Giant burritos featured at new B Street eatery

Four-year-old Esperanza Bueno, center, holds the over-sized tortilla used to make the monster burritos at Bueno's Taquitos. Also shown, from left, is Mauro Bueno, 16, Ivan Bueno, 21 and their parents, owners/operators Cristina and Lorenzo Bueno. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- There's a burrito, then there are monster burritos at Bueno's Taquitos.

The newly opened carry-out or eat-in restaurant at 402 East B (formerly Frank's Market), owned and operated by Lorenzo Bueno and his family, offers the giant burritos along with tacos, Mexican sandwiches, quesadillas and more.

But these are not your regular burritos. Made with a huge, oversized tortilla, after packed with meat and your choice of condiments, this monster burrito at $4.50 could easily serve two or three people at a time. (or one very hungry pregnant person.)

The new carry-out or eat-in Mexican food place, Bueno's Taquitos, opened in November and is already attracting fans, including Sierra Ortiz, who helps herself to the condiments. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette)

The torta's, or Mexican sandwiches, also $4.50, are made with a thick, pita-like bread roll, piled high with your choice of meat. With avocado, mayonnaise and choice of condiments, that includes onion, homemade salsa and fresh cilantro, it tastes somewhere between a Greek gyro and a taco.

The new business will keep everyone busy, Bueno said, with he and his wife, Cristina, doing the cooking and their kids -- Ivan, 21, Mauro, 16 -- taking orders, stocking shelves or cleaning up. Even their four-year-old daughter, Esperanza, has her job of wiping down tables, Cristina said. (Another daughter, Cristy, 19, lives in Colorado and helps out when she comes to visit.)

Before opening Bueno's Taquitos, Bueno operated a Mexican food store on West Third and also sold handmade tacos. While there, Bueno said his customers kept asking him when he was going to open up a restaurant but he always declined, citing the three Mexican restaurants already in town. But when he had the opportunity to move to B Street, the busiest street in the city, Bueno said he couldn't pass up the prime location and the larger space.

The food at Bueno's is grab and go, he said, although there are a few tables for those who would like to eat inside. He will also cater parties, lunches or other events.

Also available in the store are Mexican hot sauce, soda pop, Mexican cheese, candy and pinatas.

And it won't matter what day of the week you want authentic Mexican food: Bueno's Taquitos will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday, including Sunday.

It will be a lot of work for now, he admitted, but later on, "I'll maybe hire someone so I can take my day of rest," Bueno said.