Ethan Brooks
Breakfast tacos are a staple in Texas, with Austin being dubbed the birthplace of the breakfast taco. However, the popularity of breakfast tacos in California, specifically in Los Angeles, has sparked a debate between Texans and Californians. While some sources claim that breakfast tacos are hard to come by in LA, others list several restaurants in the city that serve them. The main difference between breakfast tacos and burritos is their size, with burritos being larger and having more fillings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Breakfast tacos common in California | No, breakfast burritos are more common |
| Breakfast tacos common in Texas | Yes, especially in San Antonio, Austin, and South Texas |
| Typical fillings | Eggs, cheese, salsa, refried beans, chorizo, potato, bacon, avocado, beef, and more |
| Typical tortilla | Corn tortilla, flour tortilla |
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What You'll Learn
Breakfast tacos in LA
Breakfast tacos are a popular breakfast item in Texas, especially in San Antonio and Austin, where they are said to have originated. They are so popular, in fact, that Texans have been known to spark intense passions debating whether breakfast tacos or California breakfast burritos are better.
While breakfast burritos are one of the most beloved breakfast items in LA, breakfast tacos are also available in the City of Angels. Here are some of the best places to find breakfast tacos in Los Angeles:
HomeState, Los Feliz
Tex-Mex is the name of the game at HomeState, which serves up Texas-inspired breakfast tacos wrapped in foil, just like they do in Austin. Try the Trinity (scrambled eggs, bacon, potato, cheese) or the Frio (refried beans and cheese), and don't forget to dip your tacos in their famous queso.
Guisados
Guisados is a cult favorite in Los Angeles for its breakfast pork. Try its Weenie con Huevo, featuring potatoes, queso amarillo, and chopped hot dogs, or one of their many other breakfast taco options, including chorizo, potato, and hot dog.
Literati Café
Literati Café offers Westsiders flour tortillas topped with scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar, pico, chipotle sauce, and guacamole. They also have an option with tofu "eggs" and frijoles for vegans.
The Wood
For another vegetarian option, head to Culver City, where The Wood serves up eggs scrambled with soyrizo and topped with cheddar, avocado, and salsa on corn tortillas.
The Corner Deli
Tucked away in the corner of a gas station, The Corner Deli serves up delicious breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs, a choice of meat, cheese, and the very necessary hybrid guacasalsa.
The Griddle
Brave the line at The Griddle for their "Kicking and Screaming" breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs, jack cheese, pico, and chipotle cream sauce. Don't forget to order a side of their Frisbee-sized pancakes!
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Breakfast burritos vs breakfast tacos
Breakfast burritos and breakfast tacos have sparked a passionate debate, especially in Texas. The exact origins of breakfast tacos will likely be debated forever by Texans, but it is generally agreed that they have deep roots in Texas and were made popular in San Antonio. Breakfast tacos were born out of cross-pollinating Mexican culture with Anglo-Germanic ingredients that were available in Texas. The recipe is simple: take a tortilla—either corn, flour, or wheat—and stuff it with desired breakfast ingredients such as eggs, cheese, salsa, refried beans, and meat.
Breakfast burritos, on the other hand, have been a national favourite in the US since McDonald's added them to its menu in the 1990s. They are typically made with a large flour tortilla and are often larger in size than breakfast tacos. While the ingredients may overlap with breakfast tacos, the key difference is that breakfast burritos are wrapped up tightly into a closed-ended tube, whereas breakfast tacos are often left open.
The preference for breakfast burritos vs breakfast tacos seems to come down to regional differences within Texas. For example, Texans in the southern part of the state, such as in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Austin, and the Rio Grande Valley, typically refer to their breakfast wraps as "tacos", while those in the northern part of the state, such as in Midland and Dallas-Fort Worth, call them "burritos". Interestingly, West Texans and Californians visiting Brownsville, Texas, have been known to insist that the large breakfast wraps served there are actually burritos, not tacos.
The debate over breakfast burritos vs breakfast tacos has even sparked a map and "I-20 theory", which suggests that people north of Interstate 20 are Team Burrito, while those south are Team Taco. However, the situation is not so clear-cut for Texans living on the dividing line.
While breakfast burritos may be more popular at a national level, breakfast tacos hold a special place in the hearts of many Texans and have become a cheap, go-to necessity in cities like Austin. The ability to customise your breakfast taco with various fillings and tortilla types also adds to its appeal. As Amber Bracegirdle, a San Antonio native, puts it: "The beautiful thing about breakfast tacos is being able to choose more than one favourite to complete your meal."
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Breakfast taco origins
Breakfast tacos are a popular dish in California, but their origins are a matter of debate. Some sources trace the roots of breakfast tacos to Texas, specifically Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. Others argue that they originated in northern Mexico and made their way to Texas, becoming a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine.
Texans take their breakfast tacos seriously, and there is fierce competition among cities within the state for the title of the breakfast taco capital. The rivalry between Austin and San Antonio has been dubbed the "Breakfast Taco War", with each city claiming to be the birthplace of this beloved dish.
Austinites of all backgrounds consider breakfast tacos a cheap, go-to necessity. The breakfast taco is said to have been born out of cross-pollinating Mexican culture with Anglo-Germanic ingredients readily available in Texas. The Vasquez family, inspired by the to-go taco stands they encountered in California, established the first Tamale House in Austin, where customers could order tacos for breakfast. The popularity of breakfast tacos in Austin grew, and it became known as the birthplace of the phrase "breakfast taco", sparking its widespread popularity.
However, San Antonians strongly dispute this claim, arguing that their city made breakfast tacos popular stateside. The earliest recorded mention of the phrase "breakfast tacos" was in a 1975 entry in "The Arizona Republic" about a dish served in San Antonio. Regardless of the exact city of origin, breakfast tacos have deep roots in Texas and have become an iconic part of the state's food culture.
Ultimately, the origins of breakfast tacos can be traced to Mexico, where they were known as "tacos de guisados." They made their way north and evolved as they crossed borders, reflecting the culinary influences of the regions they travelled through.
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Breakfast taco variations
Breakfast tacos are versatile and can be made with a variety of ingredients. They are typically made with eggs, which can be scrambled or fried, and wrapped in a tortilla, with other ingredients added to taste.
One popular variation is to include meat in the form of bacon, breakfast sausage, ground chicken, chorizo, or carnitas. For a vegetarian option, you can use soyrizo or simply omit the meat.
For extra protein, you can add high-protein scrambled eggs or cottage cheese eggs. You can also add some bacon or pork, such as slow cooker carnitas or air fryer bacon.
Vegetables can also be included, such as sautéed mushrooms, roasted sweet potatoes, diced bell peppers, garlic sautéed spinach, or sautéed kale. Hash browns, either sweet potato or cauliflower, are another tasty option.
Cheese is a popular addition, with options such as shredded cheddar, queso fresco, crumbled goat cheese, feta cheese, or cotija cheese.
Avocado is a common ingredient in breakfast tacos, providing a creamy texture. You can also add herbs such as cilantro, as well as hot sauce or salsa for a kick of spice and flavor.
Other variations include using refried beans, black beans, or pinto beans, and topping the taco with sour cream, sliced scallions, or pickled jalapeños.
The options for breakfast taco variations are endless, and you can get creative with your favorite ingredients to make a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Breakfast taco culture
Breakfast tacos are a staple of Texas cuisine, with Austin being regarded as the birthplace of the breakfast taco. The dish is a fusion of Mexican culture and Anglo-Germanic ingredients available in Texas. The typical breakfast taco is made with a tortilla, stuffed with breakfast ingredients such as eggs, cheese, salsa, and refried beans, and wrapped in foil. While the exact origins of the breakfast taco are debated, it is believed to have originated in the kitchens of immigrant Mexican families in Texas.
In California, breakfast burritos are more common than breakfast tacos. Breakfast burritos are typically larger than breakfast tacos and are made with a bigger flour tortilla. The ends of the tortilla are tucked in and rolled, and they do not typically include rice. Breakfast burritos have been a national favourite since McDonald's added them to their menu in the 1990s.
Despite the popularity of breakfast burritos in California, there are still some places in the state where one can find breakfast tacos. In Los Angeles, for example, there are several restaurants and vendors that serve breakfast tacos, including HomeState, Guisados, and street vendors in Koreatown.
The debate between breakfast tacos and breakfast burritos has sparked passionate discussions among food enthusiasts, particularly between supporters of Texas and California cuisine. Some argue that burritos only offer one flavour and texture profile, while breakfast tacos allow for more variety. However, others argue that there is not much difference between the two dishes, and that a burrito is simply a larger version of a taco.
While the breakfast taco may have originated in Texas, its influence has spread beyond the state, and it has become a beloved dish in other parts of the country, including California. The accessibility and customizability of the breakfast taco have contributed to its growing popularity, making it a go-to breakfast option for many.
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Frequently asked questions
Breakfast tacos are more commonly associated with Texas, where they are considered a staple of food culture. However, they can also be found in California, especially in Los Angeles.
Breakfast tacos are said to have originated in Texas, with Austin being the birthplace of the phrase "breakfast taco". They were born out of cross-pollinating Mexican culture with Anglo-Germanic ingredients that were available in Texas.
Breakfast tacos are typically made with a tortilla, stuffed with breakfast ingredients such as eggs, cheese, salsa, and refried beans. They can also include other ingredients like bacon, chorizo, or even steak and eggs.
Breakfast tacos and breakfast burritos have similar ingredients, but there are some key differences. Breakfast burritos are typically larger in size and use a bigger flour tortilla, while breakfast tacos are smaller and can use either flour or corn tortillas.
