The Best of Both Worlds

Our dream of bringing Tortillaville to the FL Keys has been realized. That is to say, ... we did it. But, Hudson, NY is still our main home base for Tortillaville. It is where we call home, and earn a hard fought living ~ while having fun.

The FL Keys is where we call home and try to break even. But, if done right, you don't break even in the Keys. It is just too darn beautiful here. It's a win / win no matter what. It amazes us to see that many of the locals in the Lower Keys work five and six days a week to get by, and sometimes with two and three jobs. It's even even more amazing to hear of those who rarely get out on the water. I mean, we understand with the economy and inequality and all, we just wish that they, the locals, could enjoy more of the beauty.

We need to do more too, as it's been much about work; Tortillaville and home improvements up to this point. But, we get out often enough, and we look forward to exploring more in the coming years.

Given the opportunity, the Keys is all about; the water and birds (flora and fauna) and snorkeling and swimming and fishing and kayaking and discovery and history. It's a place to recharge, and learn, and work, and work out (a little) and play a lot. That is why we only work two to three days a week, January through March.

But, it is also a place where we've worked tirelessly to make our humble property as comfortable as possible. It might only be a trailer with another little trailer as a guest house, but it is one sweet spot. Whoever thought that a 50' x 100' lot could be made so efficient? We are compounding it in too, and nearly complete for privacy, so to keep our outdoor life; tables, hammock, outdoor shower, boat and parking spaces all to ourselves. It is humble, but it is home away from home every November through April.

It's been hard to break-in as a business here in the Keys, and harder when you only work two or three days a week for a few months. It would be easier to establish ourselves working full-time / year round, but that is not our intention here. And, that's why our Hudson business is so important to us, and why we especially appreciate our customer support. So, thank you in advance, We'll always do our best to deserve your visit time and again. And, we like to think that our seasonal status in Hudson makes Tortillaville that much more special.

Speaking of which, it is time that we head back north once again. We are looking forward to an extended work week and extended hours Thursday - Monday 11:30AM - 7:30PM for Hudson Summer of 2011. Opening day, weather permitting, is May 21st. We want to have lots of fun and serve only great food. We truly look forward to seeing everyone. Four months goes fast, so please visit us often. There promises to be good times and great food.

Be sure to visit our new website too, if you're not already there, at www.tortillaville.com And, check out our store products. Have a wonderful Summer 2011. After this past Winter and Spring, you deserve it.

Now, not to speed things up too much mind you, but when Winter plans do roll around again, please keep in mind that Tortillaville has a very comfortable FL Keys guest trailer www.8palms.net for only $55 per night for individuals and $65 for couples, (tax included) maximum five night stay. Enjoy the grounds, bbq, use the outdoor shower, bike, visit a local restaurant or bar, write your novel, do laundry, go online, come and go as you like, relax. This is not a B&B. You're on your own here.

You can fly into Key West from Miami, or get a cheap one-week car rental in Miami and drive. It's a 3-hour drive from Miami to Big Pine Key. The guest trailer is available for customers and non-customers alike, and even complete strangers from wherever, every January - March. We especially love people from wherever. Your quarters promise to be;  very clean, very cozy, very quiet, and include; a private stand-alone trailer, a double bed bedroom, AC, a 3/4 bath, linens and towels, an office area, wifi, laundry, 2 bicycles and kind hosts. Sorry, no pets, as we have two dogs.

Consider it an open invite, and please spread the word. One of Americas best beaches, Bahia Honda, is just a few miles away and Key West is just 30 miles away. There is no shortage of things to do. Kayak, bike, snorkel, swim, take in a day of Key West, dive the reef, see live music, shop, sail, sunbathe, go out on a schooner, bird, fish, dine, chill.

Back on Big Pine Key, key deer and iguana wander about openly. Ibis, egret and heron abound. Porpoise and sea turtles are here too. This is the tropics! Or, as close as it gets to the U.S. anyway. In any case, it's the best of both worlds for us, and we're confident that you will love it too.

On another topic: we are bringing our very special Key Lime Pie recipe back with us, as well as some other great menu additions.

Thanks for keeping in touch, and please take time to visit us in Hudson, NY. Upstate's Now town.

2011 FL Keys

2011 in the FL Keys has started to take shape. It has been a long road from Hudson, NY to Big Pine Key, FL, and equally as much an effort, fighting the fight through the bureaucracy of Monroe County (the Keys), but we have persevered.

We are the only legitimate food concession in the Lower Keys outside of Key West. We have three locations and work four days. And, we have the option of blowing off two days if something better comes along. Our goal is modest. We simply hope to establish ourselves to the local community and tourists alike. And, we want to (hopefully) cover our expenses. And, so far? To our surprise, things are going very well.

We have had to take a departure from our Hudson, NY practice of staying in one place, and instead move around to three different spots a week, but all considered, it's working out. We are finding our own, getting into a groove, and making it happen. That is to say that we have three days for ourselves. And, some weeks, we will even work just three days and take four days off. It's the perfect balance, and "balance" is a key ingredient to our purpose; of why we are here. We want to enjoy life and live in the present. We want to experience the Keys in all of its beauty. We want to succeed both in business and play. We want to cover our expenses. And, we also want to enjoy our boat, go swimming, make it down to Key West, have time with our dogs, get healthy, decorate our modest home, and just enjoy life. Otherwise, we've messed up our mission.

The word on the street is good. We are a "go to" place. But, it still takes a while before Keys folks get to you. So, the RV parks that we cater to make up for the slack. In fact, if we had our druthers, we would gladly become the full time restaurant for the Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge. Or, at least two days a week. It's such a nice environment, and almost an island unto itself. For now, we will gladly take Thursdays and hope to earn more days as time passes.

So, for a first year, we are happy. We see two sides of a coin, and we see that our efforts have not been wasted. So, for January through April, we are here, doing this. And, come May, we will look forward to a great Summer in Hudson, NY. Really great! So, people of Hudson, get ready. We certainly will be.

We Have A Dream

So, here we are...

... about to embark on another year, 2011, and a new location for Tortillaville too; Big Pine Key, FL. This is us realizing a dream, not THE dream per se, but a dream. It was a many years back, while vacationing in the FL Keys, during the long drive, when my stomach yearned for a fish taco.

The memory of it is still imbedded in my psyche. But, there was no where to find a fish taco. Why??? So, we took our chances and stopped at a US 1 restaurant, only to have a mediocre experience.

Then, several years later in 2009, the year of the great recession, we took a contemplative drive to Rhinebeck, NY. Stopping at a red light, and the intersection of Fear and Hope Boulevards, we came across a shiny new concession trailer for sale. "Fear and Hope, meet Chance." said a voice in my head. “Nice to meet you Chance, I need a favor.” I said. And, so it went.

It took us a month to figure out what we would sell from this shiny fun kitchen on wheels before deciding on tacos and burritos. Then, a new road to navigate; a name, recipes, a location, etc., and alas, Hudson, NY and now Big Pine Key, FL. Who would have thought?

Travelers will no longer have to go hungry with 30 miles left to go to Key West. For we, are the roadside haunt that will rescue them. And, our big beautiful sign, "Fish Tacos", is hopefully a lucky lure to sway them over. Lucky for them too, if they do.

It is wonderful down here in the Keys. And, we equally enjoy our five + months in Hudson, NY.
We are trying to find balance, and to make a living at the same time. I can't say what “THE dream” is just yet, other than it has something to do with; community service, less work, more money, and greater reward.

We have an idea and we hope to make it happen one day. It's a simple concept actually, and one that everyone could use; friendship, conversation, meals, perspective, and experiences together.

For now, it is all about Tortillaville South. The signs are painted, the food is prepped, the vehicles are loaded. And, by noon time new year's day, 1/1/11 to be exact, we will have the entire year ahead of us to attempt to make each day better than the one before it, but to forgive our misses. We wish the same for you.

So, we have a dream, but it is also our hope that the dream of MLK will continue to see the light of day, starting with - stopping all wars. We have another dream. May 2011 be good to you, and you to it.

go gently,
B, A, S & D

Florida Keys

Tortillaville is very happy to announce that on January 1, 2011 or 1/1/11 we are to open our Florida Keys location at Sea Center on Big Pine Key, a.k.a. mm 29.5. Everything is complete and the licenses are issued. After an exhaustive effort to overcome the red tape odds of Monroe County, and become a legitimate business, we can proudly say, “yes we did”, and celebrate. This, being the year of the ones, we can also celebrate that Tortillaville is currently the only existing licensed food trailer in the Lower Keys outside of Key West.

So, the new year will tie Tortillaville, Big Pine Key with our Hudson, NY location as a sister island city of sorts. Hudson people can feel a sense of pride when they make a pilgrimage to Big Pine Key for their long awaited Tortillaville taco or burrito. And, Keys folks can do the same when they visit Hudson, NY during the Summer months. Either way, we’ll be sure to make it special and worthwhile.

We’re excited about the new year, and we only hope that the FL Keys likes us as much as Hudson, NY does. For our home, is where Tortillaville is. And, we love being an important part of the community.

Happy holidays everyone!
Be good, do something different, fight the odds.

Brian and Allison

We've Extended Our Season

Tortillaville has extended its season to November 14 except for the weekend of October 22, 23 when they will be closed to attend weddings. Other news is that "winter stash" frozen burrito orders have topped 100. ORDER YOURS NOW! The Tortilla Villa a.k.a the travel trailer guest suite on Brian and Allison's Big Pine Key property in the FL Keys is available for sun seeking vacationers; $55 for one and $75 for two. Go to www.8palms.net to see photos. Meanwhile, their Catskill home www.49greenestreet.com is for rent Dec - Mar. And, if that weren't enough, Tortillaville is looking to expand, and is seeking licensees for both stand and cafe business opportunities. Gossip has it that they hope to dot the Hudson Valley with several healthy, affordable, delicious fast food cafes. This, all from the little taco stand that could.