Lunch, Anyone? Anna’s Taqueria

There’s no need to cross the border for an authentic Mexican meal with Anna’s Taqueria just a short walk or T ride from campus. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, Anna’s has amassed a legion of loyal patrons. And with its delicious and affordable food, new fans, this reviewer included, quickly find themselves coming back again and again.

Anna’s actually has six locations (two in Brookline, one in Boston, one in Somerville, and two in Cambridge). On a recent late Sunday afternoon, we stopped by the Anna’s on Beacon Street in Coolidge Corner. When we went in the taqueria, we were undecided about what to order and approached the counter hoping that something on the large menu, offering numerous burritos, tacos, and side dishes, would jump out at us. Our first impression wasn’t a good one: because we didn’t know exactly what we wanted, we felt rushed to make a decision, which was off-putting.

Happily, the meals we ordered did not disappoint. I chose what I’d heard was a popular item—the super burrito ($5.35), a 12-inch tortilla filled with grilled chicken, beans, cheese, salsa, and hot sauce. (Steak, pork, beef tongue, and grilled vegetables can be substituted for the chicken and the dish is available with rice, as well.) The chicken was tender and juicy, the beans, cheese, and salsa all incredibly fresh. Its reasonable price and generous portion makes the super burrito an ideal choice for any college student on a budget and craving Mexican.

My friend ordered quesadillas ($4.50), which came with steak, cheese, salsa, and hot sauce. The dish was cooked to perfection. The warm and gooey cheese complemented the savory steak well, while the rice and salsa added an extra kick. A classic dish, the quesadillas are great for a quick lunch before or after class, or a savory sit-down snack between meals.

Both of our orders came packed with flavor—and food.

Burritos, tacos, and quesadillas can all be made with grilled vegetables, making this an excellent place for vegans. Breakfast burritos are also available, with fillings that include eggs, sausage, and potatoes.

Anna’s has a spacious yet comfortable atmosphere, featuring high ceilings with chandeliers and brown tiled floors, and holds about 15 tables, which allowed us to sit down immediately after ordering. (It was late afternoon on a weekend, however, and weekdays the restaurant is packed at midday.) The arched doorways leading from the counter area to the main dining room and from the dining room to the restrooms have a Mexican flair, adding to the ambience.

No item on the menu is more than $5.55. And if that weren’t incentive enough, Anna’s Taqueria is also offering a number of customer appreciation events to mark its 15th anniversary.

Through July, all Anna’s locations offer complimentary treats on the 15th day of each month. Among the treats featured are Jarritos Mexican Juice, chips and salsa, specialty Horchata Mexican fountain drinks, and authentic Mexican coffee.

Anna’s is also holding a “My Anna’s Story” contest: customers can submit a written description of how Anna’s has positively impacted their life. Diners have until the end of June to submit their essays. Judges will select the top 15 finalists in July, post their submissions on the restaurant’s website, and then allow the public to vote for the best story. The winner will receive a burrito party at their home for 50 friends, complete with Anna’s T-shirts and caps.

“We are truly grateful for our customers’ enthusiasm and devotion, and wanted to use this major milestone to celebrate them,” says Anna’s founder Mike Kamio. “We wouldn’t be celebrating our 15th without our loyal customers, so we’re celebrating with them.”

Bottom line: eating at Anna’s Taqueria is a must. The delicious food and affordable prices makes it a not-to-be-missed lunchtime spot.

Anna’s Taqueria has six locations in the greater Boston area; the two closest are 1412 Beacon St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline, and 446 Harvard St., JFK Corner, Brookline. The Coolidge Corner restaurant is open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., serving breakfast Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only, from 7 to 11:30 a.m. Take the T’s Green Line C trolley to the Summit Avenue stop; phone: 617-739-7300. The JFK Corner restaurant is open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., serving breakfast Monday through Friday, 8 to 10:30 a.m., and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 8 to 11:30 a.m. Take the T’s Green Line B trolley to the Harvard Street stop. Phone: 617-277-7111. All major credit cards are accepted. A menu can be found here.

This is part of a weekly series featuring Boston lunch spots of interest to the BU community. If you have any suggestions for places we should feature, leave them in the comments section below. Check out our list of lunchtime tips on Foursquare.

Tom Vellner can be reached at tvellner@bu.edu.

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