Where am I going to be my burrito fix now?

Last week I had one of those days. You know, the kind when the only thing that's going to cut it for lunch is something high in carbs, fat, and euh fat. I got into my car after a brutal morning at work and considered my options. I could go to Draeger's for sushi, but that wasn't what I was in the mood for. I could go get a panini, but it still sounded too healthy. What I really, really wanted was a hot, gooey, cheesy, beanny burrito from Bueno, Bueno.

Stop anyone on the street in Silicon Valley and ask them where to get a good burrito and I guarantee you they'll have one place they swear by. (If they're local that is. If you land on an out-of-towner you might get directed to Una Mas or some other chain.And that doesn't count. Not at all.) Some might direct you to La Bamba, others to La Costena. I've even heard that the Mi Pueblo market has a pretty decent take out bar. But me? I'd tell you the only place worth going is Bueno, Bueno. Until now.

I pulled into the tiny lot on the corner of El Camino and Showers drive and instantly knew all was not well in the world. For starters there were a ton of parking spaces available. Unheard of at 12:20 on a workday. Where were all the bean and cheese seeking lunch goers? Second the lights were off in the Burritoria. OK, granted, that should have been my first hint; I'm not always quick on the uptake.

I stared at the burrito joint in complete disbelief. Stools were stacked on tables and there was most definitely an absence of hustle and bustle inside the dark space. And that's when I saw the sign on the door.

"Closed. Opening soon under new management."

I kid you not, my heart skipped a beat. My precious, precious burritos. My comfort food. My friends. What happened? Where did they go? Sordid scenarios played out in my mind. Were they deported? Were they hurt in the Santa Cruz fires? Did they get bored with the people of Mountain View? Would the new managers keep the old staff? Would I never see the people I'd gotten to know over the years? Would they change the rice, the yummy, yummy Spanish rice?

I sat in the car a while longer, willing the manager to jump out from behind the counter and yell "Just kidding!" Until I finally had to concede that I wouldn't be eating a burrito for lunch that day or any day soon. I stifled a sob and put the car into reverse, still unsure as to what I would be eating in the end. I know I could have gone to any of the hundreds of other taquerias in the surrounding area, but I just couldn't bring myself to cheat on them quite yet. 

I know you all think I'm nuts, or at the very least that I'm overreacting. But come on, be honest, if Starbucks shut down (as if), would you rush to the closest Peet's right away, or would it take you a while to to make the switch? See? That's exactly how I feel. Sob.

Original Silicon Valley Moms Blog.
Rose also blogs at It's my life... and The Lemonade Stand.