National Burrito Day is celebrated on the first Thursday in April (on April 1 this year). The day celebrates everyone’s appreciation for burritos. The Mexican dish is popular all over the world, but it has only been offered in American restaurants since the 1930s. Can you imagine a time where burritos didn’t exist? Celebrate today’s holiday with us by eating as many burritos as you want. We’re not here to judge.
History of National Burrito Day
Who doesn’t love burritos? The Mexican dish is a national favorite, and everyone likes their burrito a certain way – with beans, or meat, salsa, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and vegetables. There’s the debate on whether rice belongs in a burrito (we’ll let you pick your own side of the argument).
The oldest historical mention of a burrito appears in the “Dictionary of Mexicanisms” in 1895. Meaning “little donkey” in Spanish, it’s possible the term refers to the packs and bedrolls donkeys once carried. The definition explained that a burrito was a “rolled tortilla, with meat or other food within.” The dish first became popular in Guanajuato and Guerrero before its popularity moved northward to the United States.
Modern burritos (tortillas stuffed with beans and hot sauce) originated near Fresno and Stockton, California before appearing on restaurant menus in the 1930s, starting at the El Cholo Spanish Café in Los Angeles. Recipes for the popular dish first appeared in 1934 in Erna Fergusson’s “Mexican Cookbook.”
Burritos have changed over time. American burritos have many ingredients, while Mexican burritos are only filled with meat and beans. The first frozen burrito was sold in 1964. Fried burritos are now affectionately known as chimichangas. Breakfast burritos were introduced in 1975 by Tia Sophia’s in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The breakfast meal consists of a tortilla stuffed with bacon, potatoes, chili, and cheese. Taco Bell launched its own popular version of a breakfast burrito in 2014.
Burritos can be enjoyed by nearly everyone, making it one of the most widely eaten Mexican dishes across the globe. National Burrito Day gives you the perfect opportunity to fill your hungry belly with your favorite Mexican flavors.
National Burrito Day timeline
Burritos are mentioned in the “Dictionary of Mexicanisms” and became popular in Guanajuato and Guerrero, Mexico.
Burritos are added to restaurant menus in California, starting at the El Cholo Spanish Café in Los Angeles.
Recipes for the home cook are introduced in Erna Fergusson’s “Mexican Cookbook.”
Breakfast burritos are introduced in Santa Fe, New Mexico by Tia Sophia’s.
Traditions
With savory fillings such as chicken and beef, and a medley of other ingredients such as vegetables, rice, and cheese, burritos are flavor-packed and loved by many. Not only this, the condiments — guacamole, salsa, and pico de gallo — have a separate fanbase.
Traditions for the day are to enjoy as many variations of the burrito as possible. Get-togethers are hosted with burritos on the menu, and different meat, vegetable, and cheese options are available. Authentic Mexican burritos have thin and small tortillas, whereas deshebrada burritos are on the spicier side.
People try different types of burritos and even go out of their comfort zone by trying burritos containing obscure ingredients such as french fries and sushi.
Burritos also have variations — the burrito bowl and chimichanga — which equally get attention on National Burrito Day. Many Mexican restaurants and eateries have special offers on burritos, or limited-edition flavors to celebrate the day.
By The Numbers
1900s — the period when burritos first appeared.
1956 — the year when Duane R. Roberts invented the frozen burrito.
12,785.576 pounds — the weight of the largest burrito ever.
54 — the number of restaurants that participated in creating the largest burrito ever.
3,000 — the number of volunteers who participated in creating the largest burrito ever.
44.20 seconds — the fastest time to eat a burrito, set by Leah Shutkever.
1970s — the decade when breakfast burritos became popular.
2 pounds — the weight of mission burritos.
605 kcal — the energy in the average burrito.
National Burrito Day FAQs
Is National Burrito Day a real holiday?
National Burrito Day is celebrated across the country. While you may not get the day off of work, major food retailers celebrate it by offering many deals.
Where are the best deals on National Burrito Day?
Check major fast-food chains that specialize in Mexican food or burritos. Popular restaurants like Chipotle, Qdoba, Taco Bell, and Del Taco often run promotions such as buy-one-get-one-free burritos, free burritos with a purchase, or discounted menu items.
Are burritos Mexican?
Modern Tex-Mex burritos might be different than how they were when they originated centuries ago, but the burrito is still a traditional Mexican dish that is enjoyed by many people of Mexico.
National Burrito Day Activities
Make burritos
There’s only one surefire way to celebrate National Burrito Day right: by eating burritos, of course! All you need is beef, taco seasoning, beans, rice (unless you want to skip the rice), flour tortillas, and cheddar cheese. Cook the beef with the taco seasoning, spread the beans on the tortillas, and top with rice, cheese, and the cooked beef. Roll up the tortilla, burrito style, and you’re good to go!
Host a party
Host a burrito party so you can rejoice in everyone’s favorite Mexican dish with your closest friends. For the most convenient way to fashion all of those burritos to everyone's specifications, set up your party in the form of a burrito bar. Provide tortillas and a range of different fillings, so everyone can prepare their burrito just the way they like it.
Visit your local family restaurant
Everyone has a favorite Mexican restaurant that they’re intensely loyal to – and no, Chipotle or Taco Bell doesn’t count. Pay a visit to your preferred restaurant and order your favorite burrito. You’ll be doing something kind for local business and also for your stomach. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
5 Facts About Breakfast Burritos That Will Blow Your Mind
It popularized American cuisine
It originated in New Mexican cuisine and expanded into Southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisine.
It has more options than you think
Traditionally, breakfast burritos can include scrambled eggs, potatoes, cheese, peppers, salsa, onions, chorizo, bacon, or sour cream.
It’s also popular in Mexico
While the breakfast burrito originated in America, the people of Mexico are always eating some rendition of a breakfast burrito, taco, or tostada.
Fast food chains love it
McDonald’s introduced a breakfast burrito in the late 1980s. Today the food is now sold at Burger King, Sonic Drive-In, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr., and Taco Bell.
It’s also a street food
Breakfast burritos are a popular ready-to-eat food sold by street food vendors.
Why We Love National Burrito Day
It inspires arguments like no other day
Ask around your office, and we guarantee you everyone has a strong opinion on the perfect burrito. Are Californian burritos – burritos with french fries in them – gross, or are they delicious? Should burritos have rice, or is rice a bland addition that takes away all the burrito’s flavor? Ask these questions and let the opinions flow!
They’re infinitely customizable
Everyone has different favorite foods, but burritos are basically many of those foods wrapped all together in a warm tortilla. We might not agree on what goes in there, but we can all agree that they’re delicious.
No forks are required – need we say more?
Personally, we love any food where we can ditch the silverware and stuff our faces. Who needs to look dignified when there’s a cheesy, meaty, guacamole-y burrito waiting for you? Silverware just slows down the eating process, so we’re all for any socially acceptable occasion to throw it away.
National Burrito Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | April 2 | Thursday |
| 2027 | April 1 | Thursday |
| 2028 | April 6 | Thursday |
| 2029 | April 5 | Thursday |
| 2030 | April 4 | Thursday |
