Spring Break
Boston Burrito Battle
Matt Yosca and Dan O’Brien (HBS Staff), Featured Columnists
Issue date: 11/12/02 Section: A&E
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Last month in the Boston Globe there was an article that ranked the area's taco and burrito shops in regard to quality, taste and selection.
The author of the article was thorough as a reporter but completely inept as a taster. The article nearly caused rioting in some quarters, as devotees of burrito shops who received low rankings became indignant that their tortilla fillers were slighted. Burritos may seem like just a simple food item, but, to many people (in particular, the authors of this article), they are so much more. We offer the following guide to Boston's burrito shops as an amendment to that produced by the Globe. Our heavily biased report may not be as comprehensive, but it is filled with colorful opinions that more accurately reflect our Boston burrito reality.
First on our list is Boca Grande, which was slighted by the Globe who gave it only 2 points out of 5. We love Boca, their burritos are balanced, filling and satisfying. With locations on Mass Ave between Porter and Harvard, one in east Cambridge, and a third in Coolidge corner, they cover a lot of territory so we're never too far from burrito perfection.
The secret to a great burrito is getting the combination of ingredients just right, and Boca gives you plenty of options and the freedom to customize your burrito. Co-author Dan is as devoted to Boca as Homer Simpson is to donuts because of three little words: Grilled-Lemon-Chicken. The grilled vs. boiled chicken cuts down on the slop factor and makes the burrito more manageable, while the subtle sour of the lemon in combination with Boca's homemade hot sauce is burrito bliss. Matt prefers the delectable carnitas-there's nothing like warm pork to make him happy. We won't even get into the mini-quesadilla appetizer or
Boston's best chip and salsa, or we'd be here all day.
Anna's Taqueria fared very well in the Boston.com poll; it was given twice as many points as Boca Grande. Overall, Anna's is very dependable and has locations in Porter square, Davis Sq. and Coolidge Corner. Anna's is "the pioneer of the Boston burrito" according to Boston.com and indeed it was our introduction to the scene. We have since moved on for a couple of reasons. The "sticky" tortillas that result from too much steaming hurts them, they use too much cilantro and the grilled chicken lacks the flavor that distinguishes Boca. Anna's enjoys many advantages as the market's first mover, and has a loyal customer base that doesn't often branch out. Anna's and Boca have similar menus, down to the chips and salsa style Dan prefers, or more accurately, is addicted to. Like McDonald's and Burger King, there's tense competition between the shops. We however, prefer Boca.
The author of the article was thorough as a reporter but completely inept as a taster. The article nearly caused rioting in some quarters, as devotees of burrito shops who received low rankings became indignant that their tortilla fillers were slighted. Burritos may seem like just a simple food item, but, to many people (in particular, the authors of this article), they are so much more. We offer the following guide to Boston's burrito shops as an amendment to that produced by the Globe. Our heavily biased report may not be as comprehensive, but it is filled with colorful opinions that more accurately reflect our Boston burrito reality.
First on our list is Boca Grande, which was slighted by the Globe who gave it only 2 points out of 5. We love Boca, their burritos are balanced, filling and satisfying. With locations on Mass Ave between Porter and Harvard, one in east Cambridge, and a third in Coolidge corner, they cover a lot of territory so we're never too far from burrito perfection.
The secret to a great burrito is getting the combination of ingredients just right, and Boca gives you plenty of options and the freedom to customize your burrito. Co-author Dan is as devoted to Boca as Homer Simpson is to donuts because of three little words: Grilled-Lemon-Chicken. The grilled vs. boiled chicken cuts down on the slop factor and makes the burrito more manageable, while the subtle sour of the lemon in combination with Boca's homemade hot sauce is burrito bliss. Matt prefers the delectable carnitas-there's nothing like warm pork to make him happy. We won't even get into the mini-quesadilla appetizer or
Boston's best chip and salsa, or we'd be here all day.
Anna's Taqueria fared very well in the Boston.com poll; it was given twice as many points as Boca Grande. Overall, Anna's is very dependable and has locations in Porter square, Davis Sq. and Coolidge Corner. Anna's is "the pioneer of the Boston burrito" according to Boston.com and indeed it was our introduction to the scene. We have since moved on for a couple of reasons. The "sticky" tortillas that result from too much steaming hurts them, they use too much cilantro and the grilled chicken lacks the flavor that distinguishes Boca. Anna's enjoys many advantages as the market's first mover, and has a loyal customer base that doesn't often branch out. Anna's and Boca have similar menus, down to the chips and salsa style Dan prefers, or more accurately, is addicted to. Like McDonald's and Burger King, there's tense competition between the shops. We however, prefer Boca.
