BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2013 Happy National Burrito Day, an annual celebration of the hand-held, tortilla-wrapped, all-in-one meal that has become as ubiquitous in American fast food culture as the hamburger.<\/p>\n
In observance of this manufactured holiday, we asked viewers to name the best burrito in Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
First, it\u2019s important that we define the term. A burrito \u2013 literally \u201clittle donkey\u201d in Spanish \u2013 is grilled meat wrapped in a flour tortilla. Fold that meat \u2013 usually chicken, pork or beef \u2013 in a corn tortilla instead and it\u2019s a taco.<\/p>\n
Why does that matter? Because corn is more plentiful in central and southern Mexico. Wheat, and therefore the flour tortilla,\u00a0 is more common in northern Mexico and the U.S. southwest.<\/p>\n
Mexicans have been pairing meat and corn tortillas for literally hundreds of years. The Mayans ate something akin to tacos two thousand years ago.<\/p>\n
But where did we get the gigantic, kitchen-sink-stuffed burrito, the monsters made famous by Chipotle? You might want to sit down for this, senor.<\/p>\n
The one-pounders we\u2019re so familiar with today originated in San Francisco in the early 1960s in the city\u2019s Mission District \u2013 that\u2019s why they were originally called Mission burritos.<\/p>\n
So, to cut to the chase \u2013 here are the top three nominees in our Instagram poll.<\/p>\n
Number three: Tacos la Villa. Nine locations, several franchisees, different menus. But consistent. We visited the one on Union Avenue at East California.<\/p>\n
\u201cBurritos are good,\u201d said Nancy Irwin, who had just exited that particular Tacos La Villa. \u201cYou can get them in all kinds of flavors. Get you some different types of meats in there. Whatever you want \u2013 you can make it your own.\u201d<\/p>\n
Number two: Super Taco, East Truxtun Avenue. Not the prettiest architecture, but who cares? We actually give extra points for that.<\/p>\n
Number one: Sancho\u2019s Tacos, 18th Street, catty corner from Mexicali. Best interior design, for sure, but those burritos are what make it special. Six distinctive salsas are a bonus.<\/p>\n
We asked Mikayla Beltran, a server at Sancho\u2019s, which local restaurant makes her favorite burrito. \u201cI like La Tapatia. That\u2019s OG, local. It\u2019s really good. They have really good burritos and enchiladas \u2013 but burritos for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
You\u2019re supposed to say Sancho\u2019s, we reminded her. Let\u2019s give you a chance to salvage your job, Mikayla. How do Sancho\u2019s burritos rank?<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re the best,\u201d she said, laughing. \u201cBest in town.\u201d<\/p>\n
But you know what\u2019s wonderful about Bakersfield Mexican cuisine? There\u2019s quality everywhere \u2013 and who\u2019s to say your favorite isn\u2019t better than anyone else\u2019s?<\/p>\n
The results of KGET\u2019s unscientific burrito poll, as of 7 p.m. Thursday, had Tacos La Villa out in front among the eight choices with 30% of the vote. Victor\u2019s and Super Taco were next with 17% each, followed by Sancho\u2019s with 16% and Taco Bros with 6%. Taco Bell also had 6%.<\/p>\n
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