Whether you're looking for a great Taco Tuesday or just in the mood for a celebratory vibe, Mexican food is always a wonderful comfort and beloved by almost everyone. Here are some of our favorite Mexican spots in Boston!
Boston's Best Mexican Cuisine
Cantina La Mexicana
In Somerville, the authentic Mexican cuisine, fresh ingredients, and friendly service make Cantina La Mexicana a neighborhood favorite. The dining room and patio are both open for guests to enjoy everything the menu has to offer. Start the celebration off right with the refreshing shrimp ceviche. Next, choose between eight different kinds of tacos or opt for the taco plate and choose any two with a side of beans, rice, avocado, and mixed greens.
There are also a dizzying array of burritos (called burros here), burrito bowls, quesadillas, enchiladas, and chiles rellenos. The drinks are just as colorful as the food. Try the pink dragonfruit margarita or the purple-hued beet and cherry margarita.
La Brasa
Follow your nose to the wood-fired goodness that is La Brasa. Chef/Owner Daniel Bojorquez uses the idea of family surrounding a campfire to inspire his menus and nurture a casual atmosphere of togetherness. The menu rotates seasonally and uses local, New England purveyors for produce, meats, and dairy.
The mussels tostada with chintestle (smoked chili paste) potato salad should be on your must-order list as should the grilled bavette steak with mole, roasted wild mushrooms, and charred onions. Save room for the vanilla rice pudding with amaro macerated currants, cara cara oranges, and peanut brittle. Tamarind adds an unexpected flavor to the spring margarita.
Yellow Door Taqueria
There are two locations to enjoy Yellow Door Taqueria, one in Lower Mills and another in the South End. The Cali-Mex fare is available seven days a week and each corn tortilla is made in-house daily. Both menus have the famous birria tacos which include shredded beef, two kinds of cheese, onion, and cilantro before being dunked in a rich tomato broth.
The poblano tamales are a great vegan option and the elote (Mexican street corn) is a sweet/smoky/spicy must-order item for the table. The house margaritas are $12 and come in seven different flavors. Keep it classic or get adventurous with blueberry cinnamon, spiced pineapple, or lime leaf-ginger.
Rosa Mexicano
With locations all over the Northeast United States, Rosa Mexicano is a fun spot for classic Mexican comfort foods and sophisticated new flavors. Start your meal off with the "Guacamole en Molcajete" and top it with one of the flavorful options like the "Grilled Pineapple Pico de Gallo."
While all the traditional menu items you'd expect to find are available (quesadillas, tortilla soup, nachos, etc.), there are also some fantastic elevated offerings as well, like the "Camarones al Mojo de Ajo" and the "Salmon Pipian."
Are you dining with any food restrictions? That's not a problem—Rosa Mexicano has numerous vegan/vegetarian options for plant-based eaters in addition to various glute-free choices. The menu also has several sharable items that are perfect for groups.
The Painted Burro
After a short closure, The Painted Burro is back and ready to serve hungry Cinco de Mayo revelers. With over 100 craft tequilas on the back bar, it's the perfect place to celebrate with a drink. There are seven different margaritas on the cocktail menu including cucumber, hibiscus, mango, and a spicy variation.
Pair any of those margs with a short rib torta (Mexican sandwich) with Oaxaca cheese, chimichurri, avocado, crispy potato, and chipotle aioli. The taco options are classic recipes with a few creative twists mixed in. The BLT taco uses crispy pork belly instead of bacon and the al pastor taco swaps out pork for meaty swordfish. Be sure to add a side of kale and plantains.
Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar
At Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar a little crazy is a good thing. The funky, South Boston joint specializes in three things: tacos, oysters, and tequila. The baked oysters are the place to start with sauteed spinach, bacon, chile de arbol sauce, and Oaxaca cheese. The birria tacos (three per order) showcase Jalisco-style braised short rib, onion, cheese, and is served with a hearty dipping broth. The New England seafood roots shine in the haddock taco (grilled or fried) with romesco, red cabbage and arbol tomatilla sauce. There are nine different margs on the cocktail menu including one frozen option. Order the "Season Six" margarita and $1 will be donated to the South Boston Boys and Girls Club.
