National Burrito Day

National Burrito Day History

National Burrito Day is dedicated to showing love and appreciation for the Mexican dish, the Burrito! Observed annually, this day brings together food enthusiasts to relish different styles and flavors of burritos, a dish initially invented in Mexico which has taken on numerous delicious interpretations across America.

Although the exact origins of National Burrito Day are unclear, its recognition has grown in tandem with the explosion of Mexican cuisine’s popularity in the U.S in recent decades. The burrito, a flavorful ensemble of ingredients enclosed in a tortilla, has gone from being a regional Mexican street food to an American fast food staple, featuring creative adaptations like breakfast burritos, sushi burritos, and dessert burritos.

The celebration of National Burrito Day typically includes a variety of special offers, discounts, and even free giveaways at Mexican restaurants across the country. Patrons are encouraged not just to enjoy their favorite style of burrito, but also to experiment with new tastes and combinations. From small taco stands to big chain restaurants, it’s an opportunity for America to explore its collective love for this versatile food. National Burrito Day occurs on the first Thursday of April each year.

Top 8 Facts for National Burrito Day in 2026

• The word burrito literally translates to “little donkey” in Spanish, an etymological connection first documented in the 1895 publication Dictionary of Mexicanisms which posits that the rolled tortilla resembles the heavy packs or bedrolls traditionally carried by the animals.
• Chipotle typically marks the occasion with an interactive digital game called the Burrito Vault, a challenge that requires participants to correctly guess a secret combination of ingredients to unlock a portion of over $1,000,000 in prizes and buy-one-get-one-free codes.
• To protect customers from the tragedy of a dropped or stolen meal, Qdoba has previously offered a Burrito Insurance promotion that grants rewards members a free second entree with the purchase of an entree and a drink.
• Although variations of the dish have existed for centuries, the first recorded appearance of a burrito on a United States restaurant menu was in the 1930s at the El Cholo Spanish Café in Los Angeles.
• The Mission-style burrito, distinguished by its massive size, variety of fillings, and steamed flour tortilla wrapping, was first popularized in San Francisco's Mission District during the 1960s.
• Modern convenience history for the dish began with the commercial release of the first frozen burrito in 1964, followed over a decade later by the invention of the breakfast burrito at a New Mexico cafe in 1975.
• Some major chains have begun integrating high-tech automation to handle the extreme volume of the observance, such as the Autocado, a specialized robot designed to peel, pit, and core avocados in seconds to keep up with guacamole demand.
• The first recipe for the dish to appear in an American cookbook was published in Erna Fergusson’s 1934 work Mexican Cookbook.

In the News and Trending for National Burrito Day

Top things to do for National Burrito Day

• Go to your local burrito place and see if they're offering any specials or deals.
• Explore the a list of places offering deals for National Burrito Day.
• Make your own burritos at home. Check out some recipes for ideas.