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Taqueria el Amigo in Waltham

16 Killer Tacos in Boston

Just in time for patio season, here's a roundup of fresh, quick, and delicious tacos in and around Boston.

by Jacqueline Cain Mar 18, 2015, 10:00am EDT

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Taqueria el Amigo in Waltham

| Yelp

by Jacqueline Cain Mar 18, 2015, 10:00am EDT

1 comment / new

As chef Michael Scelfo suggested earlier this month, tacos may very well be a harbinger of spring. In addition to a landscape of patios on which to enjoy the handheld food, the season of rebirth will also bring Cambridge one step closer to two highly anticipated new taco shops: Scelfo’s Naco in Central Square and an East Cambridge installment of Lone Star Taco Bar.

In previous interviews with Eater, the chefs behind both new projects said they love making tacos themselves. They are a perennial favorite of chefs and gourmands alike, and if authenticity isn’t your benchmark, there are likely a handful or more you’ll enjoy in and around Boston.

[Photo: Taqueria El Amigo in Waltham, courtesy of Hidden Boston]

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Tenoch Mexican Taqueria

This fast-casual spot, which opened a second location in the North End last year and also has a roaming food truck, is known for its tortas and homemade sauces. But soft-shelled tacos at this authentic spot are also quick, fresh, and delicious. Try the chorizo tacos with queso; fried fish tacos are also a customer favorite. Keep an eye out for the imminent opening of a Davis Square, Somerville location. [Photo: Facebook]

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24 Riverside Ave, Medford, MA 02155

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Taquería Jalisco

This family-owned taqueria offers several specialty dishes not widely available in Boston, but simple, cheap tacos are a highly recommended place to begin. Try the lengua (beef tongue) for a taste of authenticity. [Photo: Yelp]

293 Bennington St., Boston, MA 02128

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Angela's Café

Angela's Cafe's namesake proprietor is a Puebla, Mexico native, and a trip to this family-owned East Boston restaurant is like a visit to her homeland. Small, doubled-up corn tortillas wrap up chicken, steak, talapia, and al pastor tacos, and Angela's has flour tortillas, too, for the Puebla specialty tacos arabe. [Photo: Official site]

131 Lexington St, East Boston, MA 02128

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Anna's Taqueria

Born in Boston in 1995, this locally-owned chain has developed a passionate fanbase. Six Anna's locations around the Hub mean that quick, cheap, and fresh food is never too far away, and Anna's team delivers consistency. [Photo: Facebook]

242 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02134

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Pedro's Tacos

Pedro's is the only East Coast location of this California-based taco shop. The beachy downtown space offers some of the best fried fish tacos in the city, light and crisp white fish served on soft flour tortillas with a creamy slaw. Pedro's also offers a unique potato taco. [Photo: Yelp]

55 Bromfield St, Boston, MA 02108

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Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake

While not the focus, tacos are a main attraction on Brian Poe's Mexican, Southwestern, and South American-inspired menu. With inventive offerings like a Cubano taco (with Swiss cheese and pickles) and antelope (yes, antelope), authenticity is not what you'll find at Rattlesnake, but you will find creativity. [Photo: Yelp]

384 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

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Tremont 647

This American eatery offers a menu of globally-inspired entrees, but its Taco Tuesdays are a major draw. The rotating specialty tacos are only $2 each, so there's not a lot to lose by trying a few, though the serving sizes can be inconsistent at this South End spot. [Photo: Facebook]

647 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

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El Centro

At $5 per taco, El Centro isn't the cheapest taco shop in Boston, but fresh ingredients fill each shell to the fullest. While you're there, splurge for the guacamole, which is chunky, flavorful, and not to be missed. [Photo: Yelp]

472 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

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El Pelon Taqueria

Tacos at this Fenway mainstay pack soft corn tortillas with meat and other toppings; customer favorite fish tacos top fresh Atlantic cod with unconventional cucumbers and a pickled cabbage slaw. Caramelos tacos, with grilled steak, melted jack cheese, hot sauce, salsa, and guacamole, are another highlight. The portions are generous for the price, and the heaping tacos are made to order. [Photo: Facebook]

92 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215

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Dorado Tacos & Cemitas

The bustling spot in Coolidge Corner offers Southern California-style street food, a variety of Central and South American beers, and friendly service. Baja fish tacos are a specialty, with a spicy, homemade crema sauce. In fact, all sauces and seasoning blends are made in house. For $3 a taco, the price is right, as the ingredients are quality, but the soft shell tacos are small. [Photo: Facebook]

401 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

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Lone Star Taco Bar

Co-owners Max Toste and Aaron Sanders hail from Southern California and Texas, respectively, and when the duo behind Deep Ellum had the opportunity to open another shop next door, they decided to focus on the cuisine they both grew up with: Mexican. Simple offerings show off Lone Star's street cred, including beef barbacoa with avocado crema and pickled onion, and the catch of the day, beer-battered, fried, and served with chili mango aioli. [Photo: Facebook]

477 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

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Taqueria El Amigo

This cash-only taco shop way off the beaten path is "embarrasingly cheap," according to Boston food writer Kara Baskin. Taqueria el Amigo also offers some of the best Mexican cuisine in the Boston area. The friendly staff will help you create your ideal tacos with several flavorful meats and vegetables, plus fresh pico de gallo, roasted salsas, and chunky guacamole to choose from, as well as more unique offerings, like beef cheek and tongue. [Photo: Yelp]

196 Willow St, Waltham, MA

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Felipe's Mexican Taqueria

Felipe's taqueria offers build-it-yourself tacos featuring fresh and flavorful ingredients, generously stuffed into tiny, doubled-up corn tortillas. A good choice for cheap, late-night eats in Harvard Square, Felipe's also has a full bar to call its own. [Photo: Yelp]

21 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

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Olecito

Olecito is the carry-out offspring of Ole across the street. While completely different in vibe, the quality of food is the same at the two Inman Square Mexican eateries. Baja shrimp tacos with spicy aioli are an Olecito fan favorite. More economical than its parent restaurant, the tacos are a bit small for the price, but homemade hot sauces and free chips add to the value. There is also a Brookline outpost. [Photo: Yelp]

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12 Springfield St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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El Potro

Portions at this Union Square restaurant are generous. Tacos al carbon, with flavorful, grilled steak, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and pico de gallo are hearty and benefit from being wrapped in a thick, soft flour tortilla. Plus, the festive vibe in this family-owned restaurant includes live Mariachi entertainment on weekends. [Photo: Facebook]

61 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143

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Taco Loco

What this small eatery lacks in atmosphere (think paper plates), it makes up for in economical value. Tiny corn tortillas are brimming with fresh ingredients, and at $2 per taco or $8 for a combo of three plus sides, Taco Loco fills you up for cheap. [Photo: Yelp]

44 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145

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Where to Eat Burritos in and Around Boston

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Tenoch Mexican Taqueria

24 Riverside Ave, Medford, MA 02155

This fast-casual spot, which opened a second location in the North End last year and also has a roaming food truck, is known for its tortas and homemade sauces. But soft-shelled tacos at this authentic spot are also quick, fresh, and delicious. Try the chorizo tacos with queso; fried fish tacos are also a customer favorite. Keep an eye out for the imminent opening of a Davis Square, Somerville location. [Photo: Facebook]

Open in Google Maps

24 Riverside Ave, Medford, MA 02155

Visit Website

Taquería Jalisco

293 Bennington St., Boston, MA 02128

This family-owned taqueria offers several specialty dishes not widely available in Boston, but simple, cheap tacos are a highly recommended place to begin. Try the lengua (beef tongue) for a taste of authenticity. [Photo: Yelp]

293 Bennington St., Boston, MA 02128

Visit Website

Angela's Café

131 Lexington St, East Boston, MA 02128

Angela's Cafe's namesake proprietor is a Puebla, Mexico native, and a trip to this family-owned East Boston restaurant is like a visit to her homeland. Small, doubled-up corn tortillas wrap up chicken, steak, talapia, and al pastor tacos, and Angela's has flour tortillas, too, for the Puebla specialty tacos arabe. [Photo: Official site]

131 Lexington St, East Boston, MA 02128

Visit Website

Anna's Taqueria

242 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02134

Born in Boston in 1995, this locally-owned chain has developed a passionate fanbase. Six Anna's locations around the Hub mean that quick, cheap, and fresh food is never too far away, and Anna's team delivers consistency. [Photo: Facebook]

242 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02134

Visit Website

Pedro's Tacos

55 Bromfield St, Boston, MA 02108

Pedro's is the only East Coast location of this California-based taco shop. The beachy downtown space offers some of the best fried fish tacos in the city, light and crisp white fish served on soft flour tortillas with a creamy slaw. Pedro's also offers a unique potato taco. [Photo: Yelp]

55 Bromfield St, Boston, MA 02108

Visit Website

Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake

384 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

While not the focus, tacos are a main attraction on Brian Poe's Mexican, Southwestern, and South American-inspired menu. With inventive offerings like a Cubano taco (with Swiss cheese and pickles) and antelope (yes, antelope), authenticity is not what you'll find at Rattlesnake, but you will find creativity. [Photo: Yelp]

384 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

Tremont 647

647 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

This American eatery offers a menu of globally-inspired entrees, but its Taco Tuesdays are a major draw. The rotating specialty tacos are only $2 each, so there's not a lot to lose by trying a few, though the serving sizes can be inconsistent at this South End spot. [Photo: Facebook]

647 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

El Centro

472 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

At $5 per taco, El Centro isn't the cheapest taco shop in Boston, but fresh ingredients fill each shell to the fullest. While you're there, splurge for the guacamole, which is chunky, flavorful, and not to be missed. [Photo: Yelp]

472 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

El Pelon Taqueria

92 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215

Tacos at this Fenway mainstay pack soft corn tortillas with meat and other toppings; customer favorite fish tacos top fresh Atlantic cod with unconventional cucumbers and a pickled cabbage slaw. Caramelos tacos, with grilled steak, melted jack cheese, hot sauce, salsa, and guacamole, are another highlight. The portions are generous for the price, and the heaping tacos are made to order. [Photo: Facebook]

92 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

Dorado Tacos & Cemitas

401 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

The bustling spot in Coolidge Corner offers Southern California-style street food, a variety of Central and South American beers, and friendly service. Baja fish tacos are a specialty, with a spicy, homemade crema sauce. In fact, all sauces and seasoning blends are made in house. For $3 a taco, the price is right, as the ingredients are quality, but the soft shell tacos are small. [Photo: Facebook]

401 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

Visit Website

Lone Star Taco Bar

477 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

Co-owners Max Toste and Aaron Sanders hail from Southern California and Texas, respectively, and when the duo behind Deep Ellum had the opportunity to open another shop next door, they decided to focus on the cuisine they both grew up with: Mexican. Simple offerings show off Lone Star's street cred, including beef barbacoa with avocado crema and pickled onion, and the catch of the day, beer-battered, fried, and served with chili mango aioli. [Photo: Facebook]

477 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

Visit Website

Taqueria El Amigo

196 Willow St, Waltham, MA

This cash-only taco shop way off the beaten path is "embarrasingly cheap," according to Boston food writer Kara Baskin. Taqueria el Amigo also offers some of the best Mexican cuisine in the Boston area. The friendly staff will help you create your ideal tacos with several flavorful meats and vegetables, plus fresh pico de gallo, roasted salsas, and chunky guacamole to choose from, as well as more unique offerings, like beef cheek and tongue. [Photo: Yelp]

196 Willow St, Waltham, MA

Visit Website

Felipe's Mexican Taqueria

21 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Felipe's taqueria offers build-it-yourself tacos featuring fresh and flavorful ingredients, generously stuffed into tiny, doubled-up corn tortillas. A good choice for cheap, late-night eats in Harvard Square, Felipe's also has a full bar to call its own. [Photo: Yelp]

21 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Visit Website

Olecito

12 Springfield St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Olecito is the carry-out offspring of Ole across the street. While completely different in vibe, the quality of food is the same at the two Inman Square Mexican eateries. Baja shrimp tacos with spicy aioli are an Olecito fan favorite. More economical than its parent restaurant, the tacos are a bit small for the price, but homemade hot sauces and free chips add to the value. There is also a Brookline outpost. [Photo: Yelp]

Open in Google Maps

12 Springfield St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

El Potro

61 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143

Portions at this Union Square restaurant are generous. Tacos al carbon, with flavorful, grilled steak, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and pico de gallo are hearty and benefit from being wrapped in a thick, soft flour tortilla. Plus, the festive vibe in this family-owned restaurant includes live Mariachi entertainment on weekends. [Photo: Facebook]

61 Union Sq, Somerville, MA 02143

Visit Website

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Taco Loco

44 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145

What this small eatery lacks in atmosphere (think paper plates), it makes up for in economical value. Tiny corn tortillas are brimming with fresh ingredients, and at $2 per taco or $8 for a combo of three plus sides, Taco Loco fills you up for cheap. [Photo: Yelp]

44 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145

Visit Website

Related Maps