The Mission burrito took shape in the taquerias of the Mission District in the 1960s and 70s: an extra-large flour tortilla, steamed to make it soft and stretchy, filled with meat, rice, beans, salsa and often cheese, sour cream and guacamole, then rolled tight and wrapped in foil. It is now copied across the country, but the original neighborhood still does it best.
How to order
- Choose a meat: carne asada (grilled beef), al pastor (marinated pork), carnitas (slow-cooked pork), pollo (chicken), lengua (tongue) or vegetarian.
- Choose beans: pinto or black, whole or refried.
- Choose extras: cheese, sour cream and guacamole make a "super" burrito.
- Choose a salsa: mild, medium or hot. Ask for it on the side if you are unsure.
Rice or no rice
Most Mission burritos include rice, which is part of what makes them so big. A few famous taquerias leave it out, insisting it dilutes the flavor. Try one of each and join the argument.
Where to eat one
Walk 24th Street or Mission Street between 16th and 24th and you will pass dozens of taquerias. Look for a busy counter and a short menu. Take it to Dolores Park for a picnic in the sun. A burrito is one of the best-value meals in the city; see San Francisco on a budget.
A short history
Burritos came to California from northern Mexico, where they were smaller and simpler. In the 1960s, Mission District taquerias began making them bigger, using large steamed flour tortillas so they could hold rice and more fillings, and wrapping them in foil to eat on the go. Several taquerias claim to have invented the style; nobody can prove it. By the 1980s the "Mission-style" burrito was a local institution, and in the 1990s and 2000s it spread across the country through chains inspired by it.
Beyond the burrito
The Mission's taquerias and restaurants serve much more:
- Tacos: smaller and often better for tasting several meats.
- Quesadillas and "super" quesadillas, sometimes as big as a burrito.
- Pupusas: thick Salvadoran corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans or pork, served with pickled cabbage.
- Tortas: Mexican sandwiches on soft rolls.
- Pan dulce: sweet breads from the neighborhood's panaderías, for breakfast.
- Aguas frescas: fresh fruit drinks such as horchata and tamarind.
Tips for ordering
- Order at the counter, pay, and wait for your name or number.
- Ask for it "dorado" at taquerias that offer it: the burrito is grilled until the tortilla is crisp.
- Take extra napkins.
- A burrito cut in half is easier to share.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Mission burrito and other burritos?
Size, the steamed flour tortilla, the rice inside and the tight foil wrapping.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes, every taqueria offers bean, vegetable or cheese burritos, and many have grilled vegetables or tofu.
When are taquerias open?
Many are open from late morning until late at night, which makes them popular after a night out.