Noteworthy, LA Breakfast Burritos To Try
I love burritos. In college, my favorite late night all-round best thing to eat was a Cosmic Cantina burrito with all my favorite fillings (which included a lot of cheese and guacamole). Cosmic Cantina was a hole-in-the-wall, open until the ungodly hour of 2am - and it was perfect for our late night lifestyle. Naturally, when I moved to the West Coast, I was excited to try the best Los Angeles burritos and eat until my belly was content.
There’s something about a warm pouch of carb-y tortilla, enveloping a bed of scrambled eggs, cheese, potatoes and onions that make the heart sing. The warm wrap causes the flavors to mesh, upping the flavor content. It must be served in a burrito, wrapped in peel-away foil, so I can enjoy a portion, and save the reset for later. It stores well in the fridge, reheats superbly, good as new the next day. They’re great on-the run, the perfect weekday power breakfast; I always inhale a burrito feeling satisfied.
Of course, one cannot mentioned a burrito without mentioning the elephant in the room: Mexico! It’s not authentic they say. That’s okay with me. It’s the Americanized take of Mexican food. But one cannot argue its sway, it’s hold - on the average mind and palette. A burrito is perfection wrapped in an edible shell. When cooked perfectly, the tortilla is as much of the experience as the fillings. The burrito is as much part of the American experience as Americanized Chinese food (aka Panda Express). Which is to say - don’t knock it until you try it.
Thus, here is my very opinionated list of where to eat the best LA burritos (breakfast and otherwise - because I do believe they should be eaten any time of the day):
The Rooster LA
Rico Suave burrito from The Rooster (Photo @theroosterla IG)
What To Try: The Rico Suave Burrito with Eggs, Bacon, Tater Tots, Avocado, Cheddar and Cotija Cheese, Cilantro Crema in a Flour Tortilla
Overrated? Likely. EaterLA gushes the Rico is the one morning burrito that’s a standout: an elegant and simple confluence of ingredients, a perfect reflection of where Los Angeles currently is as a breakfast burrito town.
The Rooster, 8809 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 (Pico-Robertson)
Burritos La Palma
Best tortilla’s ever. You’ll even have carb avoidant eaters, dreaming about these tortillas, they are that good. The filling just acts to “compliment” the carbs - simple and in my mind - traditional. They are hand sized ( recommending eating 2-3 burritos get your fullness level up to par); as intended!
Yelp Reviewer Alan K sums it up: Everything is strangely balanced where the refried beans gives a nice creaminess but still contrasts the meat texture while the melted cheese.
Burritos La Palma, 2811 E Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90023 (Boyle Heights)
Al & Bea's Mexican Food
Simple, traditional, affordable and old skool loveliness in good old Boyle Heights. The novelty is the Chile Relleno burrito with beans, chile relleno & green chile ; but have your pick from 10+ burritos.
Al and Bea’s Mexican Food, 2025 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (Boyle Heights)
What are you interested in learning, eating in Los Angeles? Feel free to say HI and send an email, I don’t bite. linhdy@outlook.com
