A Restaurant Review: Fajitas & Ritas, Boston, Massachusetts

When you're in downtown Boston, and you're looking for no frills Tex-Mex cuisine at very good prices, there's only one place to go, Fajitas & Ritas, located just one block from the famous Boston Common. (See below for specific directions.)

A popular destination for office workers who are not dining on the company expense account, local university students, frugal diners, and aficionados of Tex-Mex cuisine, Fajitas & Ritas doesn't bother with anything that is not important. Diners fill out their own order forms, individual napkins have been replaced by rolls of paper towels. The dining area is a mix of booths and tables that have seen better days. The décor is simple, and the lighting is dark. There is nothing extra.

And that's because the people come for the fajitas and the margaritas, which are probably the best in the city of Boston. I'm a traditionalist, so I always get the steak fajitas ($10.95) and the original frozen margarita ($4.05). The meat is always tender and nicely spiced, with a good helping of grilled vegetables. The tortillas are not only always fresh, they're even warm. They also come with guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream. The portions are generous enough to leave no room for dessert. All for $10.95 in the middle of downtown Boston! The margaritas are excellent, and what I like about them the most is that the consistency of the blended ice is always perfect. There are never any rogue lumps of ice floating around in there, and they never come out all watery. They are also damn tasty. It hits the taste buds with the perfect blend of lime and tequila. And at $4.05, it's the best priced margarita in Boston.

Fajita's & Ritas does serve up different kinds of Fajitas. There is the Chicken fajitas for $9.29, the Pork fajitas for an even $10.00, and the Vegetable fajitas for $6.90. Special East Coast versions include the Shrimp fajitas at $12.62 and the Scallop fajitas at $12.14. (These prices are for the dinner versions; smaller lunch time plates can be prepared and cost approximately $3 less.)

There are several varieties of Margaritas at Fajita's & Ritas, which can be served either on the rocks or frozen. Aside from the classic, there is the Strawberry Margarita $4.29, the Raspberry Margarita $4.29, the Gold Margarita $5.24, and the Grand Gold Margarita $5.95.

If for some reason your date, or a member of party simply refuses to eat fajitas, there are a few other options. There is a variety of choices under the Quesadillas and Burritos menus. There's even a small Smoked Barbeque menu (brisket or pulled pork). There are nachos, of course, and chili. The serve up a fun dish to share called Tequila Wings, and there are a half dozen salads from which to choose.

And if anybody can't get into the spirit of drinking a margarita, a variety of bottled and draught beer is available. Most for $3.81. There is also a small selection of wines, which also all sell for $3.81 a glass.

Fajitas & Ritas is conveniently located at 20 West Street in Boston approximately half way between Tremont and Washington Streets.