Beyond the tacos, the nachos, and the infamous margarita, the burrito is a staple item at the best Mexican restaurant at the Lake of the Ozarks. The exact origin of the burrito is hazy, but there are a few interesting pieces in its long history. Let's look at those possible origins, and at the history of an American favorite: the Mission Burrito.
Perfect Workplace Food
There are currently two stories that come to mind when the origin of the burrito is questioned. One is that early Mesoamericans used tortillas to wrap food, with fillings like chilies, mushrooms, avocados, and other vegetables. The other story begins with the Pueblo people in early Southwestern region of the United States. Their tortillas held beans and meat sauces which are much closer to the modern style burritos. Moving forward into the early 19th century, you still have two separate thoughts: Burrito's were created to store food by vaqueros (horse mounted livestock herder) or by the miners in Sonara, California for the same reason: they were easy to eat and then continue working.
The Origin of the Name "Burrito"
Juan Méndez was selling tacos from a stand in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Allegedly, he used a donkey for transport and to keep the food warm, he would wrap his food in large flour tortillas. Dubbing the wrapped tacos as a Burrito or food of the little donkey, Méndez soon found out that the name had stuck. The date of this popular folklore legend has been lost in time.
The Birth of the Mission Burrito
The type of burrito known to most Americans originated in the Mission District of San Francisco in the 1960's and 1970's. Mexican taco shops, known as Taquerías, began to create larger than regular burritos and used a steam table assembly method, complete with wrappings in aluminum foil. Popular fillings included carne asada (beef), Mexican style rice, whole beans (non-refried), sour cream and onion.
1970's to the Present
Mission burritos exploded with popularity, and Taquerías across the city began to create them. A few motivated businesses even took the recipe across the American nation. Here at Salsa on the Strip, we've taken the Mission burrito to the next level by offering fresh ingredients, an array of fresh and homemade salsas, with many new fillings to try. of course, the traditional ingredients are always available.
The History of the Burrito is Full of Mystery.
Luckily, at the best Mexican restaurant at Lake of the Ozarks, you can ponder the origins while you bite into a larger than life Mission style burrito. Come and see what makes our restaurant the best place to eat at Lake of the Ozarks. From the food to beverages, and our venue, you'll find a fabulous place all wrapped into one nice little package on the Bagnell Dam Strip. Our upstairs patio and bar area make for a perfect place to sit back and watch the clouds drift by, or see the Strip come to life. Come out and spend a beautiful Autumn evening with us enjoying the best burritos at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Salsa on the Strip - the Mexican food you love at the Lake you love
