-0064, may be the granddaddy of all takeout venues in Taos. With locations on both the north and south sides of town, each is a local favorite for its extensive menu of authentic Mexican cuisine.

So, what do Guad burritos have that makes them stand apart? Shrimp! Fresh, juicy shrimp marinated to perfection before being grilled and stuffed into a flour tortilla with bell peppers, onions and their homemade salsa, topped with red or green chile and a dollop of sour cream. Heaven.

Don’t miss the chance to sample the shrimp Azteca quesadilla – another wildly popular item – or any of the other shrimp and fresh fish options. And if you’re a meat person then the succulent, cooked-to-perfection ribeye is a no-brainer. Ask for complimentary condiments like roasted jalapeños and slices of lime.

(Remember, this is Taos. There’s no shame if you opt to just dig in before you leave the parking lot.)