There’s a new landmark on Centreville Road in Manassas, just before you hit the city’s historic center. And it’s not just visual. Keep your eyes peeled and your nostrils open for the smoke of the outsized charcoal grill in the parking lot at Tortilleria Sol de Dia.
This might be a familiar sight if you’ve spent time in the Mexican state of Guerrero–Sol de Dia’s sign out front says that the food being seared is Guerrero-style. Or, if you’ve lived anywhere with enough of a Mexican influence to find yourself craving a roadside pollo asado, the tortilleria might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for. OK, it might be a little hot outside for a meal enjoyed in your car’s front seat, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll run the air conditioner, sip a Topo Chico and enjoy.
Sol de Dia operates primarily as a market, hence the absence of seating, but tortillas are in the name for a reason. They’re served hot and fresh by the kilo for $3.69. I couldn’t resist getting a paper-wrapped pack to go with my chicken. I also bought a container of stewed pinto beans to spread inside the tortillas. Other options are limited to rice and additional meats–I saw both pork ribs and cross-cut beef ones on the grill.
Once in the car, I assembled tacos with the disappointingly lean-tasting frijoles as a base. But I wasn’t deflated for long. The half chicken’s salty skin was crisp with char and peeled back to reveal tender flesh beneath. A drizzle of the market’s complimentary salsa roja added a fiery sizzle to the proceedings.
For just north of $10, it’s well worth a trip to Manassas for a taste of South of the Border. 8909 Centreville Rd., Manassas
Feature image by Alice Levitt
For more reviews, subscribe to our twice-weekly Food newsletter.
