The History of the Burrito

It is said that during the Mexican Revolution, a vendor named Juan Méndez rode a donkey through the streets of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, selling a peculiar preparation: large flour tortillas wrapped and filled with beans and various ingredients. People began to call them “burritos.”

While the exact origin is debated, a popular story traces the widespread popularity of the "burrito" – a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling – to a street vendor named Juan Méndez during the Mexican Revolution (circa 1910-1920) in Ciudad Juárez. To keep his food warm, he would wrap large tortillas around his guisados (stews) and other ingredients. He would transport these on his donkey (burro), giving the portable, satisfying lunch its famous name. This ingenious solution allowed workers and soldiers to carry a complete, warm meal, making it an ideal "lunch on the go."