El Reynaldo's

I dare anyone to find better Mexican food on the side of the interstate and in a rural area. This has been a regular stop for me on my way through for some time now. Their chicken burritos are bomb, and I've even stopped for menudo on the weekend. The previous two reviewers of this place should stick to Tacobell !!

You should expect what you get from Reynaldo's, because it is attached to a gas station. Yes, that's right.

You may be asking yourself why you would eat there, but if you have a boyfriend who is constantly looking for diamond-in-the-rough, local-find restaurants, you need ask no further questions. He says to me, "Is it wrong that I want to try 'Reynaldo's'?, " as we finish filling up the tank.  

I can only blame the eerie Eastern Colorado lighting from the impending electrical storm for clouding my judgement, because I should have said, "YES, it's attached to a gas station!" but instead, as I fancy myself always up for an adventure, I said, "Not at all!," and in we went.

It should have tipped me off that the place would not be good, when the photographed menu items on the wall were all photographed in the bottoms of styrofoam to-go trays, instead of actual plates. That should clue you in that the fare will not be gourmet. Nevertheless, we ordered--I, the ground beef tacos, and he, the chiles rellenos. Both came with rice and beans. I think the beans were straight out of a can.

Why would a place forego seasoning on the ground beef? My ground beef was as grey as the alien-skin on the X-files, with no flavor or seasoning at all. The taco shell was over-fried and too thick, and there were no tomatoes. My boyfriend, ever pulling for the underdog, suggested maybe the "tomato scare of '08" was to blame for their absence, but I don't think so. The lettuce was shredded iceberg, which is fine for a ground beef taco, but it shouldn't be transparent (this results from too-cold temps in the ice-box--I know, because my own fridge yielded see-through lettuce once).

He claims his rellenos were good, but I'll let him tell you about them.

The homemade tortilla alone is the reason for my single-star review. It was pretty good. Everything else...well, let's just say it should have stayed in the ice-box.

Tough call on what to rate Reynaldo's.

In Denver, I would never have deigned to visit Reynaldo's.

What is your life like when you live in Burlington, Colorado though?

You are either in the prison, working at the prison, or stuck in your prison of a life if you are residing in the 80807 and thus maybe Reynaldo's could be that bright shining beacon of Mexican goodness in your otherwise awful day? (That is unless you are locked up, then you are probably eating Ramen. Sorry prisoners).

My lovely travelling companion liked Reynaldo's a LOT less than I did. Their tacos are DEFINITELY one star. Their Chile Rellenos are probably 2 star, but I rated the place three stars because they have a GIGANTIC menu, and it assuredly is probably one of the best restaurants in town.

If it's dark and you're stranded in Burlington, give it a shot. It's not awful.