10 Burrito Styles Compared Side By Side

Craving a perfect burrito but unsure which style truly fits your mood? This guide lines up ten beloved burrito genres so you can compare textures, fillings, sauces, and the whole eating experience side by side.

From foil-wrapped Mission monsters to smothered New Mexican classics and crispy chimichangas, you will spot the exact vibe you want fast. Let’s unwrap the flavors and find your new favorite bite.

1. Mission-style (San Francisco)

This is the iconic San Francisco meal-in-one, a burrito built like a blueprint for satisfaction. A giant flour tortilla hugs rice, beans, juicy meat, bright salsa, melted cheese, sour cream, and guac.

Wrapped tight and swaddled in foil, it eats cleanly and stays warm.

You get layered bites where every ingredient shows up without stealing the show. The heft makes it lunch and dinner in one go, especially if you pace yourself.

Grab extra salsa on the side if you want more heat, but you rarely need it.

2. San Diego-style

San Diego keeps it simple and meat-forward, often starring carne asada and those beloved fries. The flour tortilla is thinner and less bulky than Mission versions, so each bite feels lighter but still indulgent.

Cheese melts into the steak juices while pico adds snap.

Salsa or a creamy sauce rides shotgun, letting you manage the heat. You will taste charred beef first, then crispy-soft fries bridging crunch and comfort.

It is a laid-back, surf-town handheld that travels well.

3. Breakfast Burrito

Mornings call for eggs, potatoes, and melty cheese tucked inside a tight flour tortilla. Add bacon, sausage, or chorizo for salty depth, and you have a mobile diner plate.

Hash browns bring the crunch that keeps every bite exciting.

Salsa or hot sauce is basically mandatory, brightening the richness and waking you up. It is hearty without fuss, the kind you can eat one-handed while planning your day.

Pair with coffee and you are unstoppable.

4. New Mexican (Red or Green Chile)

Here, chile is the star and everything else supports it. A flour tortilla wraps meat and beans, sometimes potatoes, then the whole thing gets smothered with red or green chile and melted cheese.

It arrives plated, steaming, and begging for a fork.

Expect depth and roasted heat rather than just spice. The tortilla might be lightly crisped first, adding texture beneath that saucy blanket.

Order Christmas for both red and green and thank yourself later.

5. Tex-Mex

This one leans cheesy, cozy, and saucy, like a hug disguised as dinner. Seasoned ground beef or tender shredded beef mingle with beans inside a medium-to-large tortilla.

Then it swims in queso or chili-style sauce with extra cheese melting everywhere.

Rice is optional, but comfort is not. Sour cream cools the heat and adds silkiness that ties each bite together.

Often plated, sometimes handheld if you keep things tidy, it delivers dependable, indulgent satisfaction.

6. Sonoran-style (Northern Mexico and Arizona)

Sonoran-style keeps balance at the center. Grilled meats and beans lead, with maybe a little cheese and fresh salsa, but not heavy dairy.

The tortilla is flour and pliable, and the filling is measured so each flavor shines.

You will notice how clean it eats and how bright the salsa feels. It is handheld, unfussy, and built for everyday lunches.

Less is more here, and that restraint makes it craveable.

7. Chimichanga

Fried until golden and crackly, a chimichanga turns a burrito into a textural event. Inside, you will usually find shredded beef or chicken with beans and cheese.

The sealed tortilla crisps up, creating shatter and softness in the same bite.

It is plated, often crowned with guac, sour cream, and salsa, sometimes even queso. Expect rich, savory, and celebratory energy.

Fork and knife help, but fingers might win once you hear that crunch.

8. Wet Burrito (Burrito Mojado)

Think enchilada’s bigger cousin, drenched and proud. A rolled flour tortilla sits seam-side down, then gets bathed in sauce and finished with melted cheese.

Inside, expect meat and beans, with rice optional depending on the house style.

It is unmistakably a plated experience with a fork, knife, and plenty of napkins. The payoff is molten, saucy comfort in every scoop.

If you love drippy edges and cheesy corners, this is your move.

9. California Fresh Modern Style

Modern California builds go heavy on freshness and customization. Grilled proteins meet beans, maybe rice, and lots of vegetables, all tucked into an extra-large tortilla.

Pico, salsa verde, or crema-style sauces keep everything lively without weighing it down.

You get big flavor with a lighter finish, perfect for lunch on the move. Think bright herbs, crisp textures, and balanced bites.

It feels flexible, friendly, and built to match your cravings.

10. Sushi Burrito (Fusion)

Swap flour tortillas for nori and rice, and the sushi burrito appears. Inside, you might find raw or cooked seafood, crunchy tempura bits, creamy avocado, and crisp veggies.

Spicy mayo and soy-based dips add zip without burying the fish.

It stays handheld, clean, and photogenic, with big rolls that slice beautifully. Expect cool temperatures and bright textures rather than melty cheese.

It is a playful bridge between rolls and wraps.