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Summit Ave/winchester St (Green)
I'm from Brookline, but have been at school in the San Fran Bay Area for the past 4 years. There's definitely better mexican food out here on the whole, but nothing out here (well maybe one place for burritos [see my La Costena review]) can touch Anna's. I often wake up at 3 AM with nightsweats after dreaming about Anna's quesadillas. Probably the most perfect food item ever conceived by man.
P.S. I don't usually like guacamole, but Anna's guac is great.
I have nothing constructive to add except to say that having moved to DC almost 2 years ago, I still frequently have dreams about gorging into a Super Carnitas, sin frijoles, extra hot sauce and two Tacos Al Pastor.
You have no idea how bad it gets...I wish I knew how to quit you...
I'm a huge fan of Anna's. Arguably, they have the best burrito in the greater Boston area. So, why the poor review?
It's because, while having my super chicken @ Anna's (Beacon) today, I found the biggest strand of hair in my burrito--this strand could have come from a horse! I didn't say anything, just threw the rest away and left. I usually try to avoid this place because I've gotten a little sick from the food here before (will spare you the details), but today I was desperate.
My go to place is the one on Harvard St.. Anna's (Harvard) has been consistently amazing the years I've been going there--time to clean up your act Anna's (Beacon)!
Question: What can make Anna's taqueria's Burrito more perfect?
As you mull over the answer, think about all the elements of what actually makes a burrito, starting with the tortilla. At Anna's, it's chewy, melted-cheesiness... pretty much perfect. Next, take on the the condiments--Anna's offers sweet corn, rice, salsa, peppers, guac, and beans. Finally, the steak. Juicy, tender, the steak pieces simply fall apart. It's perfection.
So the answer is: Nothing. Nothing can make this burrito more perfect than it already is. If you're in the Boston area, make this one of your stops.
(I can't testify to the quality of any of the other dishes Anna's offers... i always go straight for the burrito.)
"The way to my heart is through my burrito"
That's what he said.
-1 star for being skimpy with the guac.
Anna's Taqueria is about one step above Taco Cabana (for those of you from the south).
My fiance and I have been looking for something similar to TC since we moved to Boston and we found it! I ordered chicken tacos with pico and my fiance ordered carnita tacos with pico. We also ordered chips, salsa, and guacamole... because let's be honest... that is how you really rate a place that prides itself in serving food of the mexican variety.
The tacos were okay, but the real selling point for us was the guacamole. Thank you Anna's Taqueria for understanding that guacamole has more to in than just avocado and tomatoes. I know, I know, I could just make my own... True, but sometimes... you just want to have someone else make it for you :)
Clean place. Ordered all the above plus drinks for about $17. Overall, a great experience. We plan to dine there again :)
Sunday afternoon finds me rolling out of a bed in a Fenway apartment that constantly reeks of weed and a pitbull named Boss (seriously, you can't make up stuff like this). I wake the snoring Northeastern boy beside me and force him to drive me to Anna's - nothing cures a hangover like a large, delicious steak burrito.
I swear to God, if there is a small Mexican man in heaven making huge double-wrapped burritos brimming with steak, cheese, lettuce, and salsa verde, I will redeem myself by completely eliminating (eh, maybe just toning down) my nightly unholy behavior.
Maybe.
oh Anna, I love you so much, but I have to take away one star. I have been a LOYAL customer for years. I always toss my change into the tip jar. It doesn't even bother me that I order the same exact thing every time and it's always a different price. That's just part of the charm.
However.........on a recent trip, I was 14 cents short (cash only, I'm not that broke). The girl at the counter was a complete C U Next Tuesday about it. I thought she was going to kill me when I suggested taking a quarter out of the tip box. Finally, she just said "fine, go" and waved at me dismissively. I felt like throwing the quesadilla in her got dammed face.
Yo yo, this place is the bomb. The burritos are delicious, but be sure not to miss out on the… Read more »
You know it's a special place when you can throw up a burrito the night before and still crave one the next day. This has happened more than once.
Oh, it always smells of lemony-fresh pine sol in there; while not necessarily appetizing, at least it makes you feel like they clean the place.
There's something to be said about a burrito, when you realize that although you probably weren't given the correct amount of change at the cash register- you find that you don't seem to care or notice, because you can't wait to scamper off and tear open the aluminum 'swaddling' foil to get the first bite of your warm burrito.
Anna's- simple, a bargain, great horchatas, and delicious burritos that make you forget about counting your pennies.
I've never been to Mexico and I would like to visit one day, but if Anna doesn't live there then heyall no! I won't go! Ok, now my Mexican co-worker is going to bitch slap me.
But honestly, if you are of the variety to be attracted to Mexican food that is made fairly quickly but tastes like your Mexican co-worker's mom made it then don't come here. You're going to take away from my wonderful supply of beautiful burritos filled with my choice of steak, pork, or chicken. You're also going to raid my collection of crunchy quesadillas with melted cheddar all around. Also, please stay away from my stash of Jarritos soda. Mango is the best so don't even think about touching that.
Great tip here is is to not ask for the jalapenos on the side and don't eat them as though they were pickles. It's freaking delicious and compliments every bite with a burst of flavor. Muy sabroso! I should mention that the quesadilla is actually a burrito, just toasted. But don't get it, it's pretty good. Lastly, almost every item is around $4. It's too expensive for you, I know. So go somewhere else.
if you haven't eaten here.. you need to start. loaded carnitas super burrito w/ guac and a guava soda. oh heck yes. all for less than $8.. and if you're really into salsa.. you gotta try theirs :))))
I really do love Anna's. My first experience was as a Tuftonian in Davis sq, now being in Coolidge, it's pretty consistent.
There is the reasoning behind 3stars. They keep getting the award for for BEST of BOSTON 'Cheap Eats' ...after loading 'the goods' guacamole and sour cream, that $4 chicken quesadilla/burrito is almost $7. (55 cents for 2 tables spoons of sour cream--i went to the grocery store today, it's just over $2 for a tub of sour cream).
Most locations, I've been to 4, have 2 lines, I ALWAYS scope out both to look at the meat, I'll stay in the longer line, if my chicken looks juicier, I figure it equates to fresher.
I HATE PARSLEY...they put it in the salsa, but the salsa is delish. The hot sauce, great add on. It's not really hot, just adds a nice zest. (and you don't have to pay extra for the hot sauce).
Lastly, I can't deal w/ the stinginess and inflated cost of the extras.
Over all though, this is a fantastic place. I LOVE my chicken/black bean burrito (no rice), or on 'wanting cheese' days, my chicken black bean quesadilla. the fresh squeezed OJ is so delicious. Besides, I do live across the street from one of the locations...jealous much ;)
Until then, happy Anna's!
With all the rave reviews I expected a lot, even though I knew it was a fast food chain. The food was worse than Chipotle, which isn't a good thing. The pinto beans were dry and terrible, the cheese was bland, and the spice was non existent. I have tried this place twice (both times veggie) and was not impressed. I will end the review by saying that the price was cheap (in the $5-7 range depending on what you get).
Just read the other 200+ reviews about this one location... Anna's Taqueria is the best. Its beats Boloco's, Qudoba's, Chipotle's, and your typical burrito pushcart's added up together.
The price, the ingredients, and everything else that matters- Anna's has got it locked up.
This is the first Anna's I went to, and its the best in Boston. Their guacamole is to die for, so make sure u get it! If your eating with some pals, its always fun to get chips and guac to nom on after your burritos over a good conversation. Dont be a fool, and go for the super burrito, its the only way to go.
Cash only, so make sure to hit up that atm before going... there is one up the street at the convince store, but its gunna cost you.
This place is the best restaurant deal in Boston.
The burritos are dry, avoid them. Get a quesadilla or mexican plate. You can also get half meat half veggie so as to get more nutrition. Awesome meal for $5 or less
Wow, I was really harsh on them! To be fair, I have to completely change my review after eating here 3x a week for the past 6 months. The key to liking Anna's ... is knowing what to get. I used to only get burritos ... why? Because that's what everyone gets. No more, I tell you. Burritos are now the LAST thing on my list.
Get a quesadilla, or a super quesadilla. Go at a time when they're not packed and actually have time to grill/fry the tortilla and cheese to a delicious, crispy perfection. Try the al pastor. The meat and sauce just melds with the gooey cheese and it's a-mazing. Watch your clothes as the quesadilla juice/grease drips abundantly.
If you want to be super thrifty, get a mexican plate to go. The amount of meat, rice, and beans you get is enough for two meals.
70% chance the food will be decent
50% chance your order will be right
20% chance the service will be…
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I was in Boston for 9 years before I tried anything but a Super Burrito on this menu. There was a time when I hit it up once a week. Had 'em all, and they're all good. Yes, even the lengua. That should say something... it's actually also why I'm writing this.
You'd turned on me Anna's. The price hike, I could understand. You turn out a quality and consistent product. It's tasty, portable, and a deal even with the increase. It's not the best in the world, but it's good for Boston. My problem, is that the burrito seems to have gotten smaller... kinda not so "super."
Anyway... I was walking by one day, and it hit me... the sign says Anna's f'ing TAQUERIA. 9 years I frequented the many Anna's establishments, and not once had I tasted your taco. (get your mind out of the gutter)
Now I feel like I've stumbled upon some crazy secret. The Al Pastor taco is a $1.70 of unbelievable goodness. The carnitas taco generally gets more meat than the Super Burrito, and tastes so good without rice and beans and cheese to weigh it down. I haven't gotten to the others yet, but I've moved on from burritos, "super" or otherwise.
I am reviewing the Anna's on Cambridge St. in Beacon Hill near Mass General. This seriously is the best burrito you can get in Boston. I have tried almost the entire menu and my favorite is Chile Verde super burrito. The tacos aren't great, but who orders the tacos at Anna's? Get the Horchata drink, it's really good.
You really need to try every burrito place in Boston to understand how good Anna's is. To start, Qdoba is seriously gross. They put a very small amount of meat in the burritos and their chicken burrito is bland and very low quality. Chipotle is better, but it's still a chain. I'm just not a fan of the tiny and expensive burritos at Boloco.
Best thing about this Anna's location is that it's is very busy all the time so they are always making fresh food.
I heart Anna's !!!
This was my staple lunch place when I worked in Brookline. Cheap, healthy and quick - it cant get better. Not just the burritos, even their Quesadilla, chips n salsa .... everything is awesome!!! I can be picky about what I like in my food and love love love the fact that I can tell them exactly what to put and how much. Oh and their jarritos, mmm mmm good, and so is the fresh squeezed OJ.
I still have Anna's cravings and head to the nearest one, almost every weekend.
My favorite food: burritos
My favorite place to eat my favorite food: Anna's
And what tops it off? Fresh squeezed OJ
I love when I just happen to stroll over and make my day with a delicious burrito from Anna's. The staff is so friendly, and the chips and salsa are delicious. Although it at times feels like the Soup Nazi from Seinfield when ordering- know what you want and order it fast- I love it with every ounce of my heart, soul and stomach. But really, get some OJ to just enhance the burrito experience- and when the rice tastes so much more than rice, you know you have a treasure.
There isn't much I can say about this place except for the fact that it is awesome and amazing, and ALL of my friends from Boston who know and love food enjoy this place. We all crave Anna's burritos, their quesadilla dipped in butter, and their al pastor tacos. Although the prices have gone up over the last few years, this is still one of the best burritos ever made. I consider myself a burrito connoisseur and can safely say that this place is a must try if you are in the Boston area.
Here are my recommendations on what to get. You can get one, two, or all three things I am about to mention.
1. Super Burrito w/ carnitas. Add sour cream/guac if you'd like.
2. Super Quesidilla w/ steak. Add anything you want.
3. Al pastor tacos. These are an item that not many know about. I can't say it's the best Al pastor I've ever had, but it's quite good. Man, I'm drooling as I'm writing this review. Amazing joint.
Super burrito! I think Anna's make the best burrittos in town. Under $6 for a 12 inch burrito, stuffed with juicy meat (even the chicken!), rice, beans, salsa, etc! And, if you're starving, you'll get your burrito in less than 2 minutes.
I wish I liked cheese because the quesedillas (can't spell!) look so darn good! So crispy on the outside yet gooey inside. Oh well.
BTW, don't ask for extra meat. I knew someone who always did, and it was so not worth the extra $1.25 they charge you. They give you like a quarter scoop of extra meat. Boo.
My favorite of the Anna's locations, and where to begin about Anna's itself? $5 gets you a super burrito (which includes pretty much everything in front of you at the counter) and it's not a Qdoba burrito filled with bland rice and greasy meat, but a chewy tortilla barely able to support (ok, this is my favorite burrito:) steak, pico, guac, lettuce, jalapeños, black beans, hot sauce, and cheese. Works for dinner, a hangover cure, or enough lunch to take you well into the evening. A plus: they have Jarritos sodas!
People who say Anna's is authentic Mexican ought to get a swift jump-kick to the pelvic area. That's like saying Panda Express is authentic Chinese. Sheesh. Gimme a break. Whoever thinks a round quesadilla is authentic should be put on a blacklist to be hunted down by old tortilla-making Mexican grandmothers for a brutal stoning.
---
To clarify because I was misunderstood: A quesadilla is supposed to be flat, not burrito shaped.
Every single time I go to Anna's, I always leave holding my head in my burrito-juice-smelling hands… Read more »
Annas has been the staple of my diet since growing up in Brookline. This is the first Anna's and is the best one by far! Michael Kamio who is Japanese and my current neighbor, is the brain child behind these rapidly growing chains of Mexican restaurants. I think Annas has the best quesadilla in boston! But when it comes to burritos his sister Mariko Kamio owner of Boca Grande has the best burritos! So the next time you eat mexican in boston, remember...its not tex-mex its jap-mex
Lets start off by saying that I own an Anna's Taqueria t-shirt, and I wear it regularly. To the gym, to burn off my Anna's & Beer calories.
My absolute favorite restaurant in Boston, hands down, bar fucking none. They are so good, they tell people who have credit cards to go get some stinkin' cash at the rip-off ATM next door. OK, they don't really say that but, they could if they wanted to, they have such a following.
It's an assembly line setup, almost like Subway; one or two people create your meal from start to finish in front of you. Here is an amazing suggestion (a secret - it's not on the actually menu): get a super chicken quesadilla, with rice, beans, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. utter genius.
Don't trust the prices on the menu. The cashier will charge you what she feels appropriate, and you will pay it. Think "Soup Nazi" from Seinfeld. I have never paid the same amount on any given occasion for what I get almost every time, but I have come to terms with that. You should too.
Standard disclaimer: It's my contention that "Burritos" have made the leap (not recently) from ethnic food to common fare and should no longer be judged on their "authenticity". You might as well comment that a particular restaurant's "chicken" wasn't authentic. It's a food stuff with many varieties.
I happen to love Anna's Taqueria. It's big, it's filling, it tastes good. I also have very fond memories of this place. I ate two super chickens after running my first marathon.
I used to think they were bland, but I just asked for extra hot sauce and jalapenos and it was all good after that. A great place for a cheap and satisfying burrito fix.
I eat here at least once a week. It's delicious, filling, and relatively cheap.
The super burrito is big enough to be dinner for someone with a hearty appetite. I usually get chicken, with the occasional foray into carnitas (braised pork).
You should know what you want before you get to the counter, they're not going to wait for you to make up your mind. If you just want a snack, the chips and guacamole are good, and the orange juice is really refreshing.
We enjoyed this place a few times, and then my husband got food poisoning and threw up "for the first time in 14 years." Enough said.
ps. The lemonade is still really good.
All I ever go in there and order is chips and salsa, a steak super burrito and a fountain soda.
The salsa is very good. A bit spicy but also minty.
My only complaints is that these guys have Subway Syndrome. Like at Subway, you ask for something (like a steak super burrito), then they ask you what you want to be put on it. I'd prefer it if they would make the burrito a standard way and add/remove things if I specify.
Other than that, good stuff.
Look, my requirements for a tasty burrito are thus:
1.) good meat
2.) good non-meat fillings
3.) good guacamole
4.) good tortilla
Anna's bat's .500...great in baseball, but good for a 2/5 on Yelp. Why? Well, the chicken is tasty and the tortilla is properly steamed, but one of the non-meat fillings is always (ALWAYS) wet. Wet? Yes, wet, as in soggy. By the time you've gotten to the bottom third of the burrito, every bite sprays some sort of fluid out the bottom of the tortilla and through the aluminum foil. This is wrong. Usually the pico de gallo is to blame, but lately they've gotten lazy with properly draining the black beans before throwing them into the burrito, and it's not helping matters. The refried beans are incredibly salty...stick with the black beans, even if it means getting doused in burrito secretion.
The guacamole is awful. Legitimately awful. I've made enough guacamole in my life to know what good guacamole looks and tastes like. This is not good guacamole. My guess is that it's got some sort of filler in it, probably sour cream, judging by the way it wiggles when they dip a spatula into it. Guacamole shouldn't wiggle. It tastes incomplete, as you would expect from guacamole which is severely lacking in the avocado department. Very disappointing. Hint: If the guacamole is better at Qdoba, you're doing it wrong.
The quesadillas have similarly fatal flaws. They insist on wrapping the thing in a plastic bag, even if you're eating in. Why? Well, they leak. A lot. Part of the problem is their wretched rolling habit. Quesadillas are semicircles, not cylinders, and until they stop rolling them up like burritos, they're never going be very good. Also, please note the aforementioned issues with drainage.
Overall, I find myself giving two stars to a place I frequent at least once a week. It's good, it's cheap, but it's still not right. A couple minor changes and the place is perfect, and I think the difference between two stars and four is effort.
Super Buritto is typically a very good value but can be better or worse at times. I find Anna's to be the best above all the competition in the area. I get them loaded (with guac, sour cream, hot sauce). I used to go to the one on Harvard near Harvard and Comm. I also love the tacos, never had anything else. I always go for steak or chicken. I tihnk Boca Grande is a close second, bigger for sure, but not always better.
The following is my review of the Harvard Street Anna's. Basically the same applies here except it should be noted that I've known 2 people who have gotten violent food poisoning from this Anna's in separate incidents. Both got it from the Al Pastor. Both claimed the pain from the food poisoning was like 2 packs of rival mobs of rabid wolves tearing their stomach apart. Both said the pain was worth it. Both have returned numerous times. A true testament to Anna's.
"The buck stops here when it comes to Mexican in Boston. I could eat at Anna's every single day, multiple times a day. If I were on death row, for my last meal I'm pretty sure I would order out from Anna's. I'm probably approaching the 1,000's for number of times eaten here. Anna's is an irreplaceable institution in Boston and the food equivalent love of my life.
Enter Anna's and the first thing you will notice is the busy yet congenial atmosphere of the restaurant. From 11 AM to 11PM this restaurant will be busy. Know what you want before getting in line or decide quickly once getting in it. Take a minute to review the simple and efficient menu. Burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and Mexican plates are your dining options. The burrito is the standard menu item and my personal addiction. I always order a "Super (insert meat type) with cheese". The meats are all superb and include chicken, steak, carnitas, and Al pastor. I have listed the meat in order from least delicious to most delicious. Not surprisingly the list is also ordered from healthiest to least healthy.
Do yourself a favor after ordering a burrito here and give it 5-7 minutes to set before you unwrap and gorge yourself. Doing so allows the tastes in the burrito to congeal so that each bite has tastes from all the ingredients and you aren't left with a mouthful of just rice. For those who are watching their weight... well you probably shouldn't be coming here at all but if you absolutely must try the Mexican plate. It is basically all the ingredients of a burrito laid out on a plate sans tortilla shell. For additional calorie savings skip the sour cream.
To complete the experience ordering chips and guacamole are essential. The chips are the Achilles heel of Anna's. Probably the only area that I could ask for improvement although I think they are decent as is. Wash it all down with a hortchata or a soda and you've got yourself a meal fit for kings.
There are a growing number of Bostonians who love to tell tall tales about how Anna's is overrated yet I've never once been to a burrito place that even holds a candle to this fine establishment. The closest competition I've experience was in El Pelon (RIP) and now that it is gone again Anna's once again stands alone in its own echelon."
I've been going to Anna's for a long time now. I always get the same thing and it's always exactly what I want. Go for the quesadilla.
Decent little burrito joint!
Came here after band practice in Brighton. Not an extensive menu, but not needed for what this place is, which is a good quick bite to eat. Got a regular size steak burrito with hot sauce... devoured in about 2 minutes!
Can't wait to go back and try more of what they have here.
Anna's was the first decent burrito I was able to get my hands on ever since I moved here from Southern California. Their meats and fillings are really good. The thing that is holding them back from becoming a GREAT burrito place is 1). They should grill their tortillas instead of steaming them, because their tortillas get really chewy. I usually end up ordering their "quesadillas" and making it into a burrito. I recommend trying it because their quesadillas are grilled so it tastes better. (fyi they don't make quesadillas the normal way, they roll up their quesadillas like a burrito) 2). They need a better variety of salsas and hot sauces. 3). They need better chips.
For what it is in an area where there is a MAJOR lack of "real" Mexican food, Anna's Taqueria is good enough to temporarily satisfy your craving for all things mexican.
To clarify, yes the sign has been there for years, but for years before they put it up they were feeding me chicken stock when I asked for vegetarian. Guess I didn't realize how long it's been since I ate there...thank god for Olecito!
Dear Anna's,
thank you for letting me order vegetarian burritos for years, then one day deciding to…
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It's was a meal I have been waiting for since I came to Boston -- the Anna's burrito. First we needed to make a quick u-turn to the BofA to get some cash (agh...). However, we came back with empty stomachs and I was ready to explore their options.
The service was ok -- being a first timer I wanted to know the difference b/w the super and regular burritos (a sign helped) and then I noticed the cheese was a bit (may I say...) sketch and I asked what kind it was. Yup, the guy couldn't answer me. I could have asked in spanish and perhaps (though I'm not sure...) would have gotten a response. It's not Oaxaca cheese and it looks like American so I passed on the cheese. If someone knows what it is -- write me.
Anyway -- I added guacamole (a very modest amount was given...grrr), black beans, salsa, grilled chicken and I was pretty happy with it.
Unfortunately, this place is a bit out of the way, and the $3 savings over Purple Cactus just doesn't make the gas worth it. I'd go back, but not out of my way for Anna's. Next time, I'll try the quesadilla -- unless I still can't figure out the cheese situation.
Neighborhood: Beacon Hill
Category: Mexican
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Category: Mexican
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Category: Mexican
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