Whether it's the scent of cannolis wafting from the North End, the boisterous pubs in Southie or the abundance of Thai and Indian restaurants dotting Back Bay, one never goes hungry in Boston. The food is diverse, plentiful and often delicious, but chow?seekers from heavily Mexican?populated states like California or Texas often find their beloved burritos lacking. Without ragging on any particular locale, let it be acknowledged that Mexican restaurants in Boston are quite often subpar. Due to Boston's comparatively small native population, the food is often inauthentic or flavorless, and many have succumbed to despair.
Fear not, for Taco Loco will revive your spirit. Although it is almost impossible to recreate the delectable morsels found in San Diego or the Mission District of San Francisco, Taco Loco is a more than acceptable venue to tide hungry students over between trips to the West Coast.
Located on Broadway St. in East Somerville, the restaurant does not have a particularly reassuring exterior. A sign reading, "Yes ... we are OPEN" hangs perpetually askew on the side of a plain?looking brown building. The interior is small and provides limited seating, with telenovelas playing in the background. The menu offers a wide selection that some may find daunting, but after one visit, many students will find the large menu a reason to return again and again. Unlike many Mexican restaurants that stick to quesadillas and burritos, Taco Loco offers a more comprehensive selection of authentic dishes.
There are breakfast items for those rough weekend mornings, including omelets and variations on huevos rancheros, a few soups and salads for the light eaters and of course, the main dishes. Burritos can be vegetarian or stuffed with chicken, carne asada (steak) or adobado (pork), all of which are tender and delicious and come chock?full of beans, rice, guacamole and cheesy goodness. The best part about the burritos: Once they're stuffed and rolled, they toss them back on the grill so the tortilla gets just a little crispy and even more irresistible. The contrast between the crunchier outside and the meat and cheese is one of the most satisfying parts of Taco Loco's burritos.
Tacos have essentially the same fillings as burritos but are smaller. If you're maximizing your eating experience, this is a good way to try a few of the different fillings at once. Tacos also have a few more options, including chicharron (fried pork rinds) or tender lengua (beef tongue). Before you get grossed out, do yourself a favor and try it. Cheesy quesadillas come in meat?filled or vegetarian versions, with crispy exteriors and melt?in?your?mouth insides. Nachos are a particularly excellent option for friends to share, even though burritos and tacos each come with chips and salsa on the side.
The establishment also boasts some seriously delicious and creamy horchata (cinnamon rice milk) and various?flavored aguas frescas that are a must to round out the meal. For dessert, platanos fritos (fried, ripe plantains) are a sweet and gooey way to end a gorging session. You can also opt for the flan, a traditional Spanish sweet custard, or one of the untested items on the menu like empanadas, platanos or yuca frita.
Although it is admittedly a bit of a jaunt from campus (just catch the 89 bus from Powderhouse Square), Taco Loco provides the flavorful and delicious Mexican cuisine tragically lacking in most of Boston. It is well worth a visit for the platanos fritos alone, but you will find yourself gorging on a burrito (or two) while you're there. The authentic atmosphere and the wafting scents of marinating meat and sizzling vegetables will make you glad you came.
