I'm going to miss the Chicken Tacos. :( No one makes them like Tortilla Factory. I really wish I could get the recipe.

I love the taco salads, chips and queso, the chicken chimichanga, and especially the salsa avocado that goes on it.

I promise I didn't double dip! We've been going forever. No way.

I'm from Texas and it's the only Mexican food in the area that I will eat. This is a very sad day.

Been going there regularly since 1977 or so. Carne asada, chicken breast sonora, con queso, carne macha burrito, just some of the good stuff.

soooo sad, we have been going here since I was in high school! You will be missed!!!!

Sad to hear Tortilla Factory is closing. Jenn G, checkout El Fresco in Chantilly. It has an authentic Mexican quality, so you may approve coming from the Texas. El Fresco has Groupon's daily. Purchase a Groupon beforehand and get $8 off. Its worth the drive. :)

the food there was just ok. but it is soo much better than Anitas. far better options now.

the food there was just ok. but it is soo much better than Anitas. There are far better options now.

Sorry to see the Tortilla Factory close. We have been going there since before my first baby was born 34 yrs ago! It was a window over where Zefferellis is now and you could only get a beef taco.

Loved the Tortilla Factory. Have been going regularly since 1978. Love the tortilla chips and the deeeeeeeeeeelicious salsa, taco salad, cheese enchiladas, rice and beans. Edie is the BEST server ever and has become a good friend. Herndon/Reston and the Washington Metropolitan Area will never be the same!!!

Also sad to hear Tortilla Factory is closing. Been going there semi-regularly with my parents and now my kids since probably the mid-late 1970s; had a couple of parties there. At the same time, if the meal taxes really were collected but not paid that's immoral if not illegal :-< Should be taken care of ASAP.

For anybody who has anything negative to say, they really don't understand the impact this business has had in the community and people's lives over the years. They will be greatly missed...

So sad! Wish an entire cookbook would be made so we can continue enjoying for more years to come.

I remember when the Tortilla Factory opened! I moved here from California and felt so deprived because of the lack of was no good Mexican food. The Tortilla Factory came to the rescue and I love it. No one has better chips or taco salads. What a shock to hear that it is closing. Very sad.

It's been our family's go to restaurant for the past 15 years. We've celebrated birthdays, post game celebrations, and in 2003 we held out Dean meetups there. I will miss your chicken tacos most of all. Best wishes to Chuck and to all of the wonderful staff. You will be missed!

The Tortilla Factory truly was a Tortilla Factory. My father in law used buy the tortillas for his restaurant that was located in Adams Morgen back in 1973. I opened JJ Deli in 1999. Chuck was one of the first local business owners that I met. He shared with me his philosophy on how to deal with donating to the MANY requests for contributions I would be receiving.
JJ Deli, The Tortilla Factory and Jimmy's Old Town Tavern called ourselves the 3 Amigos because we are always at most of the find raisers that have been held around town.
The Tortilla Factory was more than just a place to eat! It was a part everything that was good in Herndon. Most people will never realize how much The Tortilla Factory impacted their lives.
Thank you Chuck for one of the best lessons I ever received, I will miss our time working together.

We used to go there so often and get the same thing, they'd see us coming in the door and just bring our food to the table :-) Lots of fond memories at the Tortilla Factory.

Loved the Calabacita Soup. Tried my best to make it at home and never got the recipe quite right. Will they share it and others?

So sad. You are going to be missed. Perhaps the only Mexican restaurant with great food and really interesting/unusual Mexican decor. When we thought of comfort food we always thought of The Tortilla Factory.

Sad to say, but this is not a glowing comment as have been made by so many. We are long time residents of Herndon, since 1976, then inside the Town limits as of 1979. I do remember when the Tortilla Factory was a walk-up window in the building that now houses Zefferelli's. We were frequent visitors to the restaurant. But, time seemed to pass it by when it came to the food, variety, and quality, and we stopped going. Our last visit late last las year was a reminder of why we stopped going. I realize the owner has been a great supporter of various causes and programs in Herndon. That does not excuse not paying taxes. Nor is it an excuse for living on past glories. That just doesn't work in the restaurant world, especially when Herndon has so many eateries. When I read the articles on the Tortilla Factory's tax problems, I figured it wouldn't be long before it closed. For those who will miss it, rejoice in the fact Herndon has so many other choices. Who knows, maybe someone will open a new, reasonably priced (as was the Tortilla Factory) Mexican food restaurant in the near future here in Herndon.

So not happy!! They have the best cheese enchiladas around. Now where will I eat Mexican food??

I have been going to T-Fact for about 23 years. I love this place and will truly miss it. My wife and I just recently got married and we were able to hold our rehearsal dinner there a couple months ago. What a magic moment and an incredible night and all thanks and credit due to Chuck and the Tortilla Factory Staff. We will truly miss this place.

My mother ate there the night before she had me, so many memories over the last 27 years of my life there. I've never tasted better salsa!!!

Thanks for the memories:)

Yikes! I will miss EVERYTHING about this restaurant....it was there when I first moved to Herndon for my first job in 1977. It has been a cornerstone of Herndon's dining scene---it will be missed!!!

I have been going to The Tortilla Factory for 32 years and will truly miss this place very much! The food I will truly miss the most are the refried beans and the taco salad, I just love them! I can truly say that I have been to other Mexican restaurants and none of them compare to The Tortilla Factory. We will miss you very much! Wish someone could step up and keep the restaurant going under new ownership…..

I literally grew up on the Tortilla Factory. My mother was eating TF while pregnant with me and we ate there weekly until I went off to college and moved moved out of the area in 2001. So sad to hear the news, I always thought I'd make a pilgrimage back to the place and say hi, to Ron, Chuck, Maria, Joel and the whole TF family.

On another note, I noticed on the Herndon Connection article they mentioned releasing of the salsa recipe. Would anyone be so kind as to send it to me when they get it? I'd be grateful! Please contact me at brettberman[a_t]gmail.com !

Thanks,
Brett

Since I have been a customer of the TF since its beginnings -- when it sold only tortillas and some take out to be heated at home from the old feed store-- I will certianly miss it. I do not mind paying a restaurant tax. It is part of the cost of going out and most owners seem to mind it more than the customers, who probably don't notice it in the first place. Therese

This terrible on so many levels. How much is the tax payment necessary to keep them in business? I will donate a couple of hundred dollars toward the debt. If a few others can do the same, we can same this wonderful restaurant.

Oops - save not same (iPhone keys are too small)

Noooooooo, I too have been going since the beginning. The place is truly a landmark.. So very, very sAd

Chuck:

Thanks for catering the filming of "The Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill)." Best "catering truck" in the business!

CHUCK! No! Need a partner??? Regardless, I wish you all the best. Now for a few memories, Pretty much lived there in 89-95 (friends worked there). Chuck gave me my first Legal drink and a list of drinks that didn't contain rum. Being allergic, he was looking out for me before I went out on the town! Had my Rehearsal Dinner there in 1994. Celebrated my daughters release from NICU there, and returned for years just to celebrate that day. Many, many memories. A great loss to Herndon!

I have been going to the Tortilla factory since 1989 when I moved to Reston from MA. My whole family loves TF night! We are not going to know what to do without it! TF you will be missed dearly by our family my oldest son started eating the salsa as an infant and is addicted! he is now 10. We have a lot of great memories at TF. What a loss to the community :-(

I've been going to the TF since I moved here in 1974. It will be greatly missed in our family. A truely unique Herndon restuarant. It has been the site of many of our family milestones.

Yes, Chuck, if you DO release your salsa recipe before you close, could you send it to us??? I would love to make it!!

My heart dropped, when I heard the horrible news.
I used to buy tortillas at the factory, before the restaurant opened with the free-spirit servers. It was my daughter's first restaurant meal, but The Tortilla Factory soon became so much more. With Chuck and Maria, we felt like a member of a unique family...a place to go to celebrate or cheer up. Even after we moved away, whenever we returned for a visit, The Tortilla Factory was literally the first place we would eat. It was like going home...visiting a favorite uncle...filled with a lifetime of memories. How fortunate for us to have had Chuck and Maria share our lives. Godspeed.

It's a damn shame...My parents used to buy tacos when you couldn't get them anywhere else in the area. I'm a simple TF guy...give me a #1 and I'm good to go...that and a big ole plate of chips and salsa...

My family grew up with the Tortilla Factory. When very young they wanted McDonalds hamburgers before we went on to dinner. Later, our son made a personal record of eating 7 tacos in one sitting. Now, my daughter wants me to bring the salsa to NC.
Ate there for the last time on Thursday and had my favorite, California Enchilada. This is the saddest passing of a restaurant ever in our area.

We come down from MA to visit family several times a year. Our "must do" each time is a trip to the Tortilla Factory. We will miss it a lot. It will be tough to break a 20+ years habit.

Started going in the eighties when I worked in Herndon, continued despite a move to Maryland. Dulles airport trips ALWAYS meant a stop at TF. Went last night with our family of five and used the frequent eater card for the last time...boo hoo. If you do open up in another location advertise heavily!

Chuck -- My best wishes to your and your family. Thanks for being such a great community member all these years!

Chuck, you will be missed! My best to you and your family and my thanks for all you've done for Herndon, for the Council for the Arts of Herndon and for so many many others.

Chuck was always there for Herndon, and the Tortilla Factory will be sorely missed. Its like losing a friend. A big Thank You and best wishes to the Curcio Family.

THE BEST salsa we've ever had, bar none. Thanks for the great food and great service - you will be missed.

I've been going there since the eighties. I have the 10% discount card from way back. I'm saddened that such a good place has to close down. Best SALSA!

Va con dios, Tortilla Factory.

Thanks for the memories - The Tortilla Factory opened not long after my family moved to Virginia from Arizona. There was nothing around here that tasted like home. The T-F brought us that taste of home that we missed and we have been patrons ever since. Even my oldest daughter (now 25) ate her first refried beans at TF when she was just 6 months old and has became a fan. I even had to get take out to take to her when she moved to NC for college and now as her home. She was very sad she was not here for the closing. Thanks Chuck for the memories - TF will missed but not forgotten.

So, is it already closed :( ???????????

I should have added more to my comment: I have my 10% card that I got in '82 when I moved to NoVa - I wasn't able to get over to TF until tomorrow afternoon but now I think it might be too late? I absolutely LOVE the salsa, always bought 3-4 large containers at a time (and ate for breakfast....) - Someone please post if they know it is closed now? I won't be online tomorrow and was going to go right from work. TIA

Have been going to TF since the 70s. Loved the Cheese Crisp as a child, then matured to the taco salad and the enchiladas. . . and of course lots of salsa! We watched it expand into the adjacent stores but never lose the small feel. Lots of memories at of the TF. Very sad to see it close.

We had our last Tortilla Factory meal Saturday night. It is truly sad that this landmark restaurant is closing. It feels like loosing a part of your family. Thats how much this place has meant not only to me but our community. I have been going to Tortilla Factory since I was a kid in the late 80's and all through the 90's. The decor as a kid was always so cool all the traditional art from Mexico-left an impression. We had weekly dinners or lunches here Birthday/graduation parties/etc. You name it-it has been at Tortilla Factory. The staff treated you like you were family and went out of their way to make sure you had a good time and meal. I have always loved the salsa, rice and I remember when I turned 21 we celebrated with their world-famous margaritas! I swear the best margaritas anywhere-nationwide! I will miss getting to know/catching up with the staff personally. It was quite sad Saturday, thinking that this was the last time we would ever walk through the doors and be in TF for dinner. We had our goodbyes with everyone -Chuck, Ronnie, the general manager and wait staff. Thank you Tortilla Factory for all the years of great service, food (what will I do with out the rice and salsa), we will miss your community support as well. I hope to hear more updates on if you will be selling your salsa at any markets etc. Love you guys!! Sad to see you close. Thanks Leslie for allowing us to share our memories.

I have been going to the Tortilla Factory since 1975 whrn it was still one room. My family and friends are so sad it is closing. We tried to go for a final feast this past Sunday but the sign on the door said it all.There is no other substitute for the food there.I f anyone can send me the salsa recipe I would appreciate it
kittyawilson@comcast.net

We have been going to the Tortilla Factory for years and years. it has always been my kids favorite restaurant and they are 28 and 25. When my son heard it was closing, he Facebooked, "someone ship me some salsa, I will pay" - and he lives in San Diego. On another note, I agree with Jeff Johnson. I don't think there is a non-profit group, PTA or any other civic group in Town who has not benefited from Chuck's time, attention, and advice. He was the standard about how to be involved in the community. I will surely miss the Tortilla Factory, but I will miss Chuck more.

I also have been eatinf Tortilla Factory food since Chuck operated out of a take out window in the 70s. Since the Factory was closed when we went for lunch on 2/28, we went across the street to Anita's. Chips taste like grocery store chips and the salsa was too hot and tasted like tomato juice. We really hope that Chuck will change his mind!!

Kathleen Shultz

I`m trying to find the Tortilla Factory recipe for their well known Salsa. If anyone has this recipe and would e-mail me I would really appreciate it. BigRiver06@aol.com

Leslie do you know if the owners were/are considering to sell Tortilla Factory or find an additional investor to open again somewhere else?

Almost 15 years of happy memories spent with co-workers and serving"regulars" unbelievably 20 years have past! I moved on and live in Delaware but still think fondly of the Old Days. I can still remember all the food and PLU's. A Huge Hug to all of you guys I worked with, it's sad to think of The Tortilla Factory no more. My best to everyone. Carol McClellan

I spent alot of time there on different occasions with different people. Regularly I drove the 3 hour round trip to get the salsa. Please get me the recipe. Petersfishing@live.com

Can someone please post the salsa recipe if they have it? I was not able to sign up for it...Pllllllleeeeeassssssssseeeee....

Does anyone know the status of the salsa recipe..If anyone has it or knows where I can get it please contact me@ kittyawilson@comcast.net

Im looking for the salsa recipe it is the best ever can someone post it please.