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The ultimate burrito man behind Truckee’s Golden Rotisserie

Ashley A. Cooper
Special to Lake Tahoe Action
Sergio Rubio stands in front of the namesake of Golden Rotisserie in Truckee.
Ashley A. Cooper | Lake Tahoe Action

If you go

What: Golden Rotisserie

Where: 11357 Donner Pass Road, Truckee

Phone: 530-587-4847

Website: http://www.facebook.com/goldenrotisserietruckee

Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday

Service: Friendly and fast

Atmosphere: Laid back, good for all occasions. Sometimes there’s even futbol on the flat screens.

Drinks and wine: Beer license pending

Price: $

When you are dating someone there are certain pivotal encounters throughout your relationship, meeting each other’s friends and family, to name a few. These are obviously important, but do these introductions weigh in as heavily as meeting your partner’s burrito man? I think not, and certain relationship experts agree.

Your best friend knows your history, but no one knows you quite like your burrito guy.

He sees you when you’re down and out, high on altitude and needing extra guacamole — no charge. He knows if you like no rice, extra sour cream or some beans some times. He gives you a heads up when there’s chili relleno. He smiles every time you walk in and shouts “thank you” whenever you walk out. If something isn’t perfect, he fixes it.



Or at least my burrito guy does. If your burrito guy doesn’t, he’s clearly not Sergio Rubio.

Sergio is about to celebrate the two-year anniversary of his much-loved Golden Rotisserie. When he bought the location the space was destroyed. But he had faith that his good spirits and 30 years of cooking experience would bring in his community. He was right.



Now, Golden Rotisserie is looking better than ever, with a fresh paint job, shiny hanging menu, flat-screen TVs and a brand-new sign outside giving a feathery thumbs up.

When my boyfriend introduced me to Sergio, then his burrito guy, I still pined for the fish tacos of Southern California. Soon, though, Sergio’s chili relleno burrito won me over. When it went from a special to a staple, I was hooked. It’s still not on the menu, so ask to add the perfectly fried pepper to any burrito. Try it with their famous tri-tip, or keep it vegetarian.

After that switch, the crispy-skinned rotisserie chicken played on my less-gluttonous heart strings. There are family style meals that come with kid-friendly sides and pico de gallo. There are also quarter- or half-chicken plates with two sides and warm corn tortillas. The cucumber salad is fresh and tangy, and there’s even coleslaw.

Most recently, it’s been the chicken tostada on my mind. Vivid colors topple over one another in what we’ll just call a salad with sour cream. Beneath all that delight, a crispy corn tortilla fans out under a tower of soy-lime marinated chicken and black beans.

Where the true trouble started, however, was sitting down with Sergio for our interview. Sergio’s bright smile reveals a kind heart even from behind the counter, where he’s almost always the one spinning up burritos.

Sergio loves his job, and he loves his town. After living at Lake Tahoe for many years, he moved with his wife and kids to Truckee. He sees true kindness and positivity in the hearts of Truckee’s residents. He believes that, in our community, we depend on one another and that the people who come into his restaurant recognize this. Sergio believes in the importance of creating a consistently great product but even more so in always taking the time to genuinely care. He wants his customers to be happy, no matter what it takes, and he strives to show everyone his gratitude.

That’s why it’s no surprise to learn that so many people eat their meals at the counter with Sergio or that it was his friends who helped him paint the walls and hang the signs for free or that the people he works with share his mind-set and help his business succeed.

The food is absolutely delicious, made with integrity and attention. Whether it’s Sergio’s favorite, the tacos el pastor, or the sandwiches with au jus, the food will win over your belly. But Sergio will win your heart and loyalty.

That is why meeting the burrito guy is such a big step. This is one person’s kitchen you’ll gather in more regularly than grandma’s and, at least in Sergio’s case, a person for whom you’d be willing to share post-break-up visitation rights.

Ashley A. Cooper is a freelance writer residing in Truckee. She can be reached at aacooper18@gmail.com.


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