Topline:
Tell me about this burrito: It arrives so blistering HOT from the griddle that I was treated to a mini steam facial when I took my first bite. It was hearty: fluffy eggs, meaty mushrooms, fresh spinach, crispy bits of hashbrowns and gooey cheese, all essential components in a good breakfast burrito. That salsa was what gave it that extra oomph or rather a punch and a kick.
How much? All for $7.
Read on ... for more about the experience.
So when I learned from TikTok and Reddit that the best breakfast burrito in the South Bay was at Helena’s Cafe at Torrance Memorial Hospital — yes, a hospital cafeteria — I had to check it out. I mean, thousands of likes on TikTok and a Reddit post upvoted 100 times has to mean something, right?
According to TikTok, my instructions were simple: Get there early, or else you'll miss out.
That’s exactly what I did.
I was in line by 7:50 a.m. I was given a sheet to fill out for my optional add ons: I chose two eggs, onions, mushroom, spinach, cheese and the crispy hash browns. My preference is for crispy potatoes, but others laud the cafeteria's breakfast potatoes, too. You can opt for turkey sausage, pork sausage, ham bacon, hot links or deli turkey in your burrito as well.
As the cook cracked the eggs and got whisking, I caught sight of the salsa station. Carefully, I poured out generous servings of the salsa verde and the salsa roja, all homemade. Salsas are integral to a good breakfast burrito, and these did not disappoint. The salsa roja was chunky with flecks of green chili peppers while the salsa verde had a tangy, herbaceous flavor.
Soon, my order was up.
The cashier asked me if I was a doctor (no), if I was a patient (no), a friend or family member visiting a patient (also no). I told him I was there because of TikTok. He chuckled.
This quest started with Annie Sneed, a TikToker based in the South Bay, who has been on the hunt for the best breakfast burrito in the area. People were quick to tell her to try the one at the hospital cafeteria. (Her first attempt at trying the hospital's burrito was a flop because ... she arrived too late.) Her second trip was a hit:
@anniesneed_ Pozole Thursdays next 😎 Thank you Jose! #torrancememorial #torrance #torranceca #torrancecalifornia #redondobeach #redondo #redondobeachpier #hermosabeach #hermosabeachcalifornia #southbay #southbayla #southbayca #southbaycalifornia #palosverdes #palosverdesestates #palosverdescalifornia #sanpedro #sanpedroca
♬ original sound - Annie Sneed
In an emailed statement, the hospital told LAist, "It’s true — our breakfast burritos are exceptional! But what truly makes them special is the incredible team behind them."
I took my burrito to a quiet corner. I peeled back the foil covering the burrito, which was still blistering HOT from the griddle. After drizzling some salsa roja on top, I took a giant bite and was treated to a mini steam facial.
It was hearty: fluffy eggs, meaty mushrooms, spinach still green with some bite, crispy bits of hashbrowns and gooey cheese, all essential components in a good breakfast burrito. Those homemade salsas gave it that extra oomph or rather a punch and a kick.
Would I call it the best breakfast burrito in the South Bay? Not quite.
But, I am adding it to my breakfast roster because of free, easily accessible parking. A fresh, yummy burrito for little over $7 and a salsa I am still salivating thinking about? Yes, please.
Let me know if there’s another hospital cafeteria you’d like me to check out: yfarzan@laist.com.