"That's why they call it Beantown" - A guide to burritos in Boston
By jilliancyork
updated 3 months ago
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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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!
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 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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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, 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!
That’s not a burrito!
Guidemap to the Burritoed World
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