San Diego Tourism Authority Celebrates National Burrito Day by Honoring the Birthplace of the California Burrito
SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego has long been the epicenter of Southern California culture — sun and surf, fish tacos, Tony Hawk, and “Top Gun.” Yet one of the region’s greatest hand-held delights has gone largely uncredited. The California Burrito — carne asada, fries, pico de gallo, cheese, guac, and sour cream all rolled up in a flour tortilla, didn’t come from California at large. It came from San Diego. And this National Burrito Day, April 2, the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) is unwrapping the origin of the culinary delight and shining the light on the burrito’s birthplace.
As documented by San Diego Magazine, the burrito’s origins trace to beloved local eateries, including Lolita’s Mexican Food in Bonita and Santana’s Mexican Grill in El Cajon, cementing San Diego’s rightful place in food history.
In celebration, the Moxy San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter is renaming the California Burrito to the San Diego Burrito on its lobby bar menu for the day. Participating restaurants across the region will offer special deals on National Burrito Day:
• Mention “National Burrito Day” for 10% off a burrito order at The Taco Stand’s location inside Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport
• One free churro with every San Diego California Burrito purchased at all five Lolita’s Mexican Food locations
• El Chingon in the Gaslamp Quarter will offer its California Burrito for $5
• For a unique option, visit Havana 1920 for a Cuban burrito with lechón, white rice, black beans, Havana cheese blend, and avocado, priced at $16
• Puesto is running a Burrito BOGO offer exclusively on DoorDash from April 2 through April 5
• Novecientos Grados by Tony Hawk inside Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport is offering a discounted California Burrito
These specials and more can be found at sandiego.org and across SDTA’s social media channels.
“New York has its name tied to pizza, Philadelphia has the cheesesteak and Nashville sizzles with hot chicken. And San Diego has the California Burrito — the most iconic handheld in Southern California — and it's time we celebrate it properly,” said SDTA President and CEO Daniel Kuperschmid. “National Burrito Day is our moment to remind the world where this iconic dish comes from. While many will debate what goes in a burrito, San Diego has known the answer for decades — carne asada, fries, and a whole lot of hometown pride.”
Celebrate National Burrito Day by ordering a San Diego California Burrito and sharing photos of your burrito with us at @visitsandiego on Instagram and TikTok for the chance to be featured.
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ABOUT SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY
(SDTA) is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of more than 1,000 member organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. SDTA members include tourism-related entities in such categories as lodging, dining, arts, attractions, shopping, and transportation, among others, as well as other companies indirectly involved in tourism. Visit sandiego.org to learn more.
The majority of funding received by the San Diego Tourism Authority is derived from San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds. Lodging business in the District raise these funds through self-assessments for the purpose of promoting tourism in the San Diego region.