Say goodbye to the green reptile and his gigantic sidekick, the Burritozilla.

The Iguanas restaurant owners are retiring from the business. The last day for fans of their Mexican menu to chow down at the vibrant Victorian in downtown San Jose will be this Sunday, July 27.

“The local family-run taqueria is closing its doors after a successful 32-year-long run.” the Orozco family wrote on social media. “The whole family has decided to pursue new passions and projects and is retiring the Iguanas brand and businesses.”

The original location, on South Third Street near San Jose State University, will be the final one to close. Their other South Bay eateries — in the Evergreen district and in Santa Clara — have already been shut down. The fate of their San Antonio, Texas, expansion restaurant wasn’t addressed.

Since the announcement, customers have lined up in San Jose from the front door, down the steps and onto the patio for one more Best Burrito (the one with fries inside), Chorizo Breakfast Burrito or the 18-inch cult favorite, now $49.

“I frequented this amazing establishment almost daily from 2008 to 2014 when I was in college, so it was really special to revisit after all these years — before they close permanently,” a customer named Rae L. posted on Yelp.

Another longtime fan, Laura C., wrote: “Thank you for all the delicious memories! Your food has warmed me and my friends’ bellies during our college years and into our adulthoods. … Ambience feels like a party. Service is outstanding!”

According to Mercury News archives, that Burritozilla behemoth gets credit for launching the career of competitive eating champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. In 2004. Chestnut — then a civil engineering student at SJSU — entered and won Iguanas’ annual Scarfing Showdown contest, taking home $500.

Iguanas also was featured on the Travel channel show “Man vs. Food” in 2009.

“It’s just fun to watch,” Iguanas owner Jimmy Orozco told the Merc. “People get really into it. They cheer you on. ‘Go! Go! Go!’ It’s quite the spectacle.”

Related Articles

Meringues take center stage at this thriving Peninsula bakery

7 awesome Bay Area things to do this weekend

Bubbelah, a Jewish diaspora deli and restaurant, opens in Menlo Park

Get on board these four fantastic Bay Area ferry trips

In-N-Out debate: Which is better for families, California or Tennessee?

In recent years, Iguanas fed 49er fans at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, bur the big boy wasn’t on the menu. Instead, staffers wrapped meat (carne asada, chile verde, chipotle chicken, grilled chicken, al pastor or carnitas) beans, rice, cheese, guacamole, sour cream and salsa in a more manageable “super” burrito size,

For the next three nights — tonight, Friday and Saturday — Iguanas is scheduled to be open until midnight. On Sunday, the final day, they should be wrapping burritos until 10 p.m., then wrapping up.

Details: 330 S. Third St., San Jose; www.burritozilla.com