When people think of Mexican food, they might think of Tacos, Enchiladas, and Burritos. The Burrito, a popular and staple Mexican food that has been around for ages, can be filled with many different fillings like white rice, beans, cheese, salsa, Carne Asada, etc. Whenever people go for burritos like Chipotle, Taco Bell, or an authentic Mexican restaurant, people will be able to get various tastes and ways burritos are made. These different styles to create a Burrito might make a person wonder about the history of Burritos.
The two most popular theories about the idea of the burrito that were recorded were in the 1910s and 10,000 BC. The idea of a burrito with a tortilla wrapped around different food items started way back in 10,000 BC in Mesoamerica in Central Mexico. The Mayans and Aztecs used corn tortillas a lot as a primary food source, and they put food items in there to store food, like beans, meats, and vegetables.
In 1910, a guy named Juan Méndez was a food vendor in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. During these hard times, he did not have much but a donkey and his supplies, and since he didn’t have enough money to heat his items, he would buy preheated tortillas. Then, with the warmed tortillas, he had an idea to put food in the tortillas so the food would not be so cold.
Since Juan Méndez did that, many other people have liked the idea because it was fast and easy to transport. It then got a name, Burrito, and it got this name because these food vendors traveled on little donkeys called burros, which is a nickname for little donkeys. They also had so many ingredients that they borrowed from Tacos and other Mexican cuisine like Beans, Rice, Meat, Guacamole, Salsa, Pico de gallo, Cheese, Sour Cream, Corn, Lettuce, Peppers, etc. These little flour bundles of ingredients didn’t stay in Mexico for long.
In the 1940s, many Mexicans moved to America for better work opportunities, so they worked mostly in California, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. With this move, they bring their food with them like packing Burritos for their lunch since they were able to make it easier. Some poor Americans who worked all day also tried the burritos, and most of the new people trying it liked it. It made sense that the Americans loved it because they didn’t have any idea of Mexican food. Especially in Southern California, with Californians getting their own type of Burrito.
Another way that helped boost Burrito’s popularity is a new method. Burritos in 1956 a businessman Duane R. Roberts saw the success of McDonalds with their frozen patties and he had an idea. Later, he did the same idea, but instead of patties it was pre-made Burritos and he invented frozen Burritos which helped expand the success of Burritos. Also, other massive contributors were Chipotle, Taco Bell, and other authentic restaurants because they all made Mexican food, especially Chipotle for Burritos, very easy to eat and access.
That is the history of one of the most popular Mexican foods in America, the burrito. So, next time, people can see how other’s favorite wrapped food came out to be why it is today. No one knows how long we will take the Burrito through the years. So far, with all Burrito lovers, Burritos aren’t going anywhere for the next 100 years. Next time people bite into a burrito with meaty and savory flavors, just thank all the people who had to do with the Burrito.