Mexican cuisine is a longtime favorite in the US. According to the Pew Research Center, “11 percent of restaurants in the United States serve Mexican food.” Tacos, naturally, are one of the most beloved dishes. In fact, Americans reportedly consume a staggering 4.5 billion tacos every year.
But as much as we love a good taco, we’re here to talk about another Mexican staple that deserves equal time in the spotlight: the burrito. Specifically, the best plant-based burritos you can find across the US.
What is normally in a burrito?
The burrito—which translates to “little donkey” in Spanish, possibly referring to the animals once used to carry food—likely originated in northern Mexico sometime after Spanish colonization in the 16th century. Over time, the dish crossed the border and gained popularity in the US and beyond. Today, burritos are a global favorite, featured on menus around the world.
The first known written recipe appeared in the Diccionario de Mejicanismos in 1895. It described a burrito as a rolled tortilla filled with meat and other ingredients, and it’s a definition that still holds up.
Cena Vegan
Today, traditional versions often include beef, chicken, or pork, paired with beans, rice, sautéed vegetables like peppers and onions, and toppings such as cheese, salsa, and guacamole.
To make a delicious plant-based burrito, simply skip the meat and dairy. Tofu, jackfruit, or plant-based meat alternatives also make hearty, flavorful fillings, while dairy-free cheese and guacamole add the perfect finishing touches.
Or, skip the kitchen and head to one of the many restaurants across the US serving up seriously good plant-based burritos.
Where to find the best plant-based burritos in the US
Craving a burrito? Sure, you could hit up chains like Chipotle or Taco Bell—but for next-level flavor, check out some of the best spots we’ve rounded up below (listed in no particular order), from Los Angeles to Dallas to Phoenix and beyond.
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Cena Vegan
1 Cena Vegan
Los Angeles, CA
Cena Vegan has two popular locations in Los Angeles, both known for serving up delicious plant-based Mexican fare. The must-try? The Big Vegan Burrito, packed with beans, rice, chipotle cashew crema, red onions, guacamole, and your choice of protein. For a seriously meaty bite, go for the carne asada, al pastor, or carnitas.
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Tu Madre
2 Tu Madre
Los Angeles, CA
Another popular Los Angeles Mexican spot is Tu Madre, which has six locations across the county. Mouthwatering plant-based burrito choices include the fusion V-KBBQ, which features housemade mushroom bulgogi, the eggplant soyrizo with crispy kale, and the fried avocado with avocado tempura.
Find it here
El Cocinero
3El Cocinero
Van Nuys, CA
El Cocinero is a must-visit, especially if you’re after a burrito feast. Build your own with fillings like beans, plant-based meat, purple cabbage, and pico de gallo, or go all-in on one of the specials. The Surf and Turf is a standout, loaded with savory vegan beef, shrimp, and melty dairy-free mozzarella.
Find it here
Tacotarian
4 Tacotarian
Las Vegas, NV and San Diego, CA
The clue is in the name, but you can always rely on Tacotarian’s restaurants across Las Vegas and San Diego to deliver delicious tacos. But this popular Mexican spot offers next-level burritos, too. Go for choices like beans, mushroom asada, and Beyond Beef, or try the indulgent Cali Burrito, stuffed with French fries and house-made nacho cheese.
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Casa Del Vegano
5Casa Del Vegano
Dallas, TX
At Dallas’ Casa Del Vegano, burrito lovers have plenty of options. Craving something indulgent? Go for the Burrito de Bistec y Papas con Queso, loaded with vegan beef and drenched in gooey queso. Prefer to keep things lighter? The veggie burrito delivers with chipotle pineapple, kale, spinach, rice, black beans, and fresh salsa.
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Mad Mex
6Mad Mex
Multiple locations
This Pennsylvania-based Mexican chain has been a firm favorite in the state since the 1990s. Head to one of its nine locations across Pittsburgh, Monroeville, Erie, Cranberry Township, and Canonsburg to try one of its huge burritos with organic crispy tofu or portobello mushrooms.
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Jajaja Mexicana
7Jajaja Mexicana
Multiple locations
New York favorite Jajaja Mexicana is the place to go for delicious empanadas, tacos, and hearty, nourishing bowls, but while you’re there, you can’t not order one of its signature burritos. Choose from the chorizo burrito with Spanish rice or the Heuvo Burrito with vegan eggs and mushrooms.
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Phatties
8Phatties
Escondido, CA
Another must-visit Mexican spot in California is Phatties in Escondido. This eatery serves up a feast of traditional, authentic flavors, including six different vegan burritos. From the Beyond Steak Asada to the Surf and Turf and the California, good luck picking just one.
Find it here
Vegos
9Vegos
Albuquerque, NM
Vegos offers top-notch New Mexican cuisine, with a twist: everything is made with plant-based ingredients. There are five tasty burritos to choose from, including seitan, Cheezy Bean and Rice, and Sandia, which features fried tofu and sweet potatoes.
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Mis Tacones
10 Mis Tacones
Portland, OR
Portland always delivers delicious plant-based eats, and Mis Tacones is no exception. Try the house wet burrito with seitan asada, or maybe go for the crispy, deep-fried La Chimi topped with garlic cashew crema. Whatever you choose, you’re in for a treat.
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Son Del North
11 Son Del North
New York, NY
The best Mexican food in the US is often found in the border states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, but New York holds its own. Case in point: Sol Del North. Its vegan Cauliflower Chorizo con Papas burrito features vegan chorizo, roasted poblano peppers, and salsa verde.
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12Turmerico
Tuscon, AZ
This vegetarian Tucson gem is run by James Beard Best Chef semifinalist Wendy Garcia. On the menu: two flavorful burritos made with vegan carnitas, al Pastor, and the house special: the Turmerico burrito.
Find it here
El Palote Panaderia
13 El Palote Panaderia
Dallas, TX
El Palote, the first vegan Mexican restaurant in Dallas, is the go-to spot for vibrant, flavor-packed plant-based tacos, enchiladas, and, of course, burritos. You can’t go wrong with the classic loaded burrito, but if you’re after something extra, try the Flaurrito: a loaded burrito stuffed with three bistec flautas, rice, beans, avocado, tomato, queso, and pickled jalapeños.
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Nissi Vegan
14Nissi Vegan
Austin, TX
At Austin’s Nissi Vegan, the churro nachos are a must-try dessert. But first, the main event. The Burrito Plate, loaded with refried beans and your choice of vegan protein, is one of the standout dishes on the menu.
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Tacos Veganos
15 Tacos Veganos
Phoenix and Avondale, AZ
Don’t let the name fool you. This popular Arizona eatery, with locations in both Phoenix and Avondale, serves more than just tacos. Its Arizona Burrito is a customer favorite, packed with vegan meat, French fries, rice, nacho cheese, guacamole, sour cream, onions, and cilantro.
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Gracias Madre
16 Gracias Madre
West Hollywood, CA
At Gracias Madre, the burrito isn’t just a menu item—it’s a moment. This elevated take on a plant-based classic wraps organic, locally sourced ingredients in a warm, housemade tortilla, then layers on the flavor with smoky jackfruit carnitas or tempeh chorizo, creamy cashew crema, and a drizzle of mole that ties it all together.
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Happy Cow
17 Taqueria La Venganza
This is not your average vegan burrito—it’s a bold, unapologetic flavor bomb. Taqueria La Venganza’s burrito is massive, messy in the best way, and stuffed to the brim with housemade plant-based meats like smoky carne asada, tender mushroom carnitas, or spicy al pastor. Add in creamy beans, rice, salsa, and their signature sauces, and you’ve got a handheld meal that hits every nostalgic note of classic taqueria fare.
Find it here
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
