Burrito Bliss: Unleash Your Inner Flavor!

Don Senneville and Jim White

In the latest endeavor from The CUP, we shift our focus to a culinary exploration of breakfast burritos served in local Coffee Row establishments. As we embark on this new segment dubbed “burrito wars,” it’s crucial to dissect the nuances of what a burrito truly represents. The term “burrito,” which translates to “little donkey” in Spanish, hints at the dish’s propensity to carry a hefty array of ingredients. By some accounts, the name reflects the way a donkey might bear heavy loads, akin to the fillings stuffed inside a burrito. The exploration begins with a foundation of scientific curiosity.

Interestingly, while expanding our palate for breakfast burritos, we realize that detailed comparisons are essential. For context, the new McDonald’s in Cave Creek, although not part of Coffee Row, offers a breakfast burrito that raises eyebrows. Don has expressed his disappointment regarding their removal of the large yucca tree in the parking lot, alongside frustrations over recent developments affecting local greenery. To illustrate what’s inside a McBurrito, here’s a quick rundown of its components: scrambled egg, sausage crumbles, and mixed vegetables. The absence of any mention of the tortilla in their description is particularly vexing for Don.

Shifting our focus to local offerings, we sampled Fantastico’s Bacon Breakfast Burrito on a pleasant 77-degree morning. While enjoying this burrito, filled with ingredients like bacon, eggs, and cheese, we found ourselves seated on a patio overlooking Kiwanis. The assembly of the burrito was impressive, wrapped in a large flour tortilla paired with red and green salsas. The variety at Fantastico includes sausage, country, steak and egg, and more, making it a haven for burrito enthusiasts.

Our next stop was Carefree Coffee Roastery, where a breakfast burrito beckoned us. Emily, a friendly barista, served us a bacon burrito crafted with two scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado, gouda cheese, and pickled onions. Its combination evoked flavors from various regions—from the Yucatan’s rich avocados to the Swiss influence of cheese raclette. This culinary journey reveals that breakfast burritos aren’t just meals; they’re confluences of diverse cultural elements.

As our burrito wars continue, we welcome recommendations from our readers. Given that this article is being published around Halloween, it poses a delightful question: Trick or treat? If you have thoughts to share, feel free to reach out to Don and Jim via email.