Excellent Breakfast Burritos

Feature by Carly Weaver

In addition to Carly’s choices, I’d like to throw Pete’s Blue Chip in the ring! -Katherine

Excellent Breakfast Burritos in Los Angeles

By Carly Weaver

I am forever on the hunt for THE breakfast burrito. Luckily, I live in one of the best possible cities to find it. 

In Los Angeles, breakfast burritos are aplenty. From Pasadena to Redondo Beach, this city doesn’t just have options — it’s got good ones. Meat-packed or veggie-forward, loaded with refried beans or full of crispy tots, spicy and savory or smoky and sweet. Whatever the perfect breakfast burrito is for you, chances are it’s somewhere out there in L.A., waiting for you in its shiny, foil-wrapped glory. 

Consider this an ode to the breakfast burritos of Los Angeles. This is by no means an exhaustive list; there are many others to be mentioned and even more to still be had. And it’s not about playing favorites, either. It’s about celebrating five things of beauty across L.A. (in no particular order) that are worthy of their moment in the spotlight. Each unique and delicious in its own way, and each representing one larger truth: Los Angeles knows how to make a breakfast burrito.  

Lily's Malibu Bacon Breakfast Burrito | $11.50

When it comes to breakfast burritos, this local’s favorite tucked away in north Malibu sits in its own echelon. The eggs? Impossibly soft. The bacon? Crisp and plentiful. The tortilla? Thick and hearty. And the beans … the beans are what make this burrito truly special. Refried in lard, their fatty flavor and creamy, cheesy texture hold everything together in perfect harmony. At $11.50 for a massive, filling breakfast burrito (and that’s just the regular size), by L.A. standards this is some real bang for your buck. You may have to wait a solid 50 minutes to bite into this beast, but it will have been well worth it. The cherry on top: Lily’s house-made hot sauce is absolutely unmatched. Don’t worry, it’s sold by the jar.

Doubting Thomas Doubtless Breakfast Burrito | $13.50

A quaint bakery and cafe in Historic Filipinotown, Doubting Thomas specializes in craft coffee and small-batch pastries, and they also happen to make a killer breakfast burrito. The coffee shop’s Doubtless Breakfast Burrito is unlike anything else you’ll find in LA. Be warned: she’s a juicy one.  A generous helping of tender, shredded braised pork shoulder steals the show, and sunny-side eggs level it up even further. From the white cheddar to the smashed potatoes to the smoked chili, each ingredient is bursting with flavor, all coming together for a unique medley that works perfectly. 

Erewhon Market Bacon & Egg Breakfast Burrito | $15.95

I know, I know. It seems like a disservice to include a bougie, upscale supermarket chain in this honorable list of local breakfast burritos … but then again, is there anything more L.A. than a bougie, upscale supermarket chain? Erewhon, which is exclusive to Los Angeles, serves up a phenomenal breakfast burrito (if you can snatch one in the morning before they’re gone). The spinach tortilla is what sets it apart, giving the burrito a little extra chew and a hint of earthiness. It’s also light enough to eat for breakfast and still be hungry for lunch later, which is nice to find in a burrito once in a while. This one will cost you a pretty penny, expectedly so, but with extra-crispy shoestring potatoes, thick bacon and a touch of white cheddar cheese (hot take: less is more), you can taste the quality — and price — of the ingredients. 

Cerveteca Breakfast Burrito (Bacon) | $13.50

Cerveteca is a small stand on Venice Boulevard. It tends to fly under the radar (or past your window as you high-tail it to the 10) — but don’t sleep on this one. First of all, the breakfast burrito is served all day … so if you have actually been sleeping on it, that’s good news for you. While it’s pretty straightforward in terms of ingredients — your choice of meat, egg, cheese, black beans, and tater tots — this burrito has a lot going on. For whatever reason, refried black beans are a rare find in the world of breakfast burritos, but this gem makes a strong case that they shouldn’t be.

Country Kitchen Bacon, Potato, Egg & Cheese, $10.45

Sometimes you just want simple and to the point. That’s the case at Country Kitchen, a little easy-to-miss burger stand nestled along PCH. With plenty of meat options, from ham to asada to al pastor, you get exactly what you ask for: meat, potato, egg, and cheese. These burritos are refreshingly uncomplicated and extremely well executed. The ratio of ingredients is ideal, the meat is cooked well, the crispy tater tots shine, and the tortilla is an unsung hero. Just greasy and filling enough. 

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This newsletter is edited by Katherine Spiers, host of the podcast Smart Mouth.

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