National Burrito Day
April 2
About National Burrito Day
National Burrito Day is celebrated on the first Thursday of April each year in the United States. In 2026, it falls on Thursday, 2 April. The day honours one of the most versatile and satisfying foods in Mexican-American cuisine — the burrito — and is marked by special deals, creative recipes, and enthusiastic consumption across the country.
How to Celebrate National Burrito Day
From homemade creations to restaurant deals, there is no wrong way to celebrate:
- Visit your favourite burrito spot — Chains like Chipotle, Qdoba, and Moe’s Southwest Grill typically offer promotions on National Burrito Day. Independent taquerias often join in too, so check local listings.
- Build your own burrito at home — Set up a burrito bar with tortillas, seasoned meat or beans, rice, cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and all your favourite toppings. Let everyone in the household build their perfect creation.
- Try a breakfast burrito — Scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon or chorizo, and salsa wrapped in a warm tortilla make for an outstanding start to the day.
- Experiment with a new filling — Step outside your comfort zone with Korean BBQ, paneer tikka, jerk chicken, or pulled jackfruit. The burrito format is endlessly adaptable.
- Host a burrito rolling competition — Challenge friends to see who can roll the tightest, neatest burrito without any filling escaping. Bonus points for speed.
- Make a giant burrito — Use an extra-large tortilla and load it with everything you have. The bigger, the better on National Burrito Day.
- Learn about burrito history — Read up on the origins of the burrito and its journey from Mexico to the United States. The story is richer than most people realise.
- Share your creation online — Post your National Burrito Day feast on social media and tag your favourite burrito restaurant.
What is National Burrito Day?
National Burrito Day is an annual food celebration dedicated to the burrito, a dish consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling of meat, beans, rice, cheese, and various toppings. The day is observed primarily in the United States, where burritos have become one of the most popular fast-casual foods. Restaurants, food trucks, and home cooks all participate in the festivities.
When is National Burrito Day?
National Burrito Day falls on the first Thursday of April. In 2026, that is Thursday, 2 April. Because it is tied to a day of the week, the date changes each year.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, 2 April |
| 2027 | Thursday, 1 April |
| 2028 | Thursday, 6 April |
| 2029 | Thursday, 5 April |
| 2030 | Thursday, 4 April |
The History of National Burrito Day
The burrito’s origins stretch back to at least the late 19th century. The earliest known written reference to the word “burrito” appears in the Diccionario de Mejicanismos (Dictionary of Mexicanisms), published in 1895, where it is described as a rolled tortilla with meat or other fillings inside, eaten in Guanajuato. The name itself means “little donkey” in Spanish, and one popular theory suggests it refers to the bedrolls and packs that donkeys carried, which the wrapped tortilla resembles.
The modern burrito as Americans know it took shape along the US-Mexico border and in California during the early 20th century. Burritos began appearing on restaurant menus in the 1930s, with the El Cholo Spanish Cafe in Los Angeles among the first to serve them. The “mission-style” burrito — a larger, foil-wrapped version stuffed with rice, beans, meat, and toppings — was popularised in San Francisco’s Mission District in the 1960s and became the template for fast-casual chains like Chipotle.
A significant milestone came in 1956 when Duane R. Roberts invented the frozen burrito, making the dish accessible to a much wider audience. Today, burritos are a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States, enjoyed in every state and adapted to countless regional and international flavours. National Burrito Day itself emerged in the mid-2010s, driven by social media buzz and restaurant marketing campaigns. Fans of wrapped foods might also enjoy National Taco Day in October.
Fun Facts About National Burrito Day
- The largest burrito ever made weighed 12,785 pounds (approximately 5,800 kg) and was created by 54 restaurants with the help of 3,000 volunteers.
- The world record for fastest time eating a burrito is 44.20 seconds, set by British competitive eater Leah Shutkever.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill reported serving more than one billion burritos within its first 25 years of operation.
- The frozen burrito was invented in 1956 by Duane R. Roberts in California, revolutionising how Americans consumed the dish.
- In San Francisco’s Mission District, the average mission-style burrito weighs between 680 grams and 900 grams — roughly the size of a small football.
- Breakfast burritos, now ubiquitous across the United States, are believed to have originated in New Mexico in the mid-20th century.
Why National Burrito Day Matters
The burrito represents a culinary bridge between Mexican tradition and American innovation. It tells a story of cultural exchange, migration, and adaptation. National Burrito Day celebrates not only the food itself but the communities, families, and entrepreneurs who brought it from regional Mexican cuisine to global popularity. It is also a significant day for the restaurant and food-service industry, with many establishments using the occasion to attract new customers and reward loyal ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Burrito Day?
National Burrito Day is an annual food celebration on the first Thursday of April, honouring the burrito and its place in American culinary culture.
When is National Burrito Day in 2026?
National Burrito Day falls on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
Where did burritos originate?
Burritos originated in Mexico, with the earliest written reference appearing in 1895. The modern burrito as widely consumed in the United States evolved along the US-Mexico border and in California during the early to mid-20th century.
Spread the Word
Join the fiesta and share your best burrito creations on social media with #NationalBurritoDay and #NationalBurritoDay2026. Tag your favourite burrito spot and challenge your friends to build the ultimate wrap!
Related Awareness Days
- National Taco Day — Celebrated on 4 October, this day honours another cornerstone of Mexican-American cuisine.
- Eat What You Want Day — Observed on 11 May, this guilt-free food day encourages everyone to indulge in their favourite meals.
- National Fast Food Day — A celebration on 16 November of the fast food culture that helped bring burritos to the masses.
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