Readers Choose This Herndon Restaurant As The Closed Business They'd Like to See Reopened

HERNDON, VA — Even though it's been 10 years since Tortilla Factory owner Chuck Curcio served his last bowl of salsa and chips, the people of Herndon fondly remember the Mexican restaurant on Elden Street.

Patch asked its readers on Facebook to share their memories and pick the one business they'd be happiest to see open again. In overwhelming numbers they chose the Tortilla Factory.

Out of 68 responses received, the restaurant garnered 28 votes. The next highest voter-getters were the Black Eyed Pea with six and the Ice House and Luau Garden, which each received four votes.

Here are some of the memories Herndon readers shared about their favorite closed businesses:

"Tortilla Factory - before snow storms when everyone was in the grocery store buying milk and tp, I was at TF buying chips and salsa. — Melissa Dates Schmidt

"I still have dirty food dreams about Tortilla Factory's queso!" — Cassie Berman

"Ice House - only burgers I've ever had that I thought were better than what we cook at home. Plus Dan." — Carey Tennyson York

"Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant! It was in what used to be the K-Mart Center, and was one of the first Mexican eateries in the area. Our family loved it! We ate fajitas there for the first time. It was run by a local family who later moved away. (Sorry, but we liked it much better than the Tortilla Factory!) — Anne Crotty

"La Margarita's Mexican Restaurant. Went there 37 years until they closed. Like losing a family member! — Sheryn Lynn Morez

"I haven’t lived in Herndon since 91 but I’m gonna go with Ashwell Oldsmobiles. I sure do miss going to see my great uncles and hanging out in the shop." — Lori Ashwell Holrath

"Nachman’s. It was a quick and easy place to shop for shoes or a jacket and provided better quality and service than Kohl’s. I’d vote for Tortilla Factory if I had a separate restaurant vote." — Christina Patterson

"Sashers Drug Store, used to love getting the old fashion vanilla cokes and playing the pinball machines." — Robert Bear

"Luau gardens - always felt a little like we were at a theme restaurant at Disney!" — Jeanette Hilbish Thomas

Which closed Herndon Business would you like to see reopen?

• Tortilla Factory - 28
• Black Eyed Pea - 6
• Ice House Cafe & Oyster Bar - 4
• Luau Garden - 4
• Chesapeake Bay Seafood House - 2
• Hunan - 2
• Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant - 2
• Nachman's - 2
• Ashwell Oldsmobiles - 1
• Big Bowl - 1
• Fantastic Family Restaurant - 1
• Hard Times Cafe - 1
• Hazel's - 1
• Le Peep - 1
• Mama Wok - 1
• Mokomandy - 1
• Mr. Hibachi - 1
• Mr. Wally's - 1
• The Penny Saver - 1
• Sasher's Drug Store - 1
• Sylvanas - 1
• Uncle Abe's Pizza - 1

Do you have memories about a favorite lost Herndon business you'd like to see open again? Share them in the comments below.