San Diego is known as one of the best places for beaches, breweries, and burritos. And Pacific and Mission beaches excel in burritos. Whether it’s for a hearty breakfast or a nap-inducing lunch on the beach, the local shops deliver the burrito classics – California with fries, or carne asada with guac, or machaca with salsa verde – that keep gringos coming back for more. Because National Burrito Day is April 4, and because burritos are basically perfect beachside food, and because they are so delicious – we put together a list of some of the best burritos places at the beach that also includes some of the best burritos in the country. PACIFIC BEACH At Taco Surf, their breakfast burrito – which has been feeding surfers since 1989 – comes with two eggs in a white or whole wheat tortilla, with a choice of meat, and other options including hashbrowns, beans, cheese, and rice. After breakfast, go back for their carne asada burrito, which was named No. 47 on the “50 Best Burritos in America 2018” list from The Daily Meal (thedailymeal.com). Taco Surf
4657 Mission Blvd.
858-272-3877
tacosurftacoshop.com La Perla Cocina Mexicana at the beach on Emerald Street is always busy, which is a good sign. The eatery has a hige selection of burritos, including Machaca, lamb, and a King Kong option that is stuffed with meat and a chile relleno. But you can’t go wrong with their carne asada burrito, which was named No. 34 on the “50 Best Burritos in America 2018” list from The Daily Meal. La Perla Cocina Mexicana 735 Emerald St. 858-274-3038
laperlacocina.com Looking for something a little different? Taqueria Los Ruiz in North PB has an extraordinary hashbrown burrito, which includes eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, homemade potatoes, and cheese. Or try their Tsunami burrito filled with carne asada, grilled shrimp, guacamole, and salsa Mexicana. Taqueria Los Ruiz
5010 Cass St. Suite K
858-270-6343
taquerialosruiz.com At Cotija’s Mexican Grill, open to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, are known for their huge pollo asada burrito, which can be ordered with grilled or marinated chicken. Their California burrito can be ordered with carne asada or grilled chicken. They also have a following for their breakfast burritos that include eggs, beans, ham, cheese, and sour cream. Cotija’s Mexican Grill
1092 Garnet Ave.
858-291-8424 At Santana’s Mexican Food, their popular carne asada burrito includes Mexican salsa and guacamole, and their Shrimp burrito includes Mexican salsa, achiote sauce, rice, and a zest of lemon. Or order their Buenos Dias burrito at night – or anytime – as the eatery is open 24 hours. Santana’s Mexican Food
2303 Garnet Ave.
858-483-1227
santanasmxfood.com Vallarta Express on Garnet is known for quality California burritos, which include fries, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, salsa fresca, steak, or chicken. The drive-thru is conveinant for a quick burrito-to-go. Vallarta Express
1375 Garnet Ave.
858-490-9022
vallartaexpress.com Stop at the walk-up window, or cruise into the drive thru, on the way to the beach at Ramiro’s Taco Shop and make sure to order their Machaca and California burritos. Make sure to ask for extra red sauce, which locals swear by. Ramiro’s Taco Shop
4525 Mission Blvd.
858-273-5227
ramirostacoshop.menutoeat.com MISSION BAY At Mr. Ruriberto’s Mexican Food, some of their go-to burritos include their California burrito and their surf and turf option. Enjoy their California burrito – served with either Mexican or enchilada salsa – while watching the Giant Dipper roller coaster at Belmont Park next door. Mr. Ruriberto’s Taco Shop
3202 Mission Blvd.
858-488-1610
mrruribertostacoshop.com La Playa Taco Shop is an old-school taco stand that offers a variety of burritos such as Machaca, Chorizo and chile relleno. Try their popular California, shrimp, and veggie burritos, or their steak breakfast burrito for a hangover cure. La Playa Taco Shop
3973 Mission Blvd.
858-488-7405 Sara’s Mexican Food offers a variety of delicious burritos from a window between Capri Pizza and Beachcomber bar, which explains why they’re open until 2 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. The most popular burritos are the classic California and carne asada options, but the basic bean and cheese receives a lot of love as well.
Sara’s Mexican Food
2907 Mission Blvd.
858-488-4436 At Marcy’s Mexican Food, there are some outstanding burritos to check out such as their California, Campeon, and a Chorizo breakfast burrito just steps from the beach. The Campeon burrito includes carne asada, sour cream, fries, sala, cheese, and guacamole. Marcy’s Mexican Food 756 Ventura Place
858-488-8203
marcysmexicanfood.com LA JOLLA Don Carlos Taco Shop has a wide range of burritos that can be served “wet” or dry. Their La Jolla burrito includes pollo asada, fries, salsa, sour cream, and cheese. The Scripps burrito includes soyrizo, fries, salsa, sour cream, and cheese. The El Niño burrito includes carne asada, peppers, onions, jalapeño cheese, and salsa. Their Clairemont burrito includes carnitas, fries, salsa, sour cream, and cheese. Don Carlos Taco Shop
737 Pearl St. Suite 113 858-456-0462
eataburrito.com Su Casa Restaurant is a great sit-down place where you can go with a group of friends and family. They open at 4 p.m. for dinner. One of their stand-out burritos is the carne asada, which includes diced choice cut steak wrapped in a huge flour tortilla that’s served with a cheese enchilada rice and beans.
Su Casa Restaurant
6045, 6738 La Jolla Blvd.
858-454-0369
sucasarestaurant.com Jose’s Courtroom is a the place to grab some burritos and take in an ocean view. Some of their popular burritos are their veggie, which includes roasted corn, cactus, zucchini, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, kale, bell pepper, black beans, rice, salsa fresca, cream oaxacena, cotija, and machengo cheeses. The Baja burrito bowl includes black beans, Spanish rice, shredded lettuce, salsa fresca, avocado, and their homemade cilantro lime dressing.
Jose’s Courtroom
1037 Prospect St.
858-454-7655
joses.com Rigoberto’s Taco Shop has two locations in La Jolla. A few of the burritos to choose from include their carne asada, California, and breakfast options. Pick up a couple breakfast burritos at the drive-thru on the way to the cove for an early picnic or sit outside at lunch and people watch. Rigoberto’s Taco Shop
6690 La Jolla Blvd. 7345 La Jolla Blvd. 858-551-1817, 858-454-4631
rigobertostacoshop.net Don Bravos’ Authentic Mexican Cusine in Bird Rock offers the classic carne asada, California and breakfast burritos. But maybe try something different with a lobster burrito or the surf and turf to go and walk down to the end of Midway Street to enjoy lunch with an ocean view. Don Bravo’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine 5504 La Jolla Blvd.
858-454-8940 At Verdes El Ranchero, a few of their popular specials include a carnitas burrito, and a chile Colorado burrito. Verdes El Ranchero
7404 La Jolla Blvd.
858-459-5877
verdeselranchero.com.