Tacos may be all the rage these days but don’t sleep on their bigger counterpart, the burrito. And no, we’re not talking about that chain bullshit. There are plenty of spots around town that serve up tasty burritos, whether you’re looking for something with authentic ingredients, more Tex-Mex style, breakfast burritos and even an Indian burrito spot.
Nuevo Acapulco
24409 Lorain Rd., North Olmsted
Too many margaritas? Too full of tacos to move? Never fear, you’re already in a restaurant connected to a motel! Coincidence? Don’t ask questions, just down another tapatio burrito, a 10 inch flour tortilla stuffed with rice, grilled chicken, chorizo and black beans and covered with white queso dip and pico de gallo. It’s an unexpected location for Mexican cuisine, and coupled with the occasional roaming magician it’s delightfully quirky.
Photo via Nuevo Acapulco/FacebookSi Señor
Multiple Locations
With two locations around town, including Kamm’s Corner and Seven Hills, Si Señor serves up delicious burros to many around Cleveland. And the vegetarian, filled with zucchini and other veggies, is one of the better vegetable burritos in town.
Photo via Si Señor Kamm’s Corner/FacebookGrumpy’s Cafe
2621 West 14th St., Cleveland
Grumpy’s Cafe has been a Tremont staple since 1976. Current owner and longtime employee Kathy Owad took over ownership in 2004 and after a fire, turned the new space into a laid-back, comfortable eatery that embraced the local art scene. Grumpy’s is known for having one of the best brunches in town, and the breakfast burrito is a star of the menu.
Photo via Scene ArchivesBest Damn Tacos
30111 Lorain Rd., North Olmsted
One of the more extensive burrito menus in town comes at this casual Mexican American spot in North Olmsted. Choose from carne, carnitas, classico, adobada pork, pollo, mole chicken, camaron, chimichurri bay scallop, blackened mahi, vegetarian or the charred harissa lime cauliflower burrito and you’ll definitely find it with ingredients and a taste fresher than that burrito chain.
Photo via Best Damn Tacos/FacebookBombay Burrito
36944 Vine St., Willoughby
An Indian burrito joint? Yup, you read that right. This beloved Willoughby joint serves burritos with basmati rice and your choice of Indian protein like tandoori paneer, tandoori chicken, chole, chapli kebab and falafel and is topped with different masala sauces, chutneys and delicious veggies.
Photo via Bombay Burrito/FacebookOhio City Burrito
Multiple Locations
Ohio City Burrito is best known for its Mission-style burritos, those tightly constructed torpedoes filled with meat, rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, lettuce and salsa. Priced around only $7, the Cal-Mex missiles are bonafide hunger snuffers.
Photo via Scene ArchivesLos Arcos
2175 South Green Rd., University Heights
This East Side spot located in University Heights is a fun atmosphere with weekly trivia. Trivia and burritos sounds like a great combination to us, and their shredded chicken is really good and juicy.
Photo via Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant/FacebookEl Señor’s at La Mexicana Grocery
170 East Washington St., Painesville
We promise your trip to be Painesville will be well worth the drive when you get your hands on El Señor’s burritos. A small restaurant attached to a supermarket, seating here is limited but flavor is plentiful.
Photo via Scene ArchivesLuchita’s
3456 West 117th St., Cleveland
One of the oldest Mexican joints in town, this place has been serving up food from south of the border since 1982. If you like spicy, their Burro de Tabasco is the way to go. Filled with steak, white rice, black beans, cactus, potatoes, chile chipotle, chile ancho, salsa tomatillo, it has the perfect mix of spice and flavor to be one of our favorite burritos in town.
Photo via @ScottBeNimble/InstagramEl Torito Tacos
10683 Ravenna Rd., Twinsburg
El Torito occupies an unassuming storefront in Twinsburg but its burritos are anything but unassuming. They’re huge, and delicious so get out to El Torito and try one.
Photo via El Torito Taqueria/FacebookLucky’s Cafe
777 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland
Lucky’s Cafe has won Scene’s best of brunch award so many times, we can’t keep count. And one of their stars of brunch? You guessed it, a breakfast burrito, made with scrambled eggs rolled into flour tortillas, covered with guajillo pepper sauce and cheddar cheese, baked in a casserole and drizzled with sour cream and cilantro cream sauce. It’s as good as it sounds.
Photo via @LuckysCafe/InstagramCilantro Taqueria
Multiple Locations
Fans of authentic Mexican and Cal-Mex food like tacos, tortas, burritos and bowls got a nice treat when this place opened in Cleveland Heights in early 2019, replacing a Chipotle. In less than two years, Cilantro has opened two additional locations in Shaker Heights and Lakewood and are quickly establishing themselves as one of the best Mexican spots in town.
Photo via Cilantro Taqueria/FacebookDon Ramon
Multiple Locations
This Mexican joint has probably the most extensive burrito menu in town. From the Burrito Tapatio, with shrimp and pineapple, to the Cheese Steak Burrito, which is exactly as it sounds, there’s no excuse not to fill your belly here, especially since they have locations all over town.
Photo via Don Ramon Mex Lyndhurst/FacebookLa Plaza Supermarket
13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood
All it takes to get your hands on what many deem the best tacos in Cleveland is venturing to the far back corner of a supermarket. While they are best known for their tacos, the burritos are just as good. Try the cactus.
Photo via Scene ArchivesEl Taco Macho
1613 Mentor Ave., Painesville
This hip Painseville taqueria opened in 2016 to much fanfare. They serve traditional tacos and also more modern ones. The quesadillas and burritos are delicious as well and the homemade salsas are *chef’s kiss*.
Photo via El Taco Macho/FacebookTapatias Taqueria
12501 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
The great thing about this relatively new West Side taqueria is the amount of different meat offerings available for your burrito. Choose from chicken, steak, chorizo, carnitas, tripa, lengua, barbacoa or pastor. There’s something for everyone, including a vegetable burrito as well.
Photo via Tapatias Taqueria/FacebookChili Peppers
869 East 185th St., Cleveland
There’s really no place in town like this build-your-own burrito joint in North Colinwood. With over 30 items, you can customize your burrito exactly the way you want. So if you don’t like it? You’re probably to blame because all the ingredients are fresh and delicious.
Photo via Scene ArchivesEl Jalapeño’s
1313 W. 117th St., Cleveland
When they’re called ‘burros’ instead of burritos, you know you’re getting something authentic, and that’s the case at this West Side spot. They have vegetarian, carnitas, fajitas, chicken or steak burros, but whichever one you get, make sure you add the melted cheese and salsa ranchero on top.
Photo via Scene ArchivesCamino Taco and Tequila Bar
1300 West Ninth St., Cleveland
This contemporary taco and tequila bar, that opened in 2014, fits right into the Warehouse District neighborhood it calls home. The carnitas burrito, with guacamole, pico de gallo, melted cheese, lime crema is our favorite. You can also get it in a bowl if that’s your thing.
Photo via @CaminoCleveland/InstagramVilla Y Zapata
8505 Madison Ave., Cleveland
Zapata is a no-frills Mexican restaurant with hefty portions. Heaping plates of chile rellenos, poblanos and chimichangas are all worth revisits. But since we’re talking burritos, it’s no surprise Villa does these right. One tip: Don’t skip the delicious guac.
Photo via Scene ArchivesHola Tacos
Multiple Locations
From the family who also operates the beloved Barroco Arepa Bars in they have assembled a concise but compelling menu of tacos that represent a nice selection of regional classics. And their Chile Colorado Burrito is one of the best in town. Choose from chicken tinga, al pastor, exquisite corn, coliflor, house chorizo, carne asada and birria beef and topped with chile marinade, mexican rice, refried beans, radish, cotija cheese and cilantro.
Photo via Scene Archives
