A San Diego native has invented a solution for a common problem: the lukewarm burrito. Travis Dahl, Owner and Operator of BurriTote, developed a bag specifically designed to maintain burrito temperature during travel.

The Birth of the BurriTote

The idea for the BurriTote originated from a playful argument between Dahl, a resident of Ramona, and his friend Cole, who lives closer to the coast. The debate centered around which side of San Diego County boasts the superior burrito. “We were like, if we’re going to compare them, we need a way to get one from point A to point B,” Dahl explained. “The pizza guys have a pizza bag, so we decided we need something like that for a burrito.”

How it Works

After years as a running joke, Dahl decided to turn the concept into reality. He partnered with a manufacturer specializing in soft cooler bags, providing them with specific dimensions. The resulting BurriTote is made from the same insulating material as a cooler bag, keeping burritos warm horizontally and preventing sogginess.

Features and Designs

The BurriTote features a zipper closure to keep salsa and other condiments cold. Dahl also offers a smaller version, affectionately named the “BurriTotito,” perfect for smaller burritos or drinks. The bags are available in a variety of colorful designs, including “California Dreamin’,” “Tequila Sunrise,” and “Sonora Sunset,” as well as a limited edition “San Diego Slammer” in Padres’ colors.

Growing Popularity and Future Plans

Despite limited marketing efforts, Dahl has already sold nearly 10,000 BurriTotes. The bags are manufactured in China and shipped directly to customers by Dahl himself. He is also planning to release tactical gear designs with a Velcro strip for morale patches this summer, catering to San Diego’s large military population.

Collaborations and Community

For the past three years, BurriTote has collaborated with San Diego Comic-Con, creating exclusive designs available only at the annual convention. This year’s Comic-Con designs will feature characters from the Peanuts comic strip. Dahl expressed his joy in creating a product that brings smiles to people’s faces, stating, “The thing that I really enjoy about doing this is that anytime I tell anybody about it, they have a smile on their face and it seems to bring joy wherever I bring it.”

This invention comes as San Diego is being recognized by the San Diego Tourism Authority as the birthplace of the California Burrito, known for its unique combination of carne asada, fries, pico de gallo, and guacamole, on National Burrito Day, April 2nd.