This place makes the best burrito I've ever had. And that is all I have to say.
(5)
Emily K.
Hungry after traveling to the city for a conference, I wandered to Boca Grande based on a craving for Mexican food. Admittedly I was there at an off-peak time (around 2 pm), but I was disappointed that there were no soups, and no tamales available. I was curious about the ancient grains plate, but am not certain they had any quinoa available. I ended up getting the mixed vegetables, with jalapeños, hot sauce, tomatoes, black beans, and guacamole with a side of chips and salsa. I am glad I got the guacamole. The beans were tasty, and the vegetables were nicely grilled. The rice was dry and bland. I love guacamole and think that without the guac the meal would have been really bland. Overall, my expectations were not super high based on reviews, but my review could have possibly been higher if I had been able to sample soups or tamales. You do get a large amount of food for the cost.
(3)
Z S.
I love trying local places instead of chains but chipotle is better slightly cheaper. I really have no reason to come back when chipotle is right down the road.
(2)
Elfego S.
The food was good but the only thing that is a huge draw away from this place is that the steak had no flavor what so ever. I had a taco and a burrito they were both presented really well but just the meat had nothing on it. The cool thing about them they leave good big chunks of steak opposed to other places that just shred the meat to thin slices or cubes. The beans, rice and guacamole was cook and made well. Very similar to a Anna taqueria but nothing like it and far from it. Not a big fan of soda machines and exactly the reason why I didn't like them, the soda was terrible they didn't even have water bottles for sale. Not even some soda from Mexico which even chipotle sells. I've passed by this place many times before coming and I will continue to do so.
(3)
Sharon F.
I never cared much for Boca Grande, especially this location in East Cambridge. It's Tex-Mex fast food in a part of town that suffers from a dearth of authentic cheap eats. Besides, their Al Pastor doesn't even have pineapple in it. But I digress. What I do care about is cleanliness, and when a friend gets sick from this location a few years ago, but still has the good faith to return, and gets sick again? That's simply beyond taste; it's a matter of principle. BOYCOTT.
(1)
Catherine V.
Really good food and the staff is super friendly. The steak quesadilla is delicious and the tacos al pastor are pretty good too.
(4)
Adela B.
I used to eat here a lot, but the prices keep going up and the value down. The portions are so skimpy and for the price and quality of ingredients it's not worth it. The taste is okay....really skimpy on the fresh cilantro and green sauce. Just not worth the price.
(2)
Keith B.
I ate in with a Chicken Ranchero Burrito. My companion ordered the tacos - which looked phenomenal in comparison. My burrito was *good* it wasn't *great* - the flavor wasn't anything that stuck out and made me think "damn, this is a great burrito!" - I've eaten at a couple smaller taco houses that are way more flavorful (and cheaper in comparison). It's not crazy expensive, but for the price, I was hoping it would be a bit more flavorful. Basically, it's worth trying once, but the mediterranean place I ate at the day prior? Blows this place out of the water.
(3)
Randy S.
This is THE best taqueria in the Boston area. It is no frills, but delicious and inexpensive. Also, the meats are all grilled deliciously, and at the MIT location, you can smell them for blocks around ... so many good lunch memories ... The 3 best things on the menu are (1) the carnitas burrito, (2) the chicken colorado burrito, and (3) the tacos al pastor in that order. However, I've had almost everything on the menu at this point and can recommend any of it but the steak. It looks good, but it's usually too grisly for my taste. For the best experience go at lunch about 10 minutes before noon (before the line out the door) when the food is just coming off the grill and don't ask for sour cream or guacamole. This food doesn't need the extra richness.
(5)
Wendy C.
I'm eating a delicious carnitas burrito right now. It's 4pm on Friday as I'm finally getting around to lunch and everything still looked and tasted fresh, even during non-peak hours. Fresh guacamole, good rice, flavorful pork - I'm quite happy with the food quality. Definitely not a fancy spot but good food.
(4)
Kate A.
Boca is my go-to lunch spot in the East Cambridge area. There aren't a ton of options outside of the mall, but this place is actually delicious. I usually order the lemon chicken plate, and HINT: you can ask for grilled veggies instead of beans for no extra charge - delicious zucchini. The staff are always efficient and while it's true they speak Spanish, I've never had trouble being understood and find them to be friendly and helpful.
(4)
C. G.
First things first. Do not go to Boca Grande (at least this location) expecting to order based off of their online menu. While one would normally assume that a restaurant's menu would be their menu, you would be mistaken at Boca Grande. That being said, I forged ahead and ordered the Chicken Ranchero burrito. Not typically my thing, but everything I had wanted was not actually served. I asked about the Mexican Plates (what is that? just meat on a plate?) but after multiple eye rolls from an obviously overworked (or just really rude) cashier, I gave up attempting to salvage the trip I had made over there and just ordered something quickly so that I could leave. The men behind the counter actually prepping my burrito were actually incredibly nice and either didn't listen to what I had just ordered or just didn't care and were prepared to give me whatever I wanted regardless of what I payed for. Burrito quality - sub par. Decent. Giant chunks of chicken that I had to cut apart with a fork to actually make edible. Hot sauce not too hot. In my rush to order I forgot to ask for chips (which is the entire reason that I went in the first place - do not expect nachos here, regardless of menu) so ended up going to another taqueria on my way back to the office for chips. My meal today consisted of the tortilla of my Boca Grande burrito, some of the edible insides, and chips from a different place. Next time I'll just get the nachos at the other place.
(2)
Brandon Q.
Probably the blandest Mexican food I've ever had. No flavor in anything except the chicken, which tasted too charred. There was also absolutely no heat in the meal that was described as spicy by my order taker. The lemonade wasn't too bad however and I'd recommend getting it as a nice pallet cleanser. For the same price I'd rather have gone to a chain like Chipotle or Qdoba. If you like Mexico cuisine don't waste your time here.
(2)
Chris L.
When I was a freshly graduated bachelor with limited means and limited cooking abilities, Boca Grande provided me with a cheap, somewhat satisfying, totally unremarkable and unmemorable meal. (Both the Porter Square and this location -- and I think Porter Sq was slightly better.) Boiled chicken breast in chicken stock, lemon grilled chicken, carnitas (which was actually decent), steak, refried beans, hot sauce, you name it -- if it's on the menu, I've had it. Within the last 10-15 years or so, I've only gone there one more time. Now, pretty much, I don't go. I have never eaten here and thought it was phenomenal ... it was always, "This is cheap and fast ... and will keep my stomach from sounding like a wild beast and scare off my cube buddies." I've not been super-impressed ... but I've also never had food poisoning here. I would put this at a 2.5 star, and seem to remember it was a touch pricy for what I got. And if I think of Mexican or Tex Mex, this wouldn't be some place I would say, "Oh yes, I MUST GO BACK!" or "I have to take my buddies here!"
(2)
rebecca f.
Wow, this had to be one of the most terrible take-out food I've ever had. I stopped in and ordered a "colorado chicken quesadilla" for lunch - and it was disgusting. Oddly gamey chicken in a slick red sauce with a scant amount of a nondescript white cheese (which I imagine was actually a cheese-product, not actual cheese), rolled up like a burrito? To top it off, the "hot" sauce on it was basically tasteless. Now, I'm not a hugely picky eater, but I have to say, I would never, ever, go back to this place.
(1)
Jessie C.
Interesting how you forget to review the places you eat at all the time! Oh Boca Grande - you keep the line moving, you have more options for meat than other burrito places but I do feel your prices are a bit steep. I paid $9 for two veggie tacos w. guac. Sad. Get your prices down and I'll give you another star.
(3)
Andrew R.
"Meh. I've experienced better" is what a 2 star rating says, and that exactly what this location deserves. Especially when compared to its sister locations. Those places know how to do a tamale right, with the sweet corn masa being so freakin' delicious it's hard to not pick up that giant thing and shove it in your mouth whole. The saving grace of this location was that their al pastor was actually quite tasty, but that's not why I come here. Do yourself a favor and visit their other locs for the best darn tamales in Boston.
(2)
Alex B.
So I stopped in here to pick up a burrito for dinner. After being told they were out of carnitas (why are you running out of stuff at dinner time?) and thinking about something else the guy said, oh wait, we have spicy carnitas. So, I ordered that. I wish this guy knew that spicy carnitas and steak are two very different things. This really put a sour spin on the evening when we got home and opened up our burritos. I guess you have to stick to the long lines at lunch in order to get what you want. I also realized their guacamole isn't really that good. I think Anna's definitely tops Boca.
(2)
Daniel B.
When I lived in SF and had a BG burrito, I thought it was a 3* joint. Now that I live in Albany and I had a BG burrito, it's more like 5*. 4* seems like a perfectly fine compromise. I was especially wary when I was compelled to order the grilled chicken filling, and to get it without cheese or cream (doctor's orders). Those things can be dry and tasteless. Man! Was I surprised. The chicken was awesome. Charred and a bit smoky from the fire. Juicy. Not bone-y or tendon-y at all. Great combination of flavors. Great mix of ingredients for every bite. Granted, we were there at an off time, and the burrito assembly man was able to take his time and make each item perfect. All five burritos we ordered were executed flawlessly, and when we carried them out in the to-go bag, it felt like groceries for the week.
(4)
Chris M.
This place must sell hater-ade. Luckily, I didn't get a drink. I got a Colorado Chicken burrito.... I was able to get it with rice, cheese, chicken, and lettuce. Everything I want in a burrito. I had no trouble getting them so skip the salsa, beans, etc. I was here right after the lunch time rush on a workday. Since there's a lot of businesses in the area, this must be more of a business hours type eatery. It was quick, it was cheap, it was delicious. I liked their chicken way better than chipotle, and even better than Anna's. I'd go back for seconds, and I'd go back with co-workers. Working in Kendall sq. it's a little closer than mexi-cali, and about as far as anna's. Worth the hike.... but skip ordering a drink, it might make you hate the place.
(4)
Julie B.
I'm not too sure what to say about Boca Grande. Everyone I work with raves about the burritos so today I thought I'd take the walk and try one out. For a first timer I was a little overwhelmed by the huge line and ordering process - guess they're just using the trust system. I actually have no idea if I got the right size burrito because one was just waiting for me when I got up to the counter with a strange melted white rectangle (was that cheese?). The burrito itself was pretty good, and I think it's my own fault that I didn't enjoy it as much as my co-workers. For some reason I tend to like processed Mexican food over fresh, might have something to do with the fact that I'm a salt fiend and fresh ingredients usually lack the heart stopping amounts of sodium that I love. I'm not sure if I'll be returning - might just happily stick with q'doba and boloco after work.
(3)
Leonid S.
There is quite a line in front, but you won't have to wait more than five minutes. Otherwise - not impressed by the tacos.
(2)
Kevin K.
There is always a long line at lunch time, but it goes pretty quick. Typically never wait longer than 5 minutes. I always get a burrito and switch up the meat. Definitely recommend this place, its always been good. I personally prefer it over Chipotle, mainly because they actually know how to roll a large burrito.
(4)
Phil H.
For the record I dislike people who claim to "know" Mexican food because they once lived in Phoenix or San Diego ten years ago. It's like they're so offended that someone dared to open a burrito joint in Boston because they've tasted something that's supposedly far superior at some point in their life. Quick service Mexican isn't exactly complicated, right? Anybody can do it. Your geographic location shouldn't matter. Then why am I so befuddled ordering from this Boca Grande? Where the hell does the line start? Why am I paying before I receive said burrito? Why did I order twice? Why am I being force-fed extra sour cream beyond my will? A befuddling burrito bonanza indeed. Food wise, it's a pretty standard burrito. Anna's and Felipe's are much better.
(2)
Jane E.
Growing up in the Mexican food mecca of AZ/NM, I was sorely disappointed here. Expensive for what you get. Bland rice that acts as way too much filler for burritos. Hot sauce isn't all that hot. Seasoning on the chicken was bitter, not good at all. I'm sorry to say this, but... sigh... Chipotle/Qdoba are better, and that is saying something. Pros: fast service, good location, large portions.
(2)
Jennie W.
I'm normally a Boca fan, but this is probably the worst one in town. The rice and beans were super bland and the whole burrito was kinda watery tasting. The only good thing about this place is the guacamole (the $2 side order is pretty big), but let's be honest, I've never met guac I didn't like. Don't go here. Hike a few blocks up and go to Sweet Touch.
(2)
Chronic C.
Did somebody say "Guacamole or sour cream?" I waffle between whether I like Ana's or Boca Grande better. But this is not about waffles its about Burritos baby!! Boca Grande makes a respectable burrito. They are always consistent in the preparation. I stick with classic chicken or ranchero (yummy saucy boiled chicken) and black beans. I think Ana's has them beat on the salsa because Ana's seems fresher, has more cilantro, riper tomatoes and less onion. But I think Boca has better quality cheese. The Guacamole at both places leaves a little to be desired..not healthy thats for sure! All in all, Boca will get you in and out quickly and will satisfy. I prefer the Porter location because the seating sucks here at Kendall. The dining room is upstairs and you feel like a slab of carnitas as you dwell in the smoke from the grill downstairs. Count on smelling like a tortilla for the rest of the day if you decide to eat in. hasta!
(3)
Beth R.
The tamales here are to die for. Seriously amazing. And they are only $5 on Wednesdays. SO GOOD. I literally get an tamale every time that I go, so I can't compliment on the rest of the food, but the staff is friendly as well.
(4)
Dan L.
there burritos are not too bad, but they charge an arm and a leg for any add ons.. I wouldn't mind paying but the amounts are miniscule. Guacamole $.95 Cheese $.75 Sour Cream $0.50
(1)
Dan C.
I have to say I wasn't that impressed with this place. While running to a meeting I passed this place and figured I could use a quick bite. I ordered a Taco al pastor, but that's not exactly what I got--and I mean that literally and figuratively. Figuratively first: the al pastor is like little clumps of charred graphite and tasted about the same, flavorless and dull. As for the literal, I ended up with a plate of three not one. Usually I wouldn't complain about more food, but seeing as they were these tacos, I did.
(2)
Chad B.
Really decent burrito place and very inexpensive. Their tamales are hidden treasures, however, very authentic and tasty. Burritos Grandes also from good to very good depending on what you put on it. On nice days, it is always crowded for lunch, but I find the line moves quickly. It is always a treat to take a short walk here in the middle of the day.
(4)
Michele B.
I used to think there was no such thing as a bad taco.
(2)
Chi N.
So I was getting my brazilian wax the other day. Well, no, but clearly since half the reviews on Yelp are now about a smoothened genital region, I figured I would start this review with a similar lead. But now, burritos. I must admit I am a frequenter of Boca Grande, primarily because they are located so close that the I only have to burn about 2 of the 1000 or so Calories in the given burrito. That said, they do make a half decent product. The Carnitas are quite good, even for someone raised in what essentially is North Mexico (Southern California). They even do half decent 'healthier choices', such as whole wheat tortillas and tofu-in-red-chili filing. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't jump around town trying to get here; but if you're like many of the local workerbees and you need a quick change from yuppie-ville at 2nd St Cafe, Boca Grande proves to be a good stop out. And you don't even have to shave off your genitals.
(4)
anthony L.
Ok I'm going to start off by saying that out of all the burrito places in boston (even Anna's, which I would marry if I could), Boca has THE BEST carnitas. It's just delicious. That said, their burritos have way too much rice compared to the other ingredients, and their hot sauce leaves a lot to be desired. this combination leaves me with a blandish torpedo of stomach expanding rice. If the carnitas weren't so good I wouldn't give this place a second thought. Also a friend of mine from work accidentally knocked over the soda cups and found a fat old cockroach. Obviously restaurants in Boston are going to have some pest problems, but under the cups? come on boca -- get your act together. did I mention the carnitas is off the hook?
(2)
Kristine Y.
I got the Al Pastor burrito. So it wasn't the best burrito that I have had, but I enjoyed it. The guys behind the counter were very nice and when I spoke to them in Spanish they humored me and responded. Cook - "Seniorita..." Me - "Gracias" Cook - "De Nada" Me (to my friend) - "I just spoke with them in Spanish!" :) Hahah ok... now seriously, I thought they were pretty nice there. I liked that the tortilla tasted homemade, not like Chipotle or Qdoba. The meat was decent, although could have used a little more seasoning. I liked the guacamole and the overall The lemonade was not good though, it was way too tart and warm... The prices were pretty cheap, about $5 for a burrito and the line moved fast. But like almost everyone said, the system for ordering was a little awkward and the atmosphere was a little dark and dingy, but gave it character. Usually most hole in the wall restaurants look like this and are pretty good. Also, just FYI if you want sour cream, guacamole, or extra cheese, expect to pay extra! So I've had better burritos, but I wouldn't mind coming back again.
(3)
Josh T.
Was just here at about 245 in the afternoon. No line at all, which is atypical .. but the cashier was eating WHILE taking my order - hands in her mouth, then directly into the till to make change. And the fella making my taco was in such a hurry to get me out of there that he wasn't listening to anything I said. He had to re-do three different things because he wasn't listening to me as I talked ... three things on a single taco! If this were a lunch rush I could understand, but there was literally NO ONE else in the joint. Also, the taco was mediocre at best. Underseasoned and a soggy mess. Won't be back.
(1)
Marilyn T.
Had a tamale from the Mass Ave location earlier this week...was so impressed, I just had to have another. So I decided to try this location instead. Big mistake...very disappointed...will stick with the Mass Ave location.
(1)
Tom M.
Augh! If I'm going to put up with being barked at and treated like cattle while ordering and being pushed through the line, you had better come through with some tasty food. The meat in the burrito was full of gristle but no flavor, the goddamn burrito fell apart (cardinal burrito sin) and the ordering experience felt like I'd just gotten a physical in a Turkish prison. No! (shakes can of pennies at Boca Grande) Bad!
(1)
Jenny S.
I've been to this location a couple times, but their tamales can't even begin to compare to the ones I crave all the time from the Boca Grande location near Kenmore. I got the pork tamale here (since they were out of the chicken)... The masa was bland and one side was quite mushy/watery, the pork was dry and not too flavorful... overall just not a great meal. I usually devour the boca grande tamales even though they're pretty big, but I had a hard time getting myself to finish this one. After giving this location a second chance and finding myself disappointed again, I probably won't be coming back here. The burritos I've tried here aren't bad, but not amazing... not enough to entice me back to this location at least. If it was closer, maybe I'd try some other items on the menu, but it's not.... so I guess that's that.
(2)
Daniel M.
The sign on your door says you're open until 9:00. When I called you at 7:30 you said so too. At 8:00 you were closed. No wonder your reviews suck.
(1)
Christopher C.
"Guacamole-sour-cream?" Be ready to answer this, FAST as you'll be asked after your order. The ordering process here is intimidating to say the least, but if you know what you want (try the chicken colorado burrito) then the experience is just great for lunch -- very efficient. I only ever wait a few minutes even with 20 people in line ahead of me. I work across the street, and the food options are limited in the neighbourhood -- basically Boca Grande or the Galleria food court if you are in a rush. So, my review is likely biased by the scarcity of good lunch options in the area. The burritos are descent. The tortilla is often rubbery and sticky, but at least it doesn't fall apart. Generous portions and well cooked rice and beans. It can be a bit inconsistent, especially the guacamole which they charge $1.25 for but may give you anything from a speck to a scoop. I've never ordered anything but the burrito for fear of slowing down the strange order/pay/order again system.
(4)
Shaina P.
order/pay first, indicating what you'll be having on top (because they'll get another $2 from you after requesting sour cream and guac), but then you don't realize you're supposed to repeat your order to the guy making your burrito and you're guac-less. just be wary of the backwards ordering thing and be prepared to order twice. might be ghetto and skeevy of me, but it's worth a try once or twice to say no to the guac at the register, but when the guy asks if you want guac you say yessir. less efficient, more mistakes, a little more spendy than Anna's.
(2)
Tom Z.
I work across the street from this place, and I think that's the only reason I still go here. These burritos are horrid. Anyone who says otherwise about this location is just wrong. I've been eating here almost every other week for the past year. The burritos are packed to the brim with dry rice, loads and loads of what appears to be canned beans, overcooked charred meat of your choice all wrapped in a rubbery tortilla that sticks to the top of your mouth like wallpaper glue. The ingredents get squished to all corners of the burrito, resulting in different sections of the burrito. Yuck. If you even think about getting a different order, they will stare you down like you had 5 heads. The service is downright embarrassing, on multiple occasions I've had a worker mutter Spanish curses under his breath. Screw this place.
(2)
Mike A.
In the first City Slickers movie someone asks "Cookie" (the cook) about his cuisine. He says: "Food's brown, hot and there's plenty of it!" The food at Boca is brown, hot . . . and damn tasty! I almost always get the chicken enchiladas (sometimes the chicken "Colorado" version if I'm feeling crazy) and it's just a really solid lunch. No complaints -- the price is right and they actually have Cherry Coke on tap. Only downside: If you order chips and salsa, the salsa is refrigerated and comes packed in a little plastic cup. As a result, it's basically a gelatinous, cylinder. You can break it up with the first few chips, though, so it's not that bad.
(4)
J J.
Cockroach Grande! After 2 trips to this estalishments, I am not coming back. Here is why: - They basically "trick" you into paying more for your food. If you ask for a burrito, they automatically give you a large burrito, instead of a small (add $1). Then they ask if you want quacomole and sour cream. If you say yes, they add another $2. They don't inform you of your choices. And their rapid assembly-line style forces you to move quickly. I feel like I am ordering tacos from the soup-nazi. No questions! - Toppings? Who knows. You have to guess what options are available for toppings. They don't tell you. And who knows what you might have to pay extra for. - The place stinks of smoke. - I saw bugs that resembled mini cockroaches on the tables upstairs. - Bland, boring flavored food. I asked for EXTRA hot sauce. And the food still tasted bland.
(1)
Aboud Y.
I saw rats as I waited for my burrito...BIG ONES! Never going back.
(1)
Ryan S.
Holy shit; i just read on wikipedia that Gordos is owned by a relative! ...annas is also
(4)
josh j.
Boca Loca - Stumbled upon Boca Grande and thought I'd give it a try. It was lunch time and there was a line up to the door. I asked the girl in front of me what was good, and she advised me to go for the burritos. The interior is bare bones, the staff only speak Spanish, with the exception of the girl working the register (who could care less if you were having a good day or not), and there's no TV or music to numb/amuse you while you're in line . But hey, it's all about the food, when it comes to a taqueria. Classic moment was when I asked the guy making my burrito how hot was the hot salsa, he looked at me like I was asking him the atomic weight of strontium; yes, stupid question, he probably could drink what I deemed spicy like it was water. Anyways, got a good sized chicken burrito and the flavor was decent, but nothing extraordinary. And of course, the salsa was hot like speakers sold out of a van in a Wal Mart parking lot.
(3)
greg m.
Had a chicken burrito here that tasted like charcoal. No thanks.
(2)
Ginnette P.
yuk I don't see what the fuss is about the burrito I had was underwhelming to say the least not going back my co-worker is nuts about the place an loves it - I do not!
(1)
Liz P.
Aside from the somewhat confusing ordering process, I have no complaints about Boca Grande. They have a small dining area upstairs, but I usually take it to go. The prices are cheap, and you get a lot of food. The burritos are huge and over-stuffed with rice and beans and meat. I try to eat half a burrito at lunch, but it's so good I end up eating the whole thing, leaving me full and sluggish for the rest of the day. The tamales are awesome, too. In my experience I haven't come across many places that have tamales, let alone GOOD tamales. Huge plus for me. I work at the top of 1st Street, so Boca Grande is a nice, quick walk. Best time to go is during the lunch rush. Even though the line out the door looks intimidating, it moves very fast. I'm usually in and out in 5 minutes. The guys behind the counter assemble the burritos with lightning speed, and it's a lot of fun to watch.
(4)
Matt P.
(Vegetarian review) Maybe this betrays my insular gastro-social views, but I found it absolutely bonkers to walk into this bare-bones burrito stand place and find it swarming with middle-aged businessmen on lunch break. Nothing wrong with that, man--I applaud your choice in prime lunching location next to the Galleria and all the offices--just threw me for a loop. As noted before, they've got this weird backwards order/pay/order system that encourages inaccuracies and dare I say the tendency to ask for tons of extras later on. The bad news for me was that I try to avoid getting cheese at these places and when I waked over to the dude to start the re-order process, my tortilla was already coated with it. The grill is right behind the counter in the kitchen and was piled high with nasty, fatty pork and chicken. Tortilla was okay, the beans were good, the rice was bland, the salsa was cool, the hot sauce was mild. I ate upstairs in the dining room or whatever. It's like 20 feet both ways and seating for about 25 people. No TVs (good), weird am-I-supposed-to-be-up-here ambience, and a huge stack of bags of rice in the corner. Hey, it's better than the food court (okay, not the outdoors fountain dealie...).
(2)
Kat R.
A trip to Boca is a treat... not an everyday thing. When I go, I'll have the beans & rice w/ cheese, sour cream and guac. YUM! And sometimes you can't even finish the whole thing. It's very filling! And cheap! Hey, at least you'll get some exercise walking over there, right? :) The guys who make everything are lightening quick, so even if the line is out the door, it moves fast. Confession time: the lady behind the register frightens me. A bit Soup Natzi (sp?), a bit Martha Stewart... mean and intimidating.
(4)
Drew M.
Very good burritos, and the prices are fair. There's an upstairs seating area that nobody ever seems to use, but it's there (just walk up the only stairs you see). The service is a bit lacking as you essentially have to place your order twice; once to pay for it, and the other to have them make what you want. They can be hard to understand, and you feel a bit rushed through the line, but it's well worth the awkward ordering experience to get one of these burritos.
(4)
David J.
The grilled steak burrito was tasty. The service was slightly intimidating like others have mentioned, but I didn't see any rats, so I consider this trip a success. I'd go back.
(3)
Adam M.
My coworkers and I get burritos every week from some of the burrito places around Kendall. We used to go to this Boca, but stopped after a long history of bad burrito experiences. I still come here every couple of months, somehow hoping it will be better than what I remember, but it just winds up reminding me how much better Anna's and Mexicali are compared to Boca. My biggest complaint about this place is that it's horribly inconsistent. When they make a good burrito, it can be pretty decent. When they make a bad burrito, look out. Some tips: -Ask for half rice, otherwise 90% of your burrito will be rice. -Buy a hot sauce of your choice to put on your burrito (don't use theirs). I find most hot sauces complement the burrito nicely and actually make it edible. -Never ever come here unless it's during peak lunch hours on a weekday when they actually cycle the ingredients. Come here at any other time and you're playing roulette.
(2)
Michael L.
This place is across from the Cambridgeside Galleria, sort of. It's always closed, and when it's not it's empty. I love Burritos, they lure me. That's why I was always so annoyed that Boca was closed and I couldn't get in. It was all a sham. This place serves rice-a-ritos no matter what you order. It just wasn't good, and then my stomach hurt. I liked the one in Brighton, and would go back there, but this was just disappointing. Cheap doesn't (always) make up for bad.
(2)
Craiggy Z.
Do you love rice and gristle? Do you hate hot sauce, salsa, and guac? Well perfect for you then. This place rots. I have tried so many times to get a decent meal here, and it is impossible. Like a lot of places, the sour cream and guacamole will each cost you extra. The problem is you will get about a teaspoon each of your deluxe toppings which will invariably be slopped perpendicularly across the other toppings and rolled asymmetrically into the front/back of your burrito. They (I have compared the styles of all employees) put zero care into preparation, its all about throughput. To skirt the poorly prepared burrito issue, I moved on to ordering the Mexican plate which is basically a naked burrito in a three-way-divided bowl (WHY DIVIDE THE BOWL?!? --makes mixing the ingredients difficult). FYI: if you make this transition to Mexican plates you forfeit your cheese strip unless you think ahead to order this extra (you will be charged). When compared to the burrito grande, you are going to get about 2.0 times the rice, 0.7 times the beans. So dry. Now I will address the worst, most unforgivable aspect of Boca Grande - Kendall/Lechmere...No hot sauce to speak of. You ask for hot sauce and you are going to get a squirt of green jalapeno sauce. About as mild as a bell pepper. No table sauces. The salsa is a bastardized pico de gallo. There is no moisture/heat in the dishes here and it is pissing me off just writing this. Try and ask for extra pico de gallo/salsa/just minced tomato and see how nice they accommodate you. In fact, try and modify the proportions of any ingredient, and see how they treat you. If you are in the area, I would seriously consider the Taco Bell in the mall first, and as a burrito snob, it pains me to say that. The best burrito option is to shoot down a few blocks on Cambridge street and hit Olecito!
(1)
Roberto C.
I like these guys - but I've found quality depends on what time you get your food. Lunch is primetime & is 5 stars no question - be prepared to wait an inordinate amount of time though... the masses flock in well, masses... If you go after 6pm, I'll say 3 stars (be prepared to dodge the tumbleweeds blowing down 1st street) - the chicken is definitely not as fresh & tends to be drier (yes, I've eaten here that much that I know time/consistency of their chicken). If it's an emergency & need a fix after 6 & I'm nowhere nears Anna's - I go Boca - if it's at lunch, be prepared to wait - but it's certainly worth the wait. Either way, none of it's horrible, but pay attention to time & you'll be fine.
(4)
Jason S.
Bostonians tend to get a bit nutty about their burritos around here - they make their choices of Anna's vs. Boca vs. Boloco and defend it like they do their politics. Personally, I tend to go to whatever's closest - and this Boca is right around the corner from work. They serve a great burrito - I get the grande with chicken colorado (grilled in red sauce) with guac and hot sauce. It's filling, delicious, nutritious, and a great deal for $6. A quick walk to the Charles (as opposed to sitting upstairs), and that's a great lunch. Plus, it's always fun to watch the boca newbies deal with the awkward ordering process. Beware anyone who orders a non-burrito, gets banished to a remote corner while they heat up the tortilla. Burrito Nazi indeed!
(4)
Ja H.
Not that great. What were they thinking with the bland/seasonless tofu option?
(2)
David C.
I love the Boca Grande in Kenmore Square but this one is typically messy in the upstairs dining area, the staff isn't as friendly, and they often are out of toppings on the menu.
(2)
Mark G.
Go to Anna's Taqueria for good Mexican. This place blends in with the rest of the crappy Mexican places (at best) and after going a handful of times due to proximity to work, I think it's safe to say that the servers are typically rude.
(2)
Shane F.
Everything Boca Grande serves is too salty except the tortillas which are dry and bland. These two faults even out to merely below average when combined in a burrito, (all they want to sell you anyhow). As for chips and salsa, it's good for a few bites but then I start looking around for something to dilute all that salt. When you order they always try to sell you sour cream and guacamole.
(1)
Ryan R.
I have nothing but tasty food here. It is in a good location and just as good as the other locations. I find at this one that their steak is actually cooked better and it is not fatty. It is always a good place to go to have a good cheap Mexican dinner or lunch. They also have tamales which are kind of hard to find. They are very good too. The service is a little sub-par and the organization can be better but you kind of get what you pay for. There is a minimal amount of seating on the first floor but I enjoy sitting on the second floor. I would also stick to something with meat. I got a California burrito one time and that is the only thing i can complain about. The sprouts were gross.
(4)
Lindsay D.
Me and you, Boca Grande - East Cambridge, we've got a score to settle after my lunch today. First off - your line. It makes no sense! I need to order and pay, then fill up my soda cup to my right and THEN make my way back to the left - shoving through the line - to wait AGAIN for my burrito? PSH. B Number 2 - ingredient distribution. I don't enjoy biting into bean and rice every two seconds only to get a mouth full of sour cream and guacamole 1/3 of the way down. What gives? Ya'll need to perfect your wrist flicks at this joint. Finally - quality. For a vegetarian, I have a pretty iron clad stomach. I can eat practically anything and feel FINE afterwards. Spicier than sin? Bring it on. Greasy food? Be not ashamed. Cheese smothered in alfredo sauce? Delightful. Bean and cheese burrito from Boca Grande in East Cambridge? NEVER AGAIN.
(2)
Molly S.
This was a huge let down! I love Boca Grande, and this place didn't live up to the rest of them. I always get the same thing at Boca - the California Burrito. One of it's ingredients is avocados... mine missed the boat - instead I got nasty squeezed out of a ketchup-style-container guacamole. My dining companion didn't complain about Chicken Colorado Plate. I would have liked to order a mini quesadilla or chips and salsa, but 1) the staff didn't seem interested in spending anymore time on me than they already had and 2) I wanted to GET OUT of there for fear they'd fuck something else up. They didn't have horchata and the gal was very rude about it. If you don't carry it, take it of the menu up there! Last but not least, I went on a Saturday night, which is probably the root of the problem - the area was dead. And the staff obviously resented being the only ones there. I was trying to avoid college kids by going to this one, and I was wrong to do that. Next time I'll go to Porter Square, no matter how crowded it could be.
(2)
Bob F.
If you work in the area, you don't have a lot of good food options. The Cambridgeside Galleria food gets old after a while, and Hellmands isn't open for lunch. Sigh. Boca Grande is solid mexican food. My friends from California will say it doesn't live up to their standard, but as a New Englander, it tastes fantastic to me.
(4)
Angela S.
I have been to many burrito places and this is the place to go if you want a great burrito. My favorite is the chicken colorado burrito. The price is right and the portions are enough to fill you up. I also love thier guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips. I have also eaten the chorizo tacos and they were pretty good as well. This is a great place to go if you are looking for fast food that is healhty and delicious.
(5)
Terry W.
Okay...surprised at the negative reaction this is getting...yeah the place isn't like walking into Moe's or Baja Fresh as far as decour goes, but food is the focus here and they do that extremely well. I've never actually eaten inside (not much room) because my wifey works next door and we eat in her office. What are people looking for in a $6.00 burrito. The Chorizo is awesome the size of the burrito is just right. I've always had a good experience here and will continue to support my local establishment. Down with Taco Bell and UP WITH BOCA GRANDE!
(4)
Dachary C.
Bad, bad, bad. My co-workers fell in love with this place - the large burritos were filling and a change from the usual sandwich fare available in East Cambridge. The more I ate there, though, the worse it got. The burritos are big and the ingredients aren't bad. If you go to this place, don't deviate from the burritos. It's one thing on the menu that's fairly safe. However. I wouldn't go back to this place. I tried to branch out - enchiladas and quesadillas and tacos. Bad. Very greasy, messy, falling apart (not inherently bad in Mexican, but these don't fall apart in the typical Mexican way - they do it in a bad way.) Small, flat, not tasty. And the last straw was finding a hair in my food. Cleanliness is godliness when it comes to food prep, and I'm not satisfied with the Boca Grande standard of cleanliness. If you go during lunchtime, be prepared for a mess. The ordering and payment method is very unorganized, it's loud, and the lines are always long. But my advice is to avoid it altogether.
(1)
Blake V.
I'm addicted to BG's carnitas burritto. It's so wrong. All that greasy pork, chopped up with the cracklin's too. All atop a heaping pile of rice, salsa, and beans. Mmmm, I so love the green hot sauce. Double mmm, I love the smell of the grilled meats as I wait in line. Final mmmm, I love the dripping grease on my chin as I wolf down my decadent fare. So much for the New Year's resolution!
(4)
Megan C.
As a burrito aficionado, I am not impressed. Last time placed my order, the dude completely disregarded what I was saying, threw a bunch of random stuff in a tortilla, & tried to convince me it was what I asked for. Wha? We used to live 3 blocks away, and one Sunday we drove around for nearly an hour and a half looking for a different (open) burrito joint, because we didn't want to go to Boca Grande. We were unsuccessful. I'm still sad. They get 2 stars, because their burritos are baby-sized, as all burritos should be.
(2)
Michael W.
I have to agree with Laura S. and her boy friend. First off, I stopped in there for a lunch with a co-worker who seemed to enjoy the food. I told her ok, and kept saying Anna's is better. After going to the restaurant, I have to say hands down Anna's better. We walk in, and there is a line of people and no one at the register, it is absolute mayhem inside and the cooks have no idea what is going on and seem to be doing there own thing as it is. I finally order my steak Quesadilla which is made, with out listening to what I want, and seems to leave out the hot sauce and salsa, its then fried in the oil. I was surprised and skeptical after watching it sit or shall i say fried in the oil. Anna's traditionally grills the wrap and then adds the food while keeping it piping hot. We also order some chips and guacamole to bring back to the office. While walking, my ok looking quesadilla seems to fall apart and when I go to eat its dripping so much with grease I have to towel it down and then attempt to eat it. The steak is over cooked and is missing the spice that could have easily hidden how nasty it was. Chips seemed to be stale and the guacamole was turning brown, which means it had been hanging around back there. maybe thats what the cooks were laughing at while I was waiting for my food, or maybe they were just laughing at me because they know how bad the food is...
(1)
Anthony L.
not bad, not better than chipotle or qdoba, not worse. just average
(3)
Jenny L.
This place is quick and affordable for a weekday lunch. The line looks long but goes quickly so make sure you're ready to order before you get to the front or else you get a lot of impatient customers trying to rush you along. They have a good selection of burrito fillings but make sure you voice your preferences quickly as they'll take their best guess if you're not quick to respond. I was a little bit bothered by him putting pinto beans into my burrito and then scooping most of them out before he replaced it with black beans. But extra star for knowing how to wrap a burrito the right way unlike some other chain Mexican fast food places. I wouldn't recommend anyone go out of the way to come here but it's a good go-to if you're working in the area.
(3)
Tim K.
The first couple of times I went to this Boca Grande location, it wasn't bad. Nothing to write home about, but not bad. But then I went in one time and the food was horrible. I asked for jalapenos on my burrito and they put some dreadful, nauseating pickled carrot mix in it. Then the health inspector happened to walk in and berate the employees, loudly, for a myriad of code violations. I didn't finish my meal. I left. And I will never go back or patronize any of their other locations. There are a few places that I actually warn people about, and this is one of them.
(1)
Alice T.
Their burritos are awesome. The burrito grande cost you about 5 bucks and it's pretty good for the portion of the food you get. It's within walking distance from where I work and it's a great choice for a week day lunch. I would definitely go back again for lunch.
(4)
Huan z.
I am not sure about their burritos, but their tamale is excellent. Two thumbs up for the tamale! Short walk after shopping in the Cambridge Mall.
(3)
Emily S.
The one in Brighton Center is far superior but this location wins in a "how far can I really walk for a good burrito" contest (apparently not very far as this is the only one within walking distance of my apt). So by default, the winner is Boca Grande in the weird part of Cambridge. Hoorah!
(4)
Rick U.
I have no qualms giving this place my highest rating, simply because it is my favorite lunch place. Like another poster, I order the same thing every time (chicken boca grande, guacamole and sour cream), and I always finish it completely satisfied. Call me simple, call me a big guy with a big appetite, but I love Boca. I don't have any experience with any other part of their menu.
(5)
J. H.
The line at Boca Grande stretches out the door at lunchtime. The scene is somewhat chaotic with the cashier yelling for the next person to place their order, the workers slapping the ingredients onto the tortillas... But it all results in a tasty buritto. There are tables upstairs, but the dining area is nothing special.
(4)
Welton B.
So-so. I thought the food was rather bland, and the service was just barely civil. They all seem to be participating in that disturbing trend one finds at so many eating establishments these days of making as little acknowledgement of the customer as possible; and once the order is complete, forget any last minute questions! Your mileage may vary; some of my colleagues quite like the place.
(2)
Joseph R.
Long lines but definitely worth. I love the quesadillas! check them out its well worth it and very reasonablely priced.
(4)
Suzanne M.
I've never had a bad experience here. Yes, the lines are long at lunch, but it isn't the fault of the service (they work hard and fast) - it's just popular! I may be a biased reviewer since I have the same thing every time I go - chicken colorado burrito grande (red sauce) and a fresh lemonade - but every time it's been fantastic. I've had an Anna's burrito in Coolidge Corner and I just don't get why people rave over them. I think BG is much tastier. My favorite burrito.
(4)
Mags L.
just to preface my review: i go to anna's and felipe's. i like them. this place is close to my job. if i'm sufficiently pressured and feeling like taking a mid-week burrito run i will go to boca. i can't say i really like the burrito here. but i realize it's a taste thing. i prefer a sloppier and wetter burrito. everything here is too thick. the chicken is too grilled and dry (i'm the kind of girl that doesn't mind a little thigh meat). the salsa seems to consist of just tomatoes (where was the cilantro, where were the onions?). hot sauce - meh. i'm not here to perpetuate the ongoing debate. it's a taste thing. unfortunately, my taste says "boca? not so much"
(2)
Josh O.
Personally, I like Anna's better, but Boca Grande also has great burritos and service.
(3)
Dennis T.
The absolute worst food I have ever had in my entire life, without a doubt. I have heard horror stories before, and today I was basically dared by my fellow colleagues to give it a try. I told them "I have a strong stomach. I can handle it." Boy, was I wrong... Everything about the burritos is absolutely sickening. The rice is swimming in what looks like toilet water, the sour cream is a lumpy watery liquid, the hot sauce looks like watered down green puke... and to me it looked like there was a mixture of dead bugs, dirt, and charcoal in my burrito. Keep in mind I eat just about everything. I am not at all picky, and there is no food group I don't like. But let me tell you, I would not feed this sh*t to my dog, or anyone's dog for that matter. It would be animal cruelty. Plus worst of all they charge you about a dollar extra for each topping. I paid $8 for a $5 burrito to have it drowned in their various colored sludges. And they don't even tell you they are charging you 3 bucks for a squirt of hot sauce (more like snot sauce), sour cream (looks like sour sperm), and guacamole that has no flavor whatsoever. Go ahead and give this place a try if you don't believe me, but beware. Please save your money, and go to the mall food court. May I suggest he bourbon chicken at Big Easy Cajun. I promise whatever you choose to get there will be a billion times better than anything Boca Grande could ever dream of serving you, not that they actually give a crap what they serve you. Don't let the line during lunchtime fool you. I went at noon, and nothing was fresh or tasty about about my burrito. Well, at least my trash can had lunch... F*ck Boca Grande.
(1)
Greg S.
Boca could be a pretty good place for a burrito, but I've had mixed results. If you go there a bunch of times you'll find out how to actually order the correct burrito, because you have to be picky to get a good one, If I go I get grilled chicken because the other two are boiled and come with a lot of juice that make the burrito soggy because they don't drain it. Also the first thing you have to say to the person making your burrito is that you want black beans if you don't they will give you pinto beans which will almost always already be on the burrito before you even speak a word. You also have to make sure it's not busy because if it is you'll get a cup of bean juice with your beans, and that usually tastes awful. When it comes to hot sauce if you like it your going to have to tell them to put it on twice, otherwise they only put on a little and it won't be hot at all. Your almost always better off skipping the guac as well, it just isn't worth the extra money for a teaspoon of it. Anyway, if you order it like that you'll probably slow the production line down to a halt, like one of those awful visa commercials where the guy pays with a check, but it will be worth the better burrito. Also, unless you want to smell like smoke get it to go, the seating area is above the kitchen and not really ventilated well.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Justin G.
This place makes the best burrito I've ever had. And that is all I have to say.
(5)Emily K.
Hungry after traveling to the city for a conference, I wandered to Boca Grande based on a craving for Mexican food. Admittedly I was there at an off-peak time (around 2 pm), but I was disappointed that there were no soups, and no tamales available. I was curious about the ancient grains plate, but am not certain they had any quinoa available. I ended up getting the mixed vegetables, with jalapeños, hot sauce, tomatoes, black beans, and guacamole with a side of chips and salsa. I am glad I got the guacamole. The beans were tasty, and the vegetables were nicely grilled. The rice was dry and bland. I love guacamole and think that without the guac the meal would have been really bland. Overall, my expectations were not super high based on reviews, but my review could have possibly been higher if I had been able to sample soups or tamales. You do get a large amount of food for the cost.
(3)Z S.
I love trying local places instead of chains but chipotle is better slightly cheaper. I really have no reason to come back when chipotle is right down the road.
(2)Elfego S.
The food was good but the only thing that is a huge draw away from this place is that the steak had no flavor what so ever. I had a taco and a burrito they were both presented really well but just the meat had nothing on it. The cool thing about them they leave good big chunks of steak opposed to other places that just shred the meat to thin slices or cubes. The beans, rice and guacamole was cook and made well. Very similar to a Anna taqueria but nothing like it and far from it. Not a big fan of soda machines and exactly the reason why I didn't like them, the soda was terrible they didn't even have water bottles for sale. Not even some soda from Mexico which even chipotle sells. I've passed by this place many times before coming and I will continue to do so.
(3)Sharon F.
I never cared much for Boca Grande, especially this location in East Cambridge. It's Tex-Mex fast food in a part of town that suffers from a dearth of authentic cheap eats. Besides, their Al Pastor doesn't even have pineapple in it. But I digress. What I do care about is cleanliness, and when a friend gets sick from this location a few years ago, but still has the good faith to return, and gets sick again? That's simply beyond taste; it's a matter of principle. BOYCOTT.
(1)Catherine V.
Really good food and the staff is super friendly. The steak quesadilla is delicious and the tacos al pastor are pretty good too.
(4)Adela B.
I used to eat here a lot, but the prices keep going up and the value down. The portions are so skimpy and for the price and quality of ingredients it's not worth it. The taste is okay....really skimpy on the fresh cilantro and green sauce. Just not worth the price.
(2)Keith B.
I ate in with a Chicken Ranchero Burrito. My companion ordered the tacos - which looked phenomenal in comparison. My burrito was *good* it wasn't *great* - the flavor wasn't anything that stuck out and made me think "damn, this is a great burrito!" - I've eaten at a couple smaller taco houses that are way more flavorful (and cheaper in comparison). It's not crazy expensive, but for the price, I was hoping it would be a bit more flavorful. Basically, it's worth trying once, but the mediterranean place I ate at the day prior? Blows this place out of the water.
(3)Randy S.
This is THE best taqueria in the Boston area. It is no frills, but delicious and inexpensive. Also, the meats are all grilled deliciously, and at the MIT location, you can smell them for blocks around ... so many good lunch memories ... The 3 best things on the menu are (1) the carnitas burrito, (2) the chicken colorado burrito, and (3) the tacos al pastor in that order. However, I've had almost everything on the menu at this point and can recommend any of it but the steak. It looks good, but it's usually too grisly for my taste. For the best experience go at lunch about 10 minutes before noon (before the line out the door) when the food is just coming off the grill and don't ask for sour cream or guacamole. This food doesn't need the extra richness.
(5)Wendy C.
I'm eating a delicious carnitas burrito right now. It's 4pm on Friday as I'm finally getting around to lunch and everything still looked and tasted fresh, even during non-peak hours. Fresh guacamole, good rice, flavorful pork - I'm quite happy with the food quality. Definitely not a fancy spot but good food.
(4)Kate A.
Boca is my go-to lunch spot in the East Cambridge area. There aren't a ton of options outside of the mall, but this place is actually delicious. I usually order the lemon chicken plate, and HINT: you can ask for grilled veggies instead of beans for no extra charge - delicious zucchini. The staff are always efficient and while it's true they speak Spanish, I've never had trouble being understood and find them to be friendly and helpful.
(4)C. G.
First things first. Do not go to Boca Grande (at least this location) expecting to order based off of their online menu. While one would normally assume that a restaurant's menu would be their menu, you would be mistaken at Boca Grande. That being said, I forged ahead and ordered the Chicken Ranchero burrito. Not typically my thing, but everything I had wanted was not actually served. I asked about the Mexican Plates (what is that? just meat on a plate?) but after multiple eye rolls from an obviously overworked (or just really rude) cashier, I gave up attempting to salvage the trip I had made over there and just ordered something quickly so that I could leave. The men behind the counter actually prepping my burrito were actually incredibly nice and either didn't listen to what I had just ordered or just didn't care and were prepared to give me whatever I wanted regardless of what I payed for. Burrito quality - sub par. Decent. Giant chunks of chicken that I had to cut apart with a fork to actually make edible. Hot sauce not too hot. In my rush to order I forgot to ask for chips (which is the entire reason that I went in the first place - do not expect nachos here, regardless of menu) so ended up going to another taqueria on my way back to the office for chips. My meal today consisted of the tortilla of my Boca Grande burrito, some of the edible insides, and chips from a different place. Next time I'll just get the nachos at the other place.
(2)Brandon Q.
Probably the blandest Mexican food I've ever had. No flavor in anything except the chicken, which tasted too charred. There was also absolutely no heat in the meal that was described as spicy by my order taker. The lemonade wasn't too bad however and I'd recommend getting it as a nice pallet cleanser. For the same price I'd rather have gone to a chain like Chipotle or Qdoba. If you like Mexico cuisine don't waste your time here.
(2)Chris L.
When I was a freshly graduated bachelor with limited means and limited cooking abilities, Boca Grande provided me with a cheap, somewhat satisfying, totally unremarkable and unmemorable meal. (Both the Porter Square and this location -- and I think Porter Sq was slightly better.) Boiled chicken breast in chicken stock, lemon grilled chicken, carnitas (which was actually decent), steak, refried beans, hot sauce, you name it -- if it's on the menu, I've had it. Within the last 10-15 years or so, I've only gone there one more time. Now, pretty much, I don't go. I have never eaten here and thought it was phenomenal ... it was always, "This is cheap and fast ... and will keep my stomach from sounding like a wild beast and scare off my cube buddies." I've not been super-impressed ... but I've also never had food poisoning here. I would put this at a 2.5 star, and seem to remember it was a touch pricy for what I got. And if I think of Mexican or Tex Mex, this wouldn't be some place I would say, "Oh yes, I MUST GO BACK!" or "I have to take my buddies here!"
(2)rebecca f.
Wow, this had to be one of the most terrible take-out food I've ever had. I stopped in and ordered a "colorado chicken quesadilla" for lunch - and it was disgusting. Oddly gamey chicken in a slick red sauce with a scant amount of a nondescript white cheese (which I imagine was actually a cheese-product, not actual cheese), rolled up like a burrito? To top it off, the "hot" sauce on it was basically tasteless. Now, I'm not a hugely picky eater, but I have to say, I would never, ever, go back to this place.
(1)Jessie C.
Interesting how you forget to review the places you eat at all the time! Oh Boca Grande - you keep the line moving, you have more options for meat than other burrito places but I do feel your prices are a bit steep. I paid $9 for two veggie tacos w. guac. Sad. Get your prices down and I'll give you another star.
(3)Andrew R.
"Meh. I've experienced better" is what a 2 star rating says, and that exactly what this location deserves. Especially when compared to its sister locations. Those places know how to do a tamale right, with the sweet corn masa being so freakin' delicious it's hard to not pick up that giant thing and shove it in your mouth whole. The saving grace of this location was that their al pastor was actually quite tasty, but that's not why I come here. Do yourself a favor and visit their other locs for the best darn tamales in Boston.
(2)Alex B.
So I stopped in here to pick up a burrito for dinner. After being told they were out of carnitas (why are you running out of stuff at dinner time?) and thinking about something else the guy said, oh wait, we have spicy carnitas. So, I ordered that. I wish this guy knew that spicy carnitas and steak are two very different things. This really put a sour spin on the evening when we got home and opened up our burritos. I guess you have to stick to the long lines at lunch in order to get what you want. I also realized their guacamole isn't really that good. I think Anna's definitely tops Boca.
(2)Daniel B.
When I lived in SF and had a BG burrito, I thought it was a 3* joint. Now that I live in Albany and I had a BG burrito, it's more like 5*. 4* seems like a perfectly fine compromise. I was especially wary when I was compelled to order the grilled chicken filling, and to get it without cheese or cream (doctor's orders). Those things can be dry and tasteless. Man! Was I surprised. The chicken was awesome. Charred and a bit smoky from the fire. Juicy. Not bone-y or tendon-y at all. Great combination of flavors. Great mix of ingredients for every bite. Granted, we were there at an off time, and the burrito assembly man was able to take his time and make each item perfect. All five burritos we ordered were executed flawlessly, and when we carried them out in the to-go bag, it felt like groceries for the week.
(4)Chris M.
This place must sell hater-ade. Luckily, I didn't get a drink. I got a Colorado Chicken burrito.... I was able to get it with rice, cheese, chicken, and lettuce. Everything I want in a burrito. I had no trouble getting them so skip the salsa, beans, etc. I was here right after the lunch time rush on a workday. Since there's a lot of businesses in the area, this must be more of a business hours type eatery. It was quick, it was cheap, it was delicious. I liked their chicken way better than chipotle, and even better than Anna's. I'd go back for seconds, and I'd go back with co-workers. Working in Kendall sq. it's a little closer than mexi-cali, and about as far as anna's. Worth the hike.... but skip ordering a drink, it might make you hate the place.
(4)Julie B.
I'm not too sure what to say about Boca Grande. Everyone I work with raves about the burritos so today I thought I'd take the walk and try one out. For a first timer I was a little overwhelmed by the huge line and ordering process - guess they're just using the trust system. I actually have no idea if I got the right size burrito because one was just waiting for me when I got up to the counter with a strange melted white rectangle (was that cheese?). The burrito itself was pretty good, and I think it's my own fault that I didn't enjoy it as much as my co-workers. For some reason I tend to like processed Mexican food over fresh, might have something to do with the fact that I'm a salt fiend and fresh ingredients usually lack the heart stopping amounts of sodium that I love. I'm not sure if I'll be returning - might just happily stick with q'doba and boloco after work.
(3)Leonid S.
There is quite a line in front, but you won't have to wait more than five minutes. Otherwise - not impressed by the tacos.
(2)Kevin K.
There is always a long line at lunch time, but it goes pretty quick. Typically never wait longer than 5 minutes. I always get a burrito and switch up the meat. Definitely recommend this place, its always been good. I personally prefer it over Chipotle, mainly because they actually know how to roll a large burrito.
(4)Phil H.
For the record I dislike people who claim to "know" Mexican food because they once lived in Phoenix or San Diego ten years ago. It's like they're so offended that someone dared to open a burrito joint in Boston because they've tasted something that's supposedly far superior at some point in their life. Quick service Mexican isn't exactly complicated, right? Anybody can do it. Your geographic location shouldn't matter. Then why am I so befuddled ordering from this Boca Grande? Where the hell does the line start? Why am I paying before I receive said burrito? Why did I order twice? Why am I being force-fed extra sour cream beyond my will? A befuddling burrito bonanza indeed. Food wise, it's a pretty standard burrito. Anna's and Felipe's are much better.
(2)Jane E.
Growing up in the Mexican food mecca of AZ/NM, I was sorely disappointed here. Expensive for what you get. Bland rice that acts as way too much filler for burritos. Hot sauce isn't all that hot. Seasoning on the chicken was bitter, not good at all. I'm sorry to say this, but... sigh... Chipotle/Qdoba are better, and that is saying something. Pros: fast service, good location, large portions.
(2)Jennie W.
I'm normally a Boca fan, but this is probably the worst one in town. The rice and beans were super bland and the whole burrito was kinda watery tasting. The only good thing about this place is the guacamole (the $2 side order is pretty big), but let's be honest, I've never met guac I didn't like. Don't go here. Hike a few blocks up and go to Sweet Touch.
(2)Chronic C.
Did somebody say "Guacamole or sour cream?" I waffle between whether I like Ana's or Boca Grande better. But this is not about waffles its about Burritos baby!! Boca Grande makes a respectable burrito. They are always consistent in the preparation. I stick with classic chicken or ranchero (yummy saucy boiled chicken) and black beans. I think Ana's has them beat on the salsa because Ana's seems fresher, has more cilantro, riper tomatoes and less onion. But I think Boca has better quality cheese. The Guacamole at both places leaves a little to be desired..not healthy thats for sure! All in all, Boca will get you in and out quickly and will satisfy. I prefer the Porter location because the seating sucks here at Kendall. The dining room is upstairs and you feel like a slab of carnitas as you dwell in the smoke from the grill downstairs. Count on smelling like a tortilla for the rest of the day if you decide to eat in. hasta!
(3)Beth R.
The tamales here are to die for. Seriously amazing. And they are only $5 on Wednesdays. SO GOOD. I literally get an tamale every time that I go, so I can't compliment on the rest of the food, but the staff is friendly as well.
(4)Dan L.
there burritos are not too bad, but they charge an arm and a leg for any add ons.. I wouldn't mind paying but the amounts are miniscule. Guacamole $.95 Cheese $.75 Sour Cream $0.50
(1)Dan C.
I have to say I wasn't that impressed with this place. While running to a meeting I passed this place and figured I could use a quick bite. I ordered a Taco al pastor, but that's not exactly what I got--and I mean that literally and figuratively. Figuratively first: the al pastor is like little clumps of charred graphite and tasted about the same, flavorless and dull. As for the literal, I ended up with a plate of three not one. Usually I wouldn't complain about more food, but seeing as they were these tacos, I did.
(2)Chad B.
Really decent burrito place and very inexpensive. Their tamales are hidden treasures, however, very authentic and tasty. Burritos Grandes also from good to very good depending on what you put on it. On nice days, it is always crowded for lunch, but I find the line moves quickly. It is always a treat to take a short walk here in the middle of the day.
(4)Michele B.
I used to think there was no such thing as a bad taco.
(2)Chi N.
So I was getting my brazilian wax the other day. Well, no, but clearly since half the reviews on Yelp are now about a smoothened genital region, I figured I would start this review with a similar lead. But now, burritos. I must admit I am a frequenter of Boca Grande, primarily because they are located so close that the I only have to burn about 2 of the 1000 or so Calories in the given burrito. That said, they do make a half decent product. The Carnitas are quite good, even for someone raised in what essentially is North Mexico (Southern California). They even do half decent 'healthier choices', such as whole wheat tortillas and tofu-in-red-chili filing. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't jump around town trying to get here; but if you're like many of the local workerbees and you need a quick change from yuppie-ville at 2nd St Cafe, Boca Grande proves to be a good stop out. And you don't even have to shave off your genitals.
(4)anthony L.
Ok I'm going to start off by saying that out of all the burrito places in boston (even Anna's, which I would marry if I could), Boca has THE BEST carnitas. It's just delicious. That said, their burritos have way too much rice compared to the other ingredients, and their hot sauce leaves a lot to be desired. this combination leaves me with a blandish torpedo of stomach expanding rice. If the carnitas weren't so good I wouldn't give this place a second thought. Also a friend of mine from work accidentally knocked over the soda cups and found a fat old cockroach. Obviously restaurants in Boston are going to have some pest problems, but under the cups? come on boca -- get your act together. did I mention the carnitas is off the hook?
(2)Kristine Y.
I got the Al Pastor burrito. So it wasn't the best burrito that I have had, but I enjoyed it. The guys behind the counter were very nice and when I spoke to them in Spanish they humored me and responded. Cook - "Seniorita..." Me - "Gracias" Cook - "De Nada" Me (to my friend) - "I just spoke with them in Spanish!" :) Hahah ok... now seriously, I thought they were pretty nice there. I liked that the tortilla tasted homemade, not like Chipotle or Qdoba. The meat was decent, although could have used a little more seasoning. I liked the guacamole and the overall The lemonade was not good though, it was way too tart and warm... The prices were pretty cheap, about $5 for a burrito and the line moved fast. But like almost everyone said, the system for ordering was a little awkward and the atmosphere was a little dark and dingy, but gave it character. Usually most hole in the wall restaurants look like this and are pretty good. Also, just FYI if you want sour cream, guacamole, or extra cheese, expect to pay extra! So I've had better burritos, but I wouldn't mind coming back again.
(3)Josh T.
Was just here at about 245 in the afternoon. No line at all, which is atypical .. but the cashier was eating WHILE taking my order - hands in her mouth, then directly into the till to make change. And the fella making my taco was in such a hurry to get me out of there that he wasn't listening to anything I said. He had to re-do three different things because he wasn't listening to me as I talked ... three things on a single taco! If this were a lunch rush I could understand, but there was literally NO ONE else in the joint. Also, the taco was mediocre at best. Underseasoned and a soggy mess. Won't be back.
(1)Marilyn T.
Had a tamale from the Mass Ave location earlier this week...was so impressed, I just had to have another. So I decided to try this location instead. Big mistake...very disappointed...will stick with the Mass Ave location.
(1)Tom M.
Augh! If I'm going to put up with being barked at and treated like cattle while ordering and being pushed through the line, you had better come through with some tasty food. The meat in the burrito was full of gristle but no flavor, the goddamn burrito fell apart (cardinal burrito sin) and the ordering experience felt like I'd just gotten a physical in a Turkish prison. No! (shakes can of pennies at Boca Grande) Bad!
(1)Jenny S.
I've been to this location a couple times, but their tamales can't even begin to compare to the ones I crave all the time from the Boca Grande location near Kenmore. I got the pork tamale here (since they were out of the chicken)... The masa was bland and one side was quite mushy/watery, the pork was dry and not too flavorful... overall just not a great meal. I usually devour the boca grande tamales even though they're pretty big, but I had a hard time getting myself to finish this one. After giving this location a second chance and finding myself disappointed again, I probably won't be coming back here. The burritos I've tried here aren't bad, but not amazing... not enough to entice me back to this location at least. If it was closer, maybe I'd try some other items on the menu, but it's not.... so I guess that's that.
(2)Daniel M.
The sign on your door says you're open until 9:00. When I called you at 7:30 you said so too. At 8:00 you were closed. No wonder your reviews suck.
(1)Christopher C.
"Guacamole-sour-cream?" Be ready to answer this, FAST as you'll be asked after your order. The ordering process here is intimidating to say the least, but if you know what you want (try the chicken colorado burrito) then the experience is just great for lunch -- very efficient. I only ever wait a few minutes even with 20 people in line ahead of me. I work across the street, and the food options are limited in the neighbourhood -- basically Boca Grande or the Galleria food court if you are in a rush. So, my review is likely biased by the scarcity of good lunch options in the area. The burritos are descent. The tortilla is often rubbery and sticky, but at least it doesn't fall apart. Generous portions and well cooked rice and beans. It can be a bit inconsistent, especially the guacamole which they charge $1.25 for but may give you anything from a speck to a scoop. I've never ordered anything but the burrito for fear of slowing down the strange order/pay/order again system.
(4)Shaina P.
order/pay first, indicating what you'll be having on top (because they'll get another $2 from you after requesting sour cream and guac), but then you don't realize you're supposed to repeat your order to the guy making your burrito and you're guac-less. just be wary of the backwards ordering thing and be prepared to order twice. might be ghetto and skeevy of me, but it's worth a try once or twice to say no to the guac at the register, but when the guy asks if you want guac you say yessir. less efficient, more mistakes, a little more spendy than Anna's.
(2)Tom Z.
I work across the street from this place, and I think that's the only reason I still go here. These burritos are horrid. Anyone who says otherwise about this location is just wrong. I've been eating here almost every other week for the past year. The burritos are packed to the brim with dry rice, loads and loads of what appears to be canned beans, overcooked charred meat of your choice all wrapped in a rubbery tortilla that sticks to the top of your mouth like wallpaper glue. The ingredents get squished to all corners of the burrito, resulting in different sections of the burrito. Yuck. If you even think about getting a different order, they will stare you down like you had 5 heads. The service is downright embarrassing, on multiple occasions I've had a worker mutter Spanish curses under his breath. Screw this place.
(2)Mike A.
In the first City Slickers movie someone asks "Cookie" (the cook) about his cuisine. He says: "Food's brown, hot and there's plenty of it!" The food at Boca is brown, hot . . . and damn tasty! I almost always get the chicken enchiladas (sometimes the chicken "Colorado" version if I'm feeling crazy) and it's just a really solid lunch. No complaints -- the price is right and they actually have Cherry Coke on tap. Only downside: If you order chips and salsa, the salsa is refrigerated and comes packed in a little plastic cup. As a result, it's basically a gelatinous, cylinder. You can break it up with the first few chips, though, so it's not that bad.
(4)J J.
Cockroach Grande! After 2 trips to this estalishments, I am not coming back. Here is why: - They basically "trick" you into paying more for your food. If you ask for a burrito, they automatically give you a large burrito, instead of a small (add $1). Then they ask if you want quacomole and sour cream. If you say yes, they add another $2. They don't inform you of your choices. And their rapid assembly-line style forces you to move quickly. I feel like I am ordering tacos from the soup-nazi. No questions! - Toppings? Who knows. You have to guess what options are available for toppings. They don't tell you. And who knows what you might have to pay extra for. - The place stinks of smoke. - I saw bugs that resembled mini cockroaches on the tables upstairs. - Bland, boring flavored food. I asked for EXTRA hot sauce. And the food still tasted bland.
(1)Aboud Y.
I saw rats as I waited for my burrito...BIG ONES! Never going back.
(1)Ryan S.
Holy shit; i just read on wikipedia that Gordos is owned by a relative! ...annas is also
(4)josh j.
Boca Loca - Stumbled upon Boca Grande and thought I'd give it a try. It was lunch time and there was a line up to the door. I asked the girl in front of me what was good, and she advised me to go for the burritos. The interior is bare bones, the staff only speak Spanish, with the exception of the girl working the register (who could care less if you were having a good day or not), and there's no TV or music to numb/amuse you while you're in line . But hey, it's all about the food, when it comes to a taqueria. Classic moment was when I asked the guy making my burrito how hot was the hot salsa, he looked at me like I was asking him the atomic weight of strontium; yes, stupid question, he probably could drink what I deemed spicy like it was water. Anyways, got a good sized chicken burrito and the flavor was decent, but nothing extraordinary. And of course, the salsa was hot like speakers sold out of a van in a Wal Mart parking lot.
(3)greg m.
Had a chicken burrito here that tasted like charcoal. No thanks.
(2)Ginnette P.
yuk I don't see what the fuss is about the burrito I had was underwhelming to say the least not going back my co-worker is nuts about the place an loves it - I do not!
(1)Liz P.
Aside from the somewhat confusing ordering process, I have no complaints about Boca Grande. They have a small dining area upstairs, but I usually take it to go. The prices are cheap, and you get a lot of food. The burritos are huge and over-stuffed with rice and beans and meat. I try to eat half a burrito at lunch, but it's so good I end up eating the whole thing, leaving me full and sluggish for the rest of the day. The tamales are awesome, too. In my experience I haven't come across many places that have tamales, let alone GOOD tamales. Huge plus for me. I work at the top of 1st Street, so Boca Grande is a nice, quick walk. Best time to go is during the lunch rush. Even though the line out the door looks intimidating, it moves very fast. I'm usually in and out in 5 minutes. The guys behind the counter assemble the burritos with lightning speed, and it's a lot of fun to watch.
(4)Matt P.
(Vegetarian review) Maybe this betrays my insular gastro-social views, but I found it absolutely bonkers to walk into this bare-bones burrito stand place and find it swarming with middle-aged businessmen on lunch break. Nothing wrong with that, man--I applaud your choice in prime lunching location next to the Galleria and all the offices--just threw me for a loop. As noted before, they've got this weird backwards order/pay/order system that encourages inaccuracies and dare I say the tendency to ask for tons of extras later on. The bad news for me was that I try to avoid getting cheese at these places and when I waked over to the dude to start the re-order process, my tortilla was already coated with it. The grill is right behind the counter in the kitchen and was piled high with nasty, fatty pork and chicken. Tortilla was okay, the beans were good, the rice was bland, the salsa was cool, the hot sauce was mild. I ate upstairs in the dining room or whatever. It's like 20 feet both ways and seating for about 25 people. No TVs (good), weird am-I-supposed-to-be-up-here ambience, and a huge stack of bags of rice in the corner. Hey, it's better than the food court (okay, not the outdoors fountain dealie...).
(2)Kat R.
A trip to Boca is a treat... not an everyday thing. When I go, I'll have the beans & rice w/ cheese, sour cream and guac. YUM! And sometimes you can't even finish the whole thing. It's very filling! And cheap! Hey, at least you'll get some exercise walking over there, right? :) The guys who make everything are lightening quick, so even if the line is out the door, it moves fast. Confession time: the lady behind the register frightens me. A bit Soup Natzi (sp?), a bit Martha Stewart... mean and intimidating.
(4)Drew M.
Very good burritos, and the prices are fair. There's an upstairs seating area that nobody ever seems to use, but it's there (just walk up the only stairs you see). The service is a bit lacking as you essentially have to place your order twice; once to pay for it, and the other to have them make what you want. They can be hard to understand, and you feel a bit rushed through the line, but it's well worth the awkward ordering experience to get one of these burritos.
(4)David J.
The grilled steak burrito was tasty. The service was slightly intimidating like others have mentioned, but I didn't see any rats, so I consider this trip a success. I'd go back.
(3)Adam M.
My coworkers and I get burritos every week from some of the burrito places around Kendall. We used to go to this Boca, but stopped after a long history of bad burrito experiences. I still come here every couple of months, somehow hoping it will be better than what I remember, but it just winds up reminding me how much better Anna's and Mexicali are compared to Boca. My biggest complaint about this place is that it's horribly inconsistent. When they make a good burrito, it can be pretty decent. When they make a bad burrito, look out. Some tips: -Ask for half rice, otherwise 90% of your burrito will be rice. -Buy a hot sauce of your choice to put on your burrito (don't use theirs). I find most hot sauces complement the burrito nicely and actually make it edible. -Never ever come here unless it's during peak lunch hours on a weekday when they actually cycle the ingredients. Come here at any other time and you're playing roulette.
(2)Michael L.
This place is across from the Cambridgeside Galleria, sort of. It's always closed, and when it's not it's empty. I love Burritos, they lure me. That's why I was always so annoyed that Boca was closed and I couldn't get in. It was all a sham. This place serves rice-a-ritos no matter what you order. It just wasn't good, and then my stomach hurt. I liked the one in Brighton, and would go back there, but this was just disappointing. Cheap doesn't (always) make up for bad.
(2)Craiggy Z.
Do you love rice and gristle? Do you hate hot sauce, salsa, and guac? Well perfect for you then. This place rots. I have tried so many times to get a decent meal here, and it is impossible. Like a lot of places, the sour cream and guacamole will each cost you extra. The problem is you will get about a teaspoon each of your deluxe toppings which will invariably be slopped perpendicularly across the other toppings and rolled asymmetrically into the front/back of your burrito. They (I have compared the styles of all employees) put zero care into preparation, its all about throughput. To skirt the poorly prepared burrito issue, I moved on to ordering the Mexican plate which is basically a naked burrito in a three-way-divided bowl (WHY DIVIDE THE BOWL?!? --makes mixing the ingredients difficult). FYI: if you make this transition to Mexican plates you forfeit your cheese strip unless you think ahead to order this extra (you will be charged). When compared to the burrito grande, you are going to get about 2.0 times the rice, 0.7 times the beans. So dry. Now I will address the worst, most unforgivable aspect of Boca Grande - Kendall/Lechmere...No hot sauce to speak of. You ask for hot sauce and you are going to get a squirt of green jalapeno sauce. About as mild as a bell pepper. No table sauces. The salsa is a bastardized pico de gallo. There is no moisture/heat in the dishes here and it is pissing me off just writing this. Try and ask for extra pico de gallo/salsa/just minced tomato and see how nice they accommodate you. In fact, try and modify the proportions of any ingredient, and see how they treat you. If you are in the area, I would seriously consider the Taco Bell in the mall first, and as a burrito snob, it pains me to say that. The best burrito option is to shoot down a few blocks on Cambridge street and hit Olecito!
(1)Roberto C.
I like these guys - but I've found quality depends on what time you get your food. Lunch is primetime & is 5 stars no question - be prepared to wait an inordinate amount of time though... the masses flock in well, masses... If you go after 6pm, I'll say 3 stars (be prepared to dodge the tumbleweeds blowing down 1st street) - the chicken is definitely not as fresh & tends to be drier (yes, I've eaten here that much that I know time/consistency of their chicken). If it's an emergency & need a fix after 6 & I'm nowhere nears Anna's - I go Boca - if it's at lunch, be prepared to wait - but it's certainly worth the wait. Either way, none of it's horrible, but pay attention to time & you'll be fine.
(4)Jason S.
Bostonians tend to get a bit nutty about their burritos around here - they make their choices of Anna's vs. Boca vs. Boloco and defend it like they do their politics. Personally, I tend to go to whatever's closest - and this Boca is right around the corner from work. They serve a great burrito - I get the grande with chicken colorado (grilled in red sauce) with guac and hot sauce. It's filling, delicious, nutritious, and a great deal for $6. A quick walk to the Charles (as opposed to sitting upstairs), and that's a great lunch. Plus, it's always fun to watch the boca newbies deal with the awkward ordering process. Beware anyone who orders a non-burrito, gets banished to a remote corner while they heat up the tortilla. Burrito Nazi indeed!
(4)Ja H.
Not that great. What were they thinking with the bland/seasonless tofu option?
(2)David C.
I love the Boca Grande in Kenmore Square but this one is typically messy in the upstairs dining area, the staff isn't as friendly, and they often are out of toppings on the menu.
(2)Mark G.
Go to Anna's Taqueria for good Mexican. This place blends in with the rest of the crappy Mexican places (at best) and after going a handful of times due to proximity to work, I think it's safe to say that the servers are typically rude.
(2)Shane F.
Everything Boca Grande serves is too salty except the tortillas which are dry and bland. These two faults even out to merely below average when combined in a burrito, (all they want to sell you anyhow). As for chips and salsa, it's good for a few bites but then I start looking around for something to dilute all that salt. When you order they always try to sell you sour cream and guacamole.
(1)Ryan R.
I have nothing but tasty food here. It is in a good location and just as good as the other locations. I find at this one that their steak is actually cooked better and it is not fatty. It is always a good place to go to have a good cheap Mexican dinner or lunch. They also have tamales which are kind of hard to find. They are very good too. The service is a little sub-par and the organization can be better but you kind of get what you pay for. There is a minimal amount of seating on the first floor but I enjoy sitting on the second floor. I would also stick to something with meat. I got a California burrito one time and that is the only thing i can complain about. The sprouts were gross.
(4)Lindsay D.
Me and you, Boca Grande - East Cambridge, we've got a score to settle after my lunch today. First off - your line. It makes no sense! I need to order and pay, then fill up my soda cup to my right and THEN make my way back to the left - shoving through the line - to wait AGAIN for my burrito? PSH. B Number 2 - ingredient distribution. I don't enjoy biting into bean and rice every two seconds only to get a mouth full of sour cream and guacamole 1/3 of the way down. What gives? Ya'll need to perfect your wrist flicks at this joint. Finally - quality. For a vegetarian, I have a pretty iron clad stomach. I can eat practically anything and feel FINE afterwards. Spicier than sin? Bring it on. Greasy food? Be not ashamed. Cheese smothered in alfredo sauce? Delightful. Bean and cheese burrito from Boca Grande in East Cambridge? NEVER AGAIN.
(2)Molly S.
This was a huge let down! I love Boca Grande, and this place didn't live up to the rest of them. I always get the same thing at Boca - the California Burrito. One of it's ingredients is avocados... mine missed the boat - instead I got nasty squeezed out of a ketchup-style-container guacamole. My dining companion didn't complain about Chicken Colorado Plate. I would have liked to order a mini quesadilla or chips and salsa, but 1) the staff didn't seem interested in spending anymore time on me than they already had and 2) I wanted to GET OUT of there for fear they'd fuck something else up. They didn't have horchata and the gal was very rude about it. If you don't carry it, take it of the menu up there! Last but not least, I went on a Saturday night, which is probably the root of the problem - the area was dead. And the staff obviously resented being the only ones there. I was trying to avoid college kids by going to this one, and I was wrong to do that. Next time I'll go to Porter Square, no matter how crowded it could be.
(2)Bob F.
If you work in the area, you don't have a lot of good food options. The Cambridgeside Galleria food gets old after a while, and Hellmands isn't open for lunch. Sigh. Boca Grande is solid mexican food. My friends from California will say it doesn't live up to their standard, but as a New Englander, it tastes fantastic to me.
(4)Angela S.
I have been to many burrito places and this is the place to go if you want a great burrito. My favorite is the chicken colorado burrito. The price is right and the portions are enough to fill you up. I also love thier guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips. I have also eaten the chorizo tacos and they were pretty good as well. This is a great place to go if you are looking for fast food that is healhty and delicious.
(5)Terry W.
Okay...surprised at the negative reaction this is getting...yeah the place isn't like walking into Moe's or Baja Fresh as far as decour goes, but food is the focus here and they do that extremely well. I've never actually eaten inside (not much room) because my wifey works next door and we eat in her office. What are people looking for in a $6.00 burrito. The Chorizo is awesome the size of the burrito is just right. I've always had a good experience here and will continue to support my local establishment. Down with Taco Bell and UP WITH BOCA GRANDE!
(4)Dachary C.
Bad, bad, bad. My co-workers fell in love with this place - the large burritos were filling and a change from the usual sandwich fare available in East Cambridge. The more I ate there, though, the worse it got. The burritos are big and the ingredients aren't bad. If you go to this place, don't deviate from the burritos. It's one thing on the menu that's fairly safe. However. I wouldn't go back to this place. I tried to branch out - enchiladas and quesadillas and tacos. Bad. Very greasy, messy, falling apart (not inherently bad in Mexican, but these don't fall apart in the typical Mexican way - they do it in a bad way.) Small, flat, not tasty. And the last straw was finding a hair in my food. Cleanliness is godliness when it comes to food prep, and I'm not satisfied with the Boca Grande standard of cleanliness. If you go during lunchtime, be prepared for a mess. The ordering and payment method is very unorganized, it's loud, and the lines are always long. But my advice is to avoid it altogether.
(1)Blake V.
I'm addicted to BG's carnitas burritto. It's so wrong. All that greasy pork, chopped up with the cracklin's too. All atop a heaping pile of rice, salsa, and beans. Mmmm, I so love the green hot sauce. Double mmm, I love the smell of the grilled meats as I wait in line. Final mmmm, I love the dripping grease on my chin as I wolf down my decadent fare. So much for the New Year's resolution!
(4)Megan C.
As a burrito aficionado, I am not impressed. Last time placed my order, the dude completely disregarded what I was saying, threw a bunch of random stuff in a tortilla, & tried to convince me it was what I asked for. Wha? We used to live 3 blocks away, and one Sunday we drove around for nearly an hour and a half looking for a different (open) burrito joint, because we didn't want to go to Boca Grande. We were unsuccessful. I'm still sad. They get 2 stars, because their burritos are baby-sized, as all burritos should be.
(2)Michael W.
I have to agree with Laura S. and her boy friend. First off, I stopped in there for a lunch with a co-worker who seemed to enjoy the food. I told her ok, and kept saying Anna's is better. After going to the restaurant, I have to say hands down Anna's better. We walk in, and there is a line of people and no one at the register, it is absolute mayhem inside and the cooks have no idea what is going on and seem to be doing there own thing as it is. I finally order my steak Quesadilla which is made, with out listening to what I want, and seems to leave out the hot sauce and salsa, its then fried in the oil. I was surprised and skeptical after watching it sit or shall i say fried in the oil. Anna's traditionally grills the wrap and then adds the food while keeping it piping hot. We also order some chips and guacamole to bring back to the office. While walking, my ok looking quesadilla seems to fall apart and when I go to eat its dripping so much with grease I have to towel it down and then attempt to eat it. The steak is over cooked and is missing the spice that could have easily hidden how nasty it was. Chips seemed to be stale and the guacamole was turning brown, which means it had been hanging around back there. maybe thats what the cooks were laughing at while I was waiting for my food, or maybe they were just laughing at me because they know how bad the food is...
(1)Anthony L.
not bad, not better than chipotle or qdoba, not worse. just average
(3)Jenny L.
This place is quick and affordable for a weekday lunch. The line looks long but goes quickly so make sure you're ready to order before you get to the front or else you get a lot of impatient customers trying to rush you along. They have a good selection of burrito fillings but make sure you voice your preferences quickly as they'll take their best guess if you're not quick to respond. I was a little bit bothered by him putting pinto beans into my burrito and then scooping most of them out before he replaced it with black beans. But extra star for knowing how to wrap a burrito the right way unlike some other chain Mexican fast food places. I wouldn't recommend anyone go out of the way to come here but it's a good go-to if you're working in the area.
(3)Tim K.
The first couple of times I went to this Boca Grande location, it wasn't bad. Nothing to write home about, but not bad. But then I went in one time and the food was horrible. I asked for jalapenos on my burrito and they put some dreadful, nauseating pickled carrot mix in it. Then the health inspector happened to walk in and berate the employees, loudly, for a myriad of code violations. I didn't finish my meal. I left. And I will never go back or patronize any of their other locations. There are a few places that I actually warn people about, and this is one of them.
(1)Alice T.
Their burritos are awesome. The burrito grande cost you about 5 bucks and it's pretty good for the portion of the food you get. It's within walking distance from where I work and it's a great choice for a week day lunch. I would definitely go back again for lunch.
(4)Huan z.
I am not sure about their burritos, but their tamale is excellent. Two thumbs up for the tamale! Short walk after shopping in the Cambridge Mall.
(3)Emily S.
The one in Brighton Center is far superior but this location wins in a "how far can I really walk for a good burrito" contest (apparently not very far as this is the only one within walking distance of my apt). So by default, the winner is Boca Grande in the weird part of Cambridge. Hoorah!
(4)Rick U.
I have no qualms giving this place my highest rating, simply because it is my favorite lunch place. Like another poster, I order the same thing every time (chicken boca grande, guacamole and sour cream), and I always finish it completely satisfied. Call me simple, call me a big guy with a big appetite, but I love Boca. I don't have any experience with any other part of their menu.
(5)J. H.
The line at Boca Grande stretches out the door at lunchtime. The scene is somewhat chaotic with the cashier yelling for the next person to place their order, the workers slapping the ingredients onto the tortillas... But it all results in a tasty buritto. There are tables upstairs, but the dining area is nothing special.
(4)Welton B.
So-so. I thought the food was rather bland, and the service was just barely civil. They all seem to be participating in that disturbing trend one finds at so many eating establishments these days of making as little acknowledgement of the customer as possible; and once the order is complete, forget any last minute questions! Your mileage may vary; some of my colleagues quite like the place.
(2)Joseph R.
Long lines but definitely worth. I love the quesadillas! check them out its well worth it and very reasonablely priced.
(4)Suzanne M.
I've never had a bad experience here. Yes, the lines are long at lunch, but it isn't the fault of the service (they work hard and fast) - it's just popular! I may be a biased reviewer since I have the same thing every time I go - chicken colorado burrito grande (red sauce) and a fresh lemonade - but every time it's been fantastic. I've had an Anna's burrito in Coolidge Corner and I just don't get why people rave over them. I think BG is much tastier. My favorite burrito.
(4)Mags L.
just to preface my review: i go to anna's and felipe's. i like them. this place is close to my job. if i'm sufficiently pressured and feeling like taking a mid-week burrito run i will go to boca. i can't say i really like the burrito here. but i realize it's a taste thing. i prefer a sloppier and wetter burrito. everything here is too thick. the chicken is too grilled and dry (i'm the kind of girl that doesn't mind a little thigh meat). the salsa seems to consist of just tomatoes (where was the cilantro, where were the onions?). hot sauce - meh. i'm not here to perpetuate the ongoing debate. it's a taste thing. unfortunately, my taste says "boca? not so much"
(2)Josh O.
Personally, I like Anna's better, but Boca Grande also has great burritos and service.
(3)Dennis T.
The absolute worst food I have ever had in my entire life, without a doubt. I have heard horror stories before, and today I was basically dared by my fellow colleagues to give it a try. I told them "I have a strong stomach. I can handle it." Boy, was I wrong... Everything about the burritos is absolutely sickening. The rice is swimming in what looks like toilet water, the sour cream is a lumpy watery liquid, the hot sauce looks like watered down green puke... and to me it looked like there was a mixture of dead bugs, dirt, and charcoal in my burrito. Keep in mind I eat just about everything. I am not at all picky, and there is no food group I don't like. But let me tell you, I would not feed this sh*t to my dog, or anyone's dog for that matter. It would be animal cruelty. Plus worst of all they charge you about a dollar extra for each topping. I paid $8 for a $5 burrito to have it drowned in their various colored sludges. And they don't even tell you they are charging you 3 bucks for a squirt of hot sauce (more like snot sauce), sour cream (looks like sour sperm), and guacamole that has no flavor whatsoever. Go ahead and give this place a try if you don't believe me, but beware. Please save your money, and go to the mall food court. May I suggest he bourbon chicken at Big Easy Cajun. I promise whatever you choose to get there will be a billion times better than anything Boca Grande could ever dream of serving you, not that they actually give a crap what they serve you. Don't let the line during lunchtime fool you. I went at noon, and nothing was fresh or tasty about about my burrito. Well, at least my trash can had lunch... F*ck Boca Grande.
(1)Greg S.
Boca could be a pretty good place for a burrito, but I've had mixed results. If you go there a bunch of times you'll find out how to actually order the correct burrito, because you have to be picky to get a good one, If I go I get grilled chicken because the other two are boiled and come with a lot of juice that make the burrito soggy because they don't drain it. Also the first thing you have to say to the person making your burrito is that you want black beans if you don't they will give you pinto beans which will almost always already be on the burrito before you even speak a word. You also have to make sure it's not busy because if it is you'll get a cup of bean juice with your beans, and that usually tastes awful. When it comes to hot sauce if you like it your going to have to tell them to put it on twice, otherwise they only put on a little and it won't be hot at all. Your almost always better off skipping the guac as well, it just isn't worth the extra money for a teaspoon of it. Anyway, if you order it like that you'll probably slow the production line down to a halt, like one of those awful visa commercials where the guy pays with a check, but it will be worth the better burrito. Also, unless you want to smell like smoke get it to go, the seating area is above the kitchen and not really ventilated well.
(2)