Although burrito literally translates to little donkey, we're talking about food wrapped with a flour tortilla in a cylinder here. The same applies to the larger burro.
While burritos aren't widespread throughout Mexico, they are considered a traditional food of Ciudad Juárez, which borders El Paso, Texas. They spilled over to the US and cities such as San Francisco and San Diego developed their own styles of burritos.
Tucson has yet to develop its own style of burrito to make it big on the national stage. However, we get to enjoy a variety of burritos from several regions. Furthermore, we have abundant access to beautiful Sonoran flour tortillas.
With those tidbits in mind, here is our ultimate Tucson burrito bucket list. Keep in mind that these are only burritos we've had so far, so we're definitely missing some options — let us know your favorites and we'll add them to the list after we try them.
Anita's fluffy flour tortillas are the star of their burros. You could eat the tortillas simply with butter or even on their own. Furthermore, their proprietary burrito folding technique showcases the tortilla with a pillowy ribbon evenly distributed in each bite.
Additionally, the red chile beef is also one of the best in town with its smoky, fruity, and slightly spicy depth. If you need more piquancy and brightness, apply the side of fresh red salsa.
Their breakfast burros are also among the best in Tucson.
Keep up with Anita Street Market on Facebook.
Aqui Con El Nene knows how to work their mesquite grill for some mighty fine carne asada.
Add in the massive salsa bar and friendly service, and you've got the recipe for a local favorite where both blue-collar folks and James Beard award-winning chefs happily dine.
For more information, visit aquiconelnene.com.
The combination of burritos and wine isn’t exactly orthodox but do yourself a flavor favor and get a glass of Albariño with the Blackened Mahi Mahi Burrito at The B Line.
The mahi mahi takes the spice well with the Creole sauce, light slaw, and achiote rice.
For more information, visit thebline.xyz.
Instead of a single massive burro, Barista Del Barrio gives two smaller breakfast burritos in each order. They also include beans and a side of potent, oregano-fragrant spicy salsa.
Keep up with Barista Del Barrio on Facebook.
Don't be scared to try lengua, which is beef tongue. It won't bite. You'll be rewarded with succulent, fall-apart beef that has no gamey taste at all. Since it is so rich, you'll want to add a generous amount of lime.
Keep up with Birrieria Guadalajara on Instagram.
Enjoy the smokey, tangy, and subtly spicy Chicken Adobada Burrito at Calle Tepa. Their salsa bar is also excellent — give their habanero-pineapple and jalapeño-mango salsas a try.
For more information, visit calletepa.com.
The Campechano burrito's carne asada, beans, cheese, and guacamole will stick to your ribs. Brighten it up with some of the devilishly hot salsa that comes with the chips.
For more information, visit crossroadsfinemexican.com.
Drying beef on your roof without professional guidance is not recommended. Let the experienced cooks at El Charro Café do it for you and enjoy their carne seca burro with a spritz of fresh lime.
For more information, visit elcharrocafe.com.
A glass of tart jamaica serves as a refreshing counterpoint to the luscious chunks of pork in the carnitas burro. The handy salsa squirt bottle will provide some extra spice.
Keep up with El Indio Restaurant on Facebook.
The beefy carne asada burro comes with the fixings on the side. While this may seem inconvenient at first, you might not finish the burro. Then you'll realize you don't have to worry about reheating pico de gallo. Cherish this.
For more information, visit elminutotucson.com.
One of the most affordable yet comprehensive lunch spots in town, El Sur offers a variety of burritos as well. For a ticket to crunchy town, get fried bits of steak and fat in the Red, Green Chile, Carne Asada burrito and squeeze some of the house salsa into each bite.
For more information, visit elsurrestaurant.com.
Neighborhood favorite Frank's has a separate identity at night as a Michoacan-style restaurant, Francisco's De Noche. Order their gargantuan Birria Burrito, and for an extra kick, get it Francisco's style to add bacon, onions, and peppers.
For more information, visit franksrestaurant.com.
The Percheron burrito is overflowing with steak and queso blanco but the avocado and pico de gallo keep it fresh. La Botana grills the exterior of the burrito just right to where it keeps its shape without drying out too much.
For more information, visit labotanatacos.com.
With a small menu of burros, the vegetarian refried beans shine through with its simplicity.
Keep up with La Indita on Facebook.
Drippingly-juicy beef with mild aromatics such as tomatoes and green chiles will saturate your taste buds in this Green Chile Beef Burro.
For more information, visit lamesatortillas.com.
The owner says that no one in town makes carnitas like he does. How so? We don't know what he does differently, but we can see it's on the shreddier side.
Keep up with Maico Restaurant Mexican Food on Facebook.
The earthy mole and soft ingredients benefit from the griddle-crisped tortilla exterior. Balance this with a tart glass of their house tamarindo. Funky hours sometimes, but well worth it when you can get it.
Keep up with Martin's Comida Chingona on Facebook.
If you can't remember where you left your trident or harpoon (probably where your TV remote is), get a fish burrito at Mr. Baja Fish. The grilled fish burrito is saucy with peppers, while the fried fish burrito is surprisingly light and delicate.
Keep up with Mr. Baja Fish on Facebook.
If you don't want to change out of your sweat pants but still want a baller breakfast burrito, head to the drive-thru at Paco's.
Keep up with Paco's Mexican Food on Facebook.
If you think wrapping a burro in bacon is too much, then it is. If you think that's a fantastic idea, it is.
While you won't want to tell your cardiologist you ate this, the bacon is expertly prepared in a manner that keeps it delicate and crisp with each bite rather than one chewy piece that makes the whole thing fall apart. If you're still on the fence, just get one and share it.
Keep up with Percheron Mexican Grill on Facebook.
Seis burritos feature a flour tortilla stuffed with smashed or black beans, rice, guacamole, cheese, chopped cabbage, and calabacitas or meat. If you're taking the meat route, go for the adobo steak or birria.
For more information, visit seiskitchen.com.
The carne asada at Sonoran Delights is grilled and finished with a warm spicy tomato sauce, which helps keep it nice and juicy.
Keep up with Sonoran Delights on Facebook.
If you want crispy and moist bits of red pork roasted on a vertical spit, order the al pastor burrito. The tortillas are griddled to order in front of you as well. Take advantage of the impressive beer list and wash your burrito down with a brew from down the street or from across the border.
Keep up with Street Taco and Beer Co. on Facebook.
If you have a history of drinking downtown or on Fourth Avenue, chances are Taco Shop has saved you at 3 a.m.; these breakfast burritos are worth venturing over for, even if you arrive sober in the morning.
Keep up with the Taco Shop Co. on Instagram.
When you order at Tanias, you can see the ladies in the kitchen stretching out tortillas the size of their arm. They use them to make burritos (really burros at this point) the size of your head.
Tanias also offers a wide range of fillings, especially when it comes to vegan options.
Keep up with Tania's "33" Mexican Food on Facebook.
This Tania's doesn't try to cater to vegans, so come here for the Birria Burrito. It's a little on the salty side, so keep a refreshment ready on the side.
Keep up with Tania's Flour Tortillas & Mexican Food on Facebook.
Taqueria El Pueblito features bacon alongside guacamole and carne asada in their Zacatecas Burrito. They also have a stellar Chicharron en Salsa Roja burrito, but beware — it's hot.
For more information, visit taqueriaelpueblito.com.
With the Al Pastor Burrito, red pork with a hint of pineapple sweetness will make your heart sing. The tidbits of crispy fat will keep you coming back. Their cabeza is also some of the best in town.
Keep up with Taqueria Juanitos on Facebook.
Hidden under the red tent on 22nd is the glorious Cabeza Burrito. Demonstrate your foodie prowess with often-unexplored meats by getting some head meat that has been slowly simmered into lip-smacking status.
Keep up with Taqueria Y Raspados Jason on Facebook.
The french fry-stuffed California-style burro reigns supreme at Toro Loco. While the Veggie Burro is pictured above, our favorite is actually the Poblano Chicken with poblanos, avocado cilantro crema, Jack cheese, and salsa verde.
For more information, visit torolocotacos.com.
Sometimes you want to fight the establishment by ordering something that's not in the name of the establishment. Well, you rebel, get the bacon burrito (not tamale) with eggs and potatoes. A side of Mexican slaw helps keep things light in your belly.
For more information, visit tucsontamale.com.
Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the food truck Tran's Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon...
