Breakfast Burritos

The breakfast burrito from Bodega off Butler at Lawrenceville Distillery.

Let’s say it’s 9 a.m. on a Saturday. Friday night happy hour turned into bar hopping, and you had one too many cocktails. You need food, something hearty enough to cut through the effects of that extra drink. Cue the breakfast burrito.

It’s hard to deny the appeal of a breakfast burrito. Beyond curing hangovers, they’re an easy, portable choice for a nutritious breakfast on the go. Running late? A breakfast burrito can travel with you. Almost missed the bus? Give your little ones a burrito for the ride.

According to Chowhound, the breakfast burrito is almost certainly an American creation. Some believe the breakfast wrap originated in New Mexico around the 1970s, evoking out of a burrito boom that began as early as the 1950s); others think it was born out of Austin, Texas, an area with a long affinity for breakfast tacos.

Whatever the origin story, we’re just happy breakfast burritos have remained a staple on menus across the country. Get a taste of what Pittsburgh has to offer! Whether you’re settling in for a Sunday brunch, ordering between meetings, or reviving yourself from a night out, your perfect breakfast burrito is on this list.

Lawrenceville Distilling Co.

After a brief hiatus, Bodega off Butler is back and serving up sandwiches, nachos, burritos, and more, out of Lawrenceville Distilling Co. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, settle in for a taste of the bodega’s breakfast burrito: a tortilla stuffed with meat (vegan and vegetarian options are available!), beans, delightfully sharp pickled red onions, and guiltily delicious nacho cheese.

Square Cafe

Vegan and vegetarian burritos make the menu at Square Cafe, East Liberty’s beloved breakfast and lunch spot. A flour tortilla is stacked with eggs (or an egg substitute in the vegan version), onions, peppers, mushrooms, and cheese, with salsa and sour cream on the side. Add a kick to your meal by pairing with the restaurant’s signature spicy, cayenne-studded Mexicocoa latte.

El Burro

The breakfast burrito at fast-casual Mexican-style eatery El Burro takes a Pittsburgh spin. Instead of hashbrowns, the wrap sports the regional classic: French fries. Find the fries wrapped up with eggs, cheese, and pico to make a simple, hearty breakfast. Grab your burrito to-go and weekend-brunch-it-up with this Carrot Bloody Mary.

La Palapa

The burrito at La Palapa is packed full: scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, cheese, rice, beans, pico de gallo, and sour cream take up the tortilla, which is finished off with green salsa and mole. Stop by the South Side restaurant for a full menu of brunch eats – we recommend ordering the burrito and the chilaquiles!

STORY BY MAGGIE WEAVER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE BRYCE