In the mid-'80s to early-'90s, there was a catering truck run by a nice Filipina, that made the best breakfast burritos. And they were huge. The tortilla must have been a foot across. Inside there were two over-easy eggs, two sausage links, two rashers of bacon, a thick slice of ham (nice and salty), and hashbrowns. And maybe cheese. I don’t remember. I always added some of those hot pickled carrots, and usually added a goodly smear of Vegemite.
I’ve never found another breakfast burrito as good. Several years ago I suggested the idea to the corner gas station/convenience store. They started making ‘meat lovers’ burritos. The thing is, their hashbrowns aren’t great, the sausage (patty) is bland, the ham was thin-sliced for sandwiches, the eggs were scrambled, and the bacon was ‘just OK’. I’ve tried making the catering truck breakfast burritos at home, but they’re not quite right. I never have those hot pickled vegetables, nor thick ham steaks. And hashbrowns took a lot of work before I got a food processor.
We don’t really do breakfast burritos now. Mrs. L.A. demands hashbrowns, eggs, and bacon Saturday mornings. Sunday is usually pancakes and sausage patties, or biscuits and (bacon, sausage, bacon-and-sausage, or creamed chipped beef) gravy. Occasionally we’ll have bacon or sausage, egg, and cheese muffins or biscuits. She complains I make burritos too big. And anyway, if I’m making hashbrowns, then we’re having the hashbrowns.
Nowadays I have to content myself with chorizo con papas (and egg) breakfast burritos from AM/PM. They’re actually pretty good. But I’d sure like a breakfast burrito like the ones I got back in the day…
Surprisingly, Del Taco turns out a pretty good breakfast burrito if you tweak it a little. If I was going to order one (and I don’t, because I’m sticking to my diet and not eating junk for breakfast anymore, honest and truly!!), I’d get an Epic Chorizo Scrambler, add lettuce and extra diced tomatoes. Eggs, cheese, some pretty spicy chorizo, hash brown sticks, a decent salsa, cilantro…it’s all good. And if you throw away the tortilla and eat it as a “bowl” you save about 400 calories.
I think I’m on your wife’s side. That burrito you’re describing sounds horrible.
I prefer the smaller ones. I think the flour tortilla should be well in balance with the amount of ingredients in the burrito. The flour tortilla should contribute to the flavor of the burrito. Rather than just act as a functional device to cram as much food stuffs down your throat as possible.
Also, egg or potato should take a lions share of the burritos contents rather than breakfast meats.
And I’m a HUGE meat lover.
I do chorizo and eggs (or sometimes breakfast sausage and eggs) with either red or green salsa, depending on my mood, on a flour tortilla about 8 inches in diameter.
If you’re in Denver check out Santiago’s they make the best breakfast burritos and their hot is actually hot and if you’re a pepper belly their extra hot is warm enough I can only eat 2 or 3. The down side is they’re small and even for normal people 2 is a meal and us big people can eat a half dozen.
Your giant breakfast burrito sounds awesome and I’d love to find someone around here that make them. Of course there is a del taco a block from my house so I may have to follow silenus’ advice and walk on down there one morning.
Y’all are in the bush leagues. Come to South Texas to find out what breakfast tacos are all about…
Usually served on flour tortillas, but also on corn. If you can find homemade corn tortillas, they are the best. You’ll find most of these choices (and possibly more) at any hole-in-the wall mom & pop Mexican restaurant from Austin on south.
Papa & Egg (papa - potato)
Bean & Cheese
Chorizo & Papa
Chorizo & Bean
Papa & Bean
Bean & Cheese
Bean & Egg
Chorizo & Egg
Wiener & Egg
Rice & Beans
Bacon & Egg (mix)
Bean & Bacon
Papa Ranchera
Huevo a la Mexicana
Miga Taco (Migas are eggs and homemade corn tortilla strips scrambled together)
Ham & Egg
Bacon & Egg (one strip)
Bacon (two strips)
Papa & Bacon
Papa & Sausage
Sausage & Egg
Nopal & Egg (Nopal - cactus pads)
Nopal a la Mexicana
Country Guisada
Picadillo
Chicken Fajita
Chilaquiles
Machacado & Egg
Pork Steak
Pork Chop
Al Pastor
Carne Guisada
Carne Asada
Morcilla
Barbacoa (NOT “barbecue” - it’s the meat from the cow’s head - tried it once, Did. Not. Like)
Asada a la Mexicana
Beef Fajita
Lengua Guisada (tongue)
Taco de Tripa
Fajita Ranchera