Pedro's Tacos

I've discovered a new favorite lunch spot! Pedro's Tacos is nestled unassumingly on Bromfield Street next to Silvertones; it has been around for a couple years and draws lunchtime regulars to its California-casual inspired takeout counter. (The original Pedro's is a drive through window in Orange County catering to the surf crowd.) Bob and I went all out with Combo Plates (extra $2.99) which add cheesy refried beans, zesty rice and a fountain drink to any order. Served in two soft corn tortillas, warm from the griddle + loaded with fresh ingredients; both the Famous Fish ($4.89) and the Carne Asada Tacos ($4.99) nailed it. Flaky battered cod fish with crisp cabbage, salsa and dressing + tender marinated steak with creamy guac and salsa for the win! They also serve up an awesome burrito ($9.49) - try the garlic marinated shrimp and rice. Don't forget some crispy tortilla chips ($2.49) and guacamole ($1.99) on the side and a cinnamon sugar loaded churro for dessert!!

Pedro's Tacos

55 Bromfield Street

Boston, MA 02108

*this meal was complimentary, all opinions are my own*

Masa Taqueria + Tequila Bar | Woburn

I have always been a fan of the South End's Masa for spicy cocktails and margaritas, tasty southwestern inspired food, and their fantastic brunch.

Last Saturday I paid my first visit to their recently revamped Woburn counterpart, Masa Taquieria & Tequila Bar (formerly Masa Southwest Bar & Grill). They've updated their menu, décor and website - all that's left seems to be the outdoor signage. The interior transports diners from a typical suburban strip mall to somewhere much more sophisticated; yet the vibe still remains casual and relaxed. Comfy chocolate leather booths meet white exposed brick walls which are home to a large collection of colorful Mexican posters - notably retro travel adds, accented by rainbow painted wainscoting. Zorro chandeliers and punched metal Southwestern light sconces envelope the space in a warm glow. 

They have some new interactive touches - a Hola! sign you can clip into a memo stand if you need the waitress' attention and a mini index card of the menu to select your food. 

A tres chile margarita ($11.50) was in order first. The jalapeño infused blanco tequila + anaheim + poblanos (the thres chiles!) brought a fantastic heat. This marg was a perfect pairing with creamy guacamole (small/$5) where large slices of ripe avocado are laced with red onions, garlic + lime and served with high quality tortilla chips. 

They have a large selection of tequilas, plus tequila flights and a few mezcals, although we stuck to cocktails this evening. The high noon ($10.5) with high west bourbon, lemon, luxardo, and domaine de canton was good - definitely on the sweeter side. The habanero watermelon margarita ($12) was a favorite I recognized from the South End's menu; habanero infused resposado tequila, triple sec and watermelon puree are a winning combination. (I even replicated this at home for a fourth of july party one year - a big hit!)

Off the specials menu Bob enjoyed the Grilled Swordfish over sautéed kale and butternut squash polenta. It was juicy and tender, a well executed piece of fish. I was excited about my Small Taco Combo ($26) which included six tacos, one tamale, rice, beans and grilled mexican corn. The tacos are miniature - two or three bites worth and are also offered individually for $2.75 - $3.75. I ordered: chorizo with cranberry salsa, portobello mushroom with cotija cheese, charred shrimp with sweet pepper slaw, slow cooked chicken with roasted tomato salsa, crispy cod fish with garlic aoili and carne asada with pico de gallo. I honestly don't think they can make a bad taco! And I loved the opportunity for variety. The rice and beans were surprisingly lackluster. I liked the corn tamale and the street corn though, so overall the taco combo was solid.

The churros ($7) shaped to resemble heavy crullers were deceiving! Not to worry, the first bite revealed a light and airy, ever so slightly crisp and piping hot churro, alongside a rich, warm, bittersweet chocolate sauce for dipping. For dessert, these are a no-brainer. 

Masa Taqueria + Tequila Bar
Woburn Plaza Shopping Center

350 Cambridge Rd.

Woburn, MA 01801

*this meal was complimentary, all opinions are my own*

La Condesa | Austin

For modern Mexican food in Austin, La Condesa was a big hit. A bright energy encompasses the high walled, tastefully decorated space. In the dining room, a flurry of delicate light bulb strands drape across the ceiling, backed by a bold and colorful wall mural. The dishes are equally as captivating, we loved the watermelon queso fresco guacamole and the Cochinita pibil tacos with cabbage, pickled onions, cilantro and jalapeno. They've got one of the best tequila selections in town, and oh yea, house margaritas are made with fresh pineapple juice and a CACTUS SALT RIM.

 La Condesa
400A West 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701

Staff Meal

     I had a goal this summer to visit more food trucks. 

I only made it to one. Back in early June (well before the heated Phantom Gourmet debacle) I ventured to Copley Square on one scorching hot Friday afternoon that I was not traveling, and got lunch from Staff Meal. 

The short line moved quickly and the food came out in no time. The chips ($3) are tortilla style, served hot and extra salty. Their garlicky guacamole is just how I like it, mostly creamy laced with some avocado chunks. The Judge Smails Half & Half ($3) was a refreshing blast of lemonade and iced tea.

I ordered two tacos which were piled high and wide with ingredients, quite a substantial lunch on their own. My friends Meghan and Lin each got the Beef Barbacoa ($4) with plantain chips, baja sauce and pickled slaw while I enjoyed the Chicken Paprikash ($4) and the Truck Made Chorizo ($4). The former boasted soft shredded chicken with French's Onions and bacon jam. BACON JAM. It added this incredible smokey sweet depth to the taco. The chorizo was flavorful and crispy, though could have used more of that lime crema to balance it out. Lettuce and radishes were dusted over both the tacos adding a welcome crunch.

Overall, a job well done by these guys. What food truck do I need to visit next?

Guacaholics | Rattlesnake Bar + Grill

The Second Annual 'Guacanon' as it is commonly abbreviated was held at Poe's Kitchen at The Rattlesnake with proceeds to benefit Lovin' Spoonfuls and Community Servings - two local hunger relief organizations.I ended up scoring tickets at the last minute through Urban Daddy but had I known about the event before hand (which apparently sold out in 5 minutes) I'd say it's easily worth shelling out the small price of a ticket ($10) to feast on the avocado in its finest form. I brought my sister along as my plus one; we had a great time sipping margaritas and sampling each and every guacamole offered, starting with the amateur guacmakers who just so happened to be a trio of friendly faces. Justin prepared an Asian influenced batch with ginger, scallions, water chestnuts and sriracha. It proved one of the most original and inspired guacs I tasted all night.The girls of We Are Not Martha prepared an equally fantastic Bacon Guac with grilled corn, onions and queso blanco. Besides Poe's Kitchen, the other Boston based Mexican restaurants shelling out green goodness by the cup or spoon full included local chains Anna's Taqueria and Boloco, tequila havens Temazcal and Papagayo, Brighton and Fenway taquerias, El Pelon and La Verdad; respectively, Back Bay's Zocalo and Inman Square's Ole. A good majority of these restaurants boast award winning versions and justifiably so. I reviewed Zocalo's guac on a recent visit, tonight's batch did not disappoint. Otherwise - I was sampling all these creations for the first time!Temazcal's guacamole mountains were laced with a serious amount of onions adding a super sharp, pungent zing to their batch. I adored the versions that incorporated summer fruit lending a welcome sweetness and juicy texture. Poe's was defined by huge chunks of peaches, while Ole went the route of adding mangoes and sliced almonds! Diverse guac at a scene like tonight is easy to love. My sister and I both agreed La Verdads was our absolute favorite. With serrano chilis, charred corn, cilantro and salsa roja, its slow burning spice took the creamy avocados to another level. The event saw a huge turnout. How fantastic that Boston restaurants + the food community came together to raise money for local hunger relief organizations!