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LA's Historic Burrito King Closes After 58 Years
1 Jul
Summary
- Burrito King, LA's first burrito stand, appears closed.
- The iconic spot was founded in the late 1960s.
- It once inspired a chain of 20 restaurants.
Burrito King, a landmark walk-up restaurant in Los Angeles, has apparently ceased operations. The establishment, located on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, was founded in the late 1960s by Julian E. Montoya and is recognized as the first burrito stand in the city. News of its closure emerged on Reddit on June 30, with a user posting a photo of the empty interior and noting ownership had been in limbo for years.
Originally opening its doors between 1968 and 1969, Burrito King grew to include a chain of up to 20 restaurants at its peak. By 2003, only two locations remained, with the original Sunset Boulevard spot persisting until now. The restaurant held cultural significance, being a favorite of musician Warren Zevon, who featured it in the '70s documentary 'Wonderland.'
In its later years, the original Burrito King faced challenges with ownership, with reports in 2021 indicating the then-owner was seeking a successor. Tributes from local food and culture outlets have since emerged, lamenting the loss of the establishment and its cultural value to the neighborhood.
