9 Best Burritos in Los Angeles

cover burrito shot.jpg
Javier Cabral
Scallop Burrito at Señor Fish
Behind every great taco, there's an even greater burrito. A proper burrito is excessive in all the right places: an edible package of chewy opulence that stands for everything great in the Mexican-American influenced culture that is Los Angeles. Meat, carbs and convenience, sauced and served to your exotic whims on a budget.

A smokey lamb burrito, a couple of breakfast burritos, hell, even one with seared seafood and shredded cabbage in the style of the burritas from Puerto Vallarta.This hand-picked list is for those days when a mere taco will not suffice, featuring a burrito for every mood and time of day. Turn the page for the best 9 of them in town.

lucky boy's breakfast burrito.jpg
Javier Cabral
Breakfast Burrito from Lucky Boy's
9. Lucky Boy Drive-In
At 7:15 AM on a Thursday morning, Lucky Boy's is already in full hustle. The person in front of you, behind you and the one trying to cut in front of you are all ordering the "Legendary Lucky Boy's Breakfast Burrito." Some in orders of six, some with sausage instead of bacon, some sliced in half -- however they order theirs, you will know as soon the old man at the cashier shouts their customized order aloud to the bustling kitchen staff behind him. Their signature burrito is Americana breakfast nostalgia cloaked tight: fluffy scrambled eggs, rubbery melted cheese and exceptionally crispy hash browns, with the only seasoning being the oodles and oodles of salty bacon. With a little of their watery salsa poured atop, there is nothing really better on a chilly Pasadena morning. Early morning, too: They serve the burrito all day until they close at 2 AM (everyday). 640 S. Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena.


burrito de lengua at La Oaxaqueña.jpg
Javier Cabral
Burrito de Lengua Con Todo at Tacos La Oaxaqueña
8. Tacos La Oaxaqueña
Late at night after all the traffic has died down and the local restaurants have closed shop, an otherwise desolate stretch of Lincoln Boulevard is home to La Oaxaqueña -- a taco truck that has been on the corner of Lincoln and Rose for ten years now. From 6 PM to 12 AM daily, they specialize in Oaxacan antojitos made with Oaxacan ingredients like Quesillo (Oaxacan unpasteurized string cheese) and Cecina (Oaxacan dried beef of pork). Its loyal patrons still order tacos for the most part, but as the night gets deeper and the gabacho workaholics start to get hungry, the burrito is boss. Perhaps that is why their burrito has a trivial amount of shredded lettuce and cheese? Perhaps that is why the salsa is pretty wimpy even for West L.A. standards? Fortunately, the complexity of correctly cooked tongue conquers many flaws. The tortilla is thin and ultra chewy. The beans, refried. Don't take the Asada way out, it's time to step it up. Lincoln Blvd & Rose St., Venice.


Kogi Burrito.jpg
Javier Cabral
The Kogi BBQ Tofu Burrito
7. Kogi BBQ Truck
Almost three years later, the Kogi BBQ truck still attracts hour-long lines. So, it is safe to assume that their burrito is still awesome, right? The Kogi BBQ burrito is a traditional breakfast burrito, well, a traditional breakfast burrito doused with their special chili-soy vinaigrette (known as "crack" to Kogi's astute fans), sesame-chili salsa roja sauce and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Opt for their tofu protein instead of meat and you might as well be eating a flour tortilla wrapped Soondubu jjigae. The scrambled egg binds with the tofu while cooking and adheres beautifully to the red chili. The size of the burrito is adequate, leaving some room for a kalbi taco or three.

Turn the page for #6...

Location Info

Venue

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La Azteca Tortilleria

4538 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA

Category: Restaurant

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62 comments
BurritoSnob
BurritoSnob

Delicious article. I highly recommend having a quick scroll through the many tantalizing nonpartisan reviews on Burrito Snob's Facebook page. Hits many L.A. neighborhood gems Cabral didn't make it too.

Mark Vaca
Mark Vaca

Kurt, Nah. Just saw it's in Pasadena so I figured. I L O V E El Tepayec....Manuel WAY too young. Always around, nice and friendly.....

Riding Green
Riding Green

can you believe senor fish made the list Kate Redman! and they are number 2. wow, maybe not the echo park one but sounds like i will give them another try

Dario Rios
Dario Rios

RIP Manuel. I love El Tepeyac. Some of my best memories are enjoy college football bowl games while eating a Manny's Special all day long on new years day. The list should include Lucy's chile verde burrito. I've loved that one since I was a kid.

Kurt Webster
Kurt Webster

Yuca's in Los Feliz is great....been going there for 25 years......

Kurt Webster
Kurt Webster

Mark Vaca are you following me??? I was at Burrito Express a few weeks back. I'm sure you have been to El Tepeyac....the founder Mauel Rojas passed away....77....to young!

Eric Evans
Eric Evans

Ahhhh... #9, first on the list! Brings back some hungover memories. Love Lucky Boys!!!

Bryan Rozof
Bryan Rozof

No El Grand on Vermont! By far the best in LA!

Cisco R Ocks
Cisco R Ocks

Amii, yes across the street. Tepeyac, the original one is in East L.A. on evergreen.

John Stark
John Stark

Casita Taco al Carbon in North Hollywood has some of the best burritos ever, there used to be another one on Ventura/Cahuenga and Lankershim in Studio City but it closed down.

Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez

Anybody ever see the size n quality of "the super burrito" out in rosemead/pasadena before it closed ? (About 12 years ago)

Michael Dussault
Michael Dussault

Ya, there's a place in the Grand Central Market that makes the BEST burritos in town, without question. Also, Teres on Melrose isn't on this list, a critical omission.

Amii Flanagan
Amii Flanagan

and this El Tepeyac? Where is this located? city? addres?

Amii Flanagan
Amii Flanagan

Cisco ---you mean Grand central market downtown? across from the Angel's flight?? that place?

Silver Gutierrez
Silver Gutierrez

RIP Manny of El Tepeyac. He was the true burrito king in this town.

Cisco R Ocks
Cisco R Ocks

wrong wrong wrong!! Rice in any burrito is a huge fail!! Try any burrito at Anna Maria's inside Grand Central, Oscar special at El Tepeyac, the meat lovers breakfast burrito at Nick's Cafe, meat and potato burrito at Ramona's Mexican Food Products Inc in Hawthorene or S. Central and or the breakfast burrito at Original Tommy's. Kthxbye!!

BurritoSnob
BurritoSnob

@Cisco R Ocks you are 100% correct. Check out Burrito Snob on Facebook. I think you'll like us.

Brandy Spears
Brandy Spears

Melody's Mexican Kitchen Reseda is the best.

Mark Vaca
Mark Vaca

Lucky Boy! Kurt....Ever been to Burrito Express?

Fernie Ferns
Fernie Ferns like.author.displayName 1 Like

Tepeyac just lost manny today. And should have made the list. Al n Beas, Pecas, koritas are all good places for burritos. Estrella should've also made the list.

Jcast3493
Jcast3493

Just had a La Azetca chille relleno burrito. It was a disgusting burrito. I took a couple of bites and threw it out. Huge disappointment.

Djmenoman
Djmenoman

Albertos' California Burrito is one of my favs.

Orseus40
Orseus40

Went to La Azteca to try the chiles rellenos burrito. I was pleasantly surprised.

Also, agree with whoever mentioned Tere's. Tere's has some absolutely fantastic burritos and the best nachos in town.

Smurfshoe
Smurfshoe

The 'Crab Chimichanga' at Allegra On Sunset tops my list. Of course, if you can wake up from the comma it induces. Rambo's taco truck makes a decent carna asada burrito too. How in the hell can you claim the 10 best burrito in LA? that be like finding the best pizza in NYC.

The Foodie You Love To Hate
The Foodie You Love To Hate

The Best Burritos are at Taco Village in Montebello/East LA area. No fat, good guac(not that green water), salsa bar(5 or 6 kinds) and real beans.

Al & Beas sucks. Those beans are from a can(like  El Tepeyac). 

I love Korean BBQ but Kogi is wack. Shouldn't even be on the list. 

Bigmouth
Bigmouth

 You lost me at "no fat."

The Foodie You Love To  Hate
The Foodie You Love To Hate

If that's the case go to Tacos Mexico. Their meat has all that extra gristle and cartilage good places trim off.

Bigmouth
Bigmouth

 Oops, I thought you were referring to lard in the beans. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

julian
julian

For the young I agree with list of 9, But as for me and the OLD SCHOOL types its El Tepeyac OKIE Burrito. I am a retired City of Los Angeles Employee Bureau of Sanitation. I have shared meals with the elected including two mayors and of Los Angeles Council going back 25 years. Enjoyed a shot or two or maybe a few while waiting in line but worth it!

Fredbt
Fredbt

As expected, not one decent burrito place in the SFV. You would think that with the hundreds of thousands of Mexicans there would be at least one in San Fernando. Or could it be because that the author rarely reviews anything north of Studio City? As for people waiting and waiting that is no proof of quality. Take Pink's for example, to enjoy their awful dogs one should be very drunk or, more commonly, very hip.

Bigmouth
Bigmouth

 I think the problem is that burritos, like pizza, are partly an American creation. Authentic burritos are like Neapolitan pizza -- good but not necessarily my favorite. That's why there's no necessary relationship between the Mexican population and quality of burritos.

BurritoSnob
BurritoSnob

@Bigmouth agreed. Who cares, burritos are awesome.

Jellis333
Jellis333

What about the heroin burritos at the County Jail?  Delicious!!!!

Crackhead
Crackhead

I love it when people compare food to crack, it's so funny.

Bigmouth
Bigmouth

That the Kogi truck makes this list is another painful reminder LA just isn't a burrito town. We're all about the tacos and tortas. But I have to give shout outs to Eduardo's Border Grill in WLA (one of the few places that melts the cheese on the tortilla and where chicken isn't an afterthought) and Carnitas Michoacan by Dodger Stadium (get the al pastor).

I've heard good things about Senor Fish and will definitely give them a try.

Teebor55
Teebor55

The burritos at the Airport Courthouse jail are dope

Agliopiccante
Agliopiccante

The young man needs an editor...plurals don't need apostrophes. Lets not let's, tacos not taco's, burritos not burrito's, etc.

The 99 Cent Chef
The 99 Cent Chef

You've added 2 burritos on my list to try (lamb & chile relleno)...thanks. I would add a couple of Hollywood burritos: Cactus #1's Carnitas Burrito (pork so tender and crisp fried) & Tere's Pork Burrito (chunks of pork stewed in green salsa verde.)

UCLA Extension
UCLA Extension

What about the burritos at UCLA medical plaza? ;)

Raquefella
Raquefella

What about Yuca's in Los Feliz? Or the Chile Relleno burrito at Tacos Por Favor in Santa Monica.

Bigmouth
Bigmouth

 That Chile Relleno burrito is my favorite dish at Tacos Por Favor. FYI, they also have a WLA location at Bundy and Olympic.

Alkyd9
Alkyd9

When in Pasadena, how could you recommend Lucky Boy & not mention Burrito Express? It's family owned, same location for many years! Besides a wide selection of burritos, they make such better bean & cheese burrito than even Al & Bea's. I took the Goldl-Line to ELA just to try Al & Bea's. Nothing special, certainly not worth the trip. While Burrito Express has the tastiest homemade beans. The carnitas is always juicy. They specialize in burritos, Lucky Boy is a fast-food joint, okay if your drunk, type of place. The fact that you did not mention Burrito Express shows you know very little about the subject.

D
D

Lucky Boy should only be consumed if you're completely drunk and could care less that you're eating a bland greasy burrito with no taste.   In fact, the only taste is the burger juice and grease from the guy who ordered that cheeseburger in front of you.

I agree that Burrito Express is a much better alternative in Pasadena.    Also, Burger Shack breakfast burrito hits the spot as well.

LaLA
LaLA

OMG SO TRUE - Lucky boys greasy nasty bomb of a over loaded nastyness I am still shocked that they sell as many as they do! My hats are off to burrito king I LOVE this place and the size for the price is unbeatable! True honest godness.... Long LIVE the Burrito King!

Teejones1766
Teejones1766

The ONLY reason Al & Bea's is now nothing special is because my Aunt Bea is no longer w/us, bless her soul. Sorry 'bout your bad trip.

Bigmouth
Bigmouth

 I'm so with you on Al & Bea's not being worth a special trip. I was actually a little annoyed at J Gold for that rec. Will try Burrito Express on your rec.

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