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America's Melting Pot
Mission Burrito hero image coming soon
1946-1969 - Mexican-American communities and restaurateurs in San Francisco's Mission District
The Mission Burrito is a large, wrapped burrito style that emerged in San Francisco's Mission District during the postwar era. Known for its generous fillings of rice, beans, meats, and fresh toppings, it became a defining element of West Coast Mexican-American cuisine, reflecting the cultural exchange and suburban dining trends of the mid-20th century.
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Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
25 minutes
Cook time
15 minutes
Total time
40 minutes
Servings
4 burritos
Region
West Coast
Era introduced
1946-1969
Introduced by
Mexican-American communities and restaurateurs in San Francisco's Mission District
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Developed in San Francisco's Mission District between 1946 and 1969, the Mission Burrito became emblematic of Mexican-American culinary innovation on the West Coast. Unlike traditional Mexican burritos, the Mission version features large flour tortillas generously filled with rice, beans, proteins, cheeses, and fresh vegetables, catering to the postwar suburban appetite for hearty, portable meals. It reflects a fusion of immigrant culinary traditions with American dining culture and is celebrated as a quintessential regional fast food with broad popular appeal.
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