Love eating burritos? If yes, you’re at the right place to find the yummiest ones in the country. Burritos, of course, are quite popular when it comes to Mexican fare and they have many different renditions and tastes. While it may vary from person to person, typically the best burritos in America offer complex flavors, fresh ingredients, and leave you coming back for more.
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Whether you are looking for the perfect post or not, this classic Mexican dish is many people’s go-to food. The blend of spices and fresh toppings in each enriching bite make them worthy of being a favorite among people. Here, we’ve explored 10 expert websites to find the five best burritos in America in terms of their flavors and deliciousness. Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below!
The List: Best Burritos, According to Foodies
1. La Taqueria
The Daily Meal lays out the history: “Run by Miguel Jara and his family since 1973, La Taqueria is the most legendary burrito joint in San Francisco, and it’s still the best. Either keep it simple and just stick with meat and beans or upgrade it with all the classic burrito extras. Load yours up with its unique style of carnitas, which are somehow both crispy and moist, and incomparably delicious. All the praise that this perpetually packed institution receives is well worth it: It really is that good. And it’s also home to some of America’s best tacos.”
“La Taqueria almost lost its landmark home of 46 years in a family dispute, a fate that, for many, would’ve felt like the last nail in the coffin for a gentrifying Mission. But then-almost-80-year-old owner, along with his sons, swooped in and bought the building, and “the world’s best burrito”—at least, according to the restaurant’s neon-lit sign—was saved,” writes Serious Eats. “The back wall of the restaurant features dozens of framed accolades dating back decades. It’s a testament to La Taq’s longevity, and its seemingly unshakable place at the top of San Francisco’s burrito chain.”
“Not all taquerias are created equal and the tacos and burritos at La TaqueriaOpens in new window are like none other in this city. First, they do not put rice in their burritos. Second, they’ve perfected the crispy style that you can get around the city. In fact, they were the first. Ask for ‘dorado’ style and they’ll leave your burrito or taco on the flat-top a little longer. There’s also a secret menu,” says San Francisco Travel.
2. Taqueria Cancun
Trip Savvy says this is the perfect stop for a midnight snack. “Especially popular with the late-night crowd, Taqueria Cancun whips up a super burrito that bursting with goodness—saucy beans, ripe avocado, ample rice, and cilantro—enough to soak up any after-effects from too much partying. The bright yellow space offers a pleasant environment for chowing down, though the eatery’s close enough that you can take your burrito to go and be people-watching in Dolores Park in minutes. There’s a second location along Market Street.”
“It’s one of the best places for carne asada. The way that they salt and season their meat is spot-on,” raves Bon Appetit. “Some burrito joints keep their meat bland to mix well with the other flavors of the burrito, but here, they found a flavor that really works for them. Cancún’s burritos are a bit greasier than the other burritos on this list (not a bad thing!), so if you’re looking for that sober-up kind of meal, this is where to go. Some places are just greasy for the sake of being greasy, but Cancún is the best of both worlds—it’s greasy and has really good flavor. A burrito here will get you filled up quick, so you can eat half and save the rest for round two later.”
“When it comes to a no-frills taqueria that you can depend on, look no further than Cancun. Here, you’ll want to get your burrito with al pastor that’s marinated and cooked to tender perfection. If you have a supersized appetite, try the burrito mojado that’s stuffed with choice of meat, beans, onions, and salsa then topped with enchilada sauce, green sauce, melted cheese, sour cream, and Mexican salsa—you’ll obviously need utensils for this one,” adds Thrillist.
3. El Castillito
Men’s Journal describes how unique this place is: “San Francisco is where the mission burrito (famous for its girth) was first invented. While there are now a wealth of spots in the Bay City to indulge, only one of them creates what once prompted chef David Chang to say, ‘It might be the best burrito I’ve ever tasted.’ Many SF locals agree. San Francisco visitors making the usual rounds would be wise to add El Castillito’s flavor-stuffed ‘super’ burrito to their must-try list. Al pastor lovers, you’re welcome.”
“Some people say the super burrito at El Castillito is big enough for three meals… but this would require a level of self-control that we simply don’t possess. It’s true that the portions are massive, but we recommend taking things a step further and going for the wet burrito,” writes Tasty Find. “It comes smothered in red and green sauces and your choice of filling, but trust us when we say that carne asada is the correct choice.”
“Not every great burrito in this city has to come with a long wait in line, and El Castillito, a fluorescent-lit mainstay on Church Street, is a case in point. (The original El Castillito, a mile away at 2092 Mission Street, is separately owned by family members. ‘Same food,’ the manager, Moses, tells me. ‘Church Street just has more vegetables.’) This particular location is across the street from the Castro Safeway, which means you can actually park, albeit illegally. It’s a happy, bright-yellow box of a shop, with a jukebox cranking Ricky Martin, a loyal following of all stripes, and a small, rarely crowded counter,” mentions Serious Eats.
4. Al & Bea’s Mexican Food
Food & Wine notes that you must order the bean and cheese burrito here! “Smooth-as-lava refried beans, mixed with gooey cheddar cheese, and red or green chile are all wrapped in a tender flour tortilla. Bite into it, and the savory concoction gushes out to meet you. (Pro tip: Use tortilla chips to salvage the remnants.) While you’re in the area, walk five minutes to Restaurant Santa Cecilia, in Mariachi Plaza, for one oversized al pastor taco. While it’s not roasted on a trompo, the complexity of its marinade more than makes up for the flavor. Then, if you’re still hungry—if you’re not, wait a while and listen to the mariachi players who congregate here on weekends—head over to El Mercadito, that multi-level Latin indoor market also in the neighborhood. Get the (gluten-free) deep-fried, gorditas made only of corn at La Cocina on the top floor. Thank us later.”
Five Thirty Eight sets the scene: “East First Street was clean and quiet, but the small hut and patio were crowded with patrons. We placed our order and sat at a table near the window, listening as a steady stream of customers placed órdenes. Even with that small a sample size, it seemed clear the bean and cheese burrito with green sauce ($3.50) is el preferido.”
“A lot of folks (including the late food critic Jonathan Gold) are really into Al & Bea’s bean and cheese burrito, but if you like to go against the grain a bit, order the combination burrito instead (or even better, along with). Yes, you get the beans, but you also get shredded beef, which then gets topped with either salsa verde or roja and plenty of shredded cheese. The chile relleno burrito is also a showstopper,” adds The Daily Meal.
5. El Farolito
Serious Eats writes: “If the burrito is the soul of San Francisco, then the original El Farolito is its heart: always beating, full of love, and nourishing locals long through the night. The last thing anyone really needs at 2 a.m. is a supersized ‘snack,’ but for 37 years now, it’s what drunken Mission District bar-goers want. Squeezing into a bright, yellow-topped booth and downing a delightfully sloppy, football-fat tube before bed is a beloved ritual—nay, a rite of passage—in this town.”
“El Farolito’s burrito is one that people have strong feelings about, in that they believe it’s the best you’ll find in town. Regardless of whether you agree with that, there is one thing that is undeniable: El Farolito’s burritos are the biggest you’ll find in SF, and possibly in all of the world,” says Thrillist. “The carnitas or carne asada are great options for the meat, as is the lengua (tongue) for more adventurous eaters. It’s also worth noting that El Farolito has three locations in the Mission—all within a stone’s throw of each other, all just as good as the others, and all open late for a post-bar second dinner.”
“Another San Francisco favorite with multiple Bay Area locations (including some in the East Bay), El Farolito is known for its finely-tuned beans-to-rice ratio, and for doling out just the right amount of sour cream. It’s a hole-in-the-wall late-night haunt that packs in the crowds after midnight, who come hungry for items like the Super Shrimp and Meat Burrito, bursting at the seams with cheese, rice, beans, avo, salsa, and sour cream,” adds Trip Savvy.
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Sources:
- The Daily Meal
- Bon Appetit
- Five Thirty Eight
- San Francisco Travel
- Serious Eats
- Thrillist
- Trip Savvy
- Tasty Find
- Men’s Journal
- Food & Wine
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.
Rosa Maria’s in San Bernardino , Ca
Shouldn’t this article be entitled “Best Burritos in San Francisco”? Not America. The majority of us Americans who do not live in San Francisco would not have wasted our time reading it.
Any taco shop here in San Diego beats those burritos. No rice no beans. Just meat. Carne Asada burrito. San Diego Style!!!!