Located in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle, Burrito Express has become the go-to breakfast place for many locals. The popular food truck has been operating since January 2021 in its current location and has made quite the stir in the neighborhood for its delicious menu and specialization in Mexican breakfast burritos and tacos.
Now the popular spot is expanding to offer lunch service Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Owners Francisco and Laura Ruiz-Velasco are excited to be back in the hospitality industry after taking a break over the last decade. “We were in the business for a while,” said Laura. “When we first started out, we grew really fast and also had young kids, and it was a lot of work for us.”
The couple’s experience in the food industry dates back to nearly 30 years ago, when they initially opened Burrito Express Catering in 1994. The business had the honor of being the first taco truck in the Seattle area, and the family was delighted to cater local events, venues, festivals, and concert dances that hosted some of the most popular bands in regional Mexican music.
Not only did Francisco and Laura operate their first installment of Burrito Express in the mid-’90s, they were also the original owners of a popular restaurant by the name of “Muy Macho,” also located in South Park, which they opened up about a year or so after their food truck business took off.
“When we operated Burrito Express during that time, we needed a kitchen for our food trucks, which we had about 2-3 then. We started using some kitchen space to cook and as commissary for the trucks, and the space eventually evolved into a full-time restaurant in Muy Macho,” Laura said. “We also participated in events that the local Sea Mar Clinic held and donated food. Many of the clinic’s patients would also come to hang out and eat at our restaurant.”
Francisco and Laura also ran The Burrito Express Taqueria in Bellevue and had multiple food trucks around the city until disbanding the business around 2006. They also decided to sell Muy Macho around 2008 to new owners and tapped into other professions, and focused on their children.
“After we closed our businesses, Francisco became a loan officer and I became a real estate agent, but after the market crashed, we had to look for new positions as we needed health insurance for us and our children,” Laura said.
Francisco got back into the trucking industry, which kept him busy through the years until he decided to open his beloved Burrito Express again in January 2021 after about 15 years. “When the pandemic hit, I was already thinking of getting back into the restaurant industry,” he said. “I also wanted to do something different and decided to focus on serving breakfast.”
Currently, Burrito Express carries a variety of breakfast burritos, including their most popular, the Steak Ranchero Burrito, which boasts appetizing steak, eggs, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and jalapenos. Another popular item includes the Pig Pen Burrito, known for its crispy bacon, sausage, ham, potatoes and topped off with eggs and cheddar cheese. “We also added a few vegetarian options, such as the Poblano and Veggie Burritos,” said Laura. On the menu, guests will also find items such as the Frijolero, which is a bean and cheese burrito, and a few breakfast taco options to choose from, including the Porky Taco, which is a mix of bacon, cheese, along with potato and egg. The menu also boasts beverages such as coffee, water, Horchata, Jarritos, and savory tortas, which are grilled Mexican sandwiches on ciabatta bread.
Francisco’s vision and concept for specializing in breakfast items has certainly paid off as the food truck is constantly busy, with locals and nearby employees alike. The salsas are freshly-made each morning, and the Velascos have utilized their traditional family recipes in designing their menu. “His heart is in the restaurant business, which he really excels at,” Laura said about her husband. “He loves it.”
Laura also stays busy working as a bus driver for the Federal Way School District, and both she and her husband take pride in teaching their kids about business. “Our youngest daughter is a freshman at UW, and she’s a business major who works part-time at Burrito Express to help pay for her tuition,” she said. “We’re also teaching her the importance of customer service.”
The couple’s three other children are also busy with their education and varying occupations. The success of Burrito Express has also allowed Francisco to focus solely on the business and step aside from his work in trucking. “The best part of operating Burrito Express has been the people. I love meeting new customers daily and seeing our regulars,” he said.
The family loves the South Park neighborhood; the diversity of the area is what initially attracted them there. “We love the community and also want to thank our customers,” Francisco said.
- The Burrito Express is currently open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday until noon.
- They are located at 1252 S. Cloverdale S. Seattle, WA 98108. Orders can also be placed online.
- Follow Burrito Express for updates on Instagram and Facebook.
Jenny Castro is a freelance writer for Seattle Refined. Follow more of her adventures here.
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