Apartment Showcase Blog

Wastin' away again: Complete your Southwest dining experience at The Tortilla Factory with a margarita (or several). (scottfeldstein via Flickr)

I’ve been strolling down memory lane a lot lately because of this blog. And here’s another one.

Me trying to woo some crazy chick at the Tortilla Factory Restaurant in Herndon so long ago that I’m embarrassed to tell you when. Suffice it to say, there was still electricity and even the Internet, but Facebook was still a twinkle in the Winklevosses’ eyes.

And no, the wooing wasn’t particularly successful. Plus, she still has my screwdriver. Long story.

Anyway, not to get all misty-eyed, the Tortilla Factory was quite popular then, and according to Yelp.com and Google Places, it’s still pretty happening. Each ratings service gives the restaurant a respectable three-star average.

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As you can guess, a restaurant named “tortilla” anything would probably offer Mexican food. You’d be right.

If you wanted to say that their website is a bit of a joke, you’d be right there, too. It looks like this thing was last updated before my wooing adventure, which is far too long for a quality dining establishment. But as clunky as their site is, ultimately, it’s about the food, not technology.

Located in the Pine Shopping Center on Elden Street (everything seems to be located on Elden Street in Herndon), Tortilla boasts an extensive menu. I mean, they have 15 appetizers listed on their site alone, and if anyone is familiar with Mexican food, some of these can be counted as a meal in their own right.

Think I’m kidding? Try gobbling down their deluxe nachos or deluxe quesadilla and then order an entrée. Well, if you’ve downed one too many Coronas, you can probably eat several appetizers and entrees (does alcohol do that to you, too?).

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There are no less than 11 salads/salad burritos, 7 varieties of soups and chili, and 17 of what they call house specialties, which of course are the entrees. Now, I know that Mexican food is by definition spicy, but chicken breast Sonora? That’s taking things a little too far!

They also offer a half-pound fajita fiesta in beef, chicken, shrimp, vegetarian and in fancy permutations thereof, as well as combination plates. Luckily for vegetarians, many of these dishes can be ordered sans meat.

The highest-priced item on their menu, Plato Grande (carne asada, chicken fajita and grilled shrimp, served with Mexican rice, black beans and flour tortillas), is $16.95, but no less than 10 of their house specialties can be had for $9.50. They even have online coupons, take out and food to go.

Kids’ meals, luncheon specials, high-protein/low-carb meals, a la carte and desserts. They’ve got it all at the Tortilla Factory. If you rent an apartment in Herndon, go down a margarita or two and check out their tasty menu.

The 18-hole, par-71 Herndon Centennial Golf Course includes a full suite of practice facility amenities.

Herndon, VA, what special memories I have of you. You gave me work for a few months back in 2000, and for that I’m forever in your gratitude.

Herndon was kind of like Reston’s Internet-savvy little brother back in the technology boom of the late ’90s. And if you want to argue it was an equal player, I won’t put up much of a fight. For I come to praise Herndon, not bury it. In fact, the short-lived company where I worked moved from Reston to Herndon. Why? I don’t know. But I got to know Herndon a little.

Herndon is similar to Reston in its expansive feel yet has its own character. The city’s main artery, Herndon Parkway, is central to that character, as it’s a huge loop that connects one end of town to the other. And so is Eldon Street, another popular thoroughfare that runs through town. Apartment renters in Herndon have the blessed Dulles Toll Road to take them into Washington, D.C., via the I-495 Capital Beltway and I-66.

The self-proclaimed “third largest town in the Commonwealth of Virginia” boasts a population of 22,579 residents (as of July, 1, 2009) and features a whopping 130 restaurants to serve them all. There are plenty of shopping plazas for the small purchases, and Herndon’s close enough to both Reston Town Center and Dulles Town Center to accommodate more extensive shopping trips.

There are two high schools – one public, the other experimental – the Herndon Centennial Golf Course, a lively community center (including a fitness area, racquetball courts and heated pool) and 11 neighborhood parks. The town is also served by the Connection newspaper.

Renters will want to take advantage of the Old Town district, where you can visit the popular Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern and possibly run into Walter, a friendly ghost who is said to reside there. Finally, during the first week in June, be sure to check out the annual Herndon Festival, where you can create your own memories of Herndon.