El Barrio Mexican Grill

I go there a few times but food is never consistent when it comes to flavors and textures, Today I almost choked on a bone from the Carnitas Taco. BONE was pretty good size lol I was hungry went right in swallowed & coughed untill was unlodged.

Sweet little corner spot and super friendly folks. Got the Cantina Bowl and a like margarita. Bowl portion was perfect - not this huge exaggerated about but left me feeling full and satisfied. Ingredients were fresh and delicious. Margarita was solid (read strong!), and comes in a friendly little pouch if you need to go. 10/10 would recommend

Good local food. Good price. Yet I am vietnamese and love it. The burrito is a bit small but still fill you up. Add Sriracha and sweet relish. Omg tasted a lot better....

Best place, perfect service, amazing food.. everything on the menu is phenomenal.. Highly recommend. The fish tacos and the guava Margarita is phenomenal. Tried the sangria and didn’t disappoint

Staff was nice and respectful. I can be a little bit indecisive when I’m ordering my food and they were patient and gave me recommendations. The burrito bowl I ended up getting was exquisite, and when I realize there were some additional add-ons that I would like to have but failed to order, Jay an employee there gave me some sides at no additional cost. Highly recommend

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Top-tier Mexican food right on Dorchester Ave! El Barrio Mexican Grill on Dorchester Ave is a true hidden gem. The food is absolutely fantastic — fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with love. I had the birria tacos and they were some of the best I’ve ever had. The meat was tender and juicy, and the consommé was rich and packed with flavor. The chips and guac were super fresh too — crispy, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the service is quick whether you’re dining in or picking up. The whole vibe is clean, casual, and authentic. If you’re in Dorchester and craving real Mexican food, El Barrio should be your go-to. Highly recommend!

Cute neighborhood place with delicious food and friendly staff. I had a bowl with steak and queso- SO good. The portion was ample, but not overwhelming. My husband got the taco trio. Great corn tortillas with flavorful fillings. If you are in the area, you should definitely try El Barrio!

The chicken burrito was great . My feedback would be to take out the bay leaf . I ate a piece of it on accident . Even though they are edible it says it isn’t recommended.

Full disclaimer, I worked at a health center nearby and have only been for take out. Sadly turned out to be a mistake bc everything ended up soggy by the time we walked back and got to eat it (ten minutes later), so I would recommend eating in, or at least not ordering anything crunchy to go. Elote - probably the best thing we ordered, but the corn itself was soft and overcooked. The toppings were a little skimpy but still tasty Carnitas burrito - mostly mush and the fillings were poorly distributed. Even at the cross section you could hardly see any sour cream, pico, or lettuce, and didn't get to it until the last few bites Nachos bravos - do not, do not, do NOT order this to-go or delivery. It was such a same bc you could tell it would be tasty, but the chips were so soggy it had essentially congealed into one blob. And it was only a 10 minute walk back! Some things we can attribute to take out, but a lot was just poor assembly. Not worth trying in person for us.

It was good food and so convenient! We have always had a 20-25 minute drive to pick up take out. The salsa, guacamole and queso were fresh and flavorful. I don't think I ordered my husbands buritto correctly. He said it was dry and bland. I'll let him order the next time. I had the chicken tacos which were delicious. We will be back again!

Although a friendly atmosphere. Cheap proportions for the price you pay, compared to competitors. Taste Just doesn't kick.

The most pathetic excuse of a burrito I've ever had in my life. Service was also terrible, they gave me the wrong burrito.

The birria tacos are tiny, they are $15 before tax and if you want to have authentic birria tacos they bring cheese but guess what u have to pay an extra dollar for the cheese, and yanno that would b fine if the tacos weren't so unbelievably tiny, they fit in the palm of my teenage hand, the only reason i give it 2 stars is because the service was amazing, the lady at the front was so nice but aside from that it was so unbelievably disappointing.

They constantly get the order wrong, if you order on Uber eats they won't ever give you guacamole or hot sauce - never eating here again

This place is ok. I was expecting better. The place is more of a take out restaurant with a few tables inside. I came here on a weeknight and it was empty. The service isn't too friendly especially the lady at the register. My friend and I ordered the Birria tacos and the nachos. The nachos were terrible. From the menu, it seems like it would be good but it was a scam. They were soggy and had no taste whatsoever. The birria tacos were very average. I definitely had better. Most likely will not be back here.

I had been recommended this place by a few co-workers and although not the worse I was definitely expecting it to be authentic Mexican food. This is a very Americanized place when it comes to taste wise We had ordered a chicken quesadilla which was actually not too bad but for almost $14 you literally get melted cheese with minimal chicken, in a side of sour cream. We also got a carnitas burrito that had a lot of rice , black beans, sour cream ( I think they forgot it) and cheese ( that wasn't melted, just mozzarella shredded) and we added for an extra charge pickled onions ( which def weren't pickled they weren't even pink), and guacamole. Taste wise the carnitas weren't bad and the meat portion was fair but it just didn't exceed expectations as a whole besides the beans everything was very mushy and they definitely didn't add our pico. To be fair we did try on a Friday night so maybe they were too busy or just off with effort but I most likely wouldn't try again.

Nice neighborhood place. I love Mexican food, and this place is convenient, and the service is great.

I preordered online after comparing the menu and thought the prices were the same on toasttab and at the store. It was different everything is at least .50-3.00 more. I also ordered for it to be picked up at 11:30 and got my order at 11:50. Ordered an hour ahead and still had to wait 20 minutes. There were only 2 ppl working during lunch hour and the workers were super slow. I ordered empanadas, elote, birria tortas, chicken burrito and some tacos. The empanadas were average and a bit dry. The flavor was regular but could have a bit more seasoning. Elote I thought was good and flavorful. The birria tortas was ok. I wouldn't order it again as the flavor was just ok. Mine wasn't toasted enough and then they already dipped it into the birria when I opened it the bread was all soggy from the dip. Not a good experience. Chicken burrito is ok with hot sauce. Taco was a little bland. Overall it's an ok experience and I might go again and give them a second chance.

Terrible experience here. Ordered delivery and the food arrived within 15 minutes ice cold. There's absolutely no way the food could have cooled down that much in 15 minutes, which means either a.) that food (including the meat) is either sitting around collecting bacteria all day and being served cold or b.) it is not being reheated to a proper temperature (also gross). I understand that things happen with delivery but this was not it. This is a quality issue. Have some pride in the product you serve your customers. Won't be back.

Not authentic at all, everything seems like it's from the can and high sodium. It was a disappointment, unfortunately

OMG! This will be my spot whenever I'm around ASHMONT station and feeling like a good burrito, street corn and you must order one of the 5 flavored margaritas! The food is cooked and served with precision. The spices on the pork and the delicate rice on my carnitas bowl was tender and sweet. The tortillas was crispy and the papas were cooked to perfection. This food this great. Highly recommended!!!

I went here this weekend and was very pleasantly surprised by so many things. The frozen margaritas are great, especially the strawberry. The birria tacos are mouth-wateringly amazing. I wasn't a fan of the shrimp, carnitas, or fish tacos. The elote was also terrific. I was disappointed they don't have indoor dining, just fast-casual takeout like Chipotle. They'll have outdoor seating this summer, though, they told me. I would definitely return for the marg, the elote, and the birria tacos.

This place is great! I ordered the Birria Burrito which was really good! It was ready within 10 mins of placing the order. I'd definitely come back and recommend to anyone looking for a quick and tasty Mexican food option.

I went here with a friend and we had a great time. The food was delicious, just what I wanted without overly large servings, and very tasty. They have a variety of options that are all appealing. The staff are also very friendly and kind, answering all our annoying questions. They are definitely excited to help you. I'll definitely be back at some point. A really good spot.

I ordered here from uber eats and to no fault of the uber eats partner (he was only handed one bag) 90 percent of my order was missing. When I called El Barrio to see how they would work with me, they said that I could re order with them and they would refund on their end through the uber eats app and so I would get my missing food for free. I placed not one but two orders through el barrio in hopes of getting some tacos. THE PROMISED REFUND WAS AN OUTRIGHT LIE AND MANIPULATION TACTIC. They did not refund me and in fact left me a note on my receipt saying I don't care :) (attached). Passive aggressive dishonest jerks. Look forward to your restaurant rotting from the inside out as your character and integrity is already so so so eroded.

All my food was soggy when I ordered pickup. Forgot the side sauces too. Overall the food was really bad for Mexican food. Chipotle is better

I try to love El Barrio. It's a five minute walk from where I live. It's definitely not Mexican, sort of a central american melange. I've been underwhelmed each and every time I've ordered there. Everything seems underseasoned and overpriced (and I'm Irish and grew up on boiled food with salt and pepper as seasoning). Nothing is cooked to order. It is on a steamer tray. I wish them well. But as a neighbor, I don't eat there.

My wife and i had Tortas and a veggie burrito. We were both very happy, the food is amazing and the staff are pleasant and the atmosphere was great... We will def be back. Great spot with more traditional fare.

Cute corner store with a great staff. Food was great, if you want a real gut bomb I highly recommend the chimichanga!

The food was not hot at all. It was really unfortunate because the food tasted good and there was so much potential, but it was just not as good as it can be. We ate there at the restaurant so we ate the food immediately so there should be no excuse.

Best tacos I've had in Dorchester. Never been in person, but have ordered grubhub multiple times, and the food consistently arrives hot, and the tortillas are never soggy or crumbling, so I can only imagine they're even better when you eat there. I've never ordered an item I was disappointed in. Great food! Eat here, do not eat at Ghost Pepper. That place is terrible.

Ordered take out through grubhub. Arrived and saw my name on a bag. Asked the lady cashier if it's okay for me to take it. She mumbled as if a second bag is coming out. So I waited for about 15 mins with others come and go picking up and ordering. Got back in line to check the status and another cashier said it's only that bag. The girl cashier was very rude. Service was inconsistent between customers.

I'm updating my review because the last time I reviewed I had mentioned that the chicken empanadas were a little bit dry. We got some delivered again and they were perfect this time. They were crispy on the outside and the filling was flavorful and juicy. We also ordered some tacos al pastor this time that were so bomb! The mix of pork, pineapple, and tortilla just never fails. The pork was tender and flavorful with some bits that had char on it. Yum! The tortillas were also so good. They looked like they were either made in house or are ordered specifically for tacos because they are definitely not the cinco de mayo, la banderita, or mission brands that come in plastic bags. They are the perfect tortillas for tacos. I also want to add that the presentation of the food even though it was delivered was spot on just like the first time. I ordered through Grub Hub again through the yelp app and the food came earlier than expected and the person who delivered the food was very kind just like the first time.

Best Mexican food I've had in Boston! All the meats are incredible, especially the birria. Friendly staff, super cute location, and all the takeout traveled really well. cant wait to go back!

The menu is a lil small and restaurant is def small. It's a cool lil place to stop in for lunch. But not really a great place to have a dinner with many friends. The food is ok. The meat was very flavorful but the rest of the dish was pretty bland. I got so.e nachos.

The elote ALONE was enough to give this place a 5 star review. No joke, it was the first thing I ate and I was in HeAvEn. Then I had a chicken and cheese empanada, both were pretty good. Not as great as some empanadas in JP, but still very tasty. They were small and great for an appetizer, but not the meal. Finally I had a killer veggie burritos. The rice, beans and sauce were solid, but what I enjoyed most were the variety of veggies. It has broccoli, peppers, onions and carrots, I enjoyed the variety of textures. To me, this beats Chilacates, and has now become my fav Mexican place in Boston.

Ordered three tacos - al pastor, shrimp, and pork. Shrimp tacos was the best. Also ordered chips and guacamole. Chips were crunchy, not too oily and guac was super tasty. Highly recommend the shrimp taco and guac+ chips

Ordered delivery and everything was neatly packed. Ordered a bunch of empanadas and I think they gave us more chicken than we ordered instead of what we asked. The chimichanga was huge and the tacos were AMAZING. Good size and super flavorable

Theeee besttt everrr!!!! I always order from there and will continue to order from There!! The food IS GREAT!!

Ordered the steak, carnitas, al pastor tacos and they were all dry. Don't know if it was bad luck but sucked for a first time experience. Maybe other items are better which explains the high reviews. Wouldn't come back for tacos though

I notice they have soft and hard for an option for the birria so I decided to try the soft this time - I like it better than the hard shell but there is no cheese or barely any. The consome was not flavorful - they have a container of hot sauce so I added that in for more flavor. I liked the chicken empanada last time but it did not taste the same, the carne was good and full. Their special empanada ( corn, cheese, chorizo ) barely had any filling. I thought that it was empty.

Woah, they renovated this place! A while back, the place looked, well, you know, lol. But now, it's much nicer! Seating is still kinda tight when they're busy, and their restroom is amazingly clean. They have a cool mural that my roomies and I took a pic in front of. For a Tex-Mex place though, it's a bit on a pricier side. A small single taco costs $4 each... Nevertheless, it's delicious! I think it's worth the splurge. My roomies enjoyed their fajitas and loaded nachos, so I'll have to try those the next time I'm here.

Awful portion sizes... What is this, a burrito for ants?? Also tasted pretty bland. If you're looking for any flavor at all expect to spend about $20 for add ons.

Gf was in the mood for something, but wasn't sure what so she Yelped and found this place. We only live about 15 min away and never noticed this place. Walked in and was impressed with decor/ambience. Hip and relaxing. Chipotle style so no waiter/waitress. (No tip needed) We ordered 1 beef, 1 fish soft taco, and 1 chimichanga. Total with 15% tip came out to $34 and change. bit pricey. If I'm in the mood, I wouldn't mind coming back ( fresh corn tortillas yumzz ), but might just order 1 soft taco since my wallet gets too light here.

I had their beef empanadas and birria ramen....*chef's kiss* I highly recommend both of these items.

Ehhh! Not the best burritos I have ever tasted. Def lacking flavor and that Mexican flare. Their guacamole dip is amazing.

The best tacos I've had in Boston! Their birria is amazing. Delivery is always super quick and food is still hot- their packaging is very clean and done well. Good portions for the prices. I've never been disappointed with any meal from El Barrio. ¡Muchísimas gracias!

Imma keep this one short and sweet. "One and done" for me. Although the place is nice, i wasn't happy at the end. 1. $3.50+ PER TACO!?!?! It's not like it's located in Beverly Hills for god sake. Being from South central LA, these are not even close to a taco. 2. "Frozen margarita" lol, i think they forgot to turn on the machine, felt as if i was drinking a glass of juice fro the fridge. 3. Why do you put 2 types of rice in a burrito? "Orange" and "white with beans" which it should be. Maybe to fill it more of rice than the actual meat. 4. After paying $80 for 4 tacos, 2 burritos, 2 corn on a Cobb, 2 yuca fries and to water margaritas i checked into the location via yelp and get presented with a 15% off coupon and for the girl to say "i didn't know we did that" $80 fucking dollars!?!?!?! Don't waste you money here. I'm usually not that bad at reviews as I've done a lot of them, but this one needed to be done.

Burrito was lukewarm. Some ingredients were even room temperature. I dont think i have ever eaten a burrito like this. Something tells me that it was prepared for a previous customer that did not pick it up. Terrible, terrible first time experience here. I will give them another chance but the owner really needs to do something about the low quality of this food. A burrito should be served hot or warm so that the customer knows it was prepared fresh. If I wanted old food I would have eaten leftovers.

Ordering online was easy. Ready on time. Staff was friendly and polite. Four orders of birria tacos. Everyone enjoyed them. Ample portions per taco. Consome was flavorful without being overly spicy and hiding its actual flavor. Guac was super fresh and delicious.

I did not say to add onion I hate onion I don't see no sour cream never come back here

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. If you're thinking about going here, don't. Staff are super rude and hung up on us multiple times on top of not answering at all. When I asked for a manager she told me there weren't any.. Refused to give any contact info for any other managers/owners. Nachos came super soggy and were just disgusting to eat. The elote asado was disgustingly bland, on top of being mushy. They won't give us a refund and have hung up on us multiple times as well as blocking my phone number. The person who picked up the phone can barely understand English and is so rude. Also asked for some sides and we didn't get that either. Just had the flan and it had basically no taste as well as the texture being super thick and cottagey, worst flan I've ever had. Chimichangas lacked taste and was not crispy one bit, came super super soggy and was unappealing + unappetizing. Ordered steak quesadillas as well and half the quesadilla was empty??? Like seriously? Blocks of inedible cheese in the chimichanga as well which felt so greasy and nasty. Just a few bites had me feeling severely bloated and done with the meal. So disappointing and I'm still so hungry since this meal was practically inedible.

Wonderful neighborhood spot. Since they have come under new ownership, the new owners have put so much attention into making it a colorful and comfortable space with nice outdoor and indoor seating. We are so lucky to have this business on Dot Ave. I love the mural on the side, too!

Used to be our go to but the quality has decreased as well as the size of a burrito. Chicken in burrito was dried out and the plantains are burnt. Won't be returning, especially with better options in Dot.

I ordered three tacos. Chicken, fish and shrimp. They were all good. They go heavy on the pico de gallo though. Staff is friendly.. and cute ;) They have booze.. It was too early for me, but I will be back.

AMAZING! Easy to drive past this cute little restaurant. It's not just for take out, they have really great drinks that's almost like a hidden treasure. The passion fruit drink, is incredible. Really recommend if you come here. I had chicken taco, shrimp and fish. Both their tacos (soft and hard) are home made and it's delicious. It's really clean. And everyone here is so friendly. eat it while it's hot, you won't regret it. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere because it's super chill.

I love the people who run the place, love the atmosphere. They are incredibly hard working and went through some trouble to start with the cashiers/expo up front having some language and technological barriers. They have sorted all those out and have created an amazing restaurant. They are truly an example of the American dream and I love seeing them succeed. Thank you!!

The nature of this review is more about service than actual food quality. Ordered from El Barrio with two friends on uber eats last Friday night. The food came promptly but one HUGE problem... they forgot my burrito! Since it was the only item I ordered, I called the restaurant to see if they could deliver it, or at least refund me for the purchase. After having to explain what happened multiple times, the man on the phone finally told me that he forgot to put the burrito in the bag... Okay, mistakes happen. I asked if they could deliver it, and he let me know they don't offer delivery. Okay, so I asked for a refund on the burrito. He said he will "try" to refund. I say no, if I am not getting the food I paid for, I expect a refund. He says okay, he will talk to management, and refund for the burrito. It is now one week later, and my card has still not been refunded for the burrito. I am going to call again today and ask to speak with management, but I already have a bitter taste in my mouth about this place.