Taqueria el Mariachi is now Taqueria el Amigo
Taqueria el Mariachi in Waltham has changed their name, but I don't know if it has changed ownership.
Finally got around to checking this place out for lunch today after reading positive posts here about the place. Had the burrito combo (burrito and taco)with carne asada in the burrito and tacos al pastor in the taco. Taco was ok with sizeable amount of small bits of pork sauteed in a chili sauce topped with a wee bit of lettuce, tomato, and onion wrapped in two warm corn tortillas. The burrito was lacking in flavor with small bits of steak that was sauteed and not seared which made it almost flavorless. Also stuffed in there was bland refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a bit of creme. I spruced it up a bit with the decent pico de gallo that was served with a basket of chips.
Saw someone get a shrimp plate that looked good with grilled shrimp, refried beans, and white rice. This was not listed on the menu, so I guess you gotta know to get it?
Tried to get a Cabeza (beef cheek) taco, but they did not have Cabeza - still on the menu though so they may have just been out of it. The menu has not changed since the name change since you can see that they just wrote in Amigo where Mariachi used to be on the takeout menu.
Not really impressed with this place even though everyone was really friendly and I did not feel out of place even tough I was the only gringo in the joint. I will try one more time to try the beef cheeks and/or one of the plates.
rl
Feb 22, 2006 03:25PM
Wow, I was in there for lunch today too, and did not even notice the name change! Same server as every time I've ever been there (very sweet and friendly, always endures my fractured Spanish with good humor).
Had the Platillo Mexicano: chorizo quesadilla, beef taco, chicken enchilada, rice, runny refried beans. Very fresh tasting. Good soft corn tortillas, fresh lime wedge, good complimentary salsa and chips, good hot sauce. A lot of food for $8. Mexican Coca-Cola, too!
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Huh, I was there sunday and didn't notice any changes -- maybe the name change hadn't yet taken place? Or maybe I just missed it as I ran in. Same great carnitas as always (grilled for a few minutes so there were lots of delicious crispy porky bits, and the same sweet folks working there as ever before -- they're also tolerant of my pidgin Spanish as well.
Sounds like your burrito was a bummer -- sorry to hear that. I've always had good luck with the tortas and the tacos, particularly the tacos especiales (which come 4 to an order with onions, cilantro, and avocado), as opposed to the regular tacos which are occasionally gringo-ized with lettuce and tomato. I always mean to try the platters, but I can't seem to go without the tacos and tortas. Hope you have better luck next time.
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This is interesting news -- we stopped by for lunch a few weeks ago and found it closed on a Friday! Though the sign said Open. Feared it had gone out of business. Maybe they were regrouping?
I totally agree about the tacos vs. burrito. Tacos especiales with the avocado, yum! I'd avoid burritos here - more of a Tex-Mex specialty, IMHO.
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FWIW, I am a fan of this place, although I could never convince my office mates to like it when we worked in Waltham. Their big issue was the service is not chain-efficient (eg they liked bertucci, uno, etc) and frankly its not gringoized enough. I appreciate a relaxed meal and food that can vary. I haven't been there since it changed names.
I generally get the Presidente platter with a side of refried beans. The gorditas are also quite good. The beans are one of the main reasons I go there and are equal to Taqueria La Mexicana, overall quality is less so. During the work day the Jamica is nice, the horchata is ok, and they have fresh squeezed OJ. The specials at the back of the menu they do well, although like the cabeza taco they never have all of them. The menudo was really good when I had it and they treated me like I was the first American to ever order it. They made shrimp on demand for my girlfriend and are willing to do just about any skillet combination you want, no questions asked. If burritos are your thing, I think you would be better off at a burrito place.
This is working class food, so if you want something more upscale I would recommend Tu y Yo, although like similar restaurants (Zocalo), they don't have those soupy thick beans that mom would make.
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