The 14 Best Burrito Joints In L.A.
Whether you're new to Los Angeles, a fully-fledged Angeleno, or visiting California's largest city on vacation, you're guaranteed to find excellent Mexican food here. Tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas: they're all here! But if you're craving burritos, there's no shortage of joints to experience. From food trucks serving up authentic street food burritos to high-end eateries putting a new spin on this classic Mexican dish, there are so many places to try that it can be hard to know where to start.
In the mood for a hearty breakfast burrito to set you up for the day? Craving some classic carne asada? Or perhaps you're in the mood for something entirely different like fish burritos or ones with Korean BBQ beef in the mix? With so many burrito spots around to treat your tastebuds, finding L.A.'s best burritos is no mean feat. Luckily, we're here to help! We've rounded up 14 of the best burrito joints in L.A. for you to try.
Mariscos Jalisco
Mariscos Jalisco food truck has been serving mouthwatering Mexican food for over 20 years. You'll find this food truck in four L.A. locations: Downtown, Pomona, Boyle Heights, and La Cienega. Focusing on authentic Mexican small plates, Mariscos Jalisco is known for its tacos, tostadas, ceviche, nachos, and more. However, its deep-fried shrimp tacos are to die for — making it easy to see why this dish earned the eaterie a mention in the Michelin Guide.
But let's face it, most people stop by this food truck for its renowned breakfast burritos. Cooked fresh to order, you can choose from bacon and sausage with scrambled eggs, cheese, onions, and bell peppers, or chorizo with scrambled eggs, onions, and bell peppers. With plenty of condiments available to add to your breakfast, it's easy to customize your burrito to suit your tastebuds. One thing to note ahead of time, though: Mariscos Jalisco doesn't take card payments, so don't forget to bring cash!
La Azteca Tortilleria
Established in 1945, La Azteca Tortilleria has been family owned and run by husband and wife team Candy and Juan Villa since 2010. Frequently gracing many best-of lists, this busy Eastside institution is known for its extra-large burritos and long queues for delicious food. One reviewer on Yelp even said this place has the best Chile Relleno Burritos in SoCal.
Expect homemade tortillas, friendly service, and an expansive burrito menu with breakfast options like the Nopales and Eggs, which includes cactus. For lunch, the Chile Verde Burrito is a popular choice, containing pork shoulder, chile verde salsa, and refried beans.
Or opt for the eaterie's signature dish, La Azteca — it's chile relleno filled with cheese, onions, refried beans, grilled tomato, and cilantro. Plus, you have the option to add your choice of meat. Burritos run around $9 to $13 here. Also, if you're craving lighter fare, there are plenty of taco options to choose from, too!
The Rooster L.A.
Once a food truck roaming LA's neighborhoods, The Rooster has firmly settled down in Pico-Robertson as a beloved fast-casual restaurant. LA-based food photographer and recipe developer Lindsay Baruch recommends this eatery for its breakfast burritos. However, plan ahead for long queues — particularly on weekend mornings.
Baruch named The Rico Suave one of the best breakfast burritos in town, and it seems reviewers on Yelp agree. One reviewer said it's "hands-down one of the best breakfast burritos in Los Angeles." No wonder: Burritos are packed with bacon, eggs, avocado, cotija and cheddar cheese, cilantro crema, packed with tater tots, and served with homemade Molcajete salsa.
Not a bacon fan? One Yelp reviewer recommended subbing chorizo into The Rico Suave. If you're not feeling a breakfast burrito, you can grab The Bodega breakfast sandwich served on a grilled ciabatta with bacon, egg, cheddar, and The Rooster's signature Kill Sauce. Or chow down on Chor-tacos: corn tacos topped with chicken chorizo, a sunny egg, cotija cheese, cilantro, and Molcajete salsa. No, your mouth is watering!
Cactus Taqueria
Cactus Taqueria opened in 1992 and now has four late-night locations across L.A. This restaurant chain offers the option to dine in or take out. As well as burritos, this eaterie offers tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, fajitas, tortas, and a juice bar serving up refreshing herbal Horchata, Tamarindo, and Jarritos.
Since Cactus Taqueria has such an expansive menu, deciding what to eat here can be tricky. One reviewer on Foursquare recommended the Shrimp Burrito, which comes fried or grilled. Another praised the California burrito, which lets you choose your meat. Also, the mixed burrito with a choice of two types of meat, onions, rice, beans, and cilantro is a solid choice if you're feeling indecisive. Pescatarians will love the Fish Burrito with fried Tilapia. For those who don't eat meat, there are also simple bean and cheese burritos or the classic Chile Relleno Burrito. Burritos here cost around $8 to $13.
Tacos Tu Madre
Tacos Tu Madre is a special place in the L.A. burrito scene. Established in Westwood in 2015, this popular burrito and taco joint has expanded to four L.A.-based locations, with outdoor dining. Vegans have many plant-based options here. The eaterie prides itself on diverse ingredients and some unusual dishes. As a bonus, it makes its own fermented chili salsa, too!
Skip the classic carne asada and dive into the more adventurous side of Tacos Tu Madre's menu, with burritos like the 36-hour Korean BBQ that contains marinated steak, kimchi, turmeric rice, and salad. There's also the V-KBBQ that's made with house-made mushroom bulgogi and kimchi. Or curb your shrimp craving with the Crispy Shrimp burritos with buttermilk fried shrimp in a sweet and sour marinade. Other delicious options include the Ahi Tuna with avocado, spicy citrus ponzu, seaweed flakes, and chiles, served in an organic blue corn tostada. Or maybe try the vegan Eggplant Soyrizo with fermented Fresno chili. All house burritos come with turmeric brown rice, black beans, mozzarella cheese, and cabbage. Any burrito can also be turned into a bowl.
Reviewers on Foursquare rave about the Red Velvet Churros with cream cheese and the ever-popular breakfast burrito — containing scrambled eggs, tater tots, truffle guac, American cheese, and your choice of chorizo/braised brisket, bacon/steak/pastrami, or honey sriracha fried chicken. Pricing varies depending on location but most burritos cost $10 to $16.
Burritos La Palma
Mentioned in the Michelin Guide and a frequent addition to many best L.A. burritos lists, Burritos La Palma is as popular with Angelenos as it is with visitors to the city. Its crispy burritos may be smaller than most — they're more similar to taquitos in size — so most people order three or four. With five locations across the city, Burritos La Palma is best known for its Birria, an import from Jerez, Zacatecas. Although this dish is traditionally made with goat, this version uses juicy and spicy shredded beef.
Also worthy of mention is the Deshebrada, with shredded beef in green chile, and the Chicharoon with stewed pork rind. One TripAdvisor reviewer praised the restaurant's authenticity, saying the experience was "just like being back in my mother's kitchen." As well as burritos, you'll find simple quesadillas on the menu. There's also the popular Platillo Especial: two Birria burritos served with salsa or green chile pork sauce with cheese, refried beans, lettuce, and tomato.
El Chato Taco Truck
Another Lindsey Eats mention worthy to note on our list is El Chato Taco Truck. This destination spot is a popular late-night eatery that's also been named one of L.A.'s 10 best taco trucks by L.A. Weekly. Although the tacos are awesome, we're here for the burritos. We promise you won't be disappointed!
When you're craving late-night Mexican food, head for S. La Brea Avenue and order a mouthwatering Al Pastor Burrito, packed with marinated pork. Or you can grab a Combination Burrito with your choice of meats. Speaking of meat, the All-Meat Burrito leaves out rice and beans for a carnivorous treat!
One Yelp reviewer said, "One of the best carne asada burritos I've ever had." Another said, "The tacos, burritos, and quesadillas just feel like home." Another reviewer recommended adding pineapples to the Al Pastor Burrito — though some reviewers noted that the burritos served here are a bit smaller than others across the city.
El Ruso
If you like your burritos big enough to share (though you may not want to), then check out El Ruso. With two locations at W. Sunset Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd, this popular burrito and taco food truck starred in Netflix's The Taco Chronicles during its Cross the Border season.
Due to its daily-changing menu, you never really know what specials you're going to get here. Classic menu options include the Sobaquera, an 18-inch handmade flour tortilla made with flour sourced from Tijuana, your choice of meat (carne asada, meat in red chile, or beef), melted cheese, beans, onions, cilantro, salsa, and guacamole. Tacos and tostadas are also on the menu. Plus, there's a range of traditional Mexican drinks to choose from, including Horchata, Jarritos, Jamaica, and Mexican Coke. Reviewers on Yelp mention the prices are a little on the expensive side. But it's worth noting that the burritos are generally big enough for two to share, so it evens out.
Lupe's Burritos
An Eastside favorite for decades, this old-school burrito stand is close to Maravilla Station. Lupe's Burritos has been family-owned and operated since Adeline "Tuchie" Portillo opened its doors in 1972. You can grab takeout food or lounge on its colorful picnic tables on sunny days.
Lupe's has a huge but simple menu, with most burritos under $10. Try the California Burrito with steak, beans, cheese, fries, sour cream, and guac. Or try the Beef, Bean & Red Hot Burrito, with hearty chunks of beef and fiery red salsa. As well as burritos, you'll find plates, tacos, and burgers on the menu, too.
One reviewer on TripAdvisor claimed Lupe's makes the "best burritos in town" and added that they'd been a patron for over 40 years. Another TripAdvisor reviewer praised the stand's "real Mexican food." A Foursquare reviewer recommended adding a side of guacamole fries to your burrito.
Angry Egret Dinette
Located in Chinatown, The Angry Egret Dinette's colorful interior is the perfect place to come for a delicious breakfast burrito. The restaurant opens at 9:00 am PT. Grab one of the daily-changing specials or go for the ever-popular Hey Porky's dish — containing slow-roasted pork shoulder, Oaxacan cheese, eggs, black beans, and salsa verde. Veggie lovers can enjoy burritos like The Atwater, made with butternut squash, mushrooms, red peppers, home fries, eggs, Swiss cheese, and salsa china.
One reviewer on Google called the Hey Porky's burrito the "best dang breakfast burrito I've had." Other patrons loved the restaurant's outdoor space and murals. Other breakfast options on its diner menu include waffles, breakfast sandwiches, chilaquiles, and a range of egg-based dishes — including Huevos Rosario with salsa roja poached eggs and pork belly guisado. Whether you dine in or out, you can enjoy breakfast burritos all day or come for the lunch menu, which begins service at 11: 00 am. Expect to pay around $15 for a breakfast burrito here.
Al & Bea's
This family-run Boyle Heights institution has been serving up rich and delicious homemade Mexican food since Albert and Beatrice Carreon opened its doors in 1966. Al & Bea's has its fair share of loyal, long-standing customers, too. One reviewer on Google mentioned they'd been frequenting the spot since the early '90s.
Don't expect anything fancy here. The menu is simple, with affordable prices to match — ranging from around $5 to $9 for a burrito. One Redditor recommended the bean and cheese burrito with red or green sauce, as well as the Chile Relleno Burrito. Another Google reviewer suggested trying the Green Chile Burrito.
As well as burritos, Al & Bea's serves up a beloved selection of tacos, tostadas, antojitos, burgers, hot dogs, and sides, including the ever-popular guacamole fries and green chili cheese fries. Just don't come here for your Monday lunch Mexican food craving, as it's closed on Mondays!
Boca del Rio
Don't be fooled by the no-frills design of this La Puente burrito spot in East L.A. Opened in 1985, this restaurant has a loyal neighborhood following, with one Yelp reviewer mentioning they've been coming to the spot for over a decade. One Reddit user called the burritos here the "best burritos ever."
The most popular menu item has to be the asada burritos. Stuffed with meat, beans, cilantro, cheese, cabbage, and onions, you can add your choice of red or green hot sauce, sour cream, avocado, salsa, and extra fixings. While you're here, you might want to try the Carne Asada nachos, tacos, or quesadillas, too.
A reviewer on Yelp commented on the size of the burritos. Yes, they're among the larger offerings you'll find in the city. Got a small appetite? Take a friend and share, but don't forget to grab a refreshing Horchata if you're loading up on spicy sauce.
Tacos Por Favor
Tacos Por Favor is a family-owned and operated burrito spot with locations in West LA, Santa Monica, and Venice. One of the eaterie's key appeals is its plentiful veggie options for non-meat eaters, including spinach, sauteed mushroom, potato, sour cream, or guacamole burritos. There are also some deliciously tempting fish options like the Mahi Mahi/shrimp burrito or the more unusual halibut burrito with pickled red cabbage.
But there are plenty of options to curb carnivorous cravings. If you want a meaty burrito, try the Chile Colorado Burrito with pork cooked in special green hot sauce, the Monster Burrito packed with chicken and shrimp, or the carnitas burrito. If you want to leave out the tortilla, you can also grab a burrito bowl with your choice of asada, chorizo, lengua, carnitas, al pastor, chicken, birria, shrimp, or veggies. One Redditor recommended pairing the green sauce with the breakfast burrito. A reviewer on Four Square said Tacos Por Favor has "the best veggie burritos ever."
Sonoratown
Sonoratown is named after one of L.A.'s first-established Mexican districts, the gone-but-never-forgotten barrio of Sonoratown — now modern-day Chinatown. The restaurant also takes its name from the region where owner Teodoro Diaz-Rodriguez Jr. grew up in Mexico.
Teo and co-owner Jennifer Feltham opened Sonoratown in 2016, aiming to serve Sonora-style tacos from the Northwest region of Mexico known for its Mesquite-grilled carne asada. Today the eaterie has two locations in Mid-City and Downtown, serving up burritos and tacos seven days a week.
Try the Burrito 2.0 with your choice of grilled steak, chicken, beef intestine, or chorizo, with jack cheese, guac, pinto beans, and Chiltepin salsa, served in a fresh homemade flour tortilla. The L.A. Times recommends the Caramelos — folded over tortillas with locally-made chorizo, cabbage, and salsa roja. Burritos here cost about $10 to $11. But there's also a takeaway menu, so you can bulk-buy burritos to freeze and reheat at home. You'll find all the usual sides on offer, ranging from refried beans to chiltepin salsa.
Cofax Coffee
Last, but not least, we have to mention Cofax. No, it's technically not a Mexican restaurant, burrito joint, or even a food truck. Cofax is a coffee shop with great coffee. Still, Angelenos flock here for their infamous breakfast burritos, with one Redditor claiming it serves the best breakfast burritos in L.A.
The Chorizo Burrito packs smoky chorizo hash with potatoes, bell peppers, and onions into a flour tortilla with scrambled egg, jack cheese, pico de gallo, and crushed tortilla chips. For vegetarians, there's a meatless chorizo option with tater tots, roasted Anaheim chillis, fried egg, and pico de gallo.
The Hot Link Burrito with links from Bludso's BBQ and pickled Jalapenos is another delicious-sounding option. Breakfast burritos here run around $11 to $18 and are served with red and green salsa on the side. Plus, there's always the option to add avocado, bacon, or eggs as extra fixings. Perhaps the best thing about Cofax isn't its amazing breakfast burritos or its great coffee. Cofax sells six-packs of frozen burritos, so you can whip up one of its delicious breakfast treats to curb mid-week cravings without trekking to Fairfax Avenue.