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Harvard Avenue (Green)
"I went back there again today to try their fish taco. Oh man! The Dorado is one of the best tasting food I've had in a while, crispity,…" read more »
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At this point an institution around Boston, today marked my first visit to the Brookline version of Anna's Taqueria. Just like Davis and Porter, I got the same great speed and quality of ingredients and the old stand-by, Chili Verde Super Burrito with fixings, came out with great flavor and just enough kick wrapped in a neat burrito package.
Burrito was plenty large as always, but it might have been longer and less fat than I remember from other locations. Decor is nothing to write home about, and the space does seem slightly spacious, but it would take more than that to shake my 5-star opinion of a cheap burrito as good as Anna's.
I used to go to this specific Anna's all the time when I was younger. It was a great place to go right before a movie or before wandering the streets aimlessly, causing trouble. However, as time goes by, this place gets worse and worse. I remember when a super burrito with all the fix-ins and a large drink only set me back $4.95. Now, it's closer to $7 or $8 which isn't THAT big of a deal, but I wish the quality or quantity would increase with the price.
I must admit though, of all the Anna's that exists, I'd still say this is my favorite one, but it's only because when I say "extra hot sauce", they know that I mean business. At other Anna's, when I say "extra", it somehow means "less" to them and then I'll have to keep pointing and saying "more".
And, of course repeating myself from another Anna's review, the lack of authenticity at Anna's stands out to me. I know that taste should be the only thing that makes or breaks the deal, but because it's not super authentic, it doesn't taste all that great.
So why only one star? Cuz they still suck.
No. Just...no. First, the people serving me looked like they were gonna rip my head off. I was SUPER polite and still got searing eyes and attitude...wtf?
Second, the chicken tastes just as bland as the rice. I can add as much hot sauce as I want...there's simply no flavor. Anna's is always a disappointment to those who actually like flavorful Mexican food.
And I've TRIED to enjoy a meal here multiple times. Never again!
Gotta add the 5th star. Have been to Chipotle, Boloco and other places lately and none are nearly as good as Anna's. They just make me want to go out of my way to go back.
One of Boston's finest inexpensive taquerias/
Delicious inexpensive tex mex food. Burritos, tacos, quesadillas, etc . . . all made to order. Can… Read more »
Now that I have praised Boca Grande to my satisfaction I feel it's time to give it's competitor a shot.
Let's see-here are my reasons for not wasting anymore of my time here:
1. Cash only. What's that shit about?
2. More expensive than should be-especially when I don't even get meat.
3. I feel dirty when I eat inside & the bathroom gives me the willies just thinking about it.
4. I know that putting more cheese on anything makes it better, but that rule can't save an entire burrito.
5. Finally, when I ask for more rice/beans don't call me fat in Spanish and roll your eyes. I understand you and it's just rude.
I either want quantity or quality and Anna's offers neither.
This place gets two stars for at least being the best food to eat while sorting thru some sort of depressing life situation. It's like comfort food to the max-puts Mcdonalds to shame.
Ordering your own custom made burrito, watching them whip it together and then walking home with a meal that weighs as much as a John Irving novel is a special treat Brookliners appreciate.
The atmosphere is not for me. A bit cavernous like a college cafeteria with some sketchy looking older customers. So I do take out which lets me pig out in privacy.
I like how they always ask me if I want cheese when I order my veggie burrito. No, thanks- and thanks for asking, guys.
I get veggies, beans rice, salsa and guacamole. It's tough to finish it, but leftovers the next day are just as satisfactory.
No, it's not Number Nine Park. No, it's not for impressing a date. But
it's affordable, it's quick, very veggie friendly and it's delicious. What's not to love?
I LOVE Mexican food, so when I heard about Anna's and the cheap prices I was really excited to try this place out. Ever heard of the phrase "you get what you pay for"?
I ordered the chicken tacos and chips and guacamole, since I am OBSESSED with guacamole. However, the meal was not what I expected. The tacos were BLAND, there was literally no spice or flavor to them. I think I've had more flavorful tacos from Taco Bell! I've been to other cheap Mexican places which have different sauces you can add, but Anna's has NOTHING. The guacamole was also disappointing - too much onion aftertaste and not enough spices as well.
I also think it's ridiculous that they charge you for refills....I mean COME ON!!!!! Even though the place is cheap, I'd rather spend more money and have a delicious and flavorful meal than BLAH.
Anna's Taqueria is one of my two favorite fast Mexican restaurants (the other is Bueno y Sano in Amherst).
The only things I've ever gotten here are steak burritos and chicken burritos. Both are extremely delicious, and I would eat them every day if it wouldn't turn me into a gigantic beast.
I can't comment on how "authentic" they are, or even how they compare to fast Mexican restaurants in other cities. All I know is that, if I'm in Boston and I want to eat one of my favorite foods (health be damned), Anna's is at or near the top of my list of choices.
Better seating then that of Coolidge but i like Coolidge better.
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.
I really really like Anna's, it is fast and hot and tasty. I found out that if your order in Spanish they give you more meat. I'm a poor student, I took Spanish in high school so I tried it.
It totally Worked! Now I like them even more :) Go Try in.
Grande carne con queso, con todo. (super steak with cheese and everything on it) When he is done say Gracias b/c you just got extra steak for free.
Anna's makes the best burrito in Boston.
I could live off of Chicken Super Burritos.
awesome place, very popular, for a good reason
I won't really divulge much into this place, as it seems like its reputation spreads like wildfire (in a good way) plus I'm sure the other reviewers did a good job explaining their reasons as to why this place is so great!
not 5 stars cause I can only give that to my favorite burrito place that burned down twice (rest in peace El Pelon), but this is a great place, especially it being a local chain and all.
Their quesadillas are great, the wait isn't that long, and the staff seem like they work really hard (especially during the rush hours) to make sure you get your food quick, fast, and hot :)
decent prices, good sizes, and a good selection for what it is. . .
So I would have given this 5 stars in college, but then i moved to california and discovered real mexican food. I would give it 3 stars if it weren't for the quesadilla burritos. That's some good stuff man.
Oh Boston, how I pity you and your poor, poor Mexican food.
See, I live in San Diego which is around 30 minutes away from Mexico so I've tried the dirtiest, unhealthiest, but most MOUTH WATERING AND DELICIOUS burritos ever. Anna's does not even come close.
Okay, they're pretty cheap but you seriously get what you pay for. I would've definitely shelled out a couple of more bucks for my good old Rigobertos or Super Sergios burritos. Oh CA, how I miss thee.
Anna's probably is the best burrito in Boston...but, y'know, that's not saying too too much. It gets big points for the price though, which is pretty cheap for the amount of stuff you get. But the ingredients are probably a bit less tasty/fresh than those you'd get at a typical Chipotle. Take off a few more points for how difficult it is to just communicate with the people preparing the food (I don't mean a language barrier, just the general feeling that the words leaving my lips (which were "super burrito with everything but sour cream") were simply lost to a vortex between my mouth and their ears (resulting in a mis-prepared order)), and, yeah three stars/average is about right.
Not content with my previous chicken orders, this time I tried a steak burrito with guacamole, cheese and salsa. It wasn't until my boyfriend ordered lettuce on his, that I even noticed this was an option. Damn. I hate when you can't see all of the available ingredients! Move those containers out of the way!
We order lemonade (freshly made supposedly), chips and salsa and sit down.
At this point, I am feeling pretty pleased with myself. Boyfriend loves Anna's, I don't but I have enough stuff on my burrito that it should be tasty, right? Wrong. I try another bite thinking I somehow missed the taste. Nothing. I had even asked for extra guac and salsa and still no taste?? I don't get it. Mexican food is flavorful and occasionally intense. I stared down at my impotent burrito oozing bland sauce and was just disgusted.
The chips and salsa were also painfully bland. The salsa was watery and devoid of kick, the chips were actually bordering on gross. Maybe a bad batch? The lemonade tasted like sugar water. Perhaps they forgot to actually add the lemons? And so I rotated tasteless item after tasteless item until my bf was finished and we could leave.
I just don't understand. Where is the flavor?
Anna's is all about expectations. If you are craving delicious Mexican, go somewhere else. If you… Read more »
I must award props where props are due. This is among the best Mexican food in the city, and a serious contender for #1 overall. It is slightly better than Bocca Grande further down Harvard Ave. and it makes chains like Q'doba, Bolocco and the rest look like the diarrhea-inducing slop that they are.
Of course Anna's is known for it's Burritos, which are serious for around $6. The quesadillas are also fly and I personally love two tacos with cheese (one chicken, one carnitas) and ALL the toppings. Don't forget to have the green hot sauce on whatever you get. This is the secret ingredient that takes the food to a whole other level.
I also like a side of rice and some chips and salsa with my meal. The main thing to know is that for some silly reason (cooking the books...?) Anna's refuses to accept cards. You must use the Citizen's Bank across the street if you don't have skrilla on you. This place is open relatively late, 11 or maybe later, and that can really come in handy.
If you haven't tried Anna's, go find out why you've heard so much about it. Believe the hype, this is as close to authentic Mexican as Boston's gonna get.
Love this place. Quick service, good food, good price. Simple and without garbage. Solid.
Been here about a million times.
No fuss, no muss. The double lines thing is sweet too. I usually went in the right line, but sometimes left. I heard a rumor that Gary Coleman tried to order a "frog taco" here once.
i wasnt hungry before we met,
now every time i see you its a potential threat,
all your toppings are good,
really really great food,
now all i know about burritos, is because of you,
dont go playing with my emotions,
lay all your love on me,
all the annas share a place in my heart, all the annas taste, feel, and smell the same, all the ingredients and products are the same at every one, i love coming here for pork burritos! the prices are great, and the locations are really great, you can always find one if you are looking for them
I can feel the hate - every time the sour cream hits the tortilla I can just see the "I hate serving white people mexican food" so usually, I ask for "gringo-sauce" to lighten the mood.
but seriously Boston, get out more - quit perpetuating this myth. This food is designed to kill you. these people would love to see you get fat, have a heart attack and die and I don't blame them.
PS - don't eat from the right side - the left side gets switched out roughly twice as fast (if not more) so the right side is salmonella city. I have seen the right side take it's gastronomical toll.
What can I possibly say that others have not?
No joke, if you're looking for quick, cheap, filling, delicious Mexican food- Look no further! Their guacamole is delicious. Your burritos are made to order in assembly line fashion. You will not be disappointed!!
My favorite is the chicken quesadilla- which has a better shell than the regular burrito-simply amazing.
Please note this place *cash only* and worth every penny.
Whenever we go to a Red Sox game, we stop at Anna's Taqueria on Harvard St for dinner on the way (Fenway Park's not very veggie friendly). This Anna's Taqueria is one of the biggest, with plenty of seating and two counters to order at. The food is filling and yummy. I like the bean and cheese tacos. My husband usually gets a chicken burrito. The hot sauce is very good, I wish I could get their recipe.
Anna's is good about telling you what is veggie friendly and what is not. There are signs tacked up around the order area, describing what's available in the different items when it's not already on the menu. There's a sign that says "Vegetarian rice available!". So, if you're a veggie and you want a burrito, make sure to ask for the veggie rice.
The price on the food is good. Make sure when you go up to pay you tell the cashier what size burrito you got, or you might get charged for the super burrito when you only got a regular.
If there was an Anna's closer to home, we'd probably go there pretty frequently. But since there isn't, we'll keep going before the games.
This particular Anna's is really good -- right up there with the Anna's in Porter Square (I'd advise avoiding the one in Davis, just because it's not as amazing). Anna's Taqueria is nothing special; they just make really good burritos. You won't find anything americanized on their menu, just the basics that are appreciated in Mexico and Central America.
Their chips and salsa are out of this world -- especially in the summer. They make their own, so when the tomatoes are fresh around here, the salsa is especially wonderful. I always get the grilled veggie burrito (they do have vegetarian rice upon request, but I don't usually need that much food) and the flavors are always so well balanced. Occassionally, whoever wraps it up gets all the sour cream at the bottom or something, but most of the time, this place really knows how to do it.
The service is quick; the food is tasty and basic, and the atmosphere is pleasant. I give it all kinds of thumbs up. When I'm not in Boston anymore someday, I will truly miss being able to get a real burrito here.
Anna's! Best place for a burrito and best place to go if you are in a hurry. Get the Al Pastor quesadilla (like a burrito only fried). I'm not exactly sure what Al Pastor is, but its marinated in pineapples and roasted on a kabob and its amazing. I've eaten here three days in a row before. I'm probably going to have a heart attack soon.... no regrets.
If there's one thing I miss about working in Brookline, its Anna's
Their Quesadillas are possibly the best I've ever had (edit: they are the best I've ever had) - I still will go out of my way to go over there if I'm in Boston, its that darned good - I think if you are here daily you'd have a heartattack, but like the Cookie Monster with cookies, Anna's is a sometimes food that is so darned good
Also ge tthe chips and homemade salsa, yum!
This Anna's holds a special place in my heart, as it was the first one that I was introduced to ten years ago. I like to ponder the many thousands of dollars I have spent on burritos over the past decade, and blame it all on this location.
This is no longer my 'home' Anna's, but I like to check in occasionally to make sure they're still on point. I also don't believe it is the best Anna's, as that award goes to Porter Sq. The burritos at this location are tasty but small. They are rolled extra tight like Cuban cigars. Instead of the traditional two bites across, I'm pretty sure I could fit the whole burrito width-wise in my mouth in one bite, though I'm not about to deep-throat a burrito... in public. They also lack consistency, as does every Anna's. I'd estimate that 1/5 of the time you're gonna end up with a bum burrito. That is a pretty high frequency in my book.
One thing that rarely disappoints is the quesadillas. Take note: quesadillas should not be consumed while driving unless you have a jar full of armor-all wipes and are headed to the laundromat.
I was excited that the hot sauce had changed recently, and now actually somewhat resembles hot sauce instead of water with lime green food coloring.
As always, major points off for charging for refills. How do you put a fountain Coke machine out and then expect people to toss you $0.50 for another drink. That is just stupid.
Yuck. I love burritos. But this place has disappointed me every time I've gone in. Granted, I'm hard to please-I'm not putting things like meat, cheese or sour cream in my burrito. I don't like to recommend chains, but if you want a decent vegetarian burrito, go down the street to Qdoba.
Anna's: tasty, consistent, easy, affordable, convenient BURRITO
How I order:
Walk in- go towards left or right line.
"What would you like?"
I'd like a small chicken burrito.
"Cheese?"
Yes.
"Rice and beans?"
No beans. Can I get rice, lettuce, pico de gallo, jalapenos, and hot sauce?
..meanwhile, in about 10 seconds, the guy will scoop everyone of my ingredients into my burrito, wrap it up and the next guy down the assembly line will package it for me to go. That's it. $4 and some change.
And, I ALWAYS order their lemonade. (It's freshly squeezed and sooo good) -not too sour and perfect sweetness! This is the only location where I like their lemonade. My favorite lemonade around town, hands-down. No joke.
Bring cash.
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. This is the flagship store and still the favorite son of most of Anna's loyal fan base. Bring cash. There is an ATM across the street if you are unfamiliar with the cash only policy. Yes, there is a surcharge on the ATM.
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.
Great Price $ 5 + for Lunch - REALLY Fresh - Quick -
Friendly Staff . I'd definately go again . You should too.
Salsa was Fresh- Fresh and Plentiful .
Crowded On Beacon Street in Brookline
Beans where not Cooked enough . ( for me )
Pork should be shredded not Chunked like
Beef Stew meat ( just My preference )
A deal in the City . Thats why they have Many
locations through out Boston .
The best SF/Mission-style Burrito in Boston. Probably the East Coast.
When I lived in Boston, Anna's was my life blood. I should have equity in that company considering how much money I've brought them between me and my friends.
But now that I live in NYC (with its dearth of passable burritos), when I travel back to Boston I always make at least one stop at Anna's (preferably this one).
And with crack-addict-like conviction I place my order:
- Black bean and rice super burrito (no cheese) with lettuce, pico and guacamole.
I savor it as if it were my last meal. Then I get 2 more for the bus ride back.
When I moved to Boston, I bemoaned the fact that I would no longer be able to get good Mexican food because I was so far away from Mexico.
Then someone introduced me to all that is Anna's, and I became an addict.
I miss this place, and it's ability to feed me over the course of lunch AND dinner with just one burrito, at a cheap price.
God I want an Anna's burrito right now so bad.
It's been probably over a year since I've had the immense pleasure of going to an Anna's Taqueria-- I moved from Boston to New York City, and even in the Big Apple, I'm having a hard time findign a burrito that I love as much as the Anna's veggie super burrito.
I had the aforementioned delicacy a few weeks ago and I've been dreaming about it ever since. It's more than the fact that it's delicious-- it's that it's delicious in such a consistent way that that burrito acted like a sensory time machine. For a delicious half-hour, I was an undergrad killing time in Brookline again. And hey, for six bucks....that's a cheap time-travel experience.
I miss Anna's, but I know that it's a reliable treat for me whenever I go back to the Hub.
It's pretty obvious that anyone who raves about Anna's is either
1. a college kid who frequents the place drunk and/or hung over
2. someone who has never lived in a place where they had access to decent Mexican food
Anna's is totally fine so long as you stick to the vegetarian options. Their meat is not exactly high quality. It's the kind of restaurant that makes me miss living in a state that requires prominent posting of health scores. It's a good place to go if you are looking for a quick, cheap, vegetarian meal. Spring for the guacamole, you're entree will be on the dry side without it. However, do not be deceived into believing that this is a high quality, authentic Mexican food experience.
Anna's! Tasty, cheap, fast burritos.
I was going to give them 4 stars because while I do love a good Anna's burrito, I still venture to other places for Mexican food. But then I thought, as far as fast burrito joints go, this is it! Boston offers a very slim choice of real Mexican restaurants. Yes, the majority of "Mexican" places are fast burrito places, and Anna's is one of the best (I won't lie, I also venture to Qdoba every so often as well for their vegetarian burrito).
They also offer vegetarian rice, which makes me happy. I had to boycott Anna's for a while before they offered vegetarian rice. I didn't enjoy burritos with beans and no rice. But they have since redeemed themselves and a tasty burrito full of rice I shall have.
Their grilled veggies are quite tasty, too. I like how you get a big variety of veggies -- not just peppers and onions.
I also love their salsa!
Just make sure you've got cash, because they don't take credit cards! Oh and they're open late, which is another bonus. They've saved me on many a late night.
In San Francisco they know burritos. Since moving To Boston two years ago I have yet to find a Taqueria that can serve up authentic, delicious food at a reasonable price. In SF a super burrito means guacamole and sour cream. At Ana's that means you get cheese on your burrito. Seriously? How did a $3.99 burrito turn into an $8.00 burrito? Because I asked for an extra tsp of guacamole. Why you ask? Because the extra I payed to get guacamole and sour cream on it in the first place was literally a tsp full. Then after he makes my burrito he decided to add a heaping pile of rice on top of it even though there was rice on it already. Look folks I know rice is cheap but that doesn't mean you put mass amounts of it on a burrito to make people think they're getting a good deal. Sorry Ana's I know people love you guys but I'm not impressed.
There's no burrito war in Boston. People who are looking for fresh, tasty and authentic burritos know well enough to go elsewhere than Anna's, Qdoba, or Boca. There's a reason why you see Anna's devotees frequently making comparisons between the three: They are all comparably awful!
I do not understand why this place has such devotion. The burritos are painfully inconsistent, the quality of the meat is very low, and the service mimics your middle school cafeteria with a line of apathetic looking people slopping things that have been sitting under a heat lamp too long in to your burrito. The seasonings are far too strong (and sweet), the veggies lack a reassuring fresh crunch, and the people make you feel like an inconvenience just for ordering let alone asking questions!
C'mon gringos we can do MUCH better than this mexican-themed slop!
In the burrito war in Boston that raging on right now with tons of options, I'm still an Anna's man through and through. Super steak with black beans with everything, hold the lettuce because it doesn't belong in a burrito, extra hot peppers. My wife loves the caritas with red beans, sour cream, gauc, and just a little hot sauce.
No other place in Boston does the burrito right. It's not the biggest (but who cares since the bigger burritos is all filler, no meat), but it certainly is the tastiest with the right balance of texture and flavor and proportions of wrap, rice, beans, meat, extras.
I've been to every Anna's Taqueria location around Boston and they're all great. LOOOOVE the burritos. Especially for the price, you can't beat it. I can pick and choose whatever ingredients I want, they're all laid out there and they throw it together fast. I'm a super picky eater and I've only had a complaint about their chicken once.
The ladies who ring you up are often miserable and usually don't listen when I ask for pineapple juice (hand me a soda instead) but it's all good, I love them anyway!
Neighborhood: Coolidge Corner
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MIT
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Brookline Village
Category: Chinese
Neighborhood: Coolidge Corner
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Porter Square
Category: Mexican
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