After a long hike in the Linville Gorge or a day-spent swimming at Wilson Creek, or just a day at the office, there is nothing better than a nice burrito, plate of nachos or some tasty tacos. And to get my fix, I head to Mountain Burrito in Morganton, North Carolina. Owner, Bryan Drake is a wizard in the kitchen. From his flavorful meat options to his masterminded salsas, you will not leave Mountain Burrito without already planning your next return visit.
So you’ve decided to visit Mountain Burrito, first things first, you will step up to order and realize that its much like an assembly line with the workers standing behind the counter passing your order down the line as you tell them what toppings you would like on your entrée. You’ll pick if you want a burrito, nachos, a naked burrito, or tacos (soft of hard) first. Oh and don’t forget there might be a daily special that is seriously, what you should get if Bryan has one up on the blackboard as your walk in the door on the left wall. If you are there on a Tuesday during lunch, I suggest getting the fish tacos. Or if you are really lucky, Bryan will have chili as an option for the day. Just trust me on this you will want either! Once you pick your entrée, you will then pick if you want pork, chicken, steak or chorizo. Don’t worry vegetarians, you can also go completely vegetarian here as well. Once you pick your meat topping, you will then pick if you want black beans or pinto beans or grilled onions. There are a few other options here as well; such as seasonally Bryan offers potatoes. Then your plate will be handed on to the cold veggies and salsa toppings portion of the assembly process. Above the counter is a blackboard with a list of hand written toppings and salsas to choose from. Mountain Burrito salsas, vary from mild salsa to hot. From regular tomato based salsas, to seasonal fruit and veggie salsas. My usual order is steak nachos, a little bit of black beans, pickled onions, regular chopped onions, cabbage, shredded cheese along with the already smothered on queso cheese. Lastly I put on a mixture of chipotle sauce and tomato ranch for the perfect combo of food. Then once I pay and grab my food, I will stop by the big stand up table in the center of the restaurant and poor on some garlic oil that’s available there for the customer to put on as much as they would like. I’m a garlic fan and if you are as well, you’ll love Mountain Burrito. If you don’t love garlic, you will still love Mountain Burrito as well. The flavors of Mountain Burrito’s food is spot on and will leave you making return, after return visit to eat at this vibe of a spot located just outside of downtown Morganton. So if you are ever in the area, I highly, highly recommend grabbing some food and either eating at the outside picnic tables or grabbing it to-go and prepare to have an amazing lunch or dinner meal.
- Ben
