Mexican food

The City that Always Sleeps tells owner of downtown Mexican place to take some Lunesta

adamg — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:17:29 +0000

The Metro reports city officials oppose the idea of a Mexican restaurant on Bromfield Street staying open until 4:30 a.m. It would attract drunks, police say. That's almost 24-hour food service, licensing-board head grumps.

City officials allowed as how they might let Tequila Mexican Grill stay open until 2 a.m., but only after the owner meets with nearby residents. Apparently, only the so-called Innovation District will be allowed to have late-night food, if you don't count the 24-hour license the South Street Diner has, but, sheesh, that's just a few blocks away from the Innovation District and right near the new gateway the city and state want to build for our world-class city by South Station. Certainly nowhere near downtown.

The City that Always Sleeps to grapple with issue of late-night burritos and nachos

adamg — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:25:10 +0000

Tequila Mexican Grill, 55 Bromfield St., goes before the Boston Licensing Board on Jan. 18 for permission to extend its closing time from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

On the one hand, you would think if any part of the city would not only tolerate but welcome late-night food, it would be Downtown Crossing, home to a growing population of people who actually like living in the middle of a city. On the other hand, well, this is Boston.

El Centro: Good Mexican food, but a little pricey

adamg — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:30:52 +0000

BosGuy reviews El Centro on Shawmut Avenue in the South End.

Boston's best taco place in a gas station is closing

adamg — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:04:05 +0000

Villa Mexico on Cambridge Street on Beacon Hill could transmogrify into a food truck or seek donations to re-open elsewhere; owner reports on never-ending battles with landlord, who plans to tear the whole thing down and put up an office building.

Through the years, we have not received professional treatment. The appliances, heat and electricity have broken repeatedly, leaving us with spoiled food or freezing during the winters- as some of you have experienced. Leaks are very evident now. Basic maintenance or health regulation requirements have also been ignored.

Via Boston Restaurant Talk.

Shuttered JP taco place to re-open

adamg — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:31:36 +0000

Tacos El Charro, 349 Centre St., will re-open as soon as the city issues an inspection certificate, owner Aida Luz Navarro said this morning.

Navarro told the Boston Licensing Board she was forced to close the restaurant earlier this year due to financial problems - she didn't have enough to pay for a required permit in December, and in January, NStar shut off power due to a $7,000 unpaid bill.

Navarro said she's worked out a payment plan with the electric company and has raised enough money to buy the food and supplies needed to re-open. She said she is only awaiting an Inspectional Services Department inspection. In the meantime, she said, she has been cleaning and updating the restaurant.

Navarro was before the board for non-use of her common victualer's license.

Maybe someday you'll ask friends if they want to go down to the North End for some Mexican food

adamg — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:53:31 +0000

The Boston Licensing Board today approved a Mexican restaurant in the heart of the North End.

Ali Yagcioglu needed board permission to open his El Triunfo take-out restaurant at 69 Prince St.

He already operates an El Triunfo on E. Berkeley Street in the South End, serving up Mexican and Central American dishes.

New Back Bay Latin American place shows promise

adamg — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:07:33 +0000

On Les Gourmands du South End, Jeff dishes on his first visit to Michael Schlow's new Tico on Berkeley Street, which serves up a mixture of Latin American dishes. His verdict: He'd consider a return trip, but the music needs to be toned down.

Can I get an OMG? You can get pupusas in West Roxbury

adamg — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 03:15:53 +0000

On the way home from a hunt for salt this evening, I spotted an open space in front of North of the Border Mexican Grill on Washington Street in West Roxbury. I'd never been there, and figured I'd pick up some tacos and quesadillas.

But it turned out this is not your average Mexican place. The place is owned by a Guatemalan guy, and one of the first things I saw on the menu was pupusas. Pupusas. Now, I don't bat an eye at the Venezuelan arepas and empanadas you can get down the street, maybe because that place has been there awhile now, but pupusas? In West Roxbury? Get out! The menu is full of other stuff you wouldn't see at Wapo Taco or even Romano's - even a couple of Colombian dishes and breakfast.

But I went with simple: Pork and cheese pupusas. I'm no pupusa expert, but these were great. The owner - one of the friendliest and chattiest I've ever met - said I'd be back. He was right: I need to try the rellenitos, the camarones al ajillo and all the other things on the menu I've never heard of.

North of the Border: 5272 Washington St. (look for the blue awning, on the same side of Washington as Cristelle's). 617-469-2100.

West Roxbury to get Mexican food

adamg — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:33:25 +0000

Boston Restaurant Talk reports somebody's gotten a business license to open North of the Border Mexican Grill at 5272 Washington St. - where Cristelle used to be until it moved a couple doors down a couple years ago. It's not a very big space - which is why Cristelle moved.

Chipotle to tackle Qdoba downtown

adamg — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:41:26 +0000

Chipotle goes before the Boston Licensing Board on Aug. 25 for a license to open an outlet at 101 Summer St., within spitting distance of a Qdoba at 62 Summer St.

Burned-out El Pelon vows to return to Fenway

adamg — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:58:41 +0000

Even as he opens a new restaurant in Brighton, the owner of El Pelon vows to return to Peterborough Street in the Fenway.

James Hoben is planning a March 15 opening for a new El Pelon at 2197 Comm. Ave., across from BC. In a statement, he says he remains committed to re-opening on Peterborough Street, but says that's at least a year away. The owner of the burned-down building recently submitted plans to replace it with a five-story mixed-use building, including a hotel.

Mexican food made by Mexicans in Roslindale gains another fan

adamg — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:43:01 +0000

That would be Tammy, who couldn't even wait to take a bite out of her burrito from Yucatan Taco before taking a photo of it.

Heteronormative quesadillas in the Theater District

adamg — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:37:39 +0000

Lindsay Crudele reports she stopped by a new Theater District taqueria (name not given), asked the owner what he'd recommend:

... The owner answered, "Well, for the girls, they like ..." and "For the boys..." explaining that the latter prefer bulky burritos while the former dine on delicate quesadillas. ...

She reports her heteronormative, feminine quesadilla tasted vaguely of paper and cheap pico de gallo sauce.

For richer, for poorer: Two restaurant reviews

adamg — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:28:27 +0000

Penny gives a thumb's up to brunch at Asana, the restaurant in the new Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street:

... I had the Brioche French Toast with blueberries and added a side of crispy bacon. While it sounds as if it could be a heavy version of the classic dish, it was quite the opposite. This French Toast almost floated off the plate. ...

Pam puts her thumb up for Fajitas and 'Ritas in Downtown Crossing:

Cheap Mexican food is easy to find, but cheap sit-down Mexican is not so forthcoming. Luckily, Fajitas & 'Ritas in Downtown Crossing offers south-of-the-border eats with less cafeteria-style ambiance. Whether you're looking for appetizers and pitchers of margaritas or a full meal, there's plenty on the menu that will satisfy. ...

Trying just a bit too hard

adamg — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:13:50 +0000

Kathleen Powers posts a 100% guaranteed real press release from the people behind the new Chipotle burrito joint in Davis Square:

It is somehow fitting that a site not far from the historic Powder House, where gunpowder was stored for Revolutionary soldiers, will be the home of the quick-service burrito restaurant named for a fiery pepper. ...