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Anna's Taq is perfect for a quick, delicious burrito or taco in Cambridge. The guys here work super fast, and I could probably eat Anna's for dinner any day. The super burritos pack a lot of punch, and you get the most out of your money for them. My favorites are the chicken tacos though, freshly grilled and juicy. You do have to pay for extra sides, but it's worth it. I recommend the extra hot sauce. There's almost always parking in the lot behind the porter square mall, and the line usually moves pretty fast. My only problem is that there's not a huge amount of seating, so you may have to go scavenge around the rest of the mall. Other than that, Anna's is the way to go!
Side note: It might not live up to some of the Mexican food that the west coast is used to, but it's top notch for what we have in the northeast!
I haven't been to Anna's for a while, and apparently now that I've found some more authentic Mexican places around it doesn't measure up. Ordered a steak burrito with guacamole, pico and cheese. i don't like rice and beans in my burrito. I wanted a California burrito which is all of those ingredients with potatoes. They didn't have potatoes so I was sad. And what is with this slice of cheese? I want shredded cheese!
After eating my burrito and chips and guac, I wished I had gone somewhere else instead. Next time I will. And somehow I missed all the cash only signs so if you don't read signs like me, bring some cash.
I enjoyed coming here, again with my friend while on vacation. The set up is pretty plain, giant bar of meat and toppings. I got the plain old taco with meat and cheese, and it was surprisingly delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed watching my friend eat her ridiculously monstrous behemoth of a taco. The soda I had, I forget the name/brand, was a nice touch....can't get that at a taco bell.
If i'm ever in the neighborhood again, I'd gladly risk eternal damnation in the bathroom for some Anna's Taqueria.
I went in for a carnitas burrito and ended up with a quesadilla. To their credit, they were open late and very accommodating. I remember eating better-tasting food (served around lunch) here and at the other locations, but for $5 I can't complain too much. Not greasy, clean and filling (but not sickening), the meal here did its job tonight. I'd go back if I were in a bind (since Tavern wasn't serving food after 11pm today and I'm not a fan of Uno's/other joints in the area).
My first Yelp review, it's gotta be Anna's. Now, I understand that the food here isn't actually the best you can get around town (I happen to think Tacos Lupita is objectively better-made), but I've been going to Anna's for, oh, just about ten years now, and on a personal level it is as good as it gets.
The prices have gone up over the years, but you can still pay around six or seven bucks for a sizeable burrito or quesadilla. You'll end up shelling out a bit extra for guac or sour cream, if that's how you roll, but take my advice and just get a small beverage to offset the extra cost.
You can't really go wrong with most of the fixings they've got, though I would be wary of the carnitas quesadilla - it gets pretty mushy and kinda tastes like tuna as you get to the end. Otherwise, I would avoid the chili verde dilla, unless you want to feel like you've been punched int the stomach all day.
Food is okay for the price, service is not so great. Chipotle and Qdoba are better.
The local chain is usually solid but this location continues to disappoint. They continue to serve up very fatty carnitas. The last Mexican plate I ordered was a mushy mess of fat and almost inedible.
Stick with the Brookline locations for consistency.
Can't beat the price.
I drove from Lexington to here at least twice a week for lunch, every week of my senior year in high school. Many years later, I still dream of Anna's.
Screw l'epalier, clio and no 9 park just go to annas (not really).
Pop one of these things in your mouth and you're like "damn", and that's the same damn as when your head turns around just t' stare at that booty and you's like "daaaaaaaaamn".
When I first went there i was like "eh..... what's up with this place". And that's because I made the mistake of ordering the vegetable burrito. I'll tell you this once and I'll tell you this twice...... get a quesadilla!!! Yes the burritos are fantastic and I'd eat them any day. My friend's favorite place was anna's and I was tellin him "get the quesadilla". I told him every day. Finally he went for it and he never went back to burritos, he's now a quesadilla man. It's the crunchy crispy fried tortilla that crunches into the gooey cheese and then into the flavorful salsa. Any quesadilla will do from the beans and rice to the chicken.... not so sure about the veggie one. Everyone in cambridge or boston knows anna's... rocks!
Though this is the best Anna's location in Boston (convenient, never runs out of anything, good seating, etc) - it's still just Anna's. Honestly, I'm embarrassed that this place shares a name with me.
Complaint Number 1: Not as cheap as you think. You pay extra for sides of everything, you pay extra for guac or cheese or whatever unless you get the super burrito. . . and in the end, it's not nearly the bargain lunch it once was.
Complaint Number 2: No credit cards, no advance orders. This makes it impossible (well, NEARLY impossible) to order lunch for a group. Believe me, I've tried. It takes 4 people with carefully written instructions to order lunch for 20.
Complaint Number 3: Gummy tortillas. The whole point of a burrito for me is the tortilla, and the ones at Anna's are pasty and gross.
Complaint Number 4: No spice. This may be the most damning one of all. I have had plain turkey sandwiches with more kick than the spiciest burrito they offer. The jalapenos are sort of. . . sour? But not spicy. Nor is anything else they put on the burrito.
What's the redeeming factor that brings Anna's up to 2 stars? I really like the grilled carrots that come in the mixed vegetables. Sometimes I suffer through the rest of the burrito, just because I crave those damn carrots all the time. . .
This place has to have the fastest burrito makers I have seen in quite some time. I wonder if there is a burrito rolling contest anywhere? Because the people here I think would stand a good chance in winning ha ha
Their menu is small, but has everything that you would want in a burrito place. Chicken, Steak, Carnitas, Veggies, rice, beans, salsa, sour cream, guacamole.....BUT what bothered me was their cheese. It is a square slice of cheese the is placed in the center of your tortilla and it melts as the tortilla is heated up....I just feel weird when I see my burrito in the beginning stages with a white, melted cheese square in the center of it....it just looks and seems strange to me. I don't know why they don't use shredded cheese????
And their salsa wasn't as hot as they said it would be. We asked for extra hot sauce on the side, because we like some spice in our lives, especially when eating mexican :-) Guacamole and Sour Cream also cost extra, and I feel like sour cream should not cost 50 cents more....that seems kinda steep and I wish I had seen that before I told them to put sour cream on my burrito heh
But their meat, is actually pretty tasty. Matt and I were both very very happy with the quality and flavor of it, we just wish it had a little more spice, but at least the extra hot sauce is free!! Oh ya, and they charge for refills on sodas too....
All in all, they will roll your burrito faster than you will ever have your burrito rolled, it is a pretty good burrito even from a CA perspective, but everything seems to cost extra here...and they aren't the biggest burritos in the world either...even though we got super ones.
A-OK.
So, I was a late bloomer to the world of guacamole, burritos, and tacos that weren't born in an 'Old El Paso' box. It's sad, grew up on Irish fare. After graduation I started working in Cambridge and discovered Anna's first, and then Q'doba, Chipotle, Jose's... and beyond.
Anyway. I thought Anna's was great until I had a burrito that didn't make me feel gross. There's definitely still times when I'm in the mood for Anna's and nothing else will hit the spot. But, unless you're in a greasy mood and willing to fight the guy behind the counter to prevent him from putting the mysterious green substance on your masterpiece, stay away. If you're gonna go for it, the fried quesadilla is awesome, and the lemonade is worth the splurge.
Dear Californian friends (or those from places actually close to Latin America): do not come here thinking you are going to get a decent taco. The food is passable, but not really satisfying.
Minus #1: cheese comes in the form of a SLICE of cheese. When I halted the abomination they were about to turn my order into, I asked if they had any shredded cheese, they said that they didn't. This was a total "WTF?" moment for me.
Minus #2: chips cost extra. This isn't a huge deal (it's sometimes true of good taquerias), but it's pretty chintzy nonetheless. Tossing a free handful of chips on the side of the plate would be nice - I definitely didn't need the whole bag I paid for.
Minus #3: the carnitas weren't really fried ... it seemed more like boiled pork, and it was bland. Please just call it "pork" then, and not "carnitas".
Plus: the staff were very friendly, which goes a long way with me.
Huge plus: they have horchata! It's a little too strong in the rice-milk-flavor department, but it's otherwise quite good. Add some home-made jamaica and I'll at least stop by for a beverage sometimes.
In the end, I'd be willing to try Anna's one more time (maybe it's this location or what I ordered), but I'm going to try something else. Maybe a burrito ... do they do it Mission or San Diego-style? I should find out.
There was a point when I lived near Porter Square that I was eating food from here twice a week.
It's pretty much the burrito to which all other burritos will be compared.
The quesadillas are excellent as well.
Chips and guacamole are a nice treat as well.
Upon placing your order the tortilla is steamed perfectly, the cheese is melted and then the tortilla-steamer-guy literally flings the tortilla to the burrito ninja who as it lands already has his slotted spoons in beans and rice and as he's pulling them out says, "beans and rice?".
Then he adds your meat (chili verde), lettuce, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce and jalapenos on request. Then he does the fold/wrap thing you do with tortillas, wraps it in foil hands it to the woman working the register. You gladly pay the woman and you're in business.
The secret is to let them do it their way. They put the right amounts of things on the burrito, there was a stint where I would experiment with different concoctions, extra cheese, extra salsa, etc. They weren't as good as if you just let the burrito ninjas do their thing.
I actually prefer this location over the Davis Square, the food is identical and identically good. But the parking is much better in Porter Square, with the lot behind the plaza.
Cheesy hot goodness
Damn good pork
nuff said.
I've searched far and wide (aka tried Boca Grande and Qdoba) and I keep comin' back to Anna's. I know these burritos, tacos, and quesadillas...ooohh...quesadillas are really glorified fast food, but it's always fresh and awesome. And, at $4.77 for a takeaway roll up of meaty mexican goodness, I'm not complaining!
I would suggest my favorite item: a carnitas quesadilla with lettuce, salsa, sour cream, refried beans and hot sauce. Sometimes rice, too. I don't bother with the guac since it's like an extra buck.
I'd also suggest bringing cash, since plastic is not accepted.
Yum. I get the insatiable urge once every year or so, and I just satisfied it last night.
I was surprised to find I had not reviewed this Anna's before. The Porter Sq location was the last quality Anna's Taqueria, but like the rest it has fallen into shambles.
This is the Anna's I would refer people to that didn't "get" Anna's, because they had gone to other locations. You could always count on this one to do the job. No mas.
The burritos are nowhere close to what they once were. I can remember the glory days, I've been an Anna's devotee since 1999. One by one I have witnessed the other locations transform into bland generic cigar-tight burrito assembly-lines, and I'm afraid the same fate has consumed my beloved Porter Sq Anna's.
My most recent trips have been the most disappointing. I have not seen any of the crew I grew up with in at least two months.
This parting for me is bittersweet, however, as I've already moved on. With a little sleuthing, you could easily figure out who gets my new Taqueria Top Honors.
My new reward for 2-hour+ long runs: an Anna's super burrito with carnitas, refried beans, salsa, lettuce, and extra hot sauce.
Yesterday I was tempted to slink home early in the middle of a long run. As I approached the Cambridge side of Mass Ave from the Mass Ave bridge, I told myself "self, you may have a burrito if you run down the Charles past the JFK bridge and then cut up to Porter Square." Near the end of it, I nearly took out some unsuspecting tourist types as I scooted past Harvard, past Boca Grande, and finally around the corner of the Porter Square T station.
1 super burrito + 1 medium half coke/half diet coke = :)
Basically, it's a Chipotle Grill knock-off inside the student center. Expect about the same menu and about the same prices. If you want a Chipotle-sized burrito, however, make sure you order the large burrito..the regular is pretty dinky.
It served me well when I was in the area and wanted something vegetarian and affordable...make sure to hit the ATM first, though, it's cash only.
Anna's Taqueria is the bomb! Their food is really delicious, it's quick, and its really not that expensive. Sometimes I go on kicks where I just crave Anna's. It's a well-stocked, clean restaurant with lots of tables and the service is efficient and polite. The one drawback is that they don't accept cards, which I do find outrageous and ALMOST made me deduct a star! But that's how good Anna's is.
Anna's. I've been coming here for almost a decade now, and it's such an institution among people I know, that it's difficult to write a proper review. Like reviewing water: it's pretty good, won't really do if you're looking for dinner, but you can't really do better if you're looking for a thirst-quenching beverage.
Inevitably, Anna's is the answer. It is delicious. It is cheap. It is fast. When I was still in high school, I would drive the 25 minutes into Cambridge, order my burrito, eat my burrito, and drive 25 minutes back to school in an hour-long free period. And I would see 32 other people from school at Anna's. I once knew a kid who broke his jaw, and couldn't chew throughout the recovery, so switched to the Mexican plate so he could grease up the nuggets of steak goodness with sour cream and swallow them whole. That's some dedication.
Anna's establishes a price-performance barrier that is hard to get past, especially before price increases came into effect (which only now have caught up to inflation over the same period, and pushed a burrito over $5). $7 fancy sandwich? No thank you. $3 Big Mac? Naw. Give me a hefty aluminum-wrapped package of meaty goodness held together by hot sauce and salsa. Some people swear by the quesadilla, which I'll go for once in a while, but for me the burrito is where it's at. Are you rushed to order? Yes, but that's just because everybody behind you already knows what they want. Figure your shit out before you get to the counter. Whachuwan. Super steak. Beansnrice? Black beans. Whatelse? Lettuce, salsa, extra hot sauce.
Now I need to go put some Anna's in me.
Anna's carnitas super burrito = full on mouth orgasm. It's really that simple. If you don't like pork, try steak for similar results. I used to order these with extra hot sauce before I made an incredible discovery. Combining a super burrito with Sriracha hot sauce makes for multiple mouth orgasms. Unfortunately, Anna's does not have Sriracha on hand so I order my burritos to go.
I have read Yelps from others who suggest that Bocca grande is the superior burrito purveyor in the Porter square area. These people do not have your best interests in mind, do not listen to them, they are morons.
Anna's is hands down the closest thing you can get to a "Mission" burrito from the west coast. Having moved here from the Mission in San Francisco, I think I can say that with some authority.
Authentic, fast and good. The burritos are not too big, nor are they too small. You know, they say you can't get any good Mexican food on the east coast, but both Anna and I beg to differ.
I only wish there was one in Watertown. :(
This was the first time I went to Porter Square in didn't get Japanese.
But this place was really delicious! They have seriously mastered that art of crafting a burrito. They way they wrap it up prevents it from dripping everywhere. So it's not a messy burrito. And if you get a regular one it's really just enough food, it doesn't leave you so stuffed you can't move. Oh and it taste good. The chips were really yummy to. I would come here again and again and again!
I was rushed into ordering though. and that was pretty lame.
STAY AWAY FROM THE HORCHATAS!!! Good though they may be. I got food poisoning from the Anna's in Brookline from the horchatas. [But.. still have gotten them, from Porter, washes down the burritos nicely.]
Anna's is everything Chipotle wishes it could be. And more.
Good food, friendly service. Good crowd, too, usually post-college. Some still in college, but we'll forgive them their transgressions if they keep their inane comments (on everything) to themselves.
Definitely good stuff, give you what you want it to, and does it well.
This place changed my life!!! The quesadillas at this place are more like big burritos with lots of cheese. It is the most delicious thing you'll ever get at a Mexican restaurant. They only take cash but it's very affordable.
Amazing!
Super burritos and Quesidillas are my favorites at Anna's. It's always very hard to find a seat at any time. That should say something considering that it only takes you 15 minutes to eat. I would gladly frequent Anna's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The cost is very cheap but they only take cash so know that going in or you'll have to go and find the closest ATM.
God I miss this place.
Screw Chipotle, Baja Fresh or California Tortilla... DC sucks.
I honestly think I miss Boston for the sole reason of getting Anna's. The spicy pork... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
OK I've been to pretty much all the other locations and this one is by far the best. I like how it has 2 different entrances here. There is never a line at this one and it seems as though every time I go in they are cleaning up the place. The food is definately the freshest at this location and the service is very friendly ( only if you are friendly too ;-) Its the quickest places to grab a bite in Porter Square for sure!
Damn! Where would I be without Anna's. The food here is so good and so cheap. The vegetables are always fresh, the meats are never overcooked (unlike many of the other national burrito chain places). There ain't nothin better than sweet potatoes in your burrito (or mexican plate, as the case may be)...man I'm kind of regretting the fact that I just ate...otherwise I would be all over walking over to Anna's for a quesadilla right now!
I used to come here all the time with an old friend and I would eat one of their delicious burritos and I would get food drunk! I suggest to share one because it's too huge and yummy not to.
Anna's is hands down the best burrito joint in the city. Blows the likes of Boca Grande away! The flavor of their hot sauce is addicting not super hot just wonderfully flavored. Not to mention the price is definitely right!
Be prepared with your order it can be like a science. If you are a new comer give it a few visits to really perfect your order. You will find your way soon enough. Luis is the bomb!
I also think the Anna's a Porter is the best of all the Anna's. Davis is the worst.
My burrito of choice is the Super Carnitas with guac, salsa, lettuce, jalepenos, and extra extra hot sauce!!!
I also recommend getting chips with guac and throwing in a little extra hot sauce....YUM!!
Disgusting!!!
That's how I would describe this food. To label this food as Mexcian is a travesty. Growing up on the border of Texas and Mexico, I dined on the most flavorful Mexican food around, and let me tell you that this food is bland and everything that can be watered down to the fullest extent will be. The guacamole is primarily chunks of tomato with a little bit of avocado, yet they charge exorbitant prices because it has avocado. The salsa is pureed tomato, the chicken is flavorless, the rice does not have the traditional color or flavor. It's just terrible. I really do not understand how anyone can patronize this establishment. Avoid it at all costs!!!!
I love Anna's burritos. I only eat veggie burritos these days, and theirs are the best out of all the chains. The vegetables are grilled to bring out their inherent sweetness and cut into bite-sized chunks for easy eating.
Anna's does not overfill their burritos, and their salsa is also the best out of all the chains. They also now have rice that isn't cooked in chicken stock.
I had to take off a star for the location, however. It is FREEZING in there. They really ought to better insulate the windows or something.
Who cares which city, coast, region, or state makes the best burritos or has the most "real" Mexican people and/or food? Look into The Elephant Walk, and you'll see Latino men working in the kitchen. The part of the country doesn't make the food what it is, and the nationality of the cook doesn't make it taste any better. I've had some of the best Mexican and Chinese food in Costa Rica, made by Costa Ricans.
I just wanted to say that before I got on with my real review.
Okay, this is a review of Anna's in general. Since I moved here 2 years ago, I've always been a raving Anna's fan. Loved it. Could eat there every day. Then.... the MGH location opened, and it all went southward.
I don't know if that was the exact time, but it was for me. About 2 weeks ago, I tried the new (to me) MGH location because I was psyched about Anna's across the river (if you've read my reviews, you'll know this is an issue with me). It was terrible. The refried beans were saucy and really salty. I thought maybe it was just that one.
Then last week I ventured out to this one in Porter Square... same thing. I would say to all the Anna's devotees to start looking for a different place. It's changing, and not in the good way (not to mention it's about as costly as going to Qdoba if you get add-ins).
I have been living in San Francisco for two years now....tried many many burrito spots...even the most famous ones in the Mission....and I have yet to find a Taqueria anywhere near as good as Anna's.
In high school I probably went to Anna's 3-4 times a week....and I lived 30 minutes away. We used to drive 25 minutes each way to get Anna's during a one hour free period during school.
Everything at Anna's is amazing. They figured out that in order to make an incredible burrito, just make sure every single ingredient you are putting in it is incredible. From the chewy warm tortilla, to the amazing meats, to the fresh guacamole, to the perfect green hot sauce....everything is perfect.
I usually go for the Super Al Pastor burrito with everything, extra hot sauce. The steak and carnitas are out of this world too. The quesadillas are unlike any other quessadilla I have ever had. More like a crispy burrito with oozing melted cheese.
I miss you Anna's!!!!!
Since moving out of San Francisco, the burrito capital of the world, I have tried many a burrito place trying to get a burrito that that comes close to what you could get out there. Anna's definately comes the closest.
Pretty fucking good.
Fuck Qdoba
Fuck Chipotle
Fuck Burrito Max (if it still exists)
Don't waste your time anywhere else. Plus there is one on like every fucking corner now in Boston.
Anna's, I needed you last night. And you were there for me, like always.
I didn't eat dinner, which is a huge no-no for me because I am more or less in a constant state of eating between when I wake up and when I bed down. I had gone 4 hours without food, which was causing me to start imagining that people and inanimate objects around me were edible. It was like a cartoon.
I drove to Anna's, walked up to the counter and ordered a super carnitas with salsa, sour cream, cilantro and red sauce. Granted, I don't remember doing this, as I was delirious with hunger, but when this very burrito was assembled in front of me, I assumed I had mumbled an order in my stupor.
It was so warm and satisfying that I ordered another burrito - this one an al pastor (pineapple marinated pork). I may have begun weeping at this point. I was just so happy.
Anna's, you have never let me down.
Not so memorable food for cheap. Cash only. Free parking in the back lot.
Disclaimer: I am a bitter, burrito-loving ex-San Franciscan.
Eating at Anna's makes me sad and confused. How hard is it to make a good burrito? Well, it's pretty hard, apparently.
There's nothing terribly wrong with Anna's chicken burrito, but there's nothing right about it. It's boring. I added jalapenos, but it was still boring. Their salsa and chips blow. (Those chips have to be from a bag.) The guacamole was gross, I think because they added mayo or something, but it was pretty bland and weird.
I suppose this could be the best burrito in Boston (except it isn't because Tacos Lupita is better, for example), but that wouldn't be saying much. It's like declaring you've found the best clam chowder in Oklahoma City, or the best massaman curry in Fargo.
Neighborhood: Porter Square
Category: Mexican
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Category: Mexican
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