Category: Eat & Drink

-620521138

"That's why they call it Beantown" - A guide to burritos in Boston

Share on StumbleUpon Add to del.icio.us Share on Facebook

Boston...Beantown. Beantown...burritos. You see where this is going right? Boston might be built on a foundation of chowdah and lobstahs, but that doesn't mean we don't have room for some kickass burritos!

Burritos a la Beantown

Does anyone actually know why Boston is called Beantown?  (Well, actually – calling Boston “Beantown” is like calling San Francisco “Frisco,” but we’ll leave that for another day)  It actually harkens back to the days of the triangular trade.  Cane sugar coming into Boston was either made into rum and sent to West Africa (where it was, sadly, traded for slaves) or turned into Molasses in Boston’s own Molasses factories (see my “Weird Boston” guide for more info on that).  The molasses turned out to be a mighty tasty bean dip, and thus Boston Baked Beans were born, earning Boston its silly moniker.

But please – ignore everything you just learned and pretend Boston got its nickname from the tasty burrito joints gracing every square block of the city.  They taste a whole lot better than beans in molasses!

Felipe's Taqueria

83 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

I’m including Felipe’s to ask you to politely refrain from going there. It isn’t that the burritos are that bad, or that expensive, but this is inauthentic food at its finest, and by finest I mean “eh.” The fact that it’s in the middle of Harvard Square should have tipped you off, but if it didn’t, you must be new. So go to Ana’s.

I’m including Felipe’s to ask you to politely refrain from going there. It isn’t that the burritos are that bad, or that expensive, but this is inauthentic food at its finest, and by finest I mean “eh.” The fact that it’s in the middle of Harvard Square should have tipped you off, but if it didn’t, you must be new. So go to Ana’s.

Tango Mango

1191 Centre St, Newton, MA 02459

Five stars for the name (despite there being nothing mango on the menu whatsoever), three for the burritos, four for the service, one for the location. That about sums it up.

Five stars for the name (despite there being nothing mango on the menu whatsoever), three for the burritos, four for the service, one for the location. That about sums it up.

WAPO Taco

37 Poplar Street, Roslindale, MA 02131

Admittedly, WAPO is more about the taco than the burrito. But the tacos? 6 for $5 (basic beef, that is). Can you seriously top that? Ana’s can’t. Boca Grande can’t. Baja Betty’s certainly can’t. I say do it. If you’re already in Roslindale, can you really go wrong?

Admittedly, WAPO is more about the taco than the burrito. But the tacos? 6 for $5 (basic beef, that is). Can you seriously top that? Ana’s can’t. Boca Grande can’t. Baja Betty’s certainly can’t. I say do it. If you’re already in Roslindale, can you really go wrong?

In case you were confused...

how to eat a burrito

...a handy guide on how to eat a burrito.

El Pelon Taquieria

96 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215

Little known El Pelon (bad location) is a shining star on Boston’s Mexican food scene. Though the actual burritos are not the highlight, the steak tacos…nom nom nom, GONE. The other awesome thing about El Pelon is its proximity to Fenway. Burritos and baseball? Indeed.

Little known El Pelon (bad location) is a shining star on Boston’s Mexican food scene. Though the actual burritos are not the highlight, the steak tacos…nom nom nom, GONE. The other awesome thing about El Pelon is its proximity to Fenway. Burritos and baseball? Indeed.

Tacos Lupita

13 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02143

What’s awesome about Tacos Lupita, aside from the cheap burritos, is the decor. Perhaps it’s because it feels like you’re in a bus station in the ‘70s, or perhaps it’s because this is the closest to Mexico you might ever get in Boston, or maybe it’s the Virgin Mary on the wall, but this place wins serious extra points for ambiance.

What’s awesome about Tacos Lupita, aside from the cheap burritos, is the decor. Perhaps it’s because it feels like you’re in a bus station in the ‘70s, or perhaps it’s because this is the closest to Mexico you might ever get in Boston, or maybe it’s the Virgin Mary on the wall, but this place wins serious extra points for ambiance.

burrito

Now THAT’S what I call a steak burrito.

Viva Burrito

66 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114

Viva’s a solid four star (that’s 4/5, my friends). It’s like fast food, but with sangria. Really – I mean, how many fast food places have you been to that even have beer? The decor is clean, bright…almost shiny. The burritos are what you’d expect from a spot like this, but big and cheap. Fantastico!

Viva’s a solid four star (that’s 4/5, my friends). It’s like fast food, but with sangria. Really – I mean, how many fast food places have you been to that even have beer? The decor is clean, bright…almost shiny. The burritos are what you’d expect from a spot like this, but big and cheap. Fantastico!

Burrito dog says...

Chihuahua Taco

DO NOT EAT!

Fajitas & 'Ritas

25 West Street Boston, MA 02116

So, I’m sneaking this awesome spot in at the bottom of the list because it’s totally NOT a burrito joint. In fact, it’s a fajita joint with amazing margaritas, frozen margaritas, nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas, guac, and…oh yeah, burritos. The walls are painted with funky bright Boston scenes (check out Fenway in the back corner) and the whole place has a sort of random feel to it. Love it.

Olecito

12 Springfield St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Olecito frequently draws comparisons to the untouchable El Pelon. I don’t know if that’s really warranted, but this place sure does have damn fresh veggies in their burritos. I once bit a tomato that tasted like my dad’s garden. It was awesome.

Olecito frequently draws comparisons to the untouchable El Pelon. I don’t know if that’s really warranted, but this place sure does have damn fresh veggies in their burritos. I once bit a tomato that tasted like my dad’s garden. It was awesome.

"I can has burrito?"

'i can has burrito?'
 

Anna's Taqueria

446 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446

Anna’s ranks among the favorites for Boston’s burrito connoisseurs. With tasty toppings and even tastier prices ($5 for a big-ass burrito), you won’t hear any complaints along Harvard Street (another Anna’s is right down the street).

Anna’s ranks among the favorites for Boston’s burrito connoisseurs. With tasty toppings and even tastier prices ($5 for a big-ass burrito), you won’t hear any complaints along Harvard Street (another Anna’s is right down the street).

Brookline: Anna's Taqueria

Everybody loves Anna’s Brookline.

A Harvard Burrito Guide

Check out this slightly outdated but extraordinarily detailed (as only a HBS student could manage) article about Boston’s best burritos.

Baja Betty's Burritos

3 Harvard Sq, Brookline, MA 02445

A friend of mine claims that Betty’s makes the best burritos in town. Though I politely disagree (Ana’s, all the way), these babies are pretty damn tasty. Better yet, they’re big enough for breakfast, lunch, and dinner…and I mean ONE BURRITO. Seriously.

A friend of mine claims that Betty’s makes the best burritos in town. Though I politely disagree (Ana’s, all the way), these babies are pretty damn tasty. Better yet, they’re big enough for breakfast, lunch, and dinner…and I mean ONE BURRITO. Seriously.

In case you're tired of spending $5 a pop...

Mission Foods (those nice people who make the tortillas chillin’ in the Mexican food aisle at the local supermarket) and Sara Foster school you in burrito-ing.

Boca Grande Restaurant

366 Washington Street, Brighton, MA 02135

So Boca’s isn’t my favorite, I will say that. They charge extra for guac, their service is mediocre, and they scoff at you for asking for tap water. But don’t be fooled by the rough touch…these yummy – and fairly healthful – burritos pretty much rock my socks off. Get the guac…DO IT.

So Boca’s isn’t my favorite, I will say that. They charge extra for guac, their service is mediocre, and they scoff at you for asking for tap water. But don’t be fooled by the rough touch…these yummy – and fairly healthful – burritos pretty much rock my socks off. Get the guac…DO IT.

About.com's Boston Taqueria Guide

Portrait of a Burrito

Elena's Burrito Portrait

Andale Mexican Grill

125 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110

Andale is simply burritos for the downtown crowd. Nothing to see here, move on by…unless you work in the Financial District and are a burrito aficionado who believes that Boloco sells wraps. In that case, Andale’s your man…er, your burrito shop.

Andale is simply burritos for the downtown crowd. Nothing to see here, move on by…unless you work in the Financial District and are a burrito aficionado who believes that Boloco sells wraps. In that case, Andale’s your man…er, your burrito shop.

Zocalo

Zocalo, owned by the same folks as Andale, is Andale’s awesome big sister. Not really a taqueria or burrito joint…okay, not AT ALL, Zocalo is still awesome. Dark lighting, authentic (but not too expensive) Mexican food. All in all, a good date place, especially if your date is me.

Boloco

1940 Beacon Street Brighton, MA 02135

Boloco – Boston Local Company, that is – is a “burrito” joint with several locations. It is totally awesome, but burrito purists will argue with you until they’re blue in the face (that’s what burrito purists do, you know) that Boloco actually makes wraps. True to Mexican cuisine, they are not – just check out the menu below. My fave is the Bangkok burrito – brown rice, spicy peanut sauce, veggies (I get mine with tofu). Mmm mm good. And may I add, not very messy (making the ones from this location the perfect thing to take to the cinema across the street!)

El Triunfo

147 E Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02118

El Triunfo gives new meaning to the term “hole in the wall” but somehow manages to be kept immaculately clean – major bonus points. Plus – the burritos are ecstasy in an aluminum wrapper.

Hey, wait a minute!

05182006(007)

That’s not a burrito!

Guidemap to the Burritoed World

Brought to you by Guidespot.com Copyright 2008 - Local Matters Inc.

Suggested Guides

  • Taco? Now that's what I call a pizza. Guide to the best tacos in San Francisco.
  • Boston Burrito Roundup
  • The Drunken Seattleite: Why We Drink the Way We Do!
  • Feel at Home in Boston's Mom and Pop Shops!
  • Guide For the Boston Sweet Tooth
  • Why None of Us Should be Drinking & Driving