Elvis Presley once crooned about “Memories pressed between the pages of my mind–memories sweetened through the ages just like wine.” Sometimes memories take you back to an idyllic time or place when things were simpler and food tasted better.
Such is the case with my memories of the Burrito Wagon, a Taos institution I began frequenting shortly after its 1970 launch. No stereotypical “roach coach” to be derided and laughed at was this mobile kitchen serving the finest overstuffed burritos in Northern New Mexico. In my romantic’s mind, my unabashed affection for the Burrito Wagon took me to that idyllic time and place.
Alas, the reality was that because the Burrito Wagon is not open on weekends, we hadn’t visited since 1999. A September, 2004 visit saw my idyllic memories shattered and cruel reality set in.
The Burrito Wagon just isn’t the same restaurant that warranted delicious dreams. That reality set in when we discovered beans, ground beef and chile ensconced in store bought tortillas similar to the inferior products proffered by real roach coaches. If memory serves me right, The Wagon’s burritos once featured tortillas that tasted as if they were freshly extricated from a hot comal. My recollections were of ingredients apportioned and melded to perfection, not segregated within the tortilla so that you taste beef with one bite and beans with the next.
Worse yet was a Frito pie that has to rank with the worse we’ve had in New Mexico. The sole saving grace were two soft tacos in which well seasoned ingredients surmounted their store bought tortilla encasement. The Burrito Wagon features seven different burritos with cheese and red or green chile. We hope to someday visit one of the best reasons to visit Taos and find the Burrito Wagon has reclaimed past quality.
The Burrito Wagon
519 Paseo del Pueblo Sur
Taos, New Mexico
LATEST VISIT: 24 September 2004
# OF VISITS: 1
RATING: 15
COST: $
BEST BET: Burritos, Tacos
I gradated THS in 98. I’m sorry I don’t remember your parents first names, but they always remembered mine ,and my favorite, the #5. I haven’t been back since they left. Don’t think I will. I love your family and the food that got me through jh and ths. Thank you
my parents were the original owners of the burrito wagon. they passed away a few years ago. they left us with very special memorys. the burrito wagon was opened in early 1970s. the wagon was even featured in the sunset magazine as one of the best places to eat in new mexico. thank-you for sharing your fond memories with us and others.
the padilla family