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El Pelon Taqueria

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2197 Commonwealth Ave (at Lake Street)
Brighton, MA 02135

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(617) 779-9090
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El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
El Pelon Taqueria - Brighton, MA
Reviews
( 31 )
( 17 )
( 3 )
( 5 )
( 0 )

Best

We visited El Pelon on Comm Ave Brighton for the first time today! It was awesome! The restaurant was clean. The staff were inviting! The food was amazing! Everything was coo...

Worst

Having lived in San Francisco for five years before returning to Boston, I was really looking forward to El Pelon. In SF, you can walk down just about any street or just about ev...

It's back!!! 5/27/2010

I have been going to this place since before it burned down. When I heard about the El Pelon fire, I was devastated. One because I thought I would never have one of their burritos (especially the burrito pescado and the el guapo) and two I was in line to get a free one damn it! For the most part, the quality has stayed the same and the only thing I do not like about the new location is that the restaurant seems dull and lifeless. The old one had authentic Mexican trinkets on the wall and a bright yellow paint and the new one is boring to look at. The worst part about the new location is the location. Located right next to dbag central aka Boston College. Everytime I go in there its "hey bro I totally puked on myself last night uh huh...dude that girl totally wanted to bang me...my white hat and lacrosse pinnie look really good today right brah?" Sorry... If you go there my recommendations would be the Fish Burrito, the El Guapo and definitely get the chips and guacamole. The thing I always liked about this place over Anna's is that the rice is better seasoned. Places like Anna's and Felipes are always consistent but El Pelon offers you a wider variety of authentic Mexican food like their Tortas and Plantanos. Everyone should try this place at least once (I would go everyday if I could) but be prepared to get a ear full of dbag when you do. Pros: Fish Burritos, El Guapo, Chips and Guac Cons: Boston College more
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IT"S BACK!!! 4/20/2010

Food is great, space is cool. Love having it back. Pros: real mexican, not chain burritos! Cons: there is only one more
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Great Food At El Pelon 4/19/2010

We visited El Pelon on Comm Ave Brighton for the first time today! It was awesome! The restaurant was clean. The staff were inviting! The food was amazing! Everything was cooked to order and made fresh. The salsa is the best salsa in town. Brighton has needed a place like this for a long time! Thanks Jim for bringing El Pelon to our neighborhood! I will be spreading the word! Pros: The staff was friendly! The restaurant was very clean! Cons: Our family couldn't think of anything negative. more
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fresh and delicious food 4/19/2010

i love the vegetarian burrito and plato. everything tasted very fresh. chipotle salsa is amazing, and the guacamole is so fresh tasting, lacking the too-salty, preservative taste that some of the chain mexican burrito joints seem to have. i recently had a party and ordered $50 of food to go. $50 can go a long way at el pelon. everyone commented on how good it was. the fried plantains lasted about 30 seconds after putting them out. overall the food is excellent for a very reasonable price. Pros: great for vegetarians more
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Worth the drive! 4/19/2010

I live in East Boston but El Pelon is definitely worth the drive out to BC (luckily, parking's super easy). The food's great and the prices can't be beat. None of that American- faux mexican here, El Pelon's got Jarritos and authentic Mexican and a surviving spirit! I do the veggie burrito and there's always a ton of different types of vegetables in there, always fresh and delicious. It's worth a special trip to visit their new location! Pros: Prices! Flavor more
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El Pelon: Nothing else can compare 4/18/2010

El Pelon has the best burritos/tacos/food for the best price. I used to go at least twice a week to it's Fenway location! And when it burned down last new years it ruined my holidays. But now its back up and just as awesome! My first meal at the new El Pelon: El Guapo with a side of Plantains. Just as good as I remembered it! El Pelon will always have a special place in my heart. Pros: Fast, delicous, cheap Cons: So many people love this place that it's always crowded! more
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Bland Bland Bland 10/12/2008

Maybe I'm biased because I've been spoiled with Chipotle's amazing burritos for the past two years, but El Pelon just did not stand up to all the great reviews I read at all. The service was quick, and that's about the only good thing I have to say about El Pelon. The music blasting over the stereo was loud enough that I had to repeat my order 3 times to the lady at the register. I ordered a grilled chicken burrito, with chips and guacomole on the side. The burrito was bland, no spice or hint of mexican flavors (does this place own cumen??). The chicken was a little too mystery-meat looking for my tastes too. The guacamole was whipped to a creamy paste, and had almost no flavor at all. No garlic, cumen, lime, salt, red onion...just NO flavor! The tortilla chips were stale, but somehow still oily. And to top it off, the bottle of water I ordered had come straight from the box, not refrigerated. I would defintely choose a delicious burrito from Chipotle over El Pelon any day of the week! more
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One of my favorite restaurants 11/28/2007

this place is so great. i usually get the carnitas burrito, and chips and salsa, plus guacamole. The chips are usually hot and fresh, and the guacamole is awesome. my friends all agree that it is great, and the price is pretty reasonable. and the hot sauce is really good, but some days it's hotter than others. it's like a fun surprise. Pros: The chips, especially when they're still hot, the guacamole, the hot sauce, the mexican oompah-band music. Cons: line can be pretty long, seating indoors is limited more
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Not impressed, much better options for Mexican out there 6/9/2007

I have friends who swear by El Pelon Taqueria. In all honesty, I have only visited the restaurant twice. Both times, however, my food came out cold and tasteless. Both times my chips came out stale, the guacamole and rice were sub par, and my entrees looked like they were put together by a four-year-old. And to top it off, my bill for two was over $20! I probably will give the place one more chance to impress me (and I'll editing my review accordingly). Pros: None that I can think of Cons: Bad food, wasn't ever able to find a table more
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the best in boston! 5/5/2007

El Pelon has the best fish tacos, quesadillas and burritos in Boston. Amazing guacamole and salsa! Outdoor seating! The food is high quality and so affordable it's almost absurd. It's also run by some of the friendliest people in town- it can't be beat. Pros: great food, friendly staff, cheaper than you could cook at home Cons: no complaints! more
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Best fish tacos and burritos, ever 3/12/2007

This place is a hidden gem. All the burritos, tacos and platos are delicious but the fish ones deserve special mention. The prices are very reasonable too. Highly recommended. P.S. Don't forget to try the ginseng green tea from their fountain. I don;t know where they get it from but its unlie any other green tea I have tasted and its delicious. Pros: Great food (especially fish) regardless of the price, cheap Cons: parking, limited seating more
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Best fish tacos and plantains 11/14/2006

Up until recently, my job was located about 3 blocks away from El Pelon and, boy, do I miss that place! In my opinion, they have the best authentic Mexican food. I don't like "American Mexican" food at those "other places". Their fish tacos are extremely tasty, their burritos are fabulous and their plantains are out of this world. The service is also very friendly and very quick. Pros: Tacos, plantains, customer service, good for kids Cons: It's very tiny in there more
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Good tacos gone bad. 7/26/2006

El Pelon used to be my favorite place in the world. Reasonable prices and delicious, fresh ingredients that were always a little bit different made me keep coming back. Unfortunately, their quality has definately gone downhill. I got a carnitas burrito with tasteless pork and lumps of cold cheese and a tostada that had brown, gooey lettuce on it. This wasn't the first time. I suppose I'll give them one more try before I write them off completely, but I'm an Anna's/BG convert now, and I'm not sorry about it. The hot sauce they have may be the best I've ever had. That doesn't trump moldy lettuce though. Try the fish burrito, it's fantastic. Pros: hot sauce, big burritos, fried fish Cons: moldy lettuce, lumpy cold cheese more
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I will never eat at Anna's again 4/18/2006

El Pelon is by far the best burrito joint in Boston. After eating a few times at El Pelon I am unable to eat at Anna's anymore, it pales in comparison. You can't go wrong with a burrito here, I recommend the El Guapo. Pros: cheap, great food, friendly service Cons: only one location more
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By far the best mexican place in Beantown! 1/12/2006

This is the only place that beats out Anna's for the best burrito in boston. Get the El Guapo.... you'll need LOADS of napkins, but you won't be disappointed! Pros: cheap Cons: parking more
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El Pelon is what I miss most about Boston 1/10/2006

Cheap, great service, AWESOME food! Call ahead with your order during peak times. I call when I get on line and by the time I'm up, my order is ready :-) Wish they would bring back this one dish called Taquitos de Aires. Chicken Enchiladas and Tostadas are really, really good. I used to eat there twice a day. Pros: Food, Cheap, Nice People Cons: Bring back Taquitos, de Aires! more
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El Pelon is Casa de AWESOME! 1/10/2006

El Pelon is a fantastic dining experience for the broke college student, or family of ten coming from a Sox game. There is often a line out the door to order food, but don't be discouraged- it's a very quick wait! The food is the cheapest in town, and certainly the tastiest! Customers also have the option to call-in an order, or get delivery. If only El Pelon had Margaritas on their menu, it would be HEAVEN! Pros: Inexpensive, Fast Service, Great Food Cons: Very Small+Crowded, No Margaritas more
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A fat kid knows best 8/14/2004

This is the type of place you are willing to drive across town (or from another town) just to get a Tortas. The food is fantastic, quick, and actually affordable. It is also a good place to hang with visiting friends because of the proximity to Fenway Park and a good bar or two right next door. It shows you know the "hidden gems" of a city, which chicks dig. This place gets the Reidocat's double thumbs up! Pros: Tortas, Tostadas, People more
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Hidden treasure! 7/16/2004

I was so excited to find Restaurant Row, they've got everything you could look for without the crowds of the obvious Fenway spots. I was expecting something different at El Pelon - it's tiny with limited seating. Outdoor dining great, but not all the tables have umbrellas so it can get very warm in the sun! Picnic tables so not the best spot if you want privacy. But the food was tasty and the prices are great. They've got a great selection with some extra stuff you don't see at the typical Mexican eatery. Good spot for pre- or post-game! Pros: Good food, Inexpensive, Outdoor dining Cons: , Picnic table seating more
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Great food ! 6/1/2004

The taste is very authentic and reasonable price. I personally recommend "agua de horchata" (milk/rice flavor drink) Pros: Good food, Authentic, Reasonable price more
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Menu for El Pelon Taqueria


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Editorial

  • Back from the ashes, cult-favorite Mexican joint El Pelon surfaces in Brighton, where the hungry masses can reunite with the tried-and-true favorites: cornmeal-fried-cod fish tacos, grilled...

  • 4/6/2010 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: 11am-11pm Daily
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Brighton, Allston-Brighton, St. Elizabeth's
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