Taqueria El Amigo

This restaurant is hyped up to be the closest thing to authentic Mexican food in greater Boston - and I believe it. I got their four taco special (you can order either four of one meat, or two each of two meats) with al pastor and lengua, and each bite of tender meat paired with their signature hot sauce was a delight. When you dine in, you also get free chips and salsa for the table. As someone who grew up in San Diego with amazing Mexican food, this meal made me very happy!

U N R E A L. Spectacular. The tacos were amazing and I barely got a picture off before we ate them all. The place is very small but very intimate. The service was amazing and it just had such a feeling of a great mom and pop shop. I hope this place stays open forever. It’s tough when a place gets hyped up and you go there and it’s just pretty good… This was not the case this place is absolutely phenomenal. Boston and the northeast aren’t known for their Mexican spots but this place is definitely gotta be top three. My grandparents lived in San Diego and I’ve had family in Mexico so my family and I are always looking for places to bring us back and this is it. Go here. My favorites are the chorizo and carnitas.

HIGHLY recommend this location if you are looking for AUTHENTIC, Mexican food taste. I had the torta de carnitas, chef’s kiss. My husband had a more traditional plate with eggs for breakfast and also enjoyed his dish. Breakfast options are few but am sure are all delicious in their own right. Our server was kind and we received our orders within minutes of placing them. One thing that was a little off was the coffee. Tasted very watered down and hard to pinpoint where the recipe was tweaked. We will return to try their other delicious options though! Decorations on the wall to honor the culture was very beautiful to see.

Finally! A place in Boston where the food actually taste Mexican. The pico de gallo that comes with chips is unique and taste great.

My meal was amazing. Very large portion. I had the Veg Chile Relleno. The atmosphere is perfect if your seeking a hidden gem. The dining room is small and seats about 16. Take out was best because all seats were taken. Counter service.

100% delicious and fully pleasing! Ate here last night and regret that I didn’t order more. I will be coming here weekly. The food got to my table and the tortilla was still very warm to touch (unlike other similar restaurants that pull the tortilla out of the plastic wrap). The portion size was plenty for what you pay for. They have a hot sauce in a bottle that isn’t on the table unless you ask for it. The service was great, they speak English for the non Spanish speakers. They also are hospitable and cater to you attentively. The restaurant itself is tiny, there are about 6 tables to dine in. No alcohol, but do have delicious milkshakes and horchata. This place is a MUST try. Might be top 5 taquerias in MA. Cash and card accepted.

Service was so amazing they are so kind here! Food was bomb, so good I forgot to take a picture before I took the first bite and after that first bite... I couldn't stop till it was done hahaha that to me always means it's a place I'll definitely return to. Highly recommend you try this place out. Great price to quantity of food for sure!

This is a little place that you might mistake for a dive, but it’s truly a gem. The food was outstanding and the portions were great. It’s a very small place inside and busy, so don’t be surprised if you can’t find a seat. We were lucky enough to get one. I definitely recommend this place.

". A Gem" They have a parking lot not metered next door . They have seating inside but the place is very small . However the food is exceptional. We got steak tacos and steak nachos and it was delicious, tasted fresh and good flavors . The price is good for the portion size. The value is excellent. The staff is friendly. The service is good. .

This Yelp top 100 spot has been a favorite of my friends and I and a go to for tacos cravings for the past year! Although the store only seats 4-5 tables, the friendly staff serve you complimentary chips and salsa along with our favorite taco especiales (2 tacos per special order) or large plates While my boyfriend raves about the al pastor and cabeza taco specials, I stick to my plato loco that comes with two choices of meat, rice, beans, onion, coriander, and salsa verde which is enough for myself and (happy leftovers to take home!!!) If you're looking for a new taco spot, Taqueria El Amigo is the one‼

You know this place is good when a lot of customers were Spanish speaking. It's a small place with only ~4 small tables. Street parking only. I heard it used to be cash only but they do accept credit cards now. They make your food to order. So if you order there, know that you have to wait a bit. I heard about this place for years but never tried it until this past weekend. I went around 4pm thinking it will be off hours but it was still crowded. And there was still a flow of take out orders. I ordered the cabeza and lengua taco especiales which came with 4 tacos. It was very filling and super flavorful. I didn't see a drink menu but they have horchata on tap and I think some agua Fresca. They also have bottled drinks. One of the best tacos in the area! Can't believe that I slept on this gem for so long. Can't wait to go back and try their other tacos including the birria.

My absolute hands down favorite local taco spot. I'm not even joking when I say I dream about these tacos on the daily. My go to? The taco especiale, which comes with 4 carne asada tacos and avocado with home made hot sauce. The service is quick and efficient. It's a really small spot so I usually just order takeout but if you don't mind waiting there are about 5 small tables. It's authentic and absolutely delicious. I feel lucky to be so close!

Not sure how it has 4+ stars. After going half a dozen times I believe it's due to the prices. Pretty cheap but the quality is not great. Not much meat in the tacos/burritos and the tortillas are pretty bland. Always packed though so they do good business. Small seating area inside.

Busy and nice find but doesn't live up to the hype or perhaps not what it used to be. Tight and small inside. Very busy with lots of folks coming in for takeaway when deliveries come through it's very tight space and folks often had to move where they were sitting at tables. They do wild fast business. Service was fairly good. If they forget and screw something up they just give you more of whatever you ordered. Friendly folks. Food was actually just okay. The platters were of large size but really lacked flavor. Tons of iceberg lettuce. Lacking salt too. Some of the tacos were pretty good but nothing amazing. Looking back, nothing memorable and just okay. Prices aren't high but seem to have crept up over the years and with popularity. Can't blame them but for the same price can get more flavorful or just as flavorful options at the same volume from lots of decent (albeit not great) Mexican restaurants and taquerias.

As a long-time patron of Taqueria El Amigo, I am thrilled to see the well-deserved recognition the restaurant is receiving lately. Having been a loyal customer for years, I've often recommended this gem to close-friends, keeping it somewhat of a hidden treasure, but it seems the word is rightfully spreading. My go-to order has always been their tacos especiales with onion, cilantro, and salsa. Consistently, these tacos stand out as the best and most authentic I've had in Boston. The flavors are unparalleled, and each bite is reminiscent of the flavors I grew up eating in Mexico and subsequently Texas. Recently, I decided to explore their breakfast menu and was treated to the delightful huevos rancheros. The dish was a symphony of flavors, complemented by a fantastic green salsa that added just the right kick. While I've sampled various lunch specials, including the outstanding mole, the tacos remain the stars of the show. No visit is complete without indulging in their horchata, a refreshing and delicious choice that perfectly complements the food. The place is small but cozy. Recently, there's more people which means sometimes you have to wait a little (or place an order ahead of time via the phone). However, the food is worth the wait. Congratulations to El Amigo Taqueria for the well-deserved notoriety. It's heartening to see a local gem receive the recognition it has earned over the years.

Not sure if I went on an off day, but was expecting more in terms of flavor since this place was rated top 100 in the US. I think the prices are really good for each taco. We got the beef tongue and cheek tacos. I'd get the cheek ones again Service is really good. There are only about 4-5 small tables but we didn't have trouble getting a table on a Saturday at lunchtime

Ah yes, so many good memories of the food from this place. It's a small restaurant with food that has big flavor, one of the best places to get takeout in the area if you ask me. I had the carnitas burrito and while I feel like maybe there was a little too much lettuce in there, it was delicious. The pork was perfect, one could call it perfect pork. The little containers of hot sauce that comes with the food is so good, highly recommend putting some on a few bites, but keep in mind this hot sauce has a bit of a kick!

Definitely my go-to spot and probably the best place in the Boston area for Mexican food. I had been meaning to try this place out after searching online for the best places in Boston to get street tacos and was very satisfied. We ordered the Tacos Especiales (4 tacos), where you can choose up to 2 different proteins - we chose cabeza, al pastor, and lengua. The ambiance is casual and intimate, and truly feels like a family-owned restaurant! The staff is very friendly with great and efficient service.

Best Tacos I ever had and at a good price. Believe the hype. Best tacos burritos I've ever had. Great prices, relatively fast service.

This place is awesome. It's the best Mexican food and tacos I found in Massachusetts.

I've been coming to Taqueria El Amigo for years, and I've never been disappointed. The portions are generous, and the atmosphere is always friendly. Our go-to order usually consists of the Carne Asada Plate, Taco Especiales with Carnitas and/or Carne Asada, Chips & Guacamole, and an occasional cold Horchata. They only have 4 tables, so expect to wait. We usually do takeout and enjoy the food at home. I'm thrilled that they finally accept credit cards and that they're getting the recognition they deserve, being named one of the Top 100 Restaurants in America in 2023. This is one of the handful of Mexican restaurants we regularly visit. Highly recommended!

My husband and I had a few minutes for a lunch date and decided to try out Taqueria El Amigo, which is in a commercial area of Waltham by the Watertown and Newton borders. They do a lot of business. It is a bit of a hole in the wall. You can order to go or sit down for table service. We were served chips and salsa at the table. The chips were hot and crunchy and the salsa was fresh and flavorful with a hint of heat. We ordered the tacos especiales with pollo and with carne asada. They come with four in each order. They were definitely legit and brought us back to our honeymoon in Mexico. It's not exactly convenient for us to get here, but I would definitely come again if I am in the area. Highly recommend it if you are in search of authentic Mexican street food.

Loved this place! Most likely my fav taco place so far. Loved that they offered beef tongue / cheek Tacos and is the first time I've tried it in taco form. We Asians use it in our cuisines in BBQ. As for communication, it was a bit difficult as they don't speak that much English, but that means it's very authentic. The store itself is small. Will definitely be back and will write a more in-depth review the next time we're in Massachusetts.

Can't get enough of taqueria El Amigo! After seeing this restaurant on Yelp's 100 list I have eaten here at least six times. The tacos are so good! The service is great and quick. The inside is small and can get crowded with people either waiting for a table or takeout. Depending on the time day, you will wait at least 10-30 minutes for a table. I've seen people just order takeout instead of waiting but I think it's a better experience to sit down and eat. I love the chips, guacamole, and salsa. The guac and sala are always so fresh. The horchata is my favorite drink to order. It's not too sweet and refreshing. For an entree I always go for the tacos especiales. It's definitely enough for one person. If you eat with another person, you can trade different tacos. Can't wait to come back!

I got takeout on a Saturday, beef tacos and nachos and chorizo burrito. They were fantastic. The seasoning was unique, vegetables fresh, tortillas home made. The place is small. Fits about 14. The food was ready in about 10 minutes. My only regret was not eating here sooner

Helpful tip: it's a small store so I'd say get take out if u go around a busy hour. I went at like 7:30ish on a Monday and luckily only had to wait like 15 min but reviews says otherwise. Omg this place is amazing. It's a small shop with amazing food. I loved their plates as it gives a small sample of the many good foods they have! Also their horchata is amazing also. The price-flavor value is insanely worth it!!!! It was rated as top 100 Yelp restaurant in boston and it lived up to the hype.

A fantastic taco place, with large portions and flavorful meats. It's a modest, small space that fulfills lots of takeout orders but they seem to have a quick and efficient system. As great as it is, I can't fathom how they made it on the top 100 best places to eat in the whole United States, and the only one in all of Massachusetts to make the list. Just seems very random to me, but it's definitely worth visiting for authentic Mexican cuisine not too far from Boston.

Tiny hole-in-the-wall, and they are fine and affordable, but I don't understand the over-the-top adulation. Boston doesn't know any better, I guess. I live nearby and rarely go here, but stopped in again last week. The difference between a great taco and a mediocre taco isn't the fillings, it is the tortilla. If you want to try great tacos, drive out of your way to South Philly Barbacoa in Philadelphia. Corn tortillas made to order, which is the only acceptable way (they also grow their own corn to make their own masa, so that may be an unfair comparison, but it is the secret to winning a James Beard Award). But back to my basic point: Reheated tortillas are brittle because the starch is malleable when warm, but cools into a non-thermoreversible gel that cannot go back to the fluid state when completely cooled. You have to keep them warm. It's not hard to do, but few places in the Boston area bother to do it right.

Yes , this is the right place. A delicious hole in the wall Mexican shop hiding between service stations and commercial buildings. A hidden Waltham gem .. I almost wish it hadn't gotten noticed because the patron traffic is obviously higher now :)

Well just a heads up. This place is fricken packed! The line is out the door. The taco shop looks like a hole in the wall type shop. But it was definitely bustling. Now. All the waiting and stuff made me extremely hungry. I did t even take a picture of the tacos. I just threw myself at it. But the tacos were great! Best tacos I've had in MA so far. Flavor was great. Moist. My problem was the torta. Do not get it. Everything else was awesome! Chicken , was my favorite!

This was a unique experience! Food was fresh, authentic and reasonably priced. Finally found good quality food at affordable price in Boston!

This is a standout restaurant in the bleak Mexican food scene of the Boston metropolitan area. We started off with an order of chips+salsa for only $1.50! It's only that cheap if you dine in. The salsa that comes with the chips is delicious and fresh-tasting. The chips are really crispy! Definitely definitely order this if you dine in. If you buy the taco special, you get 4 tacos at a discounted rate. We got the cabeza tacos ($10) and al pastor tacos ($9). Those are actually some really cheap prices, as it seem most restaurants are charging around $3-4 per taco. If you buy them individually they are quite a bit more expensive. The cabeza tacos are delicious. They are really tender and fatty. The same with the al pastor! They use pretty fatty cuts of meat. I highly recommend both of them! The hot sauce they gave us was also really tasty! The only drawback about these tacos is that, although the fatty meat was rich and delicious, it got a little too decadent at the end and I felt a little gross. Luckily, we ordered a horchata to wash it all down. A small horchata is only $2.50 and they give you a good amount! It tasted great, although the vanilla was a bit too powerful and there could have been more cinnamon. The inside of the restaurant is small (5ish tables?), but we didn't have trouble finding a table during lunch. Service was really fast. In summary, great food at GREAT prices. Fast service.

Suggest order ahead by phone-it's popular for good reason but if you don't want to wait, that's a good way to go. Food yummy, employees very friendly:)

The tacos Al Pastor here are great!! We also liked the carne Assada tacos! The service was attentive and prompt. The ambiance was tiny but adequate to have lunch in. This is a great place overall and a great value!!

This place is the definition of a hidden gem. Located on a mostly residential side street in Waltham, around the corner from a gas station, this location is somewhat of a hole in the wall with a very small restaurant that has about 5 or so tables in all. However the food makes it all worth it. The authentic tacos are to die for. They have a wide variety of options ranging from chicken to cow cheek and every single one is mouth watering. Their prices are very good and their portions are large. Everyone who works there is super nice and friendly and welcoming. Truly one of my favorite places to eat in the area

Wife and I were staying in Waltham for a next day Bruins game. Ordered two taco specials and a regular nacho from Taquera. Tacos were right on point. Plenty of meat and very flavorful. Nachos were alright. No salsa added and a bit on the bland side. For the price and value I can't complain. Tacos I would definitely go back for. The place is tiny! Like 6 tables crammed in a really small space. Got take out and would suggest the same. Friendly staff.

Solid and delicious. Be prepared for a wait if you do not call ahead, because it is that good. I would recommend taking your food to go as it is a very small place.

Good food with small inside seating area. Nickel and dime you for everything (charge for the chips +salsa that are put out when u sit down for instance. Plan for takeout as there's only abkut 4-5 tables inside. Best Mexican food in the area!

This place was so worth it because of their incredible food! My husband and I went for lunch right at 12:15pm today, on a Friday, and all of the tables were full and there was a line to the door with take out. There is parking on the street and in the lot adjacent as there were plenty of spaces. We were able to snag a table when we ordered. There are only 5 tables so it's about timing. Inside of the restaurant is tight but the decor is cute and it's clean. The staff was great, everything was hot, correct and so delicious. We ordered the chips, salsa and guacamole to start with. The salsa had some spice to it, but it was just the right amount (with full jalapeños). The chips and guacamole was the best I've ever had. For our food, we each ordered the tacos especiales. The order comes with four tacos and we were about to order two and two. We both did chicken and al pastor (my favorite food we tried). When we come back we want to try the cabeza and lengua. I ordered the fajitas de camarones. The rice and refried beans were great and the shrimp was seasoned and cooked to perfection. My husband ordered the chorizo con papas burrito, which he said was his favorite item since it was so flavorful. We both had so much food we brought some of it home. The price was more than reasonable and the amount of food per item ordered was also more than we've received at other similar places. We absolutely loved this spot. We will be back for sure!

Taqueria El Amigo is hands down the best food in the east. I wish it were bigger but maybe then the food is not made to order. Love the enchiladas and tacos. Salsa is the freshest. Try a take out first and then plan your next visit so you won't have to wait for one of the five or so tables. I don't get there as often as when I worked next door but I do go whenever I'm in the neighborhood

While in the Waltham area, I had to stop by to see what all the hype was about. I placed a to go order for a carne asada burrito, tacos de pollo, and tacos de carne asada. I would note that the restaurant is really small and it's very difficult to park there. The server quickly took my order and noted that it would take about15 minutes , the order actually came out in about 10 minutes. The burrito was tasty and nicely seasoned and so was the kind of tacos. I was surprised eating the chicken taco because it had ground chicken. That's not something that I've ever seen before in a taco. I would compare the tacos and the price to many others in the area. It was a good lunch but not something I would drive all the way to Waltham to try.

Fair prices, authentic, hot, fresh, delicious food, professional friendly staff. What more could you possibly need to know?

Used to go there more often while I used to live around the area. I went today 11/11/23 I had a Carnitas Burrito was pretty excited to take my first Bite.. Was very disappointed they should of rename it "lettuce burrito" there was about 75% lettuce the rest was tiny bit of Carnitas and a small lick of re fried beans for the price of 16USD.. I mean I understand that everything is expensive these days but don't cut Conners. Just an FYI your better off getting tacos at least you can see how much meat your getting..

Everyone and their mothers (literally) decided to come here once the Yelp Top 100 list was announced. It was pandemonium. We got here at 2pm on a Saturday and the line was already going out the restaurant. The line was a mix of people placing take out orders, people waiting to put their name down for a table, and people waiting for their takeout orders and to be called for their tables. It was extremely unclear who was doing what in the line, so it's worth it to ask people around you to clarify and also to go to the front of the line and ask what's going on / put your name down for things. People were cutting each other in line, people were accidentally taking other people's orders or being handed the wrong order, and people's orders were missing items. Take out orders were taking at least 1 hour to make, with no phone number or electronic system to place your order ahead of time from home. I know all this because I spent 1.5 hours in line for a table and witnessed this all go down - including me being cut in line. This tiny restaurant only has 5-6 tables to sit about 15 people and two main waitresses. They were so busy, their cleaning consisted of wiping down all the debris on the table onto the ground with a wet towel. The food is delicious though (assuming that my hangry-ness wasn't impacting my experience) and at great value. I was impressed by their chips and salsa. They didn't give much of it but it was very flavorful. Some of their items, like the chips and salsa, are substantially more expensive if you do take out. Horchata was great but not as cinnamon-y as I'd like. The #1 plate filled me up quite well despite me being extremely hungry from waiting and having ran 12 miles before coming. I liked having a taco and enchilada on my plate to try. Glad for them on the huge rise in business, but hope they are able to make the proper adjustments to meet the increased demand.

We live near enough to make it a weekly thing. Always, ALWAYS wonderful. My go-to is the tacos especiales, I do this because I can have two filling beautiful tacos for dinner and stir one with eggs for huevos rancheros the next morning and still one left for my partner lunch or maybe me! I live in the southwest (AZ, TX, NM) much of my live and LA after that. Order, eat, enjoy, get the salsa!

Big fan for awhile. Voted one of the best Mexican food joints in the U.S. Few tables so mostly take out. Parking can be limited on the side street that it is on. Hoping they move to a larger location.

First off...huge credit for what they create in that small space and short amount of time. Servers often have to run next door to a prep(?) space to refresh ingredients on the line. Even with that the line moves along, orders come out and the money rolls in...not a bad gig. Deservedly so, the tastes are more than authentic. However, a little clarity...our beef tacos came out as 'ground beef' not steak...one star gone.Carnitas excellent. Guac excellent. Platos HUGE. Hot sauce over the top authentic. Definitely on the 'go back list...for take out any week night.

Lovely, consistent "hole in the wall" spot. Service is always quick and food is always yummy. A personal favorite of mine are the tacos dorados. The spice sauce is terribly good. You cannot pass on the opportunity to add it to your food!

The best Mexican in metro west. The breakfast menu is phenomenal. I always make the trip when I'm in town.

Great spot for authentic Mexican food near Boston. Very quick in and out service. No frills, hole in the wall charm. Good Tacos and really enjoyed the Torta

My favorite authentic Mexican place in the area. Not necessarily a great place to wine and dine but you simply cannot beat the tacos... I stop in as often as I can make it on my way.

Great taco place! Our favorites are the cabeza tacos and the al pastor tacos. Their plates look good too, but we haven't tried them yet. I saw they have menudo on the menu for the weekend, but by the time we swung by in early afternoon, they were already sold out -- so def get there early if you want some tripe! It's best for smaller groups since it's not big inside. We've often had a short wait but the service is pretty fast after you order. The parking in front can be a challenge sometimes too. Overall, excellent place -- we'll definitely be back!

Paid a visit after Yelp's Top 100 Taco Spots in America came out! Looking forward to returning for their chips & salsa. My partner and I ordered the carnitas tacos, al pastor tacos, carne asada tostada, and a lengua taco - TASTE: 5/5 - the tacos certainly lived up to their title! All of the them -- carnitas (pork), al pastor (pork and chili), and lengua (tongue) -- were flavorful, especially with the bites of onion, avocado, and cilantro. Definitely recommend the hot sauce, which amplified them even more! TEXTURE: 4/5 - the meat, especially the lengua, was super tender, and the corn tortillas complemented the taco fillings. The French bread in the tostada was maybe my least favorite element of the meal; it was too thick and chewy for my liking, sort of overtaking the carne asada PRICE: 5/5 - very budget-friendly SERVING SIZE: 4/5 - we came starving and wolfed down our tacos. Very much satisfied after! SERVICE: 4/5 - we ordered for takeout at the counter on a Thursday night, and our food came right on time 15 minutes later. It was pretty busy w folks dining in and many taking out. I appreciate that they labeled each brown bag, so we knew which tacos were which! ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 - there are only a handful of tables inside, but this small space is homey and filled w Mexican decorations PARKING: 4/5 - we emergency parked right in front of the building

This is my new go to Mexican spot. The meat is seasoned well and the hot sauce is a must. Well worth the drive.

My fiancé and I set out to find the best tacos in the greater Boston area for his birthday. This just so happened to be the first place we made it to, and it was by far the best taco I've had in the area! We felt so confident that we went to this place twice instead of continuing to find more to evaluate hahaha PS - since we went twice in one day, we noticed those amazing fresh corn tortillas are better in the morning when they're freshest, but they're still pretty great all day.

Some of the best tacos in Mass. Friendly staff, great service and quality. Will return!

This Taco Spot needs no introduction. There's a reason why this place is busy. I'll keep it short and sweet on this one. They got beef tongue tacos!! Okay. Enjoy.