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The Top California Burritos in San Diego

Santana's Mexican Food
Saguaro's
Lolita's
JV's Mexican Food
Sarita's
Roberto's Mexican Food
El Azteca Taco Shop
Rudy's
Don Bravo
Lucha Libre
Santana's Mexican Food
Saguaro's
Lolita's
JV's Mexican Food
Sarita's
Roberto's Mexican Food
burrito from el Azteca in San Diego
El Azteca Taco Shop
Rudy's
Don Bravo
Lucha Libre

The California burrito was born in Los Angeles in the early 1950s, but there are plenty of debates over which place serves the best one today. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in San Diego who doesn’t have an opinion on the best California burritos in town. However, deciding which of these spots are deserving of this honor can be difficult since everyone has their own idea of what makes the perfect version of this local specialty. Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders to determine who makes the best CA burritos in San Diego.

 


Photo Credit: santanas-mexican-food.business.site

Santana’s Mexican Food

291 W Main St, El Cajon, CA 92020
(909) 593-7641

Santana’s has been family owned and operated since 1978, and their outstanding commitment to customer service and high-quality food has not changed. Santana’s signature burrito supreme is a must-try: marinated beef, cheese, lettuce, beans, guacamole, pico de gallo salsa and sour cream. Get it with carne asada steak for an extra buck! And don’t miss out on our personal favorite – shrimp tacos with creamy ranch dressing! Now that you know where to get your next mouthwatering California burrito, don’t forget that Santana’s Mexican Food offers dine-in or drive-thru options.

 


Photo Credit: doordash.com

Saguaro’s

3753 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 291-7746

Located on 15th and Washington, Saguaro’s has been serving up homemade California burritos since 1994. Their commitment to only using fresh ingredients and cooking their signature dish to order earned them a spot as one of Yum’s top burrito joints. Not sure what you want? Don’t worry, they’ll help you decide—just ask. And yes: no matter how hungry you are or how long you stand in line (which could be upwards of 30 minutes at peak times), your food will always be worth it!

 


Photo Credit: Yelp

Lolita’s

7305 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 874-7983

If you’re a fan of California burritos, you may not be surprised to hear that we list Lolita’s as one of our favorite places to get them. Here, they come two ways: with steak and chorizo or with shredded chicken and bacon. Both options are delicious, but if we had to pick just one, it would probably be their shredded chicken burrito. With plenty of juicy pulled chicken, chorizo, melted cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole on top—plus fresh tortillas—it doesn’t really need anything else to make it taste good.

 


Photo Credit: usarestaurants.info

JV’s Mexican Food

1112 Morena Blvd. San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 276-0758

This 40-year-old landmark serves up tasty and juicy steak, chicken, and shrimp burritos at some of the cheapest prices you’ll find downtown. They also run a Taco Tuesdays promotion. You can even get vegan food here! If your big appetite needs an excuse to hit JV’s, know that they give back to homeless shelters with their donations. Donations + delicious food = definitely one of our top picks for California burritos in San Diego.

 


Photo Credit: foursquare.com

Sarita’s

9906 Campo Rd (at Bonita St)San Diego, CA 91977
(619) 589-0146

If you want a burrito that won’t disappoint, head to Sarita’s. Their California burrito has been voted best in town time and time again; it’s packed with rice, beans, cheese, guacamole and carne asada (perfect for us carne asada lovers). Their service is quick and efficient—you’ll be back to work before you know it.

 


Photo Credit: Yelp

Roberto’s Mexican Food

7710 Hazard Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 491-0059

If your idea of California burritos involves carne asada, beans, cheese and avocado (but no rice), Roberto’s is for you. The best part about these old-school (and pretty cheap) burritos? Just like in TJ, they come with complimentary spicy pickled carrots and radishes. There are lots of places to get a California burrito in San Diego, but none will match up to Roberto’s without compromise—and that makes them our #1 spot for anyone looking to get their hands on one.

 


Photo Credit: usarestaurants.info

El Azteca Taco Shop

8306 Parkway Dr (at Jackson Dr) La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 466-4113

Open since 1959, El Azteca serves up San Diego’s best California burrito. Served on a big homemade flour tortilla stuffed with steak, rice, beans, sour cream and guacamole along with lots of Pico de Gallo salsa. As well as shrimp and chicken burritos that are just as tasty. All kinds of Mexican food dishes at great prices with fast service.

 


Photo Credit: Yelp

Rudy’s

524 Stevens Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075
(858) 755-0788

Southern California has changed a lot over its storied history, but one thing that hasn’t is Rudy’s. Serving up California burritos since 1946, Rudy’s knows how to keep things classic and delicious. If you find yourself near Downtown SD with a craving for a good ol’ Southern California burrito, take a pit stop at Rudy’s and enjoy what has been, and continues to be, a staple of SoCal culture.

 


Photo Credit: usarestaurants.info

Don Bravo

5504 La Jolla Blvd (at Midway St) La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-8940

When it comes to California burritos, there’s one spot that reigns supreme. If you ask any local, they’ll tell you it’s Don Bravo. For nearly 20 years, people have been flocking here for their award-winning burritos. The secret is in their pinto beans—always cooked with lard and topped with melted cheese, they add an extra richness to each bite of salsa-drenched beef or chicken.

 


Photo Credit: usarestaurants.info

Lucha Libre

1810 W Washington St (at India St) San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 296-8226

If you’re looking for a great California burrito, make your way to Lucha Libre. For 20 years, Lucha Libre has been making best in SD lists for good reason. Serving up monster meals since 1997, it doesn’t get more traditional than their $7.99 lunch special: a meaty burrito stuffed with rice, beans and salsa verde wrapped up and ready to eat. Don’t expect frills or modern cuisine here—this is as true as blue as true gets. It might not be fancy, but there’s a reason why locals have been packing Lucha Libre time after time year after year.