Boston, MAMexican

New England's oldest Mexican restaurant, tucked behind an alley entrance in Back Bay for more than four decades. Hearty entrees like chipotle and orange-marinated pork tenderloin and broiled stuffed shrimp with huitlacoche sauce anchor a menu built for slow dinners, alongside the restaurant's well-known margaritas.

Julie King, known to regulars as Momma King, has run this homestyle Mexico City-style takeout counter for nearly 20 years, including a stint operating out of a Beacon Hill gas station. Grilled burritos, a distinctive black salsa, and house-made sweets, with free cookies on Fridays, define the small Water Street spot.

Grown from a food truck into a small takeout empire, Tenoch specializes in loaded tortas on fresh telera bread with beans, avocado, and chipotle mayo. The choriqueso version, packed with Mexican sausage and gooey Oaxacan cheese, sits alongside tacos, tostadas, and tamales, with the original counter in the North End.

A low-frills East Boston mainstay since the mid-2000s, known for marinated carnitas tacos and a porky pozole rojo studded with hominy and vibrant red chilis. The original Bennington Street location has since been joined by a second spot in Orient Heights.

Loaded Caramelos tacos, tender skirt steak with a generous dollop of guacamole, are the must-order at this longtime Boston taqueria, along with a burrito menu that has drawn praise from chefs outside the city. The Brighton location on Commonwealth Avenue keeps the tradition going.