Like an iceberg, the burrito has so many deep layers of goodness drenched in salsa and history.

As a staple in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, there is much more to the burrito than meets the eye. With so many choices available, from breakfast burritos, bean, and cheese, meats, wet ones, Juarez burritos, and more, it can be hard to choose just one or know why they all contain certain fillings. Why is it called “little donkey,” and why does a burrito have french fries in it and not rice?

The History

No one knows for sure who created the burrito, but what we do know is that it was built in the 20th century in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, or Sonora. A few stories narrate how Juan Mendez, a vendor in Chihuahua, invented the burrito while the Mexican Revolution was happening. Mendez would wrap food inside a tortilla and transport the food on his donkey. He found out that not only was this a great way to store food but a great way to eat it.

Other stories talk about people traveling the Sonora desert and inventing the burrito as an easy way to travel with food on top of their donkeys. The burrito was very slim and easy to carry!

Lastly, the burrito might have been invented in the streets of Ciudad Juarez by a street vendor. This vendor would sell his burritos to school kids, making it easy for them to eat food wrapped up in a burrito.

The ultimate burrito guide

Oddly enough, the burrito didn't make its way to the U.S. until the 1950s! Migrant workers would take burritos since they were easy to make and carry around. As the burrito made its way around the borderlands and through the U.S. slowly, it began to adapt and change to local cultures. In California, they wrap the burrito in foil and load it with fries, and overstuff it with corn, meat, salsa, pastrami, and so many other ingredients, known as the Mission burrito invented by El Faro in San Francisco. Meanwhile, in Texas, the burritos kept their traditional rice, beans, veggies, meat, cheese, and a side of guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes, and lettuce.

A burrito you eat in Cuidad Juarez might differ from the one you eat just across the border or in another city. You can even find the vegan version!

● Traditional- A lot of taste in simplicity! It is much smaller and more classical, with only a handful of ingredients such as beans, meat, and cheese.

●  Mission- Overstuffed and overjoyed! This baby from SF has a giant tortilla filled with meat, rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapeno, and more! This super burrito can weigh 1.76 pounds!

●  California- Together with SF and New Mexican culture, this burrito came to life. With marinated chicken and beef, crunchy fries, cheddar cheese, salsa, guacamole, lettuce, additional rice, etc., you get a very big meal to keep you going!

●  Wet- All the yummy traditional ingredients layered/covered with a green and/or red chili sauce, cheese, and cream.

●  Breakfast- Created in the 1970s in California, this hearty breakfast favorite is the best way to start your day. It includes eggs, bacon, chorizo, potatoes, cheese, and chili sauce.

The best places for a burrito

● Burritos Crisostomo- Whether you are in El Paso, Texas, or next door in Juarez, Mexico,

these are the best beastly big burritos you will ever have. Made with the best and freshest ingredients and family-run.
● El Faro- As mentioned before, El Faro in San Francisco, California, is a must-try if you

love burritos! They are the original makers of the Mission burrito.
● Rito’s Mexican Food- Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this fantastic little Mexican restaurant was established in the 70s. This family-owned restaurant has the best Mexican recipes for every single dish, not just the burrito! They have the freshest ingredients, a colorful establishment, and the friendliest staff.

Whatever burrito you might go after, Andiago is here to help you conquer it by showing you the best places to eat them. So get your friends and family and go forth to tackling the historical and delicious burrito.