Best Burritos in Oakland: Fruitvale Tacos and More

The best burritos in Oakland are rolled along International Boulevard and in the Fruitvale district, where taquerias, pupuserias and tortillerias run for blocks. Taquerias famous in San Francisco and a pair of trucks are often named, and the Mission-style burrito, a big flour tortilla packed with meat, beans, rice and salsa, is the order.

Where are the best burritos in Oakland?

The best burrito is usually the one with a line out of the door. Walk International Boulevard through Fruitvale and you will pass taquerias from San Francisco chains, family counters and trucks parked in lots serving fish tacos, asada, carnitas and al pastor off the same flat top. A short walk and a look at who is eating will tell you a lot.

The burrito itself has a loose family tree. The San Francisco Mission version is famous, and the East Bay has its own taquerias that put their own spin on size, tortilla and salsa. Comparing a Fruitvale burrito with one from across the bay is a fun project, and a friend with a car can make it a full afternoon of eating.

Why are Fruitvale tacos so well known?

Fruitvale tacos are known because the district packs a huge range of Mexican cooking into a small area. International Boulevard runs taquerias, pupuserias and tortillerias for block after block. Look for suadero and adobada tacos at the taquerias, and for market stalls that grew out of taco trucks.

A good method is to try tacos at one place and a burrito at another. Fruitvale is compact enough to cover on foot, and its mix of stands makes it easy to compare.

Stay curious about the side dishes and drinks as well. Many taquerias serve fresh aguas frescas, tortilla chips with a sharp salsa and small cups of pickled carrots and jalapenos. Those little extras often tell you how much care the kitchen puts into the whole meal, not just the main attraction.

What should you look for at Oakland taco trucks?

Oakland taco trucks park in lots and along the boulevards, and the best ones show you what they cook. Look for a griddle covered in meat, a pot of beans and a tortilla press working. A long line of regulars is a good sign. Trucks often run on cash or a reader that can go down, so carry a few bills.

Hours change with the day and the weather. Check a recent post before driving across town, and expect the best items to sell out by late in the evening.

Order what the truck is known for, and avoid the long list if you cannot see how it is made. A trompo spinning with marinated pork, a pot of beans and a flat top full of meat tell you more than a printed menu does.

What is Oakland carnitas and why order it?

Oakland carnitas is pork, slowly cooked until tender and then crisped at the edges, and it is one of the best fillings for a burrito or a taco. It is rich, so it balances well with salsa, onion and cilantro. Many taquerias cook carnitas in large batches, which means the best pieces go early in the day.

Ask for a mix of tender meat and crisp bits if you can. Carnitas also reheats well, so a leftover half burrito makes a fine lunch the next day.

Pair it with a lime and a cold drink. Salsa verde or a smoky red salsa adds the acid that the rich pork needs. If you are building your own taco, pile on onion and cilantro, and add a spoonful of beans for a creamier bite.

How do you order a super burrito?

A super burrito adds sour cream, guacamole and cheese to the basics. Say the meat first, then the beans (whole or refried), then any extras. If you want it lighter, ask for no rice, as some Mission taquerias do. A foil wrap holds the burrito together while you eat, and you can peel it back as you go.

Salsa choices matter. Taste the mild salsa first, then work toward the hot one. A cup of agua fresca or horchata cools the heat between bites.

How can you eat well on a budget in Oakland?

Burritos and tacos are among the most filling meals in the city, and one burrito can be two meals. Share a burrito with a friend and add two tacos to taste more flavors. Look for lunch specials on the board and bring a card and cash in case one fails.

Seating is limited at many places, so plan to eat standing, in your car or on a nearby bench. A drive to Lake Merritt makes a picnic from a bag of tacos.

What else should you eat in the East Bay?

For more of Oakland, read the best dim sum in Oakland guide and the Temescal restaurants guide. Across the bay, cheap eats in San Francisco covers the Mission taquerias. See the full list on the US guides page.

How do you find your favorite burrito in Oakland?

Burritos blur together by the third taqueria. In the Mosey app you rate each burrito by the dish, so the carnitas super burrito from Fruitvale and the al pastor from a truck lot each keep their own score, along with a note on the tortilla and the salsa.

Add a Food Truck tag where it fits, start an Oakland burrito list and share the invite link with the friend who has opinions about foil. Follow your friends and you will see what they rate, too. After your next burrito, rate the dish in the Mosey app while you still remember it.