El Pelon coming to Brookline

[NahantNative]

I must say even though its "another Mexican place", this one seemed to stand out amongst the others:

"El Pelon Taqueria is moving into Washington Square, and owner Jim Hoben said he’s not worried about the high number of Mexican restaurants already in town.

“There’s always a market for good food at a good price,” he says.

The restaurant was operating out of a storefront on Peterborough Road in Fenway that was destroyed in a Jan. 6 fire. Hoben said he hopes to reopen that location after the opening the Brookline location, which will be at 1669 Beacon St."

[C. Hamster]

Are they open yet?

[CookieLee]

I haven't seen any signs up in any storefronts, so I'm not even sure WHERE they're moving in.

[PaulB]

1669 Beacon Street, as stated in the OP above.

[NahantNative]

Looks like it fell through:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/652956

[Nechushtan]

well, considering the competition is mainly Anna's, Boca and Dorado there is no reason to fear the "competition".

I just wish Taqueria Mexico would re-open in Brookline, it's a hike to get to Waltham from here...

[LStaff]

What? Anna's is the BEST there is. Better than all the burritos in CA. Ferran Adrià couldn't make a burrito any better.

;-)

[joebloe]

While were talking nonsense, I'd go an extra step and declare Anna's the best in the western hemisphere.

;-)

[lergnom]

This is a post I don't get. Tacqueria Mexico, which was across Beacon from the first Anna's, totally failed. So "considering the competition" means what exactly? That you don't like them? What does that have to do with how they'll do?

The best thing El Pelon has going for them is they'll be the only burrito place in Washington Square. The worst is that the foot traffic volume there is much less - particularly up past Winthrop - and I hope their rent reflects that.

[PaulB]

Good point about foot traffic as an issue, particularly on weekdays during lunchtime when the square is dead.

[elcarpintero]

Not for nothing, but a burrito should not be a benchmark for the quality of Mexican food. It is more of a Tex-Mex thing.

[PaulB]

You might familiarize yourself with the "reply to original post" button ;-)

[StriperGuy]

And the El Pelon fish taco is totally top notch, on par with Rubio's in San Diego, when they were only one storefront, which popularized it.

[garlic breath]

Does anyone know how long Jim Hoben has owned El Pelon?
Because when I was a frequent customer (at least once a week from '99 to '05), the owner was Nate Walker. Not saying it won't be up to par, but interesting information nonetheless.

[overproofed]

The Boston Herald article on the fire said that Jim Hoben has owned El Pelon for 11 years. The El Pelon website lists both of them as contacts, so maybe they are co-owners? The quality will probably be pretty similar to what it was before the fire. I liked the food better the first year or so after it opened, when there was a different owner, but that was a long time ago.

[lergnom]

It will be next to Rod Dee outbound past Winthrop.

[eddb]

Actually, it Rod Dee is on the INBOUND side of Beacon just before Winthrop. Very little if any action in the reputed El Pelon storefront next door to Rod Dee to date.

[Ralphie_in_Boston]

I'm pretty sure Rod Dee is on the outbound side.

[Chrispy75]

The newer Rod Dee in Wash Sq. is on the inbound side. Their older location near Summit Ave. is on the outbound side.

[Ralphie_in_Boston]

Ohhh thanks. I knew they'd expanded; just didn't realize it was so close by. On the same street !

[bobot]

This is great news- I always enjoyed El Pelon and I'm glad to see them getting back in business.

[opinionatedchef]

thanks much for this info; v. helpful