10/10 -- DANIEL DESERVES ALL THE HYPE! I came in after an overnight shift, just needing a morning drink, and Daniel made the whole experience SO much better! The conversation was amazing, his personality was unmatched, and he was genuinely such a pleasure to be around. Great energy, great conversation, and just an all-around amazing person. Sometimes it's not even about the drinks, it's about the people who make your day, and Daniel absolutely did that! We LOVE Daniel! Give this man his flowers because he deserves them! read more

I went on a Tuesday night after work and it was pretty empty. It could have just felt that way though because of the size of the restaurant and amount of tables. I had a reservation, but did not end up needing it. The food came very fast and there was options to order by QR code or have a server take your order. We got a burrito bowl and a taco salad which tasted fresh. Overall, a solid quick bite to eat! read more

El Barco - Burrito bowl - Mexican Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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El Barco in Back Bay Boston. We started off with the Chips and Salsa, guacamole, and street corn. These chips were light and salted not too oily. Some places can have oily chips and I'm not a fan. But these were perfect. The guacamole was okay. Not sure if they make it in house. If they do, it needs a little bit more seasoning and lime. The negro salsa was perfect (if you like a little kick) along with the street corn which was good. Add all three items on a chip and you're doing it right! The main eats were smash burger tacos and birria quesadilla! The smash burger tacos were good. Just missing a little something. The birria quesadilla was also missing some extra cheese. The dipping sauce was decent. The star of the show was the Mega margarita coconut flavor! That thing was on point. It was frozen and still had a lot of alcohol, even after it was sitting it still packed a punch! The Churro's for desert came out hot and perfect. The dipping sauces were good too! I would go back again. #DohOnTheGo #ElBarco #BostonFoodie #TreatYourselfDontCheatYourself read more

This place reeks of the current Boston aesthetic of Private Equity chic. The drinks are good, the food is pretty standard fare for Tex Mex. But the service is terrible. The actual wait staff and bartenders are good, but it was plainly obvious to me that the finance people behind the operation want to go with a barebones staff. It took us about 20 minutes to grab the bartender's attention and order drinks and food. This is not on the bartenders, though. For a bar and restaurant of this size, they need more staff. I see that the restaurant is part of a group, which is common for Boston - another minor gripe about the restaurant scene in the city - and that their primary financiers are venture capital groups. The VC ambience results in poor experiences, shoddy hospitality, and stressed out employees. But if that's what this place is going for, they absolutely nailed it. It's unfortunate, but when I go to Boston I expect really poor hospitality these days from casual restaurants like this to hotels. I don't know why this happens, as I visit other cities and their hospitality seems to function much better than what I expect in Boston. read more

El Barco deserves more hype! We saw their huge frozen margaritas on tik tok and we had to come try! Their video didn't have much views compared to other places we saw but we still decided to come here. I can confirm that their frozen margarita is super tasty and yes it hit!! It was I think $40 for the huge margarita and the four of us barely finished it. Their tacos were also really good too! Good portion and super yummy. Their calamari is also really tasty too! Service was great and it was not too busy when we went. read more

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I can see how this would be a fun affordable place to come in college, but I don't think I would rush back. The music was really loud and the booth seats were dirty. The tacos were good but not super notable. The spicy marg was probably the best part. read more

El Barco - tacos - Mexican Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We only stopped in for margaritas and chips with salsa, so I can't speak to the full menu yet, but based on our visit, I'd definitely come back. The margarita was incredibly fresh and easily one of the best I've had in the city. The chips and salsa were a great snack while we relaxed, and every dish that came out of the kitchen looked delicious. We'll definitely be back to try dinner. read more

El Barco - Mexican Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Ohhh this place was perfect. Open late night with great food and fabulous service. It was a bit dark in there, but maybe that's the evening mood lighting. Lots of great decor. Nice bar area when you walk in along with high tables and lower table areas. Lots of space. Our food came out quick and was delicious. I'd definitely go back again when in town. read more

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Came for the advertised margaritas - coming from Texas that's a hard order and they killed it. So fresh and delicious. The salsa bar was unique and had so many variations - was it Texas spicy, no but still so good. The tacos and elotes were delicious as well. The staff were all so nice and incredible! This is a must do! The decor was fun and comfortable to walk in off the street or come in for a fun night out. read more

El Barco - Mexican Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Visited from out of town. Place kinda smells like farts, but great vibe! Would fart here again..

This Mexican restaurant blew my mind. I've never had better tasting sauces to dip in or pour on my tacos. I got the queso Birria tacos and they were tasty. Very buttery. A little small. The dipping cup is really tall and narrow. I'm not sure why. A wider cup would be better suited for Beria tacos. Also tried the Al Pastor store tacos. They were very good. Chips and salsa and guac were very tasty. Again, the sauces that they have at the bar we're out of this world and I will never have better tasting sauces. read more

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FOOD REVIEW: El Barco - 50 Dalton St, Boston, MA If you're taco-obsessed like me and looking for a laid-back, flavor-packed spot in Boston, El Barco is a hidden gem you need on your radar. Not only are the vibes immaculate, but the prices are super reasonable for the area. Here's what we tried--and what I loved Quesabirria Taco - $15 Consommé, short rib, and cheese magic. The consommé wasn't too oily and had the perfect kick of flavor. Rating: 9/10 Great quality and price. Smash Burger Taco - $14 Exactly what it sounds like--a juicy burger in taco form! Topped with pickles, special sauce, and melty cheese. Rating: 8/10 - Super tasty and fun! Chicken Flautas - $10 Crispy flautas packed with shredded chicken, chipotle mayo, lime crema, and guac. The flavor combo really hits Rating: 8/10 - A must if you want something crunchy and craveable. El Barco Taco Salad - $12 A big ol' bowl of shredded lettuce, beans, corn, cheese, and lime crema. Fresh and filling, but I wish it came in a taco shell Rating: 7/10 - Great if you're craving something lighter. Pollo Asado Taco - $11 Marinated chicken with street corn & poblano salsa. You get two tacos for this price. A total win Rating: Solid 8/10 Elote - $10 Very creamy and sweet - a bit much for my taste. If you like your elote extra creamy, this is for you. Rating: 5/10 - Just not my style. Churros - $6 Crispy, golden, and perfectly fried! Loved the chocolate & caramel dips, but I personally prefer filled churros. Rating: 7/10 - Great sweet treat to end the meal. OVERALL VIBES: 10/10 This is the kind of spot you'll crave after a night out in Boston --fun, flavorful, and affordable (unlike most places nearby). If you're all about tasty tacos and a good atmosphere, El Barco should be your next stop. ‍ read more

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We absolutely love the ambience and atmosphere here. Shout out Daniel for being the best server and being so hospitable! El barco is the best and honestly the best tacos I have ever had well def b back! read more

El Barco - Mega margarita coconut and mango mix flavor - Mexican Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Loved their mushroom tacos (the only vegetarian tacos they had). Also got their nachos - which was great too. Friendly staff, interesting ambience (not too fancy but a nice place to catch up with friends) read more

This place is unreal!! It has the perfect mix of club vibes and a casual night out with a live DJ and an incredible menu of authentic Mexican flavors and several cocktail options! Walking in, I felt like I was being transported to a lively bar in Mexico and it was incredible! On top of the amazing party atmosphere, the restaurant is order and seat-yourself making the experience and service entirely your own pace, so you can come for a quick lunch or dinner or stay all night and vibe!! Even though it was crowded, there was still plenty of space to sit. This place is honestly great for any occasion, but I'd definitely recommend going with friends at night (because they're open pretty late too) and having some fun! Also, the menu is super cheap so you can definitely go all out. As for the food itself, oh my god. I'm a native Californian and Mexican myself but have been struggling to find authentic flavors hispanic food in Boston. However, when I tell you this place is legit, I mean it! Genuinely some of the best tacos you'll find in Boston with perfectly executed traditional Mexican flavors. I was so impressed! Make sure you try this spot asap since they're only open for a limited time. You don't want to miss it! read more

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Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere and open late! Variety of different tacos and margaritas

It's a cool hangout spot mostly for college students since it's near Northeastern and Berklee. You order at the counter and get a buzzer. Seating is first come first serve. I got the blackened shrimp burrito and it was delicious. Only $14 and had 3-4 shrimp, cheese, rice, beans, and salsa. Only downside is that the shrimp was all piled in one half of the burrito. Chips was $7 with salsa bar and guac $5 read more

El Barco - Blackened shrimp burrito - Mexican Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The good: I had the Girl from Ipanema mocktail, which was actually amazing. Super complex, you really don't miss the alcohol at all. The bad: I had the chips and queso and added a side of birria as a DIY nacho meat. Unfortunately, the chips were kinda stale, the birria was pretty dry, and the queso was almost bad--decent flavor, but a horrible grainy texture. I was surprised because the reviews were good, but I guess I ordered the wrong thing, unfortunately. read more

We brought in the new year here! It was wonderful! Good food, good vibes, and great people! The margarita pitcher had us right for the new year! read more

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Was there last week. Service was slow, food wasn't great. The fella behind the bar couldn't figure out our check. Took 20ish mins to cash out on two tacos, Corona and a marg. read more

great place for casual mexican food. it wasn't overpriced and was really good. the tortilla chips were perfectly thin and crispy and the corn tortillas were so fluffy. i am from texas so i often am disappointed by this kind of food in boston but i really enjoyed this read more

El Barco - mushroom tacos - Mexican Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Really great, quite authentic Mexican food! LOVE that they have a salsa bar so you can choose your favorite salsas! The bartender was fantastic, working her tail off. We sat at a bar table and she had to work the bar and the tables. Extra tip was given! The drinks are an 8/10. We tried the coconut margarita and the Cadillac. The best was the Mai tai. Ok, now the food. DELICIOUS tacos birria (you dip them in a beef gravy ), tacos were really good, and the taquitos were great! Fun place and vibe! I'd definitely come back. read more

A fire alarm went off right before we arrived which caused everyone to evacuate the restaurant, what was surprising to me was how well the staff and management recovered from this mishap! They were apologetic, however there was no reason for apologies! We were seated quickly, served terrific food, and we had a great time! Strongly recommend the Quesa Birria Tacos. read more

Food was not good, disappointed that we tried this restaurant. Servixe is okey, location was good as it's next to our hotel. Next time will walk further to find a better restaurant read more

Service was great. Adorable establishment. Drinks were amazing and food was very delicious. Especially the shrimp tacos. To die for!

Our group had a great time at El Barco! Alejandra was our server and she was attentive, kind, and so helpful. We loved our margaritas and our food. We would recommend this spot to anybody! read more

This is my new favorite spot omg. The food was delicious and I don't just say that. They have another location that's new of last year in Martha's Vineyard and I was longing to try- until they added another location in Boston and I was relived because the rumors are true- the food is soooo good. The bartenders were so friendly, the vibes are awesome, and I hear the even have live DJ's on the weekends!! read more

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Service was terrible. Staff was rude and ignored our table the whole night. We just wanted out of there.

Amazing spot for authentic Mexican food in Boston. Have to try the Quesabirria! The server was great, very friendly and attentive. So many margarita options it was hard to choose, but the all looked so good. Ambiance was on par with the authentic flavors, nothing but great latin music. read more

Very cool space, great bar area and shape for hanging out- tons of space and I bet they get busy and have fun evenings, a salsa bar and a couple spots to order food, the tacos I had were tasty, pricing is good too. I eat a lot of tacos and these were great just not exceptional enough based on what I have experienced for that coveted 5th star. If I could do halves it would be 4.5 though!! read more

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This a welcome addition to the Back Bay! Love the vibe and tacos. This a must visit. Friendly Bartenders. DJ was awesome read more

El Barco - Bar area to order drinks - Mexican Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Stopped into El Barco for dinner and grabbed a seat at the bar. The bartender greeted me quickly with a casual "I'll be right back." Unfortunately, the bar area hadn't been properly cleaned -- there was visible salt and bits of food left over from the previous guests. I even tried wiping it down myself with some napkins before asking her to clean it. She did, but it still wasn't really up to par. I ordered a Corona, which arrived with a brown lime already in it -- not exactly what you want to see, especially since I wasn't asked if I even wanted one. For food, I went with the Pollo Asado burrito. The big letdown was the lack of seasoning on the chicken -- it really needed salt, a splash of acid, and some heat in the pico. I was also surprised no hot sauce was offered. On the positive side, the lettuce was fresh and crisp, which added a nice texture, but overall, the burrito felt flat without more flavor or spice. The atmosphere, however, was pleasant. Good music, lively crowd, and comfortable energy -- even though it wasn't overly busy. Despite the uneven experience, I plan to come back and give the tacos a try. There's potential here; it just needs some refinement. read more

Vegetarian so ordered a taco salad. Asked for black beans instead of pinto beans. The taco salad ended up coming without any beans. I asked if they forgot to add it and they said they don't have beans available if it didn't come in the salad. This was on a Friday at 7pm. They did not let me know this before serving my order and charging full price for a meal without the main base. No substitute like rice or a side was offered either. The rest of the salad & salsas were good, nice vibes overall with the decor/music but would not come back. read more

El Barco - Mexican Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great vibes, amazing food and great service. Highly recommend for some authentic Mexican food!

Service was the worst I had my entire time in Boston!!!! Did not even stay to order. After 20 mins and barely any contact from staff we walked out. Again the WORST service I have seen in a restaurant in a very long time!!!! Would give zero stars but then I couldn't leave a review. read more

Everything from the food, to the service to the vibes is crazy here! A new go to spot in Back Bay for lunch, dinner, or late night. I love the fast casual aspect and its amazing quality. I learned that the recipes are all authentic Mexican recipes from the head chefs mother from Mexico. This place is a must visit! read more

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Coming from Southern California, I'm pretty picky about my Mexican food, but El Barco absolutely delivered. The margaritas were excellent, the smash burger tacos and fish tacos were delicious and unique. My kids devoured the chips and queso and loved the churros. A definite must-try for great food and drinks in Boston! read more

I had THE BEST experience at El Barco! The music, the vibes, and can we talk about the prickly pear margarita? The birria tacos are next level, the guac slaps, and the selection of hot sauces is top tier. This place is a must visit in Back Bay. read more

The sign when you walked in said "seat yourself" so we sat at a table by the bar and after about 15 minutes of no service or acknowledgment of our presence, (even after servers past us multiple times) we decided to move to a different section in the middle of the restaurant. Again we waited at anther 10 minutes for a rude server to toss down two menus and two dirty looking glasses of water and walked off. We didn't wait around at that point and just walked out. Was in there about a total of 20 minutes, without a doubt the worst service we received on our entire trip to Boston. Would recommend Taco Bell before this place. read more

Great mushroom tacos. The ambiance is solid, but not super busy. Self serve, and nice employees.