Mexican-American food goes vegan in Pomona; Borreguitas celebrates 8 years

Borreguitas offers daily deals, including $12 for a breakfast burrito (pictured) and iced coffee every Monday. (Mariana Andrade)

By Mariana Andrade
Posted: April 9, 2026 / 9:48 AM PST

Mexican-American dishes may be known for big flavors, but they can often lack dietary nutrients due to high levels of saturated fats, refined carbs and sodium. A family owned restaurant in Pomona is out to change that with wholesome ingredients and a 100% vegan menu.

Borreguitas, located at 987 S. Garey Ave. in Pomona, first opened in 2018 and is known for soy asada tacos, "soy-rizo" burritos, and other 100% vegan dishes. The restaurant is open seven days a week, offering sit-down dining, along with catering and weekend taco stands, and the team is even looking at opening a second location, according to co-founder Moni Torres.

Avoiding many ingredients traditionally found in Mexican-American food – including lard and refined carbs, such as flour tortillas and white rice – Borreguitas is focused on plant-based alternatives and offering healthy meals, Torres said.

While many vegan restaurants rely on processed meat substitutes, Borreguitas uses soy, jackfruit, cauliflower, yuca, cabbage, and "soy-rizo." It's also aiming to become zero-waste by repurposing food scraps, such as using leftover onion shells to give an umami flavor to dishes, said Torres.

Borreguitas uses jackfruit for its birria tacos. (Mariana Andrade)

The restaurant, which will celebrate its eighth anniversary this summer, offers daily deals, including $12 for a breakfast burrito and iced coffee every Monday. During select hours, customers can order $1 tacos and off-menu items such as vegan desserts, taquitos in a cup, and many more.

"I think that's something that is nice for us to see that vegan food could actually be not only affordable, but also very tasty," Torres said.

An estimated 60% of all customers are non-vegan, said Torres, adding "vegan food is usually a little more popular within younger generations."

"We have a lot of students that come here, a lot of folks who, you know, who are single parents, a lot of immigrants," Torres said. "And in general, what we want to do is have access to food … and really talk about that: What is it for a community of color to have good, full food that is made with dignity and that is made with cariño (affection) at a price that you can afford?"

More information about Borreguitas can be found at borreguitas.com and on Instagram via @borreguitas_be.

Mariana Andrade is a political science major at Mt. San Antonio College and part of the Community Groundwork 2025 Journalism School cohort. She is preparing to take the LSAT and pursue her law degree. Her story is published as part of the CG Newswriting Lab, a chance for students to work alongside industry professionals to report, write and publish an original news story.