Risen From The Ashes: El Pelón Fenway
El Pelón Fenway has had a rough go at it. First there was a fire back in December 2007 that shut down the restaurant for a few months, then a devastating fire in January 2009 took out the whole Peterborough St. block, including the recently re-opened neighborhood favorite Thorntons. Well, Northeastern students and El Guapo lovers rejoice, because El Pelón has finally reopened its doors after two long years.
The menu is exactly the same with a large selection of burritos, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and sides. The crispy fried plantains are the perfect appetizer to a burrito if you're eating with a group; they're served with a fire roasted salsa and fresh limes that make for the perfect sweet and citrus combo.
The carnitas burrito (above) is a classic choice. The shredded braised pork is tender with a great chili flavor. They don't have traditional hot sauce, burritos are served with a homemade green crema hot sauce that makes you forget tabasco and cholula even exist. The basic burrito is an easy-to-eat burrito that is large and satisfying -- and it doesn't leave you covered in burrito juice, unlike the El Guapo, El Pelón's famous burrito with a cult following. The El Guapo is a monster food coma-inducing, hangover-curing burrito made with grilled steak, Mexican rice, black beans, fried plantains, jack cheese, fire roasted salsa, romaine lettuce and crema. One of those is enough to put a grown man out of commission for at least two hours.
The fish tacos are a lighter option, the cod is fried with crispy cornmeal and spice, and served with Arbol chile mayo, limed onions, pickled cabbage and cucumbers. The complete opposite of a heavy burrito, the fish tacos are perfect for a smaller dinner or a snack.
Between the re-opening of Thornton's last week and Tiffani Faison's Sweet Cheeks opening around the corner on Boylston St., it's certainly an exciting time to be a Fenway resident!
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About the authors
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Michelle Zippelli is a Boston based hedonist who is committed to finding the best food that Boston has to offer. She has lived in Boston for 6 years and works in online marketing. Michelle loves meatballs, live music, exotic cheeses, Mexican food, spur of the moment dance parties, and all things pickled.
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Jacki Morisi is a self-proclaimed bon vivant extraordinaire. A Boston native whose waking hours are exclusively focused on travel, music, food, and fare ... emphasis on food and fare. She's a firm believer that just because you're living on a young professional's budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice taste, and carries this mantra into each and every dining endeavor.
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