The Country's Most Over-The-Top Burritos

We take celebrating seriously with our favorite food group

Although it's actually a minor holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo, the day the Mexican Army defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla, is a major deal here in the United States. So we celebrate accordingly: by blissfully slinging back tacos and margs.

This year, ring in the holiday with an inventive burrito. We can't get enough of these nine unique versions, which take influences from Indian, Cuban, Chinese and many more cuisines, then mash them into a tidy, handheld meal.

① Jamburrito

Mexicue (New York City, NY)

Mexicue's Jamburrito features jambalaya that's been amped up with smoked chicken, chiles, creamy chipotle sauce, house-fried tortilla strips, cotija cheese and slow-simmered black beans.

② Adoborito

2nd City (New York City, NY)

This Filipino taqueria packs kimchi fried rice, chicken adobo—a recipe from chef/owner Jordan Andino's grandmother—and lettuce into a warm tortilla.

③ Smothered Curry Burrito with Breaded Oysters

HRD Coffee Shop (San Francisco, CA)

If you like your burritos wet, try this cult favorite, filled with homemade kimchi and fried breaded oysters. It's then doused in velvety Japanese curry and topped off with kimchi aioli, hot sauce and jalapeños.

④ Pork Mapo Burrito

Mission Chinese Food (San Francisco, CA)

Chef Danny Bowien's creation incorporates house-made chile oil, savory and spicy mapo tofu, fried garlic rice, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, scallions and cilantro.

⑤ The BBQ Pork Bomber

Kono's (Haleiwa, HI)

For a little bit of tropical island flair, Kono's BBQ Pork Bomber combines the restaurant's signature 12-hour slow-roasted kalua pig, homemade guava BBQ sauce, caramelized onions and rice in a warm tortilla.

⑥ Chicken Tikka Burrito

23rd Street Café (Los Angeles, CA)

This L.A. fusion café takes the hybridization of Indian and Mexican foods to the next level with its chicken tikka burrito: tikka masala, rice, beans, onions, cilantro and salsa.

⑦ Yellowfin Tuna Burrito

My Ceviche (Miami, FL)

Inspired by Caribbean cuisine, the yellowfin tuna burrito is like a Caribbean sushi roll, with coconut jasmine rice, corn, tomatoes, pickled onions, cilantro and fresh line-caught yellowfin tuna that's seared and served rare.

⑧ Pulpo (Octopus) Burrito

Coyo Taco (Miami, FL)

The smash-hit menu item at Wynwood landmark Coyo Taco is this octopus burrito, which comes with rice, beans, pico de gallo, queso, crema and fried octopus.

⑨ Cuban Burrito

Laughing Planet Café (Portland, Oregon)

A portable riff on the classic plato cubano, the the Cuban burrito consists of rice, beans, fried plantains and cilantro lime slaw, and is rolled tightly enough to fit into a water-bottle cage on a bike.

Marisel Salazar is a contributing writer for Tasting Table, who comes to NYC by way of Panama, Hawaii and Japan. Follow her on Instagram at @breadbutternyc and Twitter at @MariselSalazar.