It is quite interesting to know that burritos became taste of America in 1920’s. The “burrito” translates to “little burro” or “little donkey “in Spanish. The burrito derives its name from its appearance of rolled up wheat tortillas which resemble donkey’s ears. It is believed that burritos were invented by Pre-Columbian Aztec people of Mexico who used tortillas to wrap fillings like avocados, chili sauce, tomatoes and mushrooms. Various historical texts suggest that Aztecs used corn for making tortillas. The word burrito was first mentioned in the 1895 Diccionario de Mejicanismos.

The burritos first appeared on the menu of El Cholo Spanish café in Los Angeles in 1930’s. This café was earlier named Sonora café and it was started by Alejandro Borquez in 1923 at Los Angeles. The Burritos were mentioned in the American media for the first time in 1934 in the Mexican cookbook compiled by New Mexico historian Erna Fergusson. I have read several write-ups by David Thomson and Derek Wilson, who were avid burrito buffs. They suggest that modern burrito originated "in the dusty borderlands between Tucson and Los Angeles." Burritos became common Mexican-American staple of the people in Southwest during the 1950’s and it went on to become the taste of America in later years.

Today American burritos are popular than the Mexican burritos because Americans have tried it out with various ingredients such as meat, beans, cheese, sour cream and avocados. Also, the American burritos are considerably larger than their Mexican counterparts and they are known as Tacos. The burritos and tacos have become modern taste of America, but there are considerable differences between their methods of preparation. The concept is the same but the shape and stuffing are different. Burritos have today become the most popular fast food across America.  The most common stuffing found in burrito is beans, rice salsa and pinto beans. I have heard that seafood burritos are also popular in America. I am yearning to taste the shrimp burritos.

The other great thing is that some of the American cities have developed their own unique burrito styles. San Francisco and San Diego are two such cities which have emerged on the burrito lover’s map as the must visit burrito havens of America.

San Diego Burrito is termed as the simple burrito. The California burrito is the specialty of San Diego. It is prepared by filling chunks of asada meat, cheese, sour cream or guacamole, and French fries.

San Francisco burritos gained popularity in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Rice, guacamole, and sour cream are added as filling.

Burrito lovers say that there is much more to come on the burrito front. It has easily become the taste of America but that has not put an end to its evolution. Even I do believe that there is much more to come. 

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