Return to Directory
Felipe’s Taqueria
Whether it's tacos or tostadas, flautas or burritos. if it comes in a tortilla, chances are it makes for a fast, flavorful meal. And while Felipe's Taqueria in Harvard Square has that perfect something to grab on-the-go, they also provide plenty of reasons to stick around.
"We're trying to provide a very comfortable, warm, inviting atmosphere. We built a roofdeck on top. We have a full bar on the roof. With full open sun all day long."
That's right - though owners Tom Brush and Felipe Herrera created a beautiful restaurant complete with high ceilings, exposed brick and wood beams, if the weather is nice, nothing beats a margarita up on Felipe's massive roofdeck.
"People get very excited about that. Above and beyond what people normally might expect in a quick-serve restaurant."
While the view from the roofdeck may leave you speechless, the food is just as spectacular.
Ordering at Felipe's may seem like your typical counter-service line-up, but look closer and you'll find what makes eating here so special - fresh ingredients cooked over a wood-burning grill.
"Everything that we prepare here is fresh... The idea is it's quick service, but the food itself is all made from scratch."
"And we introduced a hardwood grill and we feel it has really has enhanced the flavors. It gives it that nice smokey, woody flavor. Very authentically Mexican. It's really the same flavors that you would eat if you were traveling in Mexico."
Some of these authentic dishes include baja-style tacos made with fresh shrimp or haddock and capped with pickled cabbage and pico de gallo. Crunchy chicken flautas smothered in lettuce, pico, sour cream and crumbled cotija cheese. Spicy pork tamales served in a traditional corn husk and tostadas loaded with chorizo and drizzled with sour cream.
"A tostada is really a crispy corn tortilla that's flash-fried. And eaten almost like a slice of pizza. They're really good."
And for something really great, and really cheesy, order the queso fundido served with steamed flour tortillas.
"The queso fundido is actually a grated cheese or hard cheese that’s actually melted until it starts bubbling and gets a little brown. We generally top that with chorizo sausage. It's an amazing dish. One of my favorites. You slice up strips of it, put it into a nice, soft, steamed flour tortilla and then you can top that with a little pico de gallo. It's a delicious contrast of the hot melted cheese, the spicy chorizo and the cool onion tomato and cilantro in the salsa."
For some relatively lighter fare, Felipe's serves a tortilla salad made with tender chicken and crispy tortilla strips. And there are some shareable dishes like the Felipe's Special, boasting a basket of fresh chips alongside classic guacamole, chunky salsa and creamy queso dip or nachos piled high with refried beans, monterey jack cheese, guacamole, and sliced jalapenos.
"We've never had any complaints about the size of our nachos. It's a very, very solid portion and a good value. Keeping it off your hands isn't easy, but people seem to manage."
And if you're here to indulge, the menu offers what's known as the super burrito, a 12-inch tortilla stuffed with your choice of rice, beans, meats and fresh veggies.
"A super burrito will satify even the largest appetite. They're just so delicious that even as daunting a task as it may seem to eat that, that somehow people figure out a way to finish them."
And no one rolls these behemoth burritos better than Felipe himself.
"Felipe is the master. He really is an expert and understands and just moves like lightning. He's really quick."
You can even get your super burrito tossed into the frier and
slathered with homemade queso dip to create a crispy chimichanga.
"It's a lot of cheese, but it's absolutely delicious. People love it. And again, goes really well with a cocktail."
Though you can enjoy a cool cocktail with dinner, nothing refreshes quite like a scoop of their homemade frozen custard, available in classic chocolate and vanilla. And why use a spoon when you can get a cream-filled churro, perfect for dipping into some of that custard or in Felipe's special caramel and fudge sauces.
You can have it all - the frozen custard, the churro and the gooey dipping sauces - for under five bucks. It's a dessert more than just a menu item; it's the epitome of a great experience at an even greater value.
"One of the nice things about this business is the satisfaction that you get from satisfied customers and so that really drives you to excel and keep pushing to develop the best possible food that you can."
