20 Years of Burrachos: The Story Behind Your Favorite Fresh Mexican Grill
What started as a new restaurant serving delicious fast-casual Mexican food in Onalaska has become a beloved regional chain that Wisconsin families return to again and again. This July, Burrachos turns 20. To celebrate, let’s take a look back at where we started and how we've grown into the fresh Mexican grill you love today.
Burrachos’ Beginnings: A Single Onalaska Location
Our story begins in July 2006, when the first Burrachos Fresh Mexican Grill location opened in Onalaska, Wisconsin. With this new venture, our goal was to serve fresh Mexican food, made right in front of you, in a place that feels like your neighborhood spot. That friendly, made-to-order approach is a foundation we’ve built on ever since.
Burrachos Fast Facts
Nesnah Ventures — a family-owned, La Crosse-based Wisconsin holding company — has owned Burrachos since we opened in 2006. Twenty years under the same ownership means we’ve never been sold or franchised. What made us who we are in Onalaska is still what drives us at every location today. For team members, being part of the Nesnah Ventures family also opens up real career pathways beyond the restaurant, including roles in HR, IT, marketing, and accounting.
What’s Stayed the Same
Plenty has evolved over two decades. We’ve opened new locations, added catering and delivery services, and grown the team. But the way we approach and make food hasn’t changed.
Each new location works the same way the original did. No matter which Burrachos you stop into, you get fresh ingredients prepped daily and a made-to-order meal from a crew that welcomes you back with a smile.
Our menu’s signature items include housemade salsa, fresh guacamole, and the world’s best queso, alongside burritos, tacos, nachos, bowls, and salads. Whether you’re piling high the toppings on a burrito bowl or want an epic cheese pull on a melty quesadilla, your food is always made right then and there, so you know you’re getting the freshest, best meal possible.
Burrachos: Two Decades and Four Locations Later
Since 2006, the Burrachos footprint has grown to include Brookfield, Eau Claire, and Sun Prairie, along with the original Onalaska location. Brookfield is the most recent addition to our family, having opened its doors in 2025. Across our locations, we employ about 75 Wisconsinites.
Why is it called Burrachos?
Burrachos is a combination of the words burrito and nachos, which pretty much tells you what we’re about. It’s also the name of one of our most popular menu items, the Burracho, which pairs the soft chew of a tortilla-wrapped burrito with the savory crunch of nachos in one delicious bite.
What cities is Burrachos in?
You can currently visit Burrachos in four Wisconsin cities: Brookfield, Eau Claire, Onalaska, and Sun Prairie.
Does Burrachos cater?
Yes. We cater events of all sizes, from an office lunch to a full outdoor wedding<, a grad party, or really any gathering where a taco bar makes sense. Everything is customizable and made fresh, and we can scale to whatever headcount you’re working with.
Does Burrachos offer fundraising?
Yes. Being part of the community has always mattered to us. Our Raise 25 fundraising program gives organizations 25% of the proceeds from customers who come in during a designated date and time. It’s a simple way to support youth sports teams, schools, non-profi ts, marching bands, and other local organizations. Over 20 years, those partnerships have meant a lot to the Wisconsin communities we call home.
Can I join the Burrachos team?
We’re frequently hiring team members and shift leads across all four locations. As part of the Nesnah Ventures portfolio, our team members have a real pathway into broader corporate roles over time, including HR, IT, marketing, and accounting. If you’re interested, you can apply online here.
Celebrate 20 Years with Us
Twenty years in, Burrachos is still serving up the same fresh, made-to-order Mexican food that put us on the map in Onalaska. Stop by your nearest location to experience what two decades of
fresh Mexican grill experience tastes like, or book Burrachos catering for your next gathering and let us bring the fiesta to you.