Burrito Co. operator Melanie Delgado peeks out the window of the food cart on Oct. 29, 2024, in John Day.

JOHN DAY — Melanie Delgado always wanted to have her own food cart, and now she’s well on her way to living that dream.

Her opportunity came when the Taco Co. in John Day closed down over the summer and owner Jason Marsh began looking for someone to buy the business on contract.

The 29-year-old Delgado, who worked at the colorfully painted food cart on South Canyon Boulevard, took over operations from Marsh and reopened the business Sept. 24 under a new name: The Burrito Co.

Delgado said Marsh’s business acumen and experience made the transition much smoother than she thought it would be.

“It was a lot easier and faster,” she said. “This is not the first business that he’s run. He’s run full-service restaurants, too.”

Marsh hadn’t planned on closing the Taco Co., but the business had been struggling during the Oregon Department of Transportation’s efforts to install new curb ramps and sidewalks along portions of Canyon Boulevard, according to Delgado.

“We lost a lot of business because of our parking lot not being accessible for a brief time,” she said.

Delgado said Marsh anticipated well over $10,000 in lost sales due to the restricted access.

Delgado has already put her own personal touch on the well-known red food cart. Along with the new name, she has removed tacos from the menu and added burrito bowls.

Despite the changes, Delgado said she hopes to live up to the high standards set by the Taco Co.

“It’s meant to be fast, it’s meant to be fresh, and it’s all homemade — so we kept with that,” she said.

The fact that the Taco Co.’s owners trusted her to uphold those standards while continuing to serve a Mexican menu isn’t lost on Delgado.

“I hope I don’t let them down,” she said. “I think it’s gonna work out.”

The response to the reopening has been overwhelmingly positive so far, Delgado said, with old regulars stopping by and community members expressing how much they missed dining at the establishment.

Delgado said the plan is for her to eventually own the food cart outright.

“Hopefully, within a year or so, we’re going to make that transition,” she said.

The Burrito Co. offers burritos, burrito bowls and quesadillas with brisket, red chile chicken or carnitas. The cart also offers meatless options.

Customers can get their food to go or dine at one of a handful of outdoor tables.

In the future, Delgado said she hopes to add more menu items including desserts, coffee and soups. Although few in the community are aware, she added, the business also offers catering services.

At a Glance

WHAT: The Burrito Co.

WHERE: 234 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day

HOURS: Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. or until the food runs out