Burritos

A burrito is a large flour tortilla wrapped around a filling of beans, rice, meat, cheese, and other tasty ingredients. Burritos are one of the most popular Mexican-American foods. They are big enough to be a whole meal wrapped up in one neat package. The word burrito means "little donkey" in Spanish.

What Goes in a Burrito

Burritos can be filled with almost anything. Common fillings include seasoned beef or chicken, refried beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Some burritos have guacamole, lettuce, and tomatoes inside. Breakfast burritos are filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon or sausage. The tortilla is folded and rolled tightly to keep all the fillings inside.

History of the Burrito

Burritos as we know them today became popular in northern Mexico and the American Southwest. The modern burrito likely started in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. In San Francisco, the "Mission-style" burrito was invented in the 1960s, which is a very large burrito with rice, beans, and many toppings all wrapped together. Today, burritos are loved all across the United States and beyond.

Fun Facts

• The largest burrito ever made was over 12,000 pounds and stretched more than a mile long.
• The word burrito means "little donkey" in Spanish.
• San Francisco is famous for its large Mission-style burritos, which were created in the 1960s.

Did You Know?

Nobody knows for sure why burritos are named after donkeys, but one story says it is because they look like the rolled packs that donkeys carry!