Every good breakup deserves revisiting. Sometimes these trysts only serve to remind you about why you left in the first place. Other times, they create the spark that is needed to kick-start the relationship back into action. I’m not ready to commit quite yet, but Burrito was certainly at the right place at the right time this past weekend in Monterey.

While every man appreciates beauty, sometimes it’s the unadorned that arouse us the most. Isidro’s Taqueria didn’t appear attractive at first glance, but closer inspection revealed true beauty. And there was a drive-thru – an alien concept in San Francisco. A chance to mingle with local flavor certainly could not be passed up. Housed in what could have been an old Taco Bell, Isidro’s didn’t look the part, but a quick tour of the menu sealed the deal. All the essentials were represented, and the prices fair. I selected a driver-friendly item, and pulled on up to the window.

The carnitas burrito conveniently emerged from the window, a welcome tube of tightly wrapped deliciousness. The meat was moist and flavorful and balanced nicely with the seasoned rice. These two ingredients formed the bulk of the burrito, with standard fillings also dotting the landscape. It was a very mild experience, a relationship that would be easy to slide back into. Although the hot sauce wasn’t very spicy, the flavor was there and the salsa complimented the familiarity of the event. I’ve had hotter, but for this particular Burrito, the mildness was appropriate and served as a reminder of previous encounters.

Located just off of highway 1, a couple of stops north of Monterey on Del Monte Blvd., Isidro’s Taco Shop is a convenient stop when leaving town. Despite my recent flirtation with Bánh mì, Isidro’s is definitely a taqueria worth remembering. Certainly for this hungry man, I’d like to thank Isidro’s Taqueria for a night morning I’ll never forget. There’s a good deal more to this story, but after all, what happens on vacation, stays on vacation.