Let me preface this by saying: I love burritos. Having grown up in Southern California, my standards for a quality wrap are admittedly high. While a spot like La Burrita certainly gets the job done after a late night out or a quick meal with a friend, there are days when I find myself itching for something more. If you share that same SoCal-bred skepticism, you’ve come to the right place.
From traditional staples to bold experiments, here is a comprehensive list of the Berkeley burritos actually worth your time.
Las Cabañas Mexican Grill & Taqueria: the SoCal purist
Looking for a sitdown restaurant to enjoy a big California burrito? Las Cabañas Mexican Grill & Taqueria on Martin Luther King Jr. Way is the place to do it. Inside, the taqueria has a more traditional ambiance, where you can enjoy your sizable $16.50 California burrito. Get the horchata or your favorite aguas frescas to wash it down, and that’s a perfect meal in my book.
Gordo Taqueria: the reliable neighborhood staple
If you’re craving a burrito but your pockets are hurting, take a stroll down College Avenue to cost-effectively satiate that craving at Gordo Taqueria. Its carnitas burrito comes out to $9.85, and let me just say that it’s hard to find a better place to grab a meal under $10. Grab a bottled Coke, and you’ve got a staple meal you can’t go wrong with.
Afghan Burrito: the ultimate fusion flavor
If you want to branch out from the typical burrito combos, and perhaps branch out of the campus bubble, Afghan Burrito on San Pablo Avenue is famous for a unique fusion burrito. One of its most popular items, the “Golden Burrito” includes a “Golden Sauce” that contains traditional Afghan flavors, placing this burrito in a league entirely of its own. Ranging from $14.50 to $16.50, it’s worth at least trying, especially if one reviewer’s 5-year-old said it was better than an ice cream cone.
Sushinista: for the sushi lovers
This may be cheating, but are you kidding me — a sushi burrito? Taking two of the best foods and combining them may be one of the most genius ideas anyone has ever had, and Sushinista on Milvia Street doesn’t disappoint. The Puri Puri Poke burrito is my personal favorite, but Sushinista also has a wide variety of options, as well as build-your-own options. Prices vary, but according to its website, building your own should be around $12.75 — unbeatable.
Tacos Sinaloa: the late-night heavyweight champion
Now, Tacos Sinaloa is a well known Berkeley spot, close to campus on Telegraph Avenue. It would be wrong not to spotlight its “Super Burrito” — a gargantuan burrito that spans the size of my forearm. It lasted me nearly three meals the first time I got it and, if nothing else, walking out carrying a burrito that size is comical enough to justify its appearance in this article.
That concludes my list of burritos that are worth your time, money and palate. Whether you’re looking for a classic California burrito or a fusion experiment that exceeds expectations, Berkeley has a wrap for every mood. Your next meal, or few meals, is just a few blocks away.