If you’ve ever pulled into Davis, West Virginia, after a grueling day of mountain biking in Canaan Valley or hiking the muddy trails of Blackwater Falls, you know the specific kind of hunger that only a two-pound burrito can fix. For nearly two decades, Hellbender Burritos was that fix. It wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a high-altitude sanctuary for the exhausted and the salt-caked.
But then, things got quiet.
Honestly, the rumors started flying faster than a local on a downhill run. Is it open? Is it closed? Did someone buy it? If you look at Google Maps today, you might see "Permanently Closed," but the story is a bit more nuanced than a simple shuttering.
The Sudden Goodbye of a West Virginia Icon
In March 2025, the news hit the local community like a physical blow. After 18 years of rolling some of the most eccentric burritos in the Mid-Atlantic, owners Melissa and Robert Borowitz announced they were closing the doors of Hellbender Burritos Davis WV for good.
It wasn't because of a lack of customers. Far from it.
You’ve probably seen the line stretching down William Avenue on a Saturday afternoon. The reality was a perfect storm of small-town struggles. Finding staff in a tiny mountain town where housing is scarce is basically an Olympic sport. Plus, running a high-volume, scratch-made kitchen for nearly twenty years takes a toll. They wanted to go out on top, and they did.
The building at 457 William Ave, a historic 1910 structure that survived the logging boom and the ski-resort rebirth, was put on the market. For a while, the community held its breath, hoping a local buyer would keep the "Admiral" and the "Hoodoo Voodoo" on the menu.
Why the Food Was Actually Different
Most people expect a burrito joint to be a standard Tex-Mex affair. Hellbender wasn't that. They explicitly leaned into "non-traditional" flavors. You weren't getting a street taco; you were getting a culinary experiment wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Think about the Hoodoo Voodoo. It was a New Orleans-inspired fever dream featuring olive tapenade, feta cheese, and garlic mayo. It sounds like it shouldn't work, right? But after eight miles on the Plantation Trail, it was the best thing you’d ever tasted.
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Then there was the Admiral. This was the heavy hitter: chicken, bacon, black beans, peppers, onions, and a massive scoop of guacamole. It was dense enough to use as a boat anchor.
- The Tree Hugger: A vegetarian staple loaded with broccoli, mushrooms, and black olives.
- The Gravity Check: Chicken, bacon, and ranch—basically a heart attack in a wrap, but perfect for the après-ski crowd.
- Local Brews: They were one of the first places in Tucker County to really champion West Virginia craft beer, long before every town had a brewery.
What’s the Status Right Now?
As of early 2026, the physical location remains a centerpiece of downtown Davis, but the original Hellbender Burritos as we knew it has ceased operations.
There is some chatter about the "same vibe" returning under new ownership or a different name, but for the purists, the Borowitz era is over. The website still lingers with a "Doors opening soon" message from a previous transition period, but don't let that fool you into driving three hours without a backup plan.
If you are heading to Davis today, you’re going to have to pivot. The "burreatery" shaped the town's identity, but Davis is resilient.
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Where to Eat in Davis Instead
Look, nothing is going to perfectly replace a Hellbender. That’s just facts. But if you’re standing on William Avenue with a growling stomach, you have options that don't involve a gas station sandwich.
Sirianni’s Cafe is right across the street. It’s an institution. Their pizza and pasta have been fueling tourists since the 80s. Be warned: they are cash only (or at least they were for decades), and the wait times can be legendary.
If you want that "mountain town pub" feel, Wicked Wilderness Pub is just a short walk away. They’ve got the craft beer and the heavy burgers that hit the same spot a burrito used to.
For the truly devastated, Stumptown Ales is right nearby. They don’t serve big meals, but you can grab a world-class IPA and commiserate with the locals about the loss of the Admiral.
The Legacy of the Hellbender
It’s worth noting that the restaurant was named after the Eastern Hellbender, a giant aquatic salamander native to West Virginia’s cold, fast-moving streams. Much like its namesake, the restaurant was a bit of a rare find—something unique to the ecosystem of the Allegheny Mountains.
The closure marks a shift in Tucker County. The area is becoming more "discovered" by travelers from DC and Pittsburgh, which brings in money but makes it harder for small, local-run spots to keep up with the rising costs of living and labor.
If you’re lucky enough to own a piece of Hellbender merch—like that black t-shirt with the salamander holding a burrito—hold onto it. It’s basically a collector's item now.
What You Should Do Before Your Next Trip
- Check the Tucker County Facebook Groups: Things change fast in Davis. New pop-ups appear in the old Hellbender space occasionally.
- Call Ahead: Seriously. Cell service is spotty in the mountains, but a quick call to any Davis restaurant before you leave Thomas or Canaan Valley can save you a lot of heartbreak.
- Explore Thomas: If Davis is too crowded, head five minutes up the road to Thomas. The Purple Fiddle often has great food and live music, and the vibe is just as authentic.
The era of the two-pound Appalachian burrito might be on pause, but the spirit of Davis—eccentric, rugged, and slightly weird—isn't going anywhere.
Go check out the mural on the side of the building, take a photo for the memories, and then go find a new favorite spot. The mountains are still there, even if the burritos aren't.
Next Steps: If you are planning a trip to Tucker County this weekend, make sure to check the current seasonal hours for Sirianni's or The Billy Motel, as many Davis businesses still operate on a modified "mountain time" schedule during the off-season.