National Burrito Day is a holiday that falls on the first Thursday in April every year. It’s a day when everyone can enjoy one of the world’s favorite Mexican dishes, one that relies on the versatility and strength of a flour or corn tortilla filled with delectable ingredients. Whether you love pork, chicken, beef, or even a veggie burrito, this is a day you’ll want to mark on your calendar.

The History Of National Burrito Day

Although the origin of National Burrito Day is currently unknown, we do know that the food it celebrates dates back to at least the 19th century. The oldest mention of the word “burrito” was found in the Dictionary of Mexicanisms—a book dating back to 1895. This means that the burrito is at least 126 years old—although, in reality, burritos are probably much older and have likely been made for quite some time.

The term “burrito” is a Spanish word that means “little donkey,” and it’s believed they were so named because a rolled-up burrito resembles the bedrolls that donkeys used to carry. Before the burrito was introduced into the U.S., it had already become a popular food item in the areas of Guerrero and Guanajuato in Mexico.

From Guerrero and Guanajuato, burritos were brought to the areas of Stockton and Fresno, California, by migrant workers during the 1910s and 1920s. It wouldn’t be until the early 1930s, however, that burritos would begin to appear on the menus of some Californian restaurants. As the burrito migrated northwards, some of its characteristics began to change as well. For example, Mexican burritos were known to consist mainly of meat and beans inside a corn tortilla. American burritos, on the other hand, were usually made with flour tortillas and a variety of ingredients including meat, cheese, salsa, lettuce, and tomatoes.

By the 1950s, burritos had spread across the entire continental United States, and by 1964, the first frozen burrito was being made and sold. In 1975, Tia Sophia’s in Santa Fe, New Mexico, began selling a new burrito invention called the breakfast burrito—although Mexicans had already been wrapping their Huevos Rancheros in flour tortillas long before this menu item was invented. In 1991, McDonald’s began to sell breakfast burritos filled with American cheese, sausage, eggs, and onions.

How To Observe National Burrito Day

Celebrating this holiday is straightforward. All one has to do is find and enjoy some of their favorite burritos. It doesn’t matter if the burritos are the Americanized versions sold by Taco Bell or other fast-food restaurants, or if they’re more like authentic Mexican burritos. It might even be a good day to try making your own burritos using some of your favorite ingredients. No matter how you celebrate it, just be sure to use the hashtag #NationalBurritoDay so everyone can see the marvelous burrito you’re enjoying for the day.