Phoenix Burrito Bracket 2026 is underway, and you can vote for the wild cards that could shake up the lineup. Updated March 3, 2026, 8:18 a.m. MT.
The Arizona Republic is hosting its third annual Burrito Bracket, a playfully competitive take on March Madness. Fourteen of the sixteen contenders are drawn from The Republic’s list of 100 essential restaurants, while readers get to nominate two additional “wildcard” spots.
March Madness has arrived, bringing weeks of high-stakes college hoops, brackets to fill, and—above all—The Arizona Republic’s Burrito Bracket for 2026.
Last year’s champion was a family-owned favorite, Rito’s Mexican Food, after a spirited final against The Original Carolina’s Mexican Food. In 2025, Carolina’s fans delivered a fierce showing, clinching the title for the longtime neighborhood staple.
This edition features 14 of the 16 contenders, with many of them also appearing on The Republic’s 2026 list of 100 essential Phoenix restaurants. A few return from last year, seeking another shot at glory.
To keep things fair and give new venues a spotlight, former Burrito Bracket winners are ineligible this year.
You decide the wild cards
Two additional wild cards are up for grabs and will be chosen by reader submissions. If your favorite burrito spot isn’t among the 14 listed below, submit it at azcentral.com/things-to-do/food-dining for a chance to see it in the bracket. When you submit, include the restaurant’s location, your go-to order, and what makes it special.
Submissions close at 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 8.
Meet the 14 Burrito Bracket contenders
- Asadero Norte de Sonora, Phoenix — offers affordable burros de carne asada, barbacoa, pastor, pollo, cabeza and lengua.
- Beach House, Phoenix — famous for baja shrimp and fish burritos with cabbage slaw, seasoned rice, and homemade pinto beans.
- Birrieria Obregon, Phoenix — features 10 burrito varieties, highlighted by the birria burrito with beef or goat.
- Casa Corazon, Phoenix — known for upscale sirloin asada and marinated pork.
- Chula Seafood, Phoenix — California burrito with grilled fish or shrimp, crispy fries, guacamole, and Baja sauce.
- Elmer’s Tacos, Chandler — beloved for hot, spicy grilled green chili chicken burritos.
- La Casa de Juana, Tempe — enchilada-style burrito with rice, beans, and optional creamy jalapeño.
- Lulaá Oaxacan Street Food, Phoenix — famed for Oaxacan-style bean-and-cheese burros.
- Los Dos Molinos, Phoenix — renowned for extremely spicy red or green chile burros.
- Mis Nietos Cocina, Avondale — Burritos Sinaloense filled with onions, green chili stew, potatoes, bacon, beans, and cheese.
- PHX Burrito House, Phoenix — specialty shrimp burrito topped with avocado, lemon juice, cabbage, pico de gallo, and hot sauce on house-made flour tortilla.
- Ta’Carbon, Glendale — features the hazz burrito with tender carne asada, cheese, and grilled chilies.
- Tacos Chiwas, Mesa — red or green shredded beef burritos in house-made organic flour tortillas.
- Tacos La K’lera, Tolleson — giant burritos stuffed with melted Monterey Jack, French fries, and beef birria.
Wild Card 1: You tell us!
Wild Card 2: Who did we miss?
For questions or to reach the reporter, email eddie.fontanez@azcentral.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.
Support local journalism by subscribing to azcentral.com today.
