Border Café

I'm so sad this location Is no longer here. I drove by today to have one last look...seems it's an art place now but still has the Border signage...

Thanks for all the memories

I just read the news about this spot closing permanently (after the fire and the pandemic), and thought I'd leave a memorial review for one of my favorite spots in Harvard Square.

There was never a time when it was ever NOT bustling and full of life. The food was ALWAYS flavorful, and I would always get a crawfish quesadilla, jambalaya, Mexican rice, blackened catfish, swordfish. It was honestly some of the best, most unique food in the area, and it didn't cost an arm or a leg.

It was unpretentious and gave me Chili's vibes without being a Chilis. Sure the drinks were weak, and there wasn't a chance of mudslides, since there wasn't Kailua at the bar, and one time I was pretty sure we were served virgin pina coladas and margaritas, they were so weak... so I always just got beer. I was there for the food and the noisy, but charming atmosphere. It was always one of my top choices to bring guests to or meet friends in the Square for a bite.

It's heartbreaking that I won't be able to taste their food again, as the takeout is likely still tasty. My friends and I are mourning the loss of an iconic spot. I hope it resurrects after this is all over, and comes back better than ever.

My absolute favorite spot in Harvard square back in the early 2000s -- was extremely disappointed when I heard they weren't reopening after the fire.

The Border Cafe was a huge part of my life for the 32.5 years it operated in Harvard Square, providing me with a special happiness from age 32 to 64. Through my many jobs and living spaces around the Boston area over that time, the Border was like a reliable friend where nearly every server--and manager-- always knew my name and served me so well! (I fear I made them over earn my tips given my reliance on them for good conversation when I wasn't reading and eating--I read A LOT of books over the years while enjoying their food and atmosphere.) The cuisine was both good and affordable, the menu a unique combination of Mexican and Cajun-- both of which I relished, and perfectly located for someone like me reliant exclusively on public transportation. They seemed to always be open, in all weather and all seasons. I cannot express how much I miss the Border and will continue to miss them for the rest of my life!

Border Cafe is a family tradition every time I visit my sister in Cambridge. I've been here countless number of times.

To have a great Border experience you have to keep the following in mind:
1. There is always a wait for a table of the weeeknds; expect to wait at least 20-30 minutes. We had to wait an hour once. Primarily because we were a party of 8.
2. It is located in Harvard Square (near MIT and Harvard), so expect the average age to be about 20-25.
3. It is very noisy. That's just the nature of the place, since it's usually packed to the brim and voices just bounce off the ceiling.
4. The tortilla chips are so good that you need to restrain yourself from munching out on them to leave room for dinner.

With that said, I've ordered the Blackened Catfish, Fajita, Blackened Salmon, Crawfish ettouffe. The food was deliciously seasoned with a spicy kick! The accompanying black beans, rice and corn bread with the Catfish were all awesome! I couldn't finish it, because I pigged out on the aforementioned tortilla chips. (They only serve a mild salsa with the chips, which is a bummer because I liked their spicy one). I also tried a bite of my sisters blackened chicken, which was a bit too blacked for my taste. My mother ordered the Catfish New Orleans, which was surprisingly tasty. I'm not normally a fan of fried fish, because it's generally greasy, but this wasn't too bad. Oh, and, the portion sizes were huge!

This isn't a great restaurant, but they specialize in fajitas at a reasonable price, and they do that well (particularly chicken or shrimp, the beef is a little over-marinated). They also feature the standard Corona or margaritas - from a mix, but they are large and they keep coming.

My favorite is the chicken-beef fajita combo ... I get a margarita on the rocks with salt, chips & salsa, and then the fajitas come. It's all good, the portions are sizable, and the atmosphere young and lively but with enough room so that you're not bumping into your neighbors.

At one time, this was a hopping place -- now, it's more mainstream, Tex-Mex isn't so unusual, but it's still a good value, a good place for young people to go out on the town without breaking the bank - or for someone older like myself to enjoy fajitas ;-)

If you look at the pictures, you'll see the atmosphere, and even see the overly-seasoned onions and beef ... but they're still good, it's still a fun place to eat.

Enjoy!

YUMMMM. Best chips & salsa ever. They were still hot from the oven fresh, super light and crispy. Paired with guacamole and a strawberry margarita and it was delicious. I also had the shredded beef burrito and everything was excellent! The only odd thing was that they carded me at the bar and again at my table when I ordered a second drink. Maybe because it's near a college? Either way bring your ID and enjoy this place because it's a gem.

Border Cafe is great for what it is - cheap, convenient, and salty Mexican food. Also complimentary chips & salsa can't be beat.

I go here every few months when the craving hits and I always get the same thing - some kind of fajita. Lately I've been getting the half chicken/half steak fajita although I can also highly recommend the blackened chicken fajita.

It's certainly not the best food you'll eat, and it doesn't always taste fresh, but for the price in Harvard Square it can't be beat. The margaritas (not booze heavy, but delicious) will only set you back about $6-$7 each and the entrées max out around $15. I always have leftovers to take home with me until I visit again in a few months.

Affordable and generously portioned entrees in the heart of Harvard Square! However, taste was just average.

I ordered the chicken bandera which was chicken breast in a spicy fruity sauce with half a grilled avocado, mango salsa, and fries. It was a large portion, but the fries made up 2/3 of my plate and they tasted stale like they were fried hours ago and then refried at the last minute because most of them were hard, very crunchy and not crispy.

Each table gets complimentary chips and salsa but the salsa tasted like jarred quality from any supermarket.

It's a great place if you're craving Tex-Mex / Cajun food, but it definitely will not blow your mind.

I go to Border so much (especially Sunday brunch) that my friends joke that it's my 'church.'

And why? Because it is the best place in Harvard Square, maybe even Cambridge. You will always leave satisfied with your portion, it's very affordable (especially for HS/Cambridge), and the ambiance is amazing! It seriously feels like Christmas in Mexico every day of the year (and who wouldn't want that?)

I usually order the chicken quesadilla (with a side of guac) and their unsweetened iced tea and I leave with only a ~$12 bill after tip. Sometimes I get the Tostada en Grande salad and it is so yummy and filling (its a salad with guac inside a tortilla shell).

Service is always great (they fill up on the chips and salsa / drinks very attentively and oh my are the warm chips so good).

It's nestled on a side street in Harvard Square and there is paid parking right across the street which is very reasonable. Wait time isn't normally that bad unless you have a humongous group and it's Saturday night (but even then not that bad). They also have a downstairs so the # of seating at Border is really great.

Definitely a place to stop at if you're in town and really hungry!