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Step 1
Start with a fresh flour tortilla. It will be warmed before your eyes after you order, often in a steamer. Some restaurants offer tortillas made with whole wheat, spinach, tomato or other ingredients.
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Step 2
Choose a filling, such as steak (carne asada), pork (carnitas), chicken or vegetables. You'll see them grilled up as you wait. Many restaurants offer other variations, such as mole, a sauce with hints of chocolate.
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Step 3
Pick up your frijoles. Beans are not merely a filler, but a vital and healthy ingredient. Choices usually include whole pinto, black or refried beans. Refried beans (cooked then mashed) are tasty but can create a mushy burrito.
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Step 4
Include rice: Most West Coast burritos do but in many other places, they don't. Establishments that take pride in their burritos will have succulent, flavorful rice. Careless burrito makers will have boring rice. Some flavor their rice with tomatillos, paprika, cilantro or other seasonings, while others offer basic white or brown.
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Step 5
Add cheese, fresh guacamole or sour cream if you like, but too much can create a gloppy mess and obscure the other flavors. Beware of adding calories and fat too. Tomatoes, lettuce and other vegetables are tasty add-ins.
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Step 6
Choose hot, medium or mild salsa. Many restaurants include a side of tortilla chips and salsa with your order.
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Step 7
Wash that little burro down with a great Mexican beer or craft beer (see How to Choose a Microbrew).









