The Burrito Blog

Picante Mexican Grill

Brunch With Bostonist At Picante

I met up with Jon Petitt and Caroline Roberts of Bostonist (plus Caroline's husband, not of Bostonist) for breakfast at Picante in Cambridge's Central Square. We talked about Massachusetts, California, and the Internet. These are my kind of people.

Jon got in touch with me after seeing my huevos rancheros struggles and offered to help. Call it an intervention.

I'd been to Picante before but never for brunch. Table service on Sunday mornings. Surprise. I made a clown out of myself and ordered at the counter.

The food was only ok. Surplus tortillas were served absent a delivery vehicle resulting in unneeded sogginess. The tomatoes were a little flat, likely hailing from a can. Hey, at least the food was as described, unlike some.

Jon ordered a spinach omelet. Others in our party got potatoes instead of rice and frijoles. No buyer's remorse there.

I'd go back only because it's close and there's no line for brunch. But uninspiring taste, weekends only, and open after 10am doesn't fulfill the mission requirements.

The huevos hunt continues!

Weight: 21.9 oz | Price: $4.95 | FDR: 4.42

This Picante Mexican Grill meal was rated: 4.4.

Monday, March 12, 2007 by Jonah. Permalink for Brunch With Bostonist At Picante

Bright Green Sauce, Take One

Location: Picante in Cambridge.

Specimen: Potato burrito.

Green Stuff: Homemade aguacate sauce.

Analyst: Jonah.

Verdict: Good if you're a vegetarian.

This Picante Mexican Grill meal was rated: 5.3.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Bright Green Sauce, Take One

All Points West

I might never understand girls. My friend Lisa, a former resident of Cambridge, is afraid of being seen at lunch time.

In the true spirit of journalism, Burrito Blog has obtained footage proving she actually eats. This was her last Mexican meal, at Picante, before moving to LA.

I know, I know, Picante as a last meal just isn't right, but I was in a mad rush to go see March of the Penguins (which ruled) with Sean and Nik so we didn't have time to find parking at Felipe's.

Oh yeah, Lisa got two tacos and was shocked to find they each came on their own plate.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for All Points West

Taco, Self Promotion, Supersuckers

So I'd been trying to get a ticket to the Supersuckers show for a few days, then finally got a lead on Craigslist. The guy was nice enough to sell me the ticket for face value, so I took the leftovers and got myself a snack at Picante.

I had the portobello taco, which was $3.25 I think. That's a little expensive for a taco, but it came with guacamole. It was ok.

In line, I heard these guys behind me talking about how the line at Anna's moves so much faster, so I introduced myself and gave the site a little plug. Their reaction: "You have a blog about burritos? You can't be serious."

Oh, but I am.

This Picante Mexican Grill meal was rated: 4.4.

Saturday, May 07, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Taco, Self Promotion, Supersuckers

Picante Flautas Plate

While a little light for around $7.00 this little veggie delight fakes you out with some healthy mumbo-jumbo. The tortillas are deep fried, and then there are the chips. I made the mistake of not asking for pinto beans.

The good news is this was the first warm day in Massachusetts since last September.

This Picante Mexican Grill meal was rated: 4.0.

Wednesday, April 06, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Picante Flautas Plate

Picante, Revisited

I believe even when something is good (in Picante's case, bad) you've got to reevaluate to strengthen the certainty of your conclusion. So with low expectations I hit Cambridge again for some people's republic burrito testing.

The scientific process works, and my low expectations were exceeded. Last time I was here I tried to order a simple man's burrito - just chicken, rice, salsa and hot sauce. That kind of thing doesn't fly 'cause it's just too plain at this place. Learning from that I got the Tino - a chicken burrito with spinach and mushrooms. Give the kid some flavor.

This Picante Mexican Grill meal was rated: 6.2.

Thursday, March 31, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Picante, Revisited

Welcome to Picante Mexican Grill

With two locations, one in Cambridge's Central Square (Map) and one in Sommerville's Davis Square (Map), Picante's got the north side of the Charles River covered. Their draw is their healthy cooking:

Picante is a health conscious gourmet Mexican taqueria in the popular California style. We don't add oil or sugar to our delicious beans, and no lard anywhere!

Here's my complaint: since the burritos aren't served with foil, you've got to wach your hands before eating anything. But the bathroom's always locked and you've got to ask for the key like it's a highway side gas station. Anyway, they do a brunch menu on the weekends and the burritos are served with a few tortilla chips.

Saturday, March 26, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Welcome to Picante Mexican Grill | Comments (2)