If you are not Hispanic yourself, but have been welcomed into a Hispanic home, you have very likely been exposed to generosity, inclusion, great humor, genuine respect, and some of the best food you have ever eaten. These experiences are repeated across the thresholds of family-run restaurants all around the world. The aromas, music and beaming smiles embrace you and welcome you into a cultural experience like no other.

From the hearths of homes across the Americas to the kitchens of bustling restaurants all over the world, Latin American food is a bridge of the human experience, opening doors to the traditions and diversity of cultures that have been sharing their meals with others throughout the centuries.

Nashua has no shortage of Latin restaurants, and for that, we are truly blessed. The cuisine offers varieties and flavors suited for all palates, and the options are nearly endless. One particular establishment has grown and flourished due to its incredible reputation for consistent, high-quality ingredients, delicious meals, and five star service. California Burritos is a restaurant of high-caliber food and hospitality spun straight from the heart. Originally established in the heart of Downtown Nashua at 101 Factory Street, next to Clocktower Place, the business has now grown to include a second Nashua location, as well as shops in Manchester and Hudson. Business is booming, and there’s no wondering why.

California Burritos’ menu and ordering style allows you to build your entree to your liking while experiencing the greatness of what just a portion of Latin cuisine has to offer. They make tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads and burrito bowls that are customizable to ensure that you can order something you know you like, but they also present opportunities to try something new.

When you step inside a California Burritos shop, your first task is to step into line; of course, be sure that you wear your face mask, and that you practice social distancing by keeping a minimum of six feet from the person in front of you. If you aren’t a frequent guest, you may want to peruse the menu online beforehand, or look over the easy-to-read monitors above the grills while you wait your turn. The options are plenty, and all proteins are grilled or fried to order.

First, choose your delivery mechanism- that is to say, any of the entrees previously listed. Tortillas are available in flour, black bean and spinach, and tacos can be selected in flour, corn or hard shell. Next, your choice of protein: steak, chicken, carnitas (pork) and vegetarian are all expertly seasoned and grilled. While the heat and spices work their magic, you can choose any of the delicious hand-made salsas available. Medium Salsa, Salsa Verde (green), Pico de Gallo, Pico Mango, Pineapple Pico, Corn Pico and Salsa Roja (hot!) all add an essential layer of flavor that can’t be overlooked. Several fillings can be chosen, one or two or all, for a mix of flavor and texture. Cilantro rice is refreshing, black or pinto beans savory, grilled onions and peppers earthy and sweet, and of course, we can’t forget the slightly spicy, always satisfying, creamy guacamole. At this point, your entree is near completion, but you still have further options to make it all that you desire. Diced jalapenos or onions, romaine lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, chipotle ranch or more guacamole can round out the perfect meal.

Fish tacos are a favorite among many, though not all Mexican restaurants offer them. Luckily for us, California Burritos does, and they do it very, very well. Their Dos Equis Fish Tacos consist of three ample filets of cod, beer battered and fried to crispy golden perfection, and they fill the tacos of your choosing. They are topped with a refreshing mixed cabbage slaw, pico de gallo, and chipotle ranch sauce. You can add anything else you’d like for additional charges, but it’s recommended that you give them a go as-is for your first time. They truly are amazing in their default form.

Pupusas are Salvadoran in origin, and have become increasingly popular thanks to social media and restaurants that make them true to tradition. To our great advantage, California Burritos has imported this devine recipe from their neighbors in El Salvador, and they execute it in supreme fashion. Two handmade, thick corn tortillas are fashioned around a filling typically consisting of cheese, Chicharron (cooked pork ground to a paste) and refried beans. They are flattened and then fried on the flat top grill until the tortillas reach a preferred golden-brown crispiness and the cheese starts to ooze and bubble out of the sides. To consume these perfect wonders, place the provided Curtido, which is a dry slaw of cabbage, carrots and jalapenos, in the middle, drizzle the very mild red salsa over, and fold in half like a taco. Have some napkins ready and prepare to be overwhelmed with happiness!

Great for sharing or keeping all to yourself, Carne Asada Fries are mostly self-explanatory, but hardly rudimentary. Perfectly crispy fries are topped with their famous steak, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and salsa verde. This dish is hefty and filling, so be sure to bring your appetite!

Fresh, homemade tortilla chips with guacamole or salsa are available, as well as several non-alcoholic beverages, including various Jarritos. A special treat of Horchata (rice milk with vanilla and cinnamon, though recipes vary by region) is also a must-have. For adults dining in, margaritas on the rocks are a perfect addition to your meal, available in plain, raspberry and pomegranate.

When you step into a California Burritos shop, you enter a place where everyone is valued, appreciated, and treated with kindness and respect. This is characteristic of Hispanic culture as a whole, and should not go unnoticed or be taken for granted. In a time when nerves are raw and so many lives seem cast to the wayside or worse, we should all find the example of genuine kindness in the smiles and open arms of our Hispanic communities, and observe, learn from, and reflect the behavior as our own.

Who knows? It could be our saving grace.

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California Burritos

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ADDRESS

101 Factory St., Nashua

2 Cellu Drive, Nashua

35 Lowell Road, Hudson

655 South WIllow St., Unit 103, Manchester

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PHONE

603-718-8745 • 603-417-6151 • 603-402-2130 • 603-722-2084

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HOURS

Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m, Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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SERVICES

Dine-in, take-out, delivery through GrubHub

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ONLINE

www.facebook.com/CaliforniaBurritosNH • www.californiaburritosnh.com

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