For Santa Barbara Burrito Week 2026, I’m weighing variety, convenience, and excitement. Here are my initial scores, based on the options and descriptions; I’ll update them as I eat. I’ve grouped the picks by area and ordered each section by Excitement, with Vibe breaking ties. These are the Burrito Week item hours and restrictions; where the article gives no special window, I use the narrower currently listed restaurant hours.
Downtown
| Corazón Cocina |
El Paisa (al pastor and fries) |
Both locations, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. |
9 |
8 |
| Little Heart Cafecito |
Carpintero (chorizo breakfast burrito) |
9 a.m.–noon |
9 |
8 |
| Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro |
Bacon, potato, egg, and Swiss breakfast burrito |
Until 2:30 p.m.; downtown location |
8.5 |
8.5 |
| Shalhoob’s — Gray Avenue |
Santa Barbara style (smoked tri-tip, fries, cowboy beans) |
Dine-in only; Thu 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri–Sat to 9 p.m., Sun to 7:30 p.m. |
8 |
9 |
| The Blue Owl |
Sweetheart (vegan chili mayo, sweet potato, Thai basil) |
Tue–Thu, Sun 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–11:45 p.m.; closed Mon |
8 |
9 |
| Savoy Café & Deli |
Savoy breakfast burrito |
Mon–Sat 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; closed Sun |
8 |
8 |
| Downtown Eats |
California pastor |
Noon–7 p.m. |
7.5 |
8.5 |
| Fresco at the Market |
Chorizo wrap |
Breakfast burrito, 8 a.m.–noon |
7.5 |
8 |
| Seoulmate Kitchen |
Gimbap burrito (bulgogi or tofu) |
Daily, 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m. |
7.5 |
7.5 |
| Hibachi Steak House |
Sushi, chicken, or tofu burrito |
To-go only, Thu 3–9 p.m. |
7 |
7 |
Upper State & Westside
| Mesa Café & Bar |
Wet breakfast burrito |
Mon–Fri, 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
8 |
8 |
| Jalapeño S.B. |
Chingón, Cañón Perdido chile relleno, or Santa Barbara |
Thu 7 a.m.–11 p.m.; Fri–Sat 6:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.–2 a.m. (hours listings conflict; verify) |
8 |
7 |
| Little Alex’s |
California or chorizo breakfast |
Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; closed Sun; breakfast burrito offered all day |
7.5 |
8 |
| Maíz Picante |
Carnitas, pastor, or veggie |
Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–9 p.m. |
7.5 |
7.5 |
| Taqueria La Unica |
El Rey or Garden |
Dine-in only; daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m. |
7.5 |
7 |
| Yellow Belly |
Belly Up (cheeseburger-inspired) |
Mon–Thu 4–8:30 p.m.; Fri 4–9 p.m.; Sat noon–9 p.m.; closed Sun |
7 |
8.5 |
| The Patio Café |
Chicken fajita or hot dog |
Dine-in only, 7 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; closed Tue |
7 |
8 |
| El Zarape |
El Rajitas Pasilla (breakfast, vegetarian) |
7–11 a.m.; limit two per person |
7 |
7 |
Goleta
| Rinkside Café |
Teriyaki Turn-Up (chicken or tofu) |
Weekdays 4 p.m.–midnight; weekends 8 a.m.–11 p.m. |
8.5 |
8.5 |
| Crushcakes & Café |
Bear Hug breakfast burrito |
Daily; Goleta location 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. (also at the downtown location) |
8.5 |
8.5 |
| Los Agaves |
Pastor, garden, or chicken |
Dine-in only; daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (also in Santa Barbara) |
8.5 |
8 |
| Shalhoob’s — Hollister Avenue |
Santa Barbara style (smoked tri-tip, fries, cowboy beans) |
Dine-in only; Thu to 8:30 p.m., Fri–Sat to 9 p.m., Sun to 8 p.m. |
8 |
9 |
| Dave’s Dogs |
Early Riser (eggs, tots, cheddar, breakfast patty) |
Breakfast burrito, 8–10:30 a.m. |
7.5 |
7.5 |
| Cristino’s Bakery |
Tropical carnitas |
To-go only; Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat–Sun 6 a.m.–2 p.m. |
7 |
8 |
| Maria’s Tacos |
Isla Vista Special |
Lunch, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. |
8 |
8 |
Far but Good
| Padaro Beach Grill |
Gringo (beef, cabbage, cheeses, jalapeño) |
Mon–Thu, Sun 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Fri–Sat until 8:30 p.m. |
8 |
9 |