Every San Diegan knows that no night out is complete without a California burrito. While it might seem unusual to newcomers, for many it’s a true foodie revelation: a warm flour tortilla stuffed with carne asada, French fries, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and often guacamole – a combination that somehow always hits the spot. The combination may sound unlikely in theory, but in practice, it’s pure comfort. However, its origins are just as much of a mysterious mix.
In true San Diego fashion – laid-back, relaxed, drama-free – no Mexican restaurant or chain claims this burrito. There are ‘homes of’, ‘best known for’, and so on…but no one dares to say ‘Yep, I came up with it’. So does that mean we have no clue where this controversial food came from? Not really – we definitely have rumors, fingers pointed, and food experts digging deep into facts and stories.
One thing’s for sure – the California burrito was invented in San Diego. But where? By whom? When? Let’s dive in.
Roberto’s Taco Shop
If you look into the history of the California burrito, one name will show up more often than all others: Roberto’s Taco Shop. It was San Diego’s first walk-up and drive-thru taco shop, setting the standard for fresh, authentic, and inexpensive Mexican food. If you live in SoCal or around, you’ve definitely seen and been to Roberto’s, or its many variations: Gilberto’s, Alberto’s, Filiberto’s, etc. Most of them share similar color schemes, making it clear that they’re somewhat related – but not fully. So what’s the story here?
Roberto Robledo arrived in the U.S. in the 1940s through the Bracero program and worked a variety of jobs before moving his wife and children to San Ysidro in 1964. There, the family bought two homes. They lived in one and turned the other into a small tortilla factory that also sold simple burritos. Over time, the Robledos expanded, acquiring several businesses under different names. Eventually, they purchased a hamburger shop, renamed it Roberto’s #5, and sparked what would become the now-famous chain of Roberto’s Taco Shops. Many members of the family started working for Roberto’s restaurants. He thought that everyone who works hard can have a bright future in the U.S. – and so, he’d help anyone willing to get into the business. They’d start at his shops, and were then encouraged to start their own restaurant.
The multiple names started when some of the relatives running Roberto’s shops weren’t serving fresh food made daily – something that Roberto felt very strongly about. He decided he didn’t want his name associated with this practice, and asked the owners to change the name of their restaurant. That’s how Alberto’s came. The rest is history. Today, over 70 variations have been reported across the Southwest states.
So, is this where the California burrito’s origin story starts?
Jose Robledo, whose parents founded Roberto’s back in 1964, says no. The second-generation owner told Slate that his family’s chain only started getting requests for California burritos in the ’90s. However, he does point towards another restaurant that’s part of the family: Lolita’s. He says that his nephew worked at Lolita’s in the 80s, and saw a regular customer who kept ordering a carne asada burrito, and bringing his own fries. He’d open the burrito, add his fries, and enjoy the brand new creation. He figured the guy must be up to something – added it to the menu (in one location), and it soon became a huge success.
But wait – there are more contestants to consider here. Santana’s Mexican Grill is another possible birthplace, with its tagline being “home of the California burrito.” However, there are no further details on this claim, nor a backstory.
Do we have a winner?
To put it simply…no. It seems that the story will forever have an open ending, unless someone stands up soon and shouts: IT WAS ME. While we may never be sure of its inventor…one’s thing for sure: the California burrito calls San Diego home, and Roberto’s made it as popular as it is today. The chain is still a power house, mainly in California and Nevada. In fact, Guy Fieri has heavily praised their carne asada burrito as one of the best he’s ever had. We won’t dispute that claim!