Serving up Food & Fellowship | Highlands Burritos

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: 2021/12 – December | Photograph By: Susan Renfro

Over the course of these last 20 Covid-cramped months, I’ve rhapsodized about the sublime joy of dining out with friends, of restoring the warp and woof of relationships that’ve frayed.

The happy chatter and bursts of laughter that punctuate our meals at all of our Plateau dining destinations, from mom ‘n pop cafés to deeply-indulgent dining rooms that’ve earned an international reputation, is a powerful tonic to the quarantine stupor that’s somehow followed us into this new, unsettled landscape.

It’s always been that way on the Plateau – food and fellowship served in equal portions. Consider that Mrs. Elvira Zachary’s Boarding House was often referred to as Zachary’s Kitchen, or that Highlands’ earliest businesses were The Highlands Inn and The Central House, both offering full menus to their guests.

I’m bringing this up because that’s what I encountered during our fast trip to Highlands Burritos.

Though my time in the place spanned only a few minutes (we were on a takeout, eat-at-our-desk mission), I encountered and chatted with three friends who’d been missing from my life for the past
20 months. 

We updated ourselves, exchanged gossip (this is Highlands, after all), shared pictures of loved ones and grandkids, and talked about plans for the off-season. 

I lack the poetry to describe what a benison it is to indulge in these sweet Plateau traditions. The serving line at Highlands Burritos serves the same purpose as those early morning bull sessions at Farmer’s Market or those earnest discussions at Calders Coffee.

And while we’re talking about the simple bliss of falling back into the lives of friends and the neighbors we’ve lost track of, let me jump over to the simple bliss served up at Highlands Burritos.

It’s set up like your standard Subway – you place your order and advance, choose your protein, your fillers (rice, black beans, refried beans), and toppings that are rolled into the creation.

Each burrito is crafted by a trio of smiling women and men (some of whom are fluent at English, some not-so-much, but each gracious and dedicated to their task). 

And each burrito is the Tex-Mex equivalent of a British Ploughman’s Lunch. They’re enormous, incredibly filling, and budget friendly.

Tricia and I ordered Blackegdfgned Fish and Ground Beef versions, and our friend Casey was gratified to discover a Veggie option. 

Even though I mentioned that these choices were enormous, my dedication to the thoroughness of my reviews led me to add a generous helping of guacamole to the order. 

Now I don’t know your religious leanings, and I’m usually tight-lipped about my expressions of faith, but let me just say, “Sweet Jesus, that’s some incredible Guac!”

You could taste the sunshine and the freshness, and it was a quick transport to some tropical hideaway.

No wonder those sweet counter workers were smiling so much – they knew they were serving up something transcendent!

And, since this was a lunch order that would carry over into the evening, I also ordered Pico de Gallo and Tortilla Chips. I’m snacking on these as I’m writing this. (Again, taking us back to my evocation of the Ploughman’s Lunch.)

To complete the Tex-Mex theme, I ordered bottles of Mexican (Real Sugar) Coca Colas. These were appropriately fizzy and fun. Casey swears by the Margaritas that are crafted at Highlands Burritos, but since this was a takeout order, these were a no-no.

Highlands Burritos is located at 226 South Fourth Street. You can order online, highlandsburritos.com, but if you have time, why not stop to place your order and dine there? I promise, you’ll get into a conversation with someone (including, if they have a moment of time, the people building your order) and keep that wonderful Plateau community spirit going.