Hi foodies! Ryan Laspina here again to recap my weekend adventures with my fellow admins, Moy and Ashley! I decided to crash their weekly breakfast date at Ortega’s Taco Shop. Ortega’s has had a spot in my heart for a long time as a Charles Town native, so I jumped at the opportunity to get one of their breakfast burritos on Saturday, March 23rd. Visit their website to learn more!
Location
Ortega’s Taco Shop is located in downtown Charles Town at 100 W Washington St, sharing a residence with Bushel and Peck. There is street parking throughout downtown, but be cognizant of where you park because some places are off limits.
Cuisine Type
Ortega’s Taco Shop sells tacos, but they also serve other classic Mexican cuisine, including burritos, quesadillas, and chips with queso and guacamole. It has been far too long since I had lunch or dinner there, but I have had plenty of breakfast burritos, especially when they set up at the Charles Town Farmers Market.
Ambience and Decor
Ortega’s is at a great location, situated inside a building with Bushel and Peck. There is plenty of space to eat, and you can pick up meat and produce afterwards if you are so inclined. My favorite decor in Ortega’s is their review wall, where they post handwritten compliments on post-it notes to create a collage.
Service
You are greeted with a smile when you walk into Ortega’s. Natalie is so friendly and has been a staple of Ortega’s since I started going there nearly a decade ago. Our breakfast burritos came out very quickly and were hot and cooked to perfection!
Menu and Specialities
While the burritos are always my go to, Ortega’s has plenty of other Mexican staples. Their street tacos are delicious and a great substitute if you want something a little bit lighter for breakfast. Their chips are homemade and salted perfectly, and they have very creamy queso and decadent guacamole. You can tell that everything is home-made.
As far as options, Ortega’s offers multiple meat (and vegetarian) options. Moy got the chorizo burrito and said it is some of the best chorizo he has ever eaten. Both Ashley and I are big fans of grilled veggies, so we get the vegetarian burrito. They also offer Machaca (beef), Carnitas (pork), and chicken as a protein option.
Food Quality and Taste
The food quality and taste is sensational, evidenced by the fact that I have been going to Ortega’s for a decade. In fact, Ortega’s is so special to me that it was always my first meal after doing a cleanse where I would cut out dairy, sweets, etc. During those cleanses, I would dream about an Ortega’s burrito and it always hit the spot when I finally got my hands on one.
I definitely appreciate the way the protein is cooked, but there is something about those grilled veggies that just hits different. Once I find something I like I tend not to stray too much, but I really need to get the chorizo burrito next time, as everyone who gets it raves about it.
Portion Size and Pricing
The burritos are perfectly sized and leave you full and satisfied, but not bloated and sick to your stomach. They are definitely generous with the amount of ingredients inside the burrito, as I almost always need a fork to finish off everything that fell out of the burrito as I am eating it. In terms of pricing, each burrito is between $7 and $10 which is extremely reasonable and an exceptional value in today’s market.
Overall Experience and Recommendation
Ortega’s Taco Shop is still as great as it was when I first started eating there. I will admit, there is definitely a nostalgia factor that plays a role in my ranking and recommendation, but that is the beauty of some of our local spots. Ortega’s is more than just the food – it reminds me of my home. As someone who no longer lives in the Eastern Panhandle, it is a nice reminder of why I loved my childhood growing up there. With that being said, Ortega’s Taco Shop gets a 9.5 ranking from me, and I would highly encourage you to get a breakfast burrito next time you are in town!