The 9 Best Burritos In Chicago

Like fire exits and bathrooms, you should always know where the nearest great burrito is. That is why we made this list. Well, that and to have an excuse to eat carne asada wrapped up in tortillas all over Chicago. Trust us when we say that you’ll want to know what every single one of these tastes like.

Martinez Supermarket

Despite its name, the Baby Burrito from this market-restaurant-bar hybrid in Bridgeport is absolutely massive—one half is nearly as big as the average human face. Yet despite its size, the burrito never falls apart as you make your way through the balanced combination of salty beans, crisp vegetables, and charred steak. And it’s all wrapped up in what might be the crackliest pressed tortilla we’ve ever encountered on our burrito hunt. If you’re feeling really ambitious (or just have a bunch of hungry friends) give their comically large $60 Big Baby Burrito a shot—it’s quadruple the size of their regular one.

El Habanero

The tortilla from El Habanero in Logan Square is a textural paradox—it’s somehow perfectly crispy yet still very fluffy. But we won’t question the burrito sorcery behind it, especially when the juicy chunks of steak inside are cooked and seasoned so well. It might be a little heavy-handed on the lettuce, but we can’t deny its crunchiness. And though this burrito doesn’t come with official directions, definitely slather their thick, garlicky tomato salsa after each bite.

Huaraches Doña Chio

Compared to other burritos on this list, Huarache Doña Chio’s is more welterweight than heavyweight. But don’t underestimate this Edgewater representative. Surprisingly dense, this svelte burrito is loaded with expertly cooked meat, beans, vegetables, avocado, sour cream, and cheese, and packs a flavorful punch. It’s tightly rolled like they outsourced the job to a professional from Macy’s gift-wrapping department, and it’s organized with just the right amount of creaminess, saltiness, and a burst of freshness from diced tomatoes.

Diego

Despite primarily being a seafood spot, some of the best food at Diego is meat-based. Case in point: the excellent Cali-style steak burrito. Fries in burritos can often be soggy, mealy detractors. Here, they’re crispy and golden, packed tightly in a flour tortilla along with perfectly cooked steak. We’re willing to suffer through a hangover just for the chance to be cured by—what we’re dubbing—the pride and joy of West Town .

Xocome Antojeria

We don’t have a guide (yet) called “The Best Steak Bits In Chicago,” but when we do, the asada from Xocome Antojeria will have a top spot. And the thoroughly seasoned, pleasantly chewy pieces are just one reason we love the huge carne asada burrito from this Archer Heights spot that’s one of our favorite restaurants in the city . It’s also got a nice freshness from lettuce and tomato, and every single bite is consistent. If you order this incredible burrito for dine-in, it comes on a plate with a knife in the middle. Consider that a suggestion for sharing, but just know you won’t want to.

El Tragón Taqueria

El Tragón Taqueria isn’t just a convenient place to grab some Mexican food to process the trauma of spending $300 to fill up your gas tank at the adjacent Mobil. This Lincoln Park spot is a burrito destination in its own right. The meat-rice-beans-pico-sour cream ratio creates an ideal balance of salty, tangy, smoky, and acidic flavors, neatly encapsulated in a crisp griddle-pressed tortilla. Any of the meat options are fantastic, but we especially like the al pastor or the smoky asada. Add some of their excellent housemade salsa and prepare to be in burrito heaven.

Taco Max Mexican Grill

Aside from being a solid setup for 24 games of tic-tac-toe, the crosshatch griddle marks on Taco Max’s burrito ensures prime crispiness. And this Albany Park burrito takes structural integrity seriously—it even enlists a duo of toothpicks for additional reinforcement. There’s a clear division between the sections of crispy charred meat and the layer of sour cream and vegetables, so plan a precise angle of attack to get it all in one chomp. Even a little jaw stretching will go a long way to help the flavors and textures come together in the ideal burrito bite.

Aztec Dave's Cantina

Aztec Dave’s in Humboldt Park offers several proteins (steak, shrimp, pork, fish, and chicken) with varied preparations to fill their burritos, tacos, and tortas. But our favorite at this cantina is their asada burrito, which is loaded with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and sour cream. It strikes an excellent ratio of juicy, charred meat to beans and cheese, and Dave’s carefully wraps it like they’re swaddling a newborn baby.

Gordillas

This local chain is known for their gorditas and tacos, and the latter automatically come with no toppings. But the large carne asada burrito here doesn’t hold back—it has a generous amount of avocado, cheese, and steak pieces that give the best bites a peppery kick. Order it as a full meal with some rice and beans, pair it with their tasty piña colada, and bask in its glory.