The Burrito Blog

Tacos El Charro

Upscale Uninspired Enchiladas

It's been a while since I've been to Tacos El Charro, one of the nicer restaurants that fall within the Burrito Blog tier of dirty / fast casual / truck / counter service. Before moving to California, this was about as close as I could get to some serious non-burrito authentic Mexican food without going to East Boston on Somerville.

I just noticed a lot of the recently reported meals haven't been burritos. I'll get back to them soon.

Anyway, a lot has changed, and my level of enchilada expectation has only grown. Incidentally, so have the prices at Tacos El Charro. Am I spoiled? Perhaps. California makes some damn fine enchiladas. Sadly, I’m the one who suffers for it, because this meal back in Boston's Jamacia Plain didn't measure up.

I got one chicken and one pork. You'd think I'd learned my lesson by now: in side by side comparisons I always prefer the pork. There wasn't anything particularly wrong with this enchilada plate, just uninspiring.

Yeah, I guess it's time to get back to burritos.

Plate weight: 24.4 oz | Price: $9.95 | FDR: 2.45

This Tacos El Charro meal was rated: 4.7.

Thursday, March 08, 2007 by Jonah. Permalink for Upscale Uninspired Enchiladas

Surprise: Ham Hock Soup

By the time John Liu and I went to Tacos El Charro, I'd been talking up the place for a while. It's not that close to where we work, so we went on a Sunday.

Having praised their goat taco and caldo de mariscos (no longer available, perhaps), I encourage everyone to try the unconventional.

Well, let me revise that a bit here.

John tried the pork stew, which is made with pig's feet. He'd had pigs feet before, but remarked, "It just wasn't what I was expecting," with tones of deep disappointment. Yeah, well I had a bite and that was more than enough for me.

I suppose pigs feet are an acquired taste, and that caught me by surprise. Bad surprise. Like, surprise attack, you just got kicked in the mouth by a pig's foot. Along with sesos, this goes in the category of foods that are too authentic for me to handle. Can't hide the gringo all the time.

Sunday, January 21, 2007 by Jonah. Permalink for Surprise: Ham Hock Soup

No Longer Under $5

Tacos El Charro used to hold the honor of selling Boston's biggest burrito under $5. This title was awarded prior to Burrito Blog's days in the scientific era - the arrival of the digital scale for weighing burritos.

It no longer matters. Tacos El Charro has raised their prices. Burritos are now $5.95, placing them out of the 'under 5' division. A new champion will be named shortly.

Sunday, December 17, 2006 by Jonah. Permalink for No Longer Under $5

Huevos Rancheros To Go

It's tough to beat a weekend brunch. This past Sunday was one of the best ever, though it did not include frijoles. All you can drink Bloody Marys were a permissible one time substitution for corn tortillas.

Vodka with breakfast aside, I wish more places served eggs with tortillas and rice. That's so much more my style.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Huevos Rancheros To Go

An Episode Of Huevos Rancheros Envy

Ordinarily, the huevos rancheros at Tacos El Charro come with beans, but Rich asked for rice instead.

The photo does this meal no justice. Once he started eating, I was overcome with food envy. Breakfast time or not, I'll be back soon to have a plate of my own.

This Tacos El Charro meal was rated: 6.5.

Sunday, June 05, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for An Episode Of Huevos Rancheros Envy

The Goat Stew Taco

I've been waiting to try this for a while. I haven't even seen goat stew tacos on any other menus. Last time at Tacos El Charro, the Caldo De Mariscos diverted my attention.

This time, nothing would stop me.

I had to take a bunch of pictures 'cause goat meat is not exactly photogenic. Rich said, "It looks like something I raked in from the yard."

Perhaps. It gets bonus points for being exotic.

This Tacos El Charro meal was rated: 6.6.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for The Goat Stew Taco

Boston's Biggest Burrito Under $5

Perhaps this is premature.

There aren't many places we haven't been to, and so far Tacos El Charro definitely has the biggest burritos we've seen for less than $5.

Remember the Chile Colorado Monster? That was no fluke.

Look at how happy Rich is holding that brick. Nothing but smiles.

If anyone has spotted a bigger burrito in Boston for under $5, please let me know.

Monday, May 30, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Boston's Biggest Burrito Under $5

Caldo De Mariscos

I hit Tacos El Charro in JP to get my hands on their curious goat stew taco. After seeing the Sunday only menu options, my plans changed.

I've had some sopas before (one was even on sale) and never been disappointed, so I'll have to return for the goat stew taco.

The crab probably wasn't from Maryland, nor the mussels from PEI, but at $11, you get way more than what you pay for.

This Tacos El Charro meal was rated: 7.8.

Sunday, May 29, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Caldo De Mariscos

Tacos El Charro To Close

Thanks to Rich for the tip.

Jose ''Pepe" Gutierrez, 58, and his wife, Aida Navarro, 53, are hanging up their aprons, which has locals loading up on the enchiladas and preparing for serious culinary withdrawal.

Gentrification is certainly a factor, but the couple that runs Tacos El Charro says they're simply tired.

The building, which they bought for $150,000 at the end of 1992, is listed for $599,000. The restaurant will stay open for at least a few months after an offer is accepted.

I expect to eat there a bunch more before the doors are closed for good.

I've got to try the goat stew.

Saturday, April 09, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Tacos El Charro To Close

The Chile Colorado Monster

This thing was huge. I was really hungry Sunday morning, so I had a slice of pizza before going out for a burrito. Big mistake. First you get chips and salsa here, and then a 4 lb. block of burrito madness.

I can't put my finger on the cause, but I didn't feel so hot after this one. It might have been the pizza. It might have been the burrito. It might have been the combination or the quantity.

Learn from my mistakes.

This Tacos El Charro meal was rated: 4.5.

Tuesday, April 05, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for The Chile Colorado Monster

Welcome to Tacos El Charro

Located on Centre Street in Boston's Jamaica Plain (Map), Tacos El Charro has it all put together. They've got table service, great prices, authenticity, mariachi, and an alcohol license. Plus I think they're open until midnight on most nights.

The burritos come on a plate without foil, so you'll probably be stuck with a knife and fork. Oh, and they're gigantic.

Tuesday, April 05, 2005 by Jonah. Permalink for Welcome to Tacos El Charro