Tracing the delicious history of San Francisco's Mission-style burrito

The Mission-style burrito is ubiquitous and delicious, but who invented the delectable meal? KTVU's Sal Castaneda checks out two taquerias that claim they were the first to serve rice, beans, meat and toppings stuffed in a flour tortilla and wrapped up with foil.
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[@Diego-rm3yt]

YESS!!!!! FINALLY someone is showing some love to Taqueria San Francisco. Most underrated taqueria in the city!

[@babyface4674]

Chipotle even acknowledged that they got there recipe from san Francisco mission district burrito. So anyone saying other places started the burrito are stupid

[@rypatmackrock]

Even if I’m a native San Franciscan myself that grew up with Gordo’s before predominantly living in Marin; I found a documentary on burritos that suggests Chihuahua was where the first burritos were made. All the same, I always have a soft spot for mission style burritos with the basic package with no sour cream. So much so, that the California burrito recipe between LA and San Diego always felt alien to me with the addition of french fries. My childhood burrito was always cheese with pinto beans, rice, and pico at Gordo’s; until I began to add chicken and guac. Pollo Astado, became my next favorite while trying the other usual SoCal meat combinations like Carnitas and Carne Asada. A few places I know in San Diego, where I currently live can come close to the taste and recipe of mission style burritos with their local flavor and take on it. Otherwise, the taste, the texture, and the combination of juicy flavors of each ingredient is what I always remember from a good burrito from Gordo’s. It is usually a ritual for me if I ever get to visit San Francisco for all for the memories in my childhood neighborhood.

[@cj9667]

El Faro is the best…ever! Miss it terribly since we moved away. Always a craving…..omg

[@seeharvester]

Same here.

[@bartonpercival3216]

Yup me too!!!! 🌯🌮

[@johnbernstein7887]

I can give credence to El Faro as I had a super burrito there in 1968, one year before La Cumbre says the invented it. But what I went there for was the Carnita Torta!

[@carlerickson74]

The “Super Burrito”! It has to look like the fuselage of a Boeing 737 after it’s wrapped in the aluminum! Lol

[@bananasteve2200]

Growing up in SF, it was sad going outside of the bay and getting a “super” burrito and saying “I ordered a super not a regular” 🤦‍♂️ not the same. Can’t beat the Mission Burrito

[@seeharvester]

Super Burrito El Faro. Numero Uno! Used to eat there back in the 1980s. They are the best.

[@iLLWiLL510]

For a truck, El Gallo Giro off 23rd/Treat is mad underrated!

[@bonkersblock]

I went to Mexico and ordered a burrito 🌯 in a taqueria? And the waiter showed up with small donkey!

[@michaelalan1270]

LeCumbre was the 1st Mexican food I had in SF in 1976. The 2nd was ELFaro, both good.

[@livefromsf415]

LeCumbre is the best..the garlic prawn burrito is unmatched

[@ericsj40885]

That sounds like everything on every burrito I've ever ate.

[@jasonrobinsonjr6846]

Straight talk. Pass the green sauce.

[@bartonpercival3216]

Been going to El Faro to get their Carne asada Super Burrito with extra guacamole and peppers since 1970. One of the best in the Mission district!!!!!!! 👍🌯🌮

[@MeNtALcARteL]

From growing up in the mission and visiting Mexico as a kid. In Mexico they were made with beans and meat in a folded corn tortilla and that was a burrito. Similar to a taco now. The two main stays El Faro and La Cumbre translated it for the Mission district. They used the foil and the flour tortilla which made it so easy to eat or take to go. That's what became the Mission style we all know to love. I can't tell you for sure who did it first but they both did it first. Also El Faro has another location in San Bruno. My choice for the best burrito in the Peninsula.

[@yodaddy9362]

Well depends what part of Mexico you go to. Mostly in northern Mexico like baja people don't really like corn tortillas. So a burrito was always made with a homeade flour tortilla in those areas.

[@ralphymay5292]

Where my family is from the burritos were always made with flour tortilla wrapped in like actual burrito 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@silviomanuelabelar]

Burritos are from northern Mexico and if they're not in flour tortillas they're not called burritos. Now there are, but in the past, there weren't any burritos in central and southern Mexico, unless you found a northern food restaurant

[@bartonpercival3216]

Yup love El Faro. Was born & raised in the city in the 50's and the first time I ever had a super burrito was in 1967 at El Faro on 19th street. I moved out of the city in 2001, but when I went back for a visit in 2015, when I landed at SFO and picked up my rental car, the first place I stopped at was the El Faro in San Bruno. Had the carne asada super burrito with extra guacamole!!!!!! 👍🌯🌯🌯

[@johnbernstein3916]

@@bartonpercival3216 Don't mean to rain on your parade, But El Faro is at 20th and Folsom and the San Bruno one is in South San Francisco, across the street from the high school.

[@trontron8160]

OMG 👍 I was just talking to my wife about a hour ago what to do for dinner and I said a supper burrito from El Faro would be Awesome! So I am born and raised in San Francisco am a resident of the mission district for most of my 60+ years and I can say for sure El Faro is the first the original creator of the super burrito the rest that lay claim to this are just jealous and trying to rip the title from El Faro. I remember as kids we grew up in the mission street projects we would walk literally walk at the age of 11years old to El Faro and get one of these monster burritos for the small sum 1.25$. Now these other places were probably a closer walk but right why didn’t we go there because they didn’t exist 🙄 Nobody but El Faro can lay claim to being the first the rest are lame imitations really they still don’t compare to El Faro although they wish they did. It’s mostly the generation that came a couple decades later that find these other restaurants and claim them as the first and the best but they do not make them like El Faro. In my opinion they make American burritos for the American culture try and try as they may they are weak burritos that I and many of the peeps I grew up with have tried these other places because I wanted to see what the hub-bub was about but they are 2nd or 3rd rate at best. So yes we still go out of our way for the Best and forget about the Rest!

[@mei6044]

Love mission burritos too! I used to go to La Cumbre first for a long time before I went to other ones. Native San Franciscan too, born and raised, Japantown, fist bump!

[@cj9667]

@@mei6044 yep..la Cumbria….omg craving a carne asada one!

[@trontron8160]

@Ghost Recon That’s funny but not a reality

[@bartonpercival3216]

Been going to El Faro since 1967. They are the true burrito shop that started the Mission style burrito. Love their carne asada super burrito. When I first started going there in 1967, I think their super burrito's with steak were around $3.25. I went back to SF for a visit in 2015 and a carne asada super burrito was $9.95!!!!!! 👍🌯🫔🌮🍺

[@heathertheheathen6145]

There are no burrito like San Francisco burritos, el farro has best breakfast burritos.

[@jhowardsupporter]

You'll be passing them out by lunch

[@dontcallmejon]

I like Redwood City type burritos.

[@MadLadsAnonymous]

What is a RWC-type burrito?

[@oscarmart1]

El Charrito (Redwood City) is the best in California

[@Atlas30D]

Two of the best Mexican Restaurants in the city!💙

[@floresd77]

Once the prices drop I’ll buy. But I’ll make mine at home for the time being. Shit even pizza got expensive. All the food I like is hella expensive. So I’m starting to buy my own ingredients and make my own burritos and pizza.

[@seeharvester]

You can't duplicate an El Faro Super Burrito at home. Just pay the money. I'll lend you a $20 if you need it.

[@floresd77]

@@seeharvester Shiiiiiiiit!! Oh yes I can maybe better. I'm born and raised in SF. When burritos were cheap and came with free chips and salsa. Thanks for the $20 spot. Set up a gofundme for a pizza or a pub business to invest let me know.

[@seeharvester]

@@floresd77 I'm on it!

[@chinatownboy7482]

In San Francisco, there are good burritos in most neighborhoods. Even in Chinatown, you can get a good burrito.

[@alphajava761]

I've never been to Chipotle, too man great local mom and pop spots in my So Cal neighborhood.

[@dallemon15]

Nice review. Corn is for tacos. Wheat/white/allpurpose flour is for burritos.

[@archstanton5973]

I had these burritos for the first time when I was a kid at a long-gone mexican restaurant on the Peninsula in the middling 1970s. It was always known as "a burrito" and I didn't hear the term "mission burrito" till the 2000s.

[@joseangelhernandez5274]

El Farolito on 24th and Alabama is my go to. Born and raised in the mission district

[@tr7287]

I appreciate them using gloves.

[@seeharvester]

Just like your proctologist.

[@dallemon15]

The way to deal with burrito prices being too high is, make them yourself. Not as convenient as going to a taqueria, but you have control of what things go into the burrito.

[@nuj427]

As an Chinese American who grew up in SF with bunch of Latino friends now living in France, the only thing I dream of having is 1, super burrito, 2, pho! Hell, even the Chinese food is not the same out here! Fun fact (or should I put it racist fact), for us it's sweet & sour, in France it's called Chinese sauce smh 😂 like wtf is that suppose to mean? So Kim Chi would be Korean sauce? Lol, and yes there is Mexican sauce too.

[@mscstarz7151]

Make your own !!

[@nuj427]

@@mscstarz7151 I do of course! Thanks to all the food KZbinrs help! Y'all should come out to try Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food... Not the same as the ones in SF.... But then again, everything is globalizing you'll get anything anywhere.. but! Not burritos. I'm sure some Latinos have came over to give a shot in Europe but I don't think it'll be the same as the taste I remember in SF.

[@nuj427]

Oh yeah and for us, sesame chicken, out here it's called caramel chicken 😂 I mean you have to create names the French can understand 😂

[@yodaddy9362]

WHAT THE PHO!!!

[@PC-tan]

I'm guessing that Mexican sauce refers to "salsa"? Which to be fair is also what people in the US used to call it, but now it's just called salsa.

[@t.s.9656]

The first monster burrito I had was in Hayward at a place called La Imperial in the early 70's.

[@bartonpercival3216]

Yup I ate there many times. They use to have a crazy waiter that sang as he brought you your dishes to your table!

[@4jg895]

The best burrito I think the one in 24th and mission st

[@beagie666]

yes! el farolito, they don't claim to be the OG but they are the best in my mind lol

[@rayjohnson9781]

El Faro rules ! Always has ,still does. 🎉😊

[@craigjoseph9374]

There's also Favelas in Fairfield

[@DunkInHerDonut]

This explains why Black Panther Wankanda Forever is scheduled to be out in theaters on November 11 instead of October 11. 😂 October is Hispanic month.

[@KathleenMcCormickLCSWMPH]

I started going to Lacumbre in the mid 70s. I’ve NEVER had a better burrito even in New Mexico where I now live.

[@studiedatyomommahouse4099]

I remember I use to walk with my dad to taqueria Cancun he lived in south van ness there burritos are so good carne asada Super especially also taqueria Guadalajara cause I lived in the Excelsior District. I recently went to Bravo pizza and it doesn't taste the same I heard that they change managers or something like that, damn I miss the taquerias from SF Mission District, now I live in the Central Valley.

[@gusto99]

the key is the rice in a extra large flour tortilla of a mission burrito...

[@joseangelhernandez5274]

El Metate on 22nd and Bryant is good ass hell too

[@snoopu2601]

Tapatio on Grand avenue is the best burrito I have ate in San Francisco they cook everything in front of you.

[@jaycampas6463]

Been tryna find a good mission burrito in Sacramento for years only one taqueria ever came close but closed shortly after I found it.

[@theoubliette]

I don’t know how you can define a mission style burrito. I mean, havent they been doing flour tortilla with meat in Sonora since forever? The mission style burrito just seems to be a natural evolution. All over California there is the distinct Sonoran style Mexican food and taqueria.

[@yodaddy9362]

Yup that burrito has existed since forever. The Not just in Sonora but also in baja and chihuahua. Homeade flour tortilla, asada meat , beans , and w.e sauce they make.

[@4runna-4X]

U don't know how? . Did u not see the report , or done ur homework..or ever ate a Mission style Burrito 🌯 ? It comes down to the ingredients and taste. My auntie made me and my family some Sonoran style "BURROS" and while they are good snacks on the go they don't even compare

[@silviomanuelabelar]

Exactly! Finally someone who knows some facts. But not only in Sonora, in all northern Mexico

[@silviomanuelabelar]

​@@4runna-4X If yet, the mission burrito is unique, all across Mexico there were many variations of burrito similar to the mission, non of them as thick tho

[@MrHero1976]

ED! I haven't seen ya in ages, ever since I was in Grade school going to La Cumbre with Mitch from 24 hour fitness in San Mateo

[@chinablack]

I thought sal was the weather man

[@RaymondHng]

Castaneda started as a traffic reporter and is now a general assignment news reporter.

[@rolandomontenegro4130]

Sal, need you to do a story on burritos. Okay if you insist. lol

[@lovewillwinnn]

LA CUMBREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE foreverrrrrrrrr😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 🌯

[@CityHustleHD]

Man, I hella miss the burritos in SF. I live in Florida now & they have no idea what Mexican food is supposed to taste like down here.

[@mezamedia8210]

Love ❤️

[@Kick_Rocks]

Taqueria Farolito on 24th and Mission has the best burrito.

[@MarioGomez-xc4yc]

So delicious ! mmmm 🌶️

[@pumkinbreath]

Back in the 80 Lacumbre on Valencia @16 th had the best carne assada of them all. Today not so much

[@EarthBullTV]

I would like it grilled / toasted.

[@DaveVargas90012]

El Paso claims to be the original home of the burrito. It was for the travelers heading west.

[@alldayeveryday6464]

Hold it

[@joeygarcia6783]

❤️💙

[@jonathanayala8887]

La alteña was the best one on 22 and mission next to the Popeyes before the government burnt it and made apartments for the techies

[@dpelpal]

"You can get something like this all over the country!".🙄Ummm, no you can't. After growing up in the bay area and now living in New Orleans, I'll tell you right now that any burrito outside of northern california SUCKS. They do weird things like leave both ends open, adding cheap fillers like corn or [gasp] celery, and the tortilla isn't right at all. Plus all the burritos in the rest of america are small and weird because they can't get thin, large tortillas. Also the meat tastes weird in the rest of the country. Also, they never wrap them in tinfoil.😠

[@robertlow7344]

Best burritos are in San Jose

[@Diego-rm3yt]

🧢

[@justinwahip]

someone tell p-lo and dumbfounded

[@Atistatic]

I've never understood why in united states say "salsa" instead just say it sauce. It's literally that.

[@MariaGasca-Reyes]

The burrito is Mexican 🌯 not hispanic

[@livefromsf415]

Le Cumbre the best hands down

[@norwegianblue2017]

Meh. Too much filler in those burritos, it's mostly rice and beans. Come down to San Diego and get a proper carne asada burrito. Just steak, guac and pico de gallo. And hot sauce of course.

[@TelfordJamerson-t7w]

❤😂🎉st Andre house burrito thrusday, Phoenix Arizona,cass st Vincent de Paul, NBC number 1 fan 4:30 pm

[@lucystrider728]

Mmmmmm

[@phoreal9273]

I hate it when they cut into the foil-wrapped burritos...how is it that the defragmented foil not ending up in your stomach...call me anal but people are just not thinking

[@BogieFett]

Carlos! Lovely story, but for the love and honor of burritos, please straighten your tie - or just don't wear it! 🌯👔

[@alvinmendoza313]

Burros are original to Sonora/ no mex

[@4runna-4X]

SONORA IS A STATE IN NORTHERN MEXICO THE HECK U TALKING ABOUT

[@TonyDanger]

San Diego > Frisco bureets all day long!

[@RaymondHng]

But I like to eat mine with a knife and fork.

[@Diego-rm3yt]

Disrespectful.

[@carolinamelara4521]

I live in Arizona and sadly to say Mexican good here is nasty nothing compared to what you find in the mission. I miss those burritos they are the best!!!

[@y0kiddyz1]

Rice in a burrito is a waste of space. All meat baby. San diego got mexican food on lock. No pause

[@juansrtarin9286]

This restaurant won't make it they Up there prize us hi they be closing there door soon U see

[@ZZ-ly1jf]

I can’t eat in San Francisco anymore because walking around there makes me sick. It’s dirty and gross.

[@jasonrobinsonjr6846]

And now, Foundational Black Americans will show you the Magic of Authentic Fried Chicken and Hot Sauce, Spaghetti and Cole slaw. Not to be missed.

[@bluedevilworld]

Don’t give away the recipe cause then you’re gonna have Black people start claiming the food and seeing that they created it

[@JC-wn1sp]

Taco Bell is the original inventor 🌯

[@Ap_twsh]

LMAO

[@Playful_Practice]

😂

[@Newgenerationchannel-1]

Disgusting place! El faro used to be good, Years agoooooo! Now is almost impossible to see customers in that place. horrible taste, no Mexican style food at all anymore. The original owner’s son and the wife destroyed really bad. Now the TV Is making some propaganda trying to save it of going out of business. Sorry but that’s real same reason why the one at Kearny street is permanently closed together with the one at Haight street and the South San Francisco location it’s been also on risk of closing for good. Sorry guys but you have to tell the truth to the community.

[@civicvxgsr4u]

Thanks for keeping it 💯

[@obijuankenobi420]

If you want the real history.....it started in LA....traveled up to Oakland....got really popular....then they started making them in San Francisco.

[@koonyeezy6433]

Stop lying the bay taught y’all how to make burritos

[@obijuankenobi420]

@@koonyeezy6433 I'm from Oakland stoopid.

[@obijuankenobi420]

@Glacius EX Trippin....East Oakland has the real deal.

[@iLLWiLL510]

@@obijuankenobi420 but you're hear talking about LA. Make up your mind.

[@obijuankenobi420]

@@iLLWiLL510 It started in LA.....damn youre slow

[@elizalam5253]

Please wear gloves! Should not be handling food without them.

[@lasurflife]

This is a little confusing, as "Mission-style burrito" is not defined. If the definition is meat and associated toppings wrapped in a flour tortilla, itself wrapped in foil to go, then it was invented nearly 100 years ago in the Central Valley. The food writer seems to imply that what distinguishes a Mission-style burrito from the rest is that it always includes rice, but I personally think rice does not belong in a burrito, Mission-style or otherwise.

[@californiamade5608]

Wrong.

[@seeharvester]

Definitely wrong.

[@MeNtALcARteL]

From growing up in the mission and visiting Mexico as a kid. In Mexico they were made with beans and meat in a folded corn tortilla and that was a burrito. Similar to a taco now. The two main stays El Faro and LA Cumbre translated it for the Mission district. They used the foil and the flour tortilla which made it so easy to eat or take to go. That's what became the Mission style we all know to love. I can't tell you for sure who did it first but they both did it first. Also El Faro has another location in San Bruno. My choice for the best burrito in the Peninsula.

[@silviomanuelabelar]

​@@MeNtALcARteL I am from Mexico and I'm writing you from northern Mexico. If it's not in a flour tortilla, it's not called burrito. On its way down to central and southern Mexico MAYBE got adapted to local circumstances. But in Mexico at large, if it's not in flour tortilla it's not called burrito

[@saltminer9120]

Lol, i guess when you have little else a burrito will do. Stay classy Cali 🤣😂🤣😂

[@iLLWiLL510]

Sounds like you have little else to do with your own life

[@saltminer9120]

@@iLLWiLL510 lol, more staleness

[@iLLWiLL510]

@@saltminer9120 you're not saying much. Just another 'tard in the basement.

[@laynavillabells4056]

PLEASE tell us what state you’re from and all the class that gos on there????…..don’t worry we’ll wait !!! ….

[@saltminer9120]

@@laynavillabells4056 you do realize California is the laughingstock of the North American continent? Come back and flap your lips when your Governor stops paying bums to be bums and running businesses like Tesla, Twitter and American Airlines out of the state.

[@danielsoto1134]

He almost said “El Buen Gusto”. Bomb asada burrito in San Jose 6:50

[@YourMom-vl2sp]

if you have to have a sign claiming to be the first, you're probably not the first 😂🤣

[@memphiscalifornia2195]

WHAT HAPPENED TO TAQUERIA EL FAROLITO.. THIS PLACE IS ALWAYS JAM PACKED ALL DAY.. ALL NIGHT.. YOU TOTALLY DROPPED THE BALL NOT MENTIONING THIS PLACE... THE CLIENTELE IS A MIX OF SAN FRANCISCO.. IVE EXPERIENCED THE MISSION LOCATION.. THE MIX OF ETHNICITIES MAKES THIS PLACE A GEM FOR THE COMMUNITY..

[@Kelly19850302]

😴😴😴😴😴