There is no shortage of Mexican food in college students’ diets, and thankfully there are many Mexican restaurants near Northeastern University. From fast food restaurants like Taco Bell to more upscale chains like Chipotle to local establishments, there are endless options, each with its own unique features. With so many nearby choices, choosing which Mexican restaurant to visit near campus poses a challenge for students. So, to make it easier for you, here is a review of all the local Mexican restaurants by a Mexican restaurant fanatic and avid foodie.
El Jefe’s Taqueria
A chain taqueria throughout Boston known for its late-night eats, El Jefe’s has to be the best Mexican place near Northeastern, in my opinion. They offer tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and much more to be customized at the open cook line, along with an authentic Mexican feel while dining in. The Symphony location, which is the closest to campus, is open until 2 a.m., which makes it favorable for late nights in Boston. Marissa Petty, a first-year international business major, loves that she doesn’t get charged extra for ordering guacamole, which is a differentiating factor that El Jefe’s offers compared to other restaurants. “It’s the best place to go after late-night studying,” Petty said. El Jefe’s also has a great reward system when you pay by card and in addition to taking dining dollars. This is the place to go for a quality meal and a quality eat-in experience while still paying with the convenience of dining dollars.
Amelia’s Taqueria
With a small and homey feeling, the environment of Amelia’s is perfect for a quick bite to eat. With high-quality food, Amelia’s is definitely worth it. They offer many of the same options as El Jefe’s, but one thing that Amelia’s specifically excels at is their grilled vegetable recipe. When ordering on the cook line, you can see the cook chop up freshly made vegetables for your meal, so you know the food you’ll be eating is being made with care. The major downside, however, is the price of important add-ons such as guacamole, plantains, and even sour cream, a topping that is normally free at Mexican establishments. Thankfully, Amelia’s can be purchased using dining dollars as well, but you’ll most likely end up spending more on the same amount of food in comparison to El Jefe’s.
Mamacitas
Mamacita’s is one of the newest Mexican restaurants to pop up in Boston. Associated with Sprout, Gyroscope, and Boston House of Pizza, the owners took on another ethnic cuisine with this store. Mamacitas claims to serve authentic Mexican food and offers a lot more options than other places while also featuring a cook line and shorter wait times. Their menu includes delicious options including tostadas, enchiladas, tortas, and combination meals. Like El Jefe’s, they do not charge extra for toppings. However, from each of my experiences eating there, the flavor of the food is lackluster in comparison to El Jefe’s and Amelia’s. Though, one major perk is that after eight purchases and corresponding stamps, you can get a free meal as long as you remember your punch card every time you visit.
Qdoba
A national chain that resides on campus, Qdoba is comparable to the other cook line Mexican chains like Moes and Chipotle. But, it is arguably the worst out of all of them based on my experience. Tansey Vordonis, a second-year major said, “The fact that there is a Qdoba and not a Moe’s or Chipotle is actually quite devastating.” The closest Chipotle locations are in Fenway and Copley, making it less convenient for students. Students can use dining dollars at Qdoba, but their meals lack flavor especially because their rice is often bland and undercooked. In addition, they tried to win customers over with their new mac and cheese menu item, but presumably failed to gain exposure and appeal. Honestly, you’d be better off getting Tu Taco in Curry Student Center than getting food here. Maybe an exaggeration, but really the only thing they have going for them is the free guacamole and queso with an entree purchase.
While this may all seem harsh, fans of Mexican restaurants should know which is the best around them. And for those new to eating Mexican on or near campus, they should have an accurate viewpoint to choose where to eat as Mexican food is arguably the best food choice there is. Go out and enjoy the best places right near our campus!