Oct 9, 2021
Ode to the Road Burrito
A Burrito a Day Across America
10 am or 10 pm, it doesn’t matter. Burritos are available and the most filling and nutritious option on the road, especially for vegetarians.
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
Coming in at number one, New Mexican burritos. I prefer the green chili, and when it’s able to be vegetarian.
But sometimes this vegetarian gets an authentic plate of a smothered chili burrito, and it’s just gotta have meat on it. Still worth it.
2. San Diego *****
Coming in second place is San Diego burritos. Yum. I can’t speak for the city’s burrito game in general, but I had one of the best vegetarian burritos of my life at this place. It felt healthy as well as a huge comfort food. It was chipotle style, times 1000x. They also had a burrito eating contest to eat a 5 pound burrito, and for a second I was worried I had ordered that. I would definitely have attempted if I had to.
3. El Paso ****
To be real, the two burritos above are heavily influenced with “Tex-Mex”, and “Chipotle” style. You have to give credit where credit is due, and even though I am a gringo with Tex-Mex tastes, I still adore authentic burritos from the cultures who created it.
4. Missouri Ozarks ***
You might need to bring your own road burritos here, but it’s worth it. Actually, there wasn’t a goddamn vegetarian option in sight where we were camping, and I was thankful to my friend for bringing delicious breakfast burritos with extra salsa.
5. Sacramento, California *****
This drive through (or walk through) burrito joint has a special place in my heart because it’s where I met my partner, Carp (check out his recent piece about getting COVID as a vaccinated person!). He would always give his delicious verde salsa with me, claiming he didn’t like it. But he just wanted me to have it, because it was amazing. We also walked through the drive through at night, which is a special kind of situation.
On the road, I also stopped for a quick bite outside of Sacramento and was very please. Shout out to Dos Coyote Border Cafe chain, I will be back.
6. San Francisco, California *****
San Francisco has no real claim to fame with burritos that I know of. However, I stumbled inside this burrito “Garaje” next to the brewery I was hanging at. They had a specialty6/ burrito called “zapatos,” which meant they were smashed burritos (like they were stepped on by a shoe. Amazing.
I also found the biggest breakfast burrito I’ve ever had in my life at a little cafe down from my hostel.
7. Tijuana, Mexico ***** (I imagine…)
I didn’t try these burritos so I can’t speak to them (I have OCD, and it’s unnecessary demands manifests with germs/water contamination, but I drank the beer!). They smelled and looked great.
8. Flagstaff, Arizona ***
I chose the wrong option (breakfast plates were the way to go, not the dinner plates), but in general their food was kickass.
9. Elko, Nevada **
When you need a burrito at 8:30 in the morning, they got you. “9 Beans and a Burrito” came up on Yelp, and I jumped for it. Nothing better to soak up the alcohol of the evening.
10. Minneapolis, Minnesota **
Our friend recommended this place, and I’m sure it’s got an amazing atmosphere during non-pandemic times. However, we were seated on the outside patio right in front of a port-a-potty (Sorry T!). Also, the burrito was full of bland beans. Plus side: Shitty customer service (what you want at an anarchist cafe). Props for vegetarian/ vegan, but spice that shit up!.
11. Salt Lake City, Utah **
Not known for their burritos per say, but still what you need to wake up in the morning while camping.
Also in Salt Lake City: Not technically a burrito but same satisfaction level. Included freshly cut, and pickled jalapenos.
12. Gas Station Burrito *
This is the amazing thing about burritos, and why I wrote an “ode” to them. Not recommended to get your burritos from a gas station, but they will be there! Also, it’s usually still better than no burrito.
13. Honorable mention (i.e. not burritos, but just as good while traveling) ***
- Rochester, NY: Garbage Plates
It’s home fries, macaroni salad, meat (or portabella mushroom): topped with chili, mustard and onions. Yes.
- Cincinnati Skyline Chili
I wish I had a picture of this but I don’t. You’ll have to find out for yourself. Happy traveling!
