Chef Royce Burke: THAT Breakfast Burrito Rolls Into DTLA

Cue the fanfare trumpets!!! Chef Royce Burke’s “Burrito on 5th” has landed in DTLA at Cognoscenti Coffee inside the City Market South complex on San Julian Street (tasty neighbors include: Rossoblu, Dama, Superfine Pizza).

THE burrito used to live in the Fairfax District at Burke’s beloved Yarrow but now the famous burrito grew some legs and headed here to us in DTLA and our breakfast bellies are forever grateful because what’s more comforting in the AM than a Cog cortado paired with a pillowy burrito companion? Nada. That’s what.

Alright, so we’re going to do our best to describe this burrito, just do us a favor and try to keep your drool inside your mouth and off our pages. Thanks friend.

Here we go … The burrito’s chunky body is stuffed with carrot puree, romesco, fried garlic, scrambled eggs with carrots, mushrooms, zucchini and cauliflower and a little bit of cheese and then the crusty magic happens … the burrito is coated in a crispy golden brown cheese cape! Your first bite into this outer cheese crust is messy and will leave a pile of crunchy crumbs on your plate. But please do not let these shards of joy go to waste, instead dip your next bite in some hot sauce and then pick up the pieces to create the ultimate next bite. You’re welcome.

Burke is quick to credit a late night encounter for this crispy cheese seal, “The idea I got was because of this crazy guy who used to make burritos at like 2AM outside of Thirsty Crow in Silver Lake. I always thought that was a really smart idea, it seals the burrito and adds a whole other layer and flavor.”

And Burke’s path to fine-tuning his approach to flavor as a chef started as it does for most … at home. “I’ve been cooking since I was a kid. I’m the oldest of seven kids so I always cooked with my mom. My grandmother, from Alsace, lived with us. I learned a lot from her,” says Burke.

These cooking cues would come in handy later in life when it fed him a way to cope with stressful jobs in real estate development. And even though he resisted cooking for a living, life had other plans. He started cooking for hire, working private parties and the positive response let him know he had a knack for the kitchen.

Chances are you’re also familiar with Burke’s popular roving pop-up Secret Lasagna. If not, go track it down because it’s where his heart and soul live, layered up in some luxurious lasagna.

But definitely go eat THE burrito (only served until 3pm inside Cognoscenti Coffee!) and walk away knowing Burke’s a good guy who aggressively supports his community on Instagram and most importantly IRL.  Everyone deserves a Royce in their life and if you’re ever lucky enough to snag a hug from the kind chef, you’ll fully understand what his burrito, or anything he feeds you, delivers. His food is an edible hug. It’s comfort. It’s tasty. And in a city that runs on chaos, his food is a reminder to slow it down for a minute, feel good, eat good and just be good.

restaurantji.com/ca/los-angeles/cognoscenti-coffee-2/ | 1118 San Julian Street

Written by Linda Hosmer (@blockanimal) | Photography by Caleb Thal