This thought occurred to me years ago, as I was eating an overpriced breakfast burrito in Vail, Colorado. When it comes to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or anything wrapped in a tortilla, it’s all about the tortilla.
The inside of this pricey breakfast burrito was perfectly packed with the right amount of cheese, egg and meat, but the tortilla was dry. So dry, in fact, that the ends of the burrito were hard. In addition to the burrito obviously being beyond its best buy date, the tortilla had never been good. I could tell.
I assert that a delicious tortilla is key and can make or break the entire eating experience. While what’s on the inside of a taco, burrito or quesadilla can vary, if the tortilla is subpar, it ruins the entire dish.
I’ve had this assertion proven over and over through the years. There is one thing, that will, in my illustrious opinion, always means a taco, burrito or quesadilla will be good—the eating establishment (whether it be a restaurant, taco shop or taco truck) makes their own tortillas.
This was on full display when I walked into Calvillo’s Mexican Restaurant in Alamosa, Colorado, years ago. As we walked in, we encountered a woman at the front making tortillas. A tortilla maker and dough spread out before her. It appeared to be her entire job, and she excelled at it. I sat at the bar where I could watch her, which was mesmerizing. Like a lava lamp, but oh, so better.
This past weekend, we were at another restaurant where I’ve come to expect excellent tortillas. Los Dos Potrillas, in the Highlands Ranch location, is a go-to whenever we’re in town. Which is about once a year for various racquetball tournaments they hold at Northridge Recreation Center.
However, I first went to Los Dos Potrillas at this location a number of years ago with my in-laws. As I followed our server to our table, we passed a little room with two ladies making tortillas. It was a room entirely dedicated to tortilla-making. I’d never seen one before and instantly Los Dos Potrillas became a favorite.
So, I’d like to know your opinion. Is it, like I contend, all about the tortilla?
About the Featured Photo: Handmade tortillas and jalapeno bread I bought last month at the Saratoga Farmers Market in Wyoming.