Spring Break
Taquería is tasty, affordable
by Emily Ricklin
Food | 9/25/07
Posted online at 10:15 PM EST on 9/24/07
Situated on Charles Street, an area often overlooked by Brandeis students, Taquería Mexico is a hidden gem amid the mélange of Waltham eateries. Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weeknights and until 11 p.m. on weekends, the restaurant may be a bit difficult to find, as is (free) parking on this one-way street. Still, you won't be able to miss the Taquería's rustic, "hole-in-the-wall" exterior. Although it lacks the aesthetic polish of many of its Moody Street neighbors, travelling through its doors leads patrons into a microcosm of Mexico. Mariachi bands blare from the jukebox, while green, white and red accents adorn the walls, as does a large replica of the Virgin Mary Guadalupe.
The extensive menu is written in Spanglish, which is also the preferred language of the friendly and accommodating waitstaff. One of the most notable aspects of Taquería Mexico is that it serves not Tex-Mex, but authentic Mexican food, which is not the easiest genre of cuisine to find in the Boston area. There is a vast variety of familiar Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, flautas and tamales, and more adventurous eaters can try tongue or chorizo. As a vegetarian, I opted for the mushroom burrito, filled with guacamole, mushrooms and tomatoes. There are plenty of other vegetarian dishes to choose from, and the rice and beans are completely vegetarian-friendly, meaning no animal fat or beef/chicken broth.
Each table receives a basket of corn tortilla chips with two varieties of salsa, and our dinners were ready no more than 10 minutes after ordering. The portions are huge; the food is authentic and delicious. I can't comment on dessert since I didn't order it, but the restaurant seems to be well-known for its frothy, tropical fruit drinks and flan.
Perhaps the best aspect of the Taquería is the price, especially for those on a budget. My burrito, with which I was very pleased, was under $4. Dishes with meat tend to be slightly pricier, but not by much. Individual dishes rarely, if ever, exceed 10 dollars.
There is outdoor seating, though some patrons may be somewhat intimidated by the restaurant's sketchy surroundings. Takeout service is also available. For a casual spot with awesome Mexican food and fabulous prices, Taquería Mexico is definitely worth checking out.
The extensive menu is written in Spanglish, which is also the preferred language of the friendly and accommodating waitstaff. One of the most notable aspects of Taquería Mexico is that it serves not Tex-Mex, but authentic Mexican food, which is not the easiest genre of cuisine to find in the Boston area. There is a vast variety of familiar Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, flautas and tamales, and more adventurous eaters can try tongue or chorizo. As a vegetarian, I opted for the mushroom burrito, filled with guacamole, mushrooms and tomatoes. There are plenty of other vegetarian dishes to choose from, and the rice and beans are completely vegetarian-friendly, meaning no animal fat or beef/chicken broth.
Each table receives a basket of corn tortilla chips with two varieties of salsa, and our dinners were ready no more than 10 minutes after ordering. The portions are huge; the food is authentic and delicious. I can't comment on dessert since I didn't order it, but the restaurant seems to be well-known for its frothy, tropical fruit drinks and flan.
Perhaps the best aspect of the Taquería is the price, especially for those on a budget. My burrito, with which I was very pleased, was under $4. Dishes with meat tend to be slightly pricier, but not by much. Individual dishes rarely, if ever, exceed 10 dollars.
There is outdoor seating, though some patrons may be somewhat intimidated by the restaurant's sketchy surroundings. Takeout service is also available. For a casual spot with awesome Mexican food and fabulous prices, Taquería Mexico is definitely worth checking out.
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