From Home Depot Parking Lot to TikTok Fame: The Rise of “Maria la de los Burritos”
A Honduran American entrepreneur is building a devoted following – and a thriving business – one delicious, hand-wrapped burrito at a time, even as ICE raids cast a shadow over Los Angeles’ vibrant street food scene.
Maria Sanchez, known to her growing fanbase as “Maria la de los Burritos,” has transformed a personal struggle into a culinary success story. What began as a way to combat depression and support her family has blossomed into a popular mobile food venture fueled by social media and a commitment to fresh, authentic Mexican flavors.
A Recipe Born of Resilience
Sanchez’s journey began last year in the parking lot of an Inglewood Home Depot. Inspired by her mother’s cooking and a desire to provide for her husband and two sons, she started small, selling just ten burritos a day. “People tell me they never see people selling burritos,” Sanchez explained. “I see tamales and empanadas, never just a pure standard burrito. I got the idea – let me try selling burritos.”
Demand quickly outstripped supply. A recent Instagram post highlighted the rapid growth: “Crazy how I first started selling only 10 burritos a day to now selling up to 60 to 75 burritos a day.” Now, Sanchez primarily caters to construction workers, delivering her carne asada, pollo, and breakfast burritos – priced at a modest $5 each – directly to job sites. “I sell out in 30 minutes – less than an hour, and I’m already gone,” she says.
More Than Just a Burrito: Style and Substance
Sanchez’s appeal extends beyond the quality of her food. She presents herself with a striking aesthetic, embracing the vibrant buchona style characterized by bold makeup, long eyelashes, French-tipped acrylic nails, and curve-hugging denim. She meticulously applies her makeup each morning at 3 a.m., drawing inspiration from the timeless beauty of Selena Quintanilla. “I’ve always liked dressing like that,” Sanchez says, laughing. “People will say, ‘You get your makeup and hair done. You still manage to get ready and still do burritos. They’ll always be in shock.”
This dedication to presentation, she explains, is a deliberate choice. “I want everything freshly made in the morning. That’s the point for me.” Her attention to detail extends to the burritos themselves, which are wrapped in gold foil and adorned with pink labels.
Navigating Fear and Finding Community
Sanchez’s success, however, is unfolding against a backdrop of uncertainty. Increased ICE raids in Southern California have created a climate of fear within immigrant communities, impacting local businesses and street vendors. The Home Depot parking lot, once a bustling hub for day laborers, is now noticeably empty. “A lot of vendors that I usually see around that area weren’t there either,” Sanchez noted.
Her mother urges caution, reminding her that even legal citizens have been targeted. Despite her anxieties, Sanchez continued selling, emboldened by the outpouring of support on social media. “Sometimes, eight people are right there already waiting in line for me to come. I get nervous when I see a lot of people. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I’m doing all this on my own,’” she admits. “I always tell people: As Latinos, we make it happen.”
A Growing Movement
Sanchez’s story resonates with many young women, and she hopes to inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. She occasionally shares tutorial videos on selling burritos and offers encouragement to aspiring loncheras (mobile food vendors). “A lot of young girls tell me, ‘I want to do this. I’m only 22 years old, but you’re inspiring me to do it,’” she says. “I want to show girls that even though you’re young, you could make it happen.”
Her ultimate goal is to purchase a truck – a “pinked out” lonchera – to expand her business. Sanchez credits her mother with instilling in her the drive and independence to succeed. “She always put into my head: You can get what you want on your own. You can do it,” Sanchez says. “She’s always by my side.”
Sanchez’s burritos, filled with fluffy eggs and sausage for breakfast or tangy, homemade sauces accompanying her carne asada, offer a delicious and affordable alternative to fast food. For the construction workers she serves, a Sanchez burrito is more than just a meal; it’s a taste of home and a symbol of resilience in a challenging time.
