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Categories: Tex-Mex, Cajun/Creole
Neighborhood: Harvard SquareHarvard (Red)
Mon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
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Cajun meets Mexican??!?!?!?!
Ok...had to go just to say "Ive been there"
Indeed...everything from blackened catfish to quesadillas on the menu.
Mexican Beer and many many Margaritas....even a Hurricane...
Surprisingly good!!
One thing...wait time could be long...and this is a kiddo UBER friendly place...so if youre not into having dinner surrounded by kiddos...um...may want to think twice...
Otherwise...worth a try :)
I hate eating at Mexican places because everyone just assumes since I'm a hispanic in a Mexican restaurant I must be Mexican. hEllO, there are like, 5 other spanish-speaking countries in the world.
I would've never stepped foot in a Mexican restaurant outside Miami but my cheap friend couldn't afford to eat at Rendezvous, and so I "ended up" at Border Café. To my surprise, the place was packed! We were seated after a short wait, which couldn't come soon enough. I was being gawked at the whole time we waited. I realize that no one in Boston has a tan, but hEllO, give me some space. Or was it my white trench and matching leather pants...
We were seated and given a bowl of tortilla chips. My friend ordered a margarita, and I got one too. Alas, she was only coming to get bombed. Border Café has an exciting little menu of margaritas, and you can mix up the tequila. The last time I drank tequila I ended up on a date with a Nicaraguan cab driver to Barnes & Noble. He read me Tolstoy while I wept in his arms. Later I woke up in the self-help section, and he was gone forever.
Guacamole came next, and was followed by my entrée: a blackened salmon, Cajun style. Both were lovely, but caution: the food was heavy. Especially when you're stuffing down chips before your dinner comes. I mean ya, self control is important, but if you put tortilla chips in my face they gonna disappear. It's that simple.
Service was OK. Nothing special. It's certainly not a Jean Georges, but it's also not pretentious (so what the hell was I doing there?). Interior colors are warm and...colorful... and the food was served quickly. Regulars rejoice, I'll return, but not too often... I mean hEllO, Mexican food doesn't produce a body like mine. That only comes from enemas and starvation.
This has been a Review by Fulgencio
I took my own advice and came here for 'ritas, chips/salsa/guac on a rainy Saturday after seeing a movie next door. Perrrfect. Try to get a seat at the bar which enables easy game-watching, people-watching, and drink-ordering all at the same time. +1 star because if you only come here for all of the above mentioned things, you will not be disappointed.
And still CHEEEEAP!!!
Border Cafe is one of those things that always sounds like an awesome idea, but you always feel like… Read more »
Gluten-free wise, the staff takes dietary requests very seriously. I've only ever had the chicken enchiladas - you have to request that they be made gf. They are really good and cheesy, tex-mex style. I'm not sure that anything else on the menu can be gf - every time I've asked, I've been encouraged to stick with chicken enchiladas. The free chips are not gf - the oil is used for wheaty things, so buyer beware. If you don't like noise, try to eat early - it's usually pretty crowded.
:: Sign ::
That's what I say to myself every time I get an invitation to someone's birthday at Borders. Maybe it's because I have only been here with a big group and experienced their famed "wait for your whole party" routine. I understand it's purpose, but when you are meeting up for drinks and dinner after work with an unknown amount of girls... well, this is not the place for you.
One particular occation will always sour this restaurant for me. I understand that when we were seated with what we thought was our full group, it was annoying that more people kept showing up and eventually we couldn't keep adding more chairs. I get that it is a pain in the ass to switch tables and thus switching waiters. However it was a Monday evening and the place was empty. It was annoying that you made us wait half an hour to be seated in an empty restaurant.
Seating issues aside, my biggest problem was the food. While tasty enough, I only physically had three bites before it was taken away from me. It took us so long to get our food that I had to excuse myself to use the facilities after a mediocre margarita and several glasses of water (that to their credit, were filled promptly) very early in the meal. By the time I got back from waiting in line and using the facilities. My nearly untouched plate was gone. When I asked about my food the waiter just said, "Oh, we've already thrown it away," and walked away. They cleared the table so quickly that none of my dining companions had a chance to stop them. No apology, it was not taken off the bill I had to pay for the meal I didn't eat.
I wish I could say this was an off night, but I have had for too many similar experiences here. The drinks are just O.K., the food is average and the atmosphere is soured by the often surly wait staff. If I want "Mexican" near Harvard Square I will look elsewhere.
I had been here once before probably 5 years ago and i didn't remember anything about the experience. Going in, I didn't think i would like border cafe. i was pleasantly surprised.
The margaritas were a bit weak but they were only 5$ which makes sense. The guacamole and the gumbo were both delicious. All three entrees we ordered were above average flavor wise. The service was good and the decor inside is different than most places around Boston.
I would definitely revisit Border Cafe again!
Let's just say I have to mentally prepare myself to eat here. Whatever they put in their food, the taste lingers for the next 3 days. I brush my teeth, it comes right back. I brush them again. Same thing. Can anyone tell me what it is?! I'm dying to know. Oof!
Other than that, the food is good. It really is. It's just the damn aftertaste. It's hard to get past.
Anyway, they have good margaritas and even better guacamole. That's what I usually stick with. Delish!
Border Cafe is usually very very crowded luckily they have a downstairs for more seating. However, the bathrooms are only on the first floor. The overall resturant decorative themes were creative.
We went as a big group on a Tuesday night, and the wait wasn't too long except my friends were late --; (7mins.. hehe) then we were seated within 5 minutes.
The guacamole I had was good and chuncky especially I could taste the fresh tomatoes.
Chips and salsa from Border Cafe had me at day one.
Then I fell in love with their guacamole! MMM delicious!!!
I've been frequenting this place since I was a young teenager and it never disappoints my cravings. The food is spicier here than say, Cactus Club. I've had everything from the burrito to the enchilada to the tacos to the fajitas. All are delicious, with decent portions for their pricing. The sides can be a bit on the weaker end (jambalaya and beans) but they are still tasty and mix well with the actual entrees. I've noticed items come and go on their menus but for the most part, everything that I like to eat has been a mainstay.
My drinks have never been weak but frankly, I am not too big a fan of a margarita with a strong tequila bite so to be honest, I cannot really judge on drinks. I am a huge fan of the strawberry marg, however.
If you drop in on the weekends, definitely be prepared to wait. Even though I gave it a 3-star rating, it is a very high 3-star rating. I definitely recommend this place... mostly for their chips and salsa. To die for.
I now officially have little use left for the Border Cafe.
They took the Crawfish Popcorn off the menu.
They have lost their damn fool minds.
They also got rid of the tasty biscuits for crumbly and oversweet cornbread.
I will not be excited to go back anytime again soon.
I've been going to the Broder since the late 90's and I've always liked it. It's the only place I… Read more »
I meet my friends here every few months for some yummy margaritas
The service is lacking, but the food is decent. My friend's guacamole never showed up
I had the Fish Tacos - Fried catfish bites with tortillas, sauce, and lettuce. The Chile Rellenos looked good, as did the salads
Be prepared to wait on the weekends
A southern-raised girl, I've been coming here for years to enjoy the warm glow of neon lights, country music, hot chips & salsa and cheap eats. Ah, warm weather...
Recently the quality of their food seems to be going up. The hot chips are still rad but the guac tastes homemade now, the mango salsa is perfectly diced, the jambalaya has a lot more to it, etc. Even the portions are presented better. Overall, I notice that more care and precision is going into the preparation and presentation. Now, start fresh-squeezing the margaritas and I'm all over it.
Thought at this time I would hardly call this place "legit" Mexican or Creole, it's fun, friendly, loud, and warm-- all great for friends who want to hang out over dinner on a cold winter night. Just be warned, there is usually a wait so arrive before you're starving and grab a Margar at the bar. Four stars because this place is fun, affordable and welcoming.
It was lunch time and we were deeply, truly thirsty. Unbeknownst to us, this place has the largest sodas in the entire world. It was sort of cosmic. But the meal went down hill from there.
Chips and salsa were fine. I had the catfish tacos and I was pretty much horrified by a dish of deep fried fish nuggets embedded in cheese and folded in flour tortillas; I think I read the menu too quickly. But the fish was nice and fresh (and upon biting I found it was whole big pieces) and I removed the cheese and placed it in the do-not-eat pile, with my sad jumbalaya and the rather "special" sauce that came with the tacos.
Next time I'd watch my step, but there's not likely to be a next time.
I used to work at a spa in Harvard Sq and still meet up with my old co-workers often and this is usually our go-to place. Because we go at about 5PM there is no wait. We love this place because you can get really loud here. We get drunk off margaritas and coronas and gossip about everything. The food isn't amazing but it's great for the price. I have so many great memories at Borders!
Oh, and the never-ending chips and salsa!
1. Affordable
2. Yummy
3. Margaritas
4. ...Margaritas (deserves two mentions)
I absolutely love this place. I have the same meal everytime and while I can't guarantee it's as good as I think it is (I blame the intoxicating margaritas)...it's delicious to me every time! Beef burro. Just get one.
The only thing is: You will wait if you go after 6:30 pm on any given night. It's the nature of the beast. However, get one of those aforementioned margaritas and I 100% guarantee you will not care if you wait 5 minute or 50 minutes for a table. Actually, chances are after a couple of 'em you won't remember your meal.
For an easy, cheap way to satisfy a margarita and Tex-Mex craving, Border Cafe is perfect! It's seriously right off the T, has super-cheap and super-huge margaritas, and they cover all the standard Mexican food bases. No, it's not authentic, but everything I have had is delicious! I suggest their chicken quesidillas, but ask for BLACKENED chicken rather than the standard chicken!
Bar staff are some of the nicest servers/bartenders I've met in a long, long time! Very talkative and made great recommendations.
Their on-the-house chips are delicious but need a little more salt. The salsa isn't fabulous and too watery.
Looking forward to coming back!
I have had many a Mexican meal at the Border Cafe. From when I was a kid up until the other other night, it has been my go-to place for my spicy food fix when I'm in Cambridge.
While I haven't tired every item on the menu, I can highly recommend the enchiladas as well as the burros. The sides however can sometimes be a little weak, but for the most part they do their job nicely.
If you come here on a weekend, be prepared to wait, but it's will almost definitely be worth it.
What can I add that hasn't been mentioned 100 times already below?
Two words: FISH TACOS! I have never had them elsewhere, but they are definitely my favorite thing to get here. I am drooling just thnking of them.
Two more words: Frozen sangria . . . just try them and thank me later!
Cajun tex mex! I love this place. I wish it was closer but maybe its a good thing its far away. I grew up in Baton Rouge so anywhere I can get crawfish I'm in. I only drink beer so can't vouch for the margaritas but the beer selection is good!
This place is pretty boppin' on a tuesday!! Especially on a rainy tuesday! But then again, who wouldn't want tex-mex to add some spice to their rainy tuesday?
Grande Margaritas are only $5.50 and if you make friends with the bar tenders, they'll put some extra tequila in it :-) And I would suggest getting a drink or two at the bar and bringing it to your table, because MY GOD, i know it was our waiter's 2nd day at work ever, BUT I could have gone to my house in Somerville and made drinks and brought them back to Cambridge faster than he brought our drinks.....
Kelley B. is a frequent customer here and she got the seafood enchiladas with no side because she knew those things are pretty big!! And come covered in delicious looking cream sauce. So that is something I will get next time for sure! And she had margaritas too...wouldn't be a fiesta with just one person drinking! ha ha
I got their empanadas which come stuffed with corn and beans and salsa and I was actually presently surprised!! They were VERY good! But, the jambalaya on the side....not so great. I even said make it extra spicy, and the spice level on it when I got it was like a raw potato, if that even makes sense. And their salsa doesn't have a ton of spice either...
So it isn't quite California mexican, but for Boston, I actually think I will be able to almost get my fix here...it is tex-mex though....so not quite the same.....
The food here is pretty good. I like the chips a lot, extra greasy/salty, but the salsa isn't great. I feel like no matter what i eat here i always wake up tasting the same weird garlic-y taste in the morning despite a hearty tooth-brushin'. The food is pretty good though, decent fajitas and the "creole" options are nice. The menu is pretty small though; i've been coming here for like 8 years from time to time and it's never changed, so i pretty much have to be craving a specific thing on their menu to be moved to go there, and that rarely happens since none of their food is THAT good.
margaritas are okay, i remember they had a weird foaminess to them that freaked me out a little. i usually get beer, and they're selection is standard bad lagers and any bad mexican beer they can order. it's not a beer bar, so i don't hold that against them.
i just feel like, with such a limited and static menu, they should have perfected the few items they do make.
ps: if you go after like 6:30pm, expect to wait. it is a huge place but it is always hopping for dinner, and they won't seat you until your entire party is there.
Nothing calms the soul like green tea and honey but I was not in the mood to stay at home last night so I rode over to Border Cafe in Harvard Square for some midnight margaritas and guacamole. Mmmmm...
The bartender, Suzanne was her name I believe, was so accommodating she would have given me the sombrero right off her own head in the rain had I forgotten my umbrella. She made me a few amazing Anejo-style margaritas that are so memorable I am still sipping on them.
I do wish this place had a bigger tequila selection because aficionados would be disappointed. I tried a chicken quesadilla and that was very tasty as well. Also, you gotta love the complimentary warm tortillas with salsa.
Great spot and a must try!
I've only been in Cambridge for a week but I noticed this place almost right away because every single night there are tons of people clustering outside the front door of Border Cafe. Finally, we got to try it last Sunday, when it wasn't so crowded.
The portions here are humungous!! even their water cups are like 1L... so we knew our dishes would be the size of a cow or two. I recommend ordering to share if you don't want to take your food home. There were 3 of us, and we ordered a salad and 2 entrees. At the end we still had enough leftovers for another meal for the three of us.
The food was good and I heard almost everything on their menu is good. So you can try anything you fancy... Happy hour seems like the best time to be here too. I sure will come back here again for that.
The service was slow, however, and their staff weren't quite customer-oriented. The waitress gave us stink eyes for not having our full party at the table and kept asking when they would get there... she looked like she didn't want to be there or maybe she didn't want us to be there..oh well.. all in all, it didn't feel very welcoming there.
I forgot about this place once I moved out of Cambridge but we just went back last night. It was a nice surprise to see that the prices haven't changed and we could have a filling dinner with drinks for under $40!
The margaritas are huge and delicious. My favorites are the crawfish ettoufee, the tostada salad that comes in a huge fried tortilla shell, and the catfish new orleans. They also serve you endless fresh hot chips and salsa. I was eating the chips by themselves because they were that good.
Parking is a bit of a pain and the lot across the street is expensive if you stay over an hour. But, I will remember this place when I am looking for something yummy that won't break the bank.
I can't begin to say how happy this place makes me. Everything from the awesome chili rellenos to the ever courteous staff to the ambience infused with margaritas :) So it's always a great time there!
To start off with the core of the restaurant, the food, there hasn't been anything that I've tried that I haven't liked. I've pretty much tried everything on their vegetarian menu and can really say I love every single dish. They give a generous amount with each dish they serve so there are always left overs and the price to food (quality) ratio is great! Plus they serve hot tortilla chips and salsa to start off with and you really can't ask for anything more....actually, I take that back. Definitely ask for their Margaritas! Their strawberry frozen margarita is my favorite, but all that I've tried (everything from the original to the melon) has been great. The mixing is awesome and I can seriously have 2-3 of those in a row and be good for the rest of the night.
I've been here a fair amount of times now and it always amazes me how big this place is. It must serve at least 200 people in one go on a busy dinner night and that's not counting the people at the bar. With that many people you'd imagine that having been there 10 times or so, at least once would have been a bad or a not so pleasant experience. Except that hasn't been the case at all. I've ALWAYS had smiling waiters who are ever so willing to bring you anything and everything you ask for. And that too with haste. Really am very satisfied with them.
And lastly, the location is easily accessible. It's in Harvard Sq right next to the T near the theater. Plus it serves mainly to the university crowd so the prices are more than affordable - in fact, you can almost get 2 meals out of their entrees. I really wish this place was in Boston - but then I really wouldn't have that much reason to Cambridge..then again I haven't tried many of the restaurants I want to try on Cambridge side anyways, but this certainly is a big reason I make it to the other side of the river.
This place is usually a hit or miss for me, in terms of the drinks and service. Some days, my sangria margarita would taste awesome, other times, too watery. Be safe and order a beer with your meal.
I tried the Jim Bowie steak after a friend's suggestion and loved it! It comes with three pieces of filet, a shish kebab, an overload of thin, crispy fries (much like potato sticks), tiny little shrimps, all drowned in this delicious, mouth-kicking flavorful, creamy sauce! It's the reason I come to Border Cafe. Ok... I come here for the free chips & salsa too, though I've had better.
My bf complains about this place b/c the wait is so long (esp. for groups), and he thinks you can get better burritos & quesadillas at Boca's, Felipe's, etc. I guess I'll have to agree. But I keep telling him, you can't get the Jim Bowie filet at those places!
If you're going here, go on an empty stomach!
I'm definitely in love with this place. Their free, bottomless chips and salsa is amazing! It's perfectly warm and crispy, and the salsa not too spicy nor bland. We always end up finishing about two baskets before the food even comes out, thus the warning to go on an empty stomach. Despite the many times I've been here, I've only tried four things: the Fish Tacos, The Crafish/Shrimp quesadilla, the Fajitas, and the Tostada Salad. I was satisfied with everything I had, and I especially love the fish tacos(get it with the jambalaya and sour cream/guac on the side!) I also love the atmosphere of this restaurant. It's always packed and lively. The margaritas and sangria are also really good! Everything is big in this restaurant - the restaurant itself, the drinking cups, the margaritas, the entrees.
One star for the good food, one star for the good atmosphere, one star for cheap price, one star for the good drinks.
Only four stars because of how heavy everything is. You just feel 10 pounds heavier walking out of this restaurant considering everything is fried, smothered in cheese, or very salty.
If I hear another person tell me how great Border Cafe is....
Fajitas - not tender, too salty, not flavorful.
Tortilla chips - not fresh, not delicious
Platters - Just so-so
The mix of cajun and tex-mex strikes me as something bizarre. Seriously guys, there is much better tex-mex at Cantina La Mexicana and if you want to go authentic Mexican then Tuy y yo. Reserve Border Cafe if you can't make it away from the Red Line.
There was a bug in my margarita, and the waiter and manager argued with me for 20 minutes and accused me of being drunk when I suggested to him that they comp the faulty product. Being charged for dead bug tequila cocktails? Umm eww.
Also, the food is just okay.... and if you really want CHEAP Mexican, go down south, the Mexican is authentic, and a $5 margarita is king-sized and insect free.
Plain and simple, Border Cafe is overrated. Nothing about this place impressed me. I get my burritos at Anna's.
Honestly, this place is so fun to visit that I end up caring way less about what the food tastes like and way more about catching the waitress for another margarita. But the food is rather yummy.
I have visited New Orleans and can tell you that the food is not really Creole, more Tex-Mex with a few Cajun flavors tossed into the frying pan. I love their chicken & sausage gumbo, but is NOT authentic by any means. The sausage chunks are too small and the volume of cayenne used is too little. That said, it tastes good.
Chicken fajitas are super delicious. They marinate the meat, so it is always moist and tender. I like that it arrives sizzling and smoking.
Guacamole is iffy. Don't bother filling up on it. Do get a margarita, they make 'em well.
Coming from CA, I love my Mexican food and when I read about this place, I was skeptical, but after eating here...I AM IN LOVE!
This place has the most delicious food, it's inexpensive and has great margaritas. The staff is super friendly. Their fajitas are amazing along with their chicken tacos. mMmm :) Their bottemless chips and salsa is very fresh and tasty. Love their homemade guacamole!
Border cafe you're $5.50 margaritas make me as happy as a young lad on christmas morn.
went here on friday to pregame and get food in my "about to be full with booze" belly. everyone was reasonably friendly, considering that the place was pretty packed/chaotic. I mean i wouldn't say it was the best texity mexity i've had but it was decent. i went with the soft tacos with chicken and i thought they were good - like i said not AMAZING, but still i'd get em again if I was in here and hankerin for more than a rita and chips.
two things i noticed: (1) they love to card in this place. carded me at the bar, carded me at the table, carded me in the mens room, carded me while i was being carded... just an observation. (2) the waitress dropped an ENTIRE frozen-raspberry margaritta on the table, floor and my friend's lap due to its exploding into a million glassy, raspberry coated pieces. the poor woman looked like she was going to cry and apologized SOOOOO many times.
I always think it ends up worse for the people who do the spilling in those situations.
so in closing food good, margaritas cheap n' good, people friendly, atmosphere = cool wall art.
give it a whirl.
It's probably unhealthy how often my boyfriend and I eat here! I either order the Black Bean and Corn Empanadas or the Gulf Coast Seafood Enchiladas, both dishes are wonderful.
As a native Californian, the salsa is in no way life changing, but their guac is pretty fantastic. The chips are most often served hot and crispy. Yumm.
I'm a huge fan of their margaritas and they are usually incredibly prompt with their service...the second I take my last sip, someone is usually right there to ask if I'd like another. And yes, I would. However, last week, the service was shockingly slow as our server was new. I hope he's a quick learner! :-)
The walls are covered with art, posters and decorations celebrating all things Southern, Cajun, Southwest. The music is an awesome mix of oldies and classic country.
Okay this place is yummy and they serve if not the best mararita's in Cambridge. You may have a little bit of a wait if after 6:30 but its totally worth it. Get the (salty) nachos, some salsa and a margarita after work and trust me you will be very happy! Can't wait to go back....
I LOVE the Border. The one in Harvard Sq is always rockin', and I can see why. The bartenders fill your wine glasses up to the tippety top - and it's only like $4 a glass. The last time I was there, I got a bit tipsy... it was a GREAT night.
The food is edible, but your typical crappy tex-mex. The menu is super limited and nothing on it is too impressive. The fajitas are ok, but pricey.
Oops, I did it again: I made the mistake of ordering a margarita in Boston. Dangit! What was I thinking? The margaritas here are boring and overpriced. And don't try to tell me Cactus Club has better margaritas, I've had those, too. The next time I have a margarita here, I'm making it myself.
Anyhoo, people keep telling me this place has great Tex-Mex. I tried in again. I respectfully disagree. Perhaps they have good Mexican food, perhaps they have good Cajun food. It is not Tex-Mex. I had the beef fajitas. They did not taste right. The seasoning was off. Should've stuck with the grilled fish like a previous time. Service was good on a lazy Sunday afternoon, the place wasn't too crowded. The chips and salsa were tasty, but that was the only part of my meal that really was. Prices are decent (most entrees less than $15).
Next time, I think I just need to be careful about what I order. As in, I should stop ordering Tex-Mex in Boston.
Being from Texas, I'm super picky about my Tex-Mex (not Mexican) cuisine. I've tried the "Best… Read more »
Western sized portions at a western price.
I live in Harvard square so I'm a definite regular at the Border Cafe. I seriously eat here about once a week. This is why I'm a regular:
Value.
Portions are HUGE. You can easily share any number of dishes between two people without going hungry. I often order the fajitas or chicken enchiladas to split with my fiance. Total price with tip (if we don't get beverages) is $10-12. Just TRY eating fast food at this price point that is this quality.
The guacamole is my favorite. Fresh big chucks of avocado. Could almost be table side made... All the tex-mex dishes are pretty good. Chicken enchiladas are yummy! Not so much a fan of the creole options but to be fair I've only tried one creole dish.
Chips & Salsa
Always on the table immediately when you sit down. 60% of the time chips are really hot, having just come out of the frier. If I'm really hungry it's a god send to able to have a snack while I"m waiting for my food.
Quality & Consistency
I eat here about once a week so have a pretty good sampling of the quality. With a few exceptions (like one or two times) the food has always been hot & great.
HUGE glasses of water
You never go thirsty. I originally swore this place was actually from Texas (where the water glasses really are this large). Turns out this is local but they had me fooled for awhile with the water glasses and friendly staff.
Customer service
I've always had good service from both waitstaff and managers. People here are actually NICE to you. This was shocking to me b/c I'm originally from the west coast where you really do get friendly, customer centric service. I've slowly adjusted to East coast standards where the customer is not king so it's refreshing to have west coast service again. The few (two) times I've had issues or have given suggestions (I once put a comment in the suggestion box) the management actually noticed and came right over to make sure everything was ok.
One last tip - If you don't like to wait avoid this place on a Fri or Sat night when it's swarming with crowds. Weekend lunch though is usually a great bet. You can get right in with no wait.
I'm obsessed with this joint! I've gone there for dinner 3 times in the past month. Its right at Harvard Sq. so easily accessible by the T. The wait for a table can be long at times but that's a great excuse to get margaritas at the bar. The gran gold is my favorite and if you chat up the bartender, you can ask him/her to make it extra strong! 2 of those and I'm more than a bit buzzed...
Anyway, the service can be hit or miss. Some waiters are very friendly and chatty while others are down right cold! But the food more than compensates for it. The fresh hot chips, salsa and guacamole are a good start. I almost always alternate between the camptown shrimp and blackened chicken. I've tried the blackened catfish which was good as was the eggplant royale. The corn bread is an excellent end to a delicious meal.
Ignore the average service as the potent margaritas, and cheap but delicious food will win you over!
OHHH my god, I can't believe it took me this long to review Border Café!! This is literally my favorite of all favorite eateries. Seriously, no lie, faaaavvvv!! It is pure love!! Let me tell you why:
First, their tortilla chips are soo delicious! They cook them fresh on the spot, so when they get to your table they are piping hot. Careful, you might even burn yourself on the first bite they are sooo freshy fresh! The salsa is a tiny bit thin, but also made with fresh ingredients, so I'd take that any day over nasty bottled stuff (that I have unfortunately experienced at a couple sports bars in town. blech!)
Okay, so to go with the amazing chips is the guacamole dip! Also freshy fresh fresh, and no, it's not made at your table, (but I've had that kind before at Zócalo and it was too limey) but it sooo wonderfully mixed and spiced and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! I recommend getting at least the dip to start, AND maybe adding it onto your entree as well if you're big on guac.
For entrees there is a decent selection of Tex-Mex fare. I recommend doing the chicken quesadilla (over chicken enchiladas) because it is a similar chicken and gooey cheese mix, but the quesadilla is so big, you'll have leftovers for lunch the next day! (Esp after chowing down on the chips...)
I also recommend fajitas. They are a little pricier, but again, the portion is very generous. I am all about bringing a little Border Home. The salads are good too, and the dressings are all homemade.
Probably the best part about Border is that everything is from scratch. I remember going somewhere for Mexican and ordering enchiladas. I asked if they could be made without cilantro and my waiter informed me that the enchiladas were pre-stuffed. And frozen. Seriously? Never at Border!! They should be called Border Fresh Café, actually!
So last are the margaritas. Which should be drunk profusely throughout the meal. They have some really yummy ones! Sometimes they come out a little foamy if you get them frozen, but I have always had great success with the strawberry margarita. They also do sangria frozen or on the rocks. YUM!
I would highly recommend Border Café!!! Sometimes it is crowded, but the service is super fast and the waitstaff is awesome! And while you wait you can always start with a margarita at the bar. They are pretty cheap, starting at $6. So go now!! And get 2! (One for me...)
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
Category: Breweries
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
Category: Pizza
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
Category: Bars
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