top 10

El Pelon Taqueria

Claim
marker

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

marker
(617) 779-9090
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
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
Videos
Reviews
( 32 )
( 17 )
( 3 )
( 5 )
( 0 )

Best

Being a native Texan from a Hispanic family, the authenticity was a bit off compared to my normal taste. However! It was delicious. The people who work there are very nice, and my...

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...

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
Reply | Report abuse |

Yes it is the best in town!!! 5/27/2004

I love Mexican food and have lived in southern California, so I know a good place from a bad one. El Pelon is tops! I have tried most of the Mexican restaurants around and have found few that can come close to the freshness of ingredients and great taste of El Pelon's food. And the prices are very good. The atmosphere is fun, don't expect Newbury St. chic. This is simply delicious, real Mexican food and a funky little restaurant. The picnic tables outside are great when the weather is good. And if you don't like something, the owner is almost always there. No one should ever leave El Pelon unsatisfied! Pros: Great food, Inexpensive, genuinely nice people Cons: Parking...go figure!, smallish dining area more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great Food 5/26/2004

All these people form California, Colorado, and wherever else really need to stop complaining..youre annoying..its like your trying to tell us east coast people we dont know real mexican..psst..we travel weve eaten food in other states..and by there are lots of mexican people here too...not as many, but they are here.. the food at El Palon is great..fresh and flavorful, ..i know the west coast is closer to mexico..but that doesnt mean the food is any better there...ive spent more than a little bit of time in Arizona and Nevada...and never came across any better burritos. tacos, etc... so stop complaining...go for a great lunch and enjoy Pros: great food, good menu, freindly service more
Reply | Report abuse |

when the weather is warm... 4/19/2004

The food is cheap and awesome. The salsa and guac are better than anything you can find at shaws. Best of all you can eat outside in a quiet neighborhood (unless there's a sox game...) more
Reply | Report abuse |

Love It 8/9/2003

Having spent some time in California, I would have thought the Mexican food here would have been so much better than anything back East. Not so. El Pelon's burritos, fish tacos, and empanadas are some of the best I've ever had. Even the chips and salsa totally rock! Oh, and the taquitos . . . I need an El Pelon fix now. more
Reply | Report abuse |

outstanding 6/20/2003

I have eaten lunch at el pelon often and it was always fast and fresh. The price is right too no better value in the area Pros: cheap, fast, cheap Cons: parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great Food, Great Service, Great Value 3/14/2003

I have been living in Boston for 7 years now and have always had a difficult time finding a great healthy meal at a good value served promptly with a smile. I was delighted when I discovered El Pelon, a small Mexican joint in the Fenway that has the feel of a genuine community-oriented restaurant: not only do they have great food (dinner for under 5 bucks!) but they seem to be more than that, taking the time to get to know regulars and offering fun community-building activities like the kick-ass jalapeño eating contest in late March. You just get the feeling that the folks at El Pelon enjoy what they do, which seems to be a rare commodity these days. Pros: Great Service, Good Food, Excellent Value Cons: small eating space, no beer more
Reply | Report abuse |

Good-not really; Authentic-definitely no 1/25/2003

Perhaps positive reviews show lack of exposure to authentic Mexican food. Food is average. Caters to American tastes (I ordered a torta, a traditional Mexican sandwich-it came on a hamburger bun with cheddar cheese-not ingredients used in Mexico) Burritos fell short too. The rice wasn't the kind found in Mexican cooking and no salsa was given (you don't have to be Mexican to know that salsa should be served considering that it has replaced ketchup as the most widely sold condiment in the U.S.) Service was poor-20 minutes for a meal when there are no other customers is too long. Having lived in Chicago and Oakland, areas with large Mexican populations (also growing up eating my mother's and grandmothers' AUTHENTIC Mexican cooking), I long for REAL Mexican cuisine in MA. I've found good offerings at Anna's and Taqueria La Mexicana in Somerville, but El Pelon is not one of them. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Wow - No! 11/22/2002

Everything I read on here says this is the ""best kept secret in Boston"" and ""way better than Anna's."" So one day a few of us made the trip, what a waste. I feel as though the Burrito God's wanted to punish me for thinking that any place in this city, save Anna's, can touch what you can find in CO and CA. The Burrito was fine but far from overwhelming. On the other hand, we couldn't even finish our ""enchiladas."" Truly a disappointment. I am starting to think the positive reviews on this site are all from employees and the owners.... more
Reply | Report abuse |

Good, but not the best 10/29/2002

Being originally from Oakland, CA all of these reviews saying how authentic El Pelon is make me laugh. Let's start with the basics. First off, you don't use ROMAINE lettuce in a burrito. You don't water down your sour cream and squirt it onto the various dishes with a ketchup bottle. When you prep meat for a burrito, you make sure it's lean and cut thin, so that when someone takes a bite they don't get half the contents of the burrito all over their lap. El Pelon is definately better than most but anyone who thinks this place squashes Anna's is smoking something fierce. On top of that, the service is unnaceptably slow for a taqueria. A good place for El Pelon (and most taquerias in boston) to start is to make refried beans that don't taste like they came from a can. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Mexican food done right 10/23/2002

Excellent quality and excellent value! More authentic than Anna's or other tacquerias, because the meat comes straight off the grill. Try the sandwiches, which sport a perfectly toasted bun!! They even bring your food out to your table! Only they don't carry normal soft drinks. Pass on their substitute colas. Pros: cheap, authentic mexican Cons: no good drinks more
Reply | Report abuse |

Better than San Francisco! 10/12/2002

I lived in San Francisco for 10 years, so I was blown away to find a better, more unique taqueria in Boston. Besides doing a great job with the normal fixins, they also add things like marinated cabbage & limed onions, plus sides like fried plantain. All add up to a step above all other taquerias in Boston and perhapes much of the rest of the country. Down side is difficult parking and longer wait for food than most taquerias. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Tasty as they come! 10/10/2002

Great cheap food! Burritos are very tasty and savory, more so than Ana's. Will keep you coming back for more. In addition to great food, very friendly staff. Great Service! Pros: inexpensive, fast service, friendly staff Cons: small store more
Reply | Report abuse |

great excuse not to cook!! 9/6/2002

I'm a veggie; and it's really difficult to get good food. But food here is Delicious!!! we live close to this place and visit atleast once a week, it's a great excuse not to cook!! more
Reply | Report abuse |

two words: DEEE-LICIOUS! 8/30/2002

What a find! I'm afraid we'll never get into the place once everyone finds out about this gem. The food is fresh, authentic and delicious. Oh, and the sauces are incredible! Beware though, the staff are ""uncharacteristically"" Boston as they're helpful and seem to delight in offering tastes of their favorite sauces and side dishes. :-) Pros: Great Food, Great Prices, Great Staff Cons: Small, Parking can be tough more
Reply | Report abuse |

the best-kept secret in Boston 8/28/2002

This little restaurant is one of my favorites. It has great food at affordable prices -- almost every single dish is under $5 and served fresh. The decor is interesting with the country's art and silver-plated mirrors. The place is authentic in that bright colors and tiled floors and tables are used to keep the temperature down -- especially appreciated in these dog-day of August. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and every so often there is a cntest for who can eat the most spicy food! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Ohhh Gaaaahhhd! 8/26/2002

After decades of living in Cali. I'm happy that I finally found a great Boston Taqueria. This place is a gem. Make the trip at all costs. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Food that makes Anna's coure 8/21/2002

Anyone who has ever been to Mexico and Southern California (basically northern Mexico) would laugh at the pathetic attempts of places like Anna's and Boca Pico. El Pelon is what you get in Mexico and its the best: fresh ingredients, well cooked (not dry and nasty like Boca), and employees who take time with each order (do not slap nasty Taco Bell quality beans, and a paultry bits of chicken on a rubbery tortilla like Anna's). People in long lines at crappy mexican eateries should wake up and find El Pelon....simply the best and only fresh mex in Boston!!!! Pros: Value, Fresh, Great hours more
Reply | Report abuse |

riquisimo 8/20/2002

After spending a year in Europe El Pelon was the right cure for adding a little spice, avacado and black beans to my real mexican food deficiency. The restaurant decor and music sets just the right upbeat and funky tone. The outdoor seating lets you relax and soak up some rays while enjoying dishes like ""El Guapo"" and sipping on horchata. Que rico! Pros: what a bargain, fun atmosphere, great food more
Reply | Report abuse |

Cheap Mexican food, the way it has to be 8/20/2002

I'm sorry but the editors choice are what we Mexicans call TEX-MEX, so not mexican at all. El Pelon is not just good and friendly service, it is also good food and they have the BEST FISH BURRITO IN TOWN, not like that other burrito place. Pros: Inexpensive, Good Service, Best Burrito Cons: Small more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 3 Next >
Menu for El Pelon Taqueria


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021

Fresh, Healthy, Flavorful Authentic Mexican Food at El Pelon Taqueria

Owner Message

  • Welcome To El Pelon Taqueria!
    Come & enjoy authentic Mexican food at El Pelon Taqueria at our Brighton, MA location. We offer healthy, nutritious, & authentic Mexican food, prepared in our kitchen daily, using only the freshest raw ingredients, the same way we've been doing for over 12 yrs. Our Taqueria offers more than just the ordinary tacos & burritos.

    We use only the finest ingredients and are committed to cooking wholesome, flavorful food. Make sure not to miss the ever-popular "El Guapo" burrito made with grilled steak, rice, black beans, fried plantains, jack cheese, fire roasted salsa & romaine lettuce rolled in our fresh flour tortillas.
    Come for any occasion, either a quick lunch or a family night out & enjoy great food in a clean comfortable atmosphere. We have the city's best, most authentic tacos & burritos, wildly popular with the budget-conscious.

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: Visa, Master Card, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: St. Elizabeth's, Brighton, Allston-Brighton
badge