Whadda I order at El Pelon tonight? OR somewhere nearby with cocktails?

[enhF94]

Based on general CH love, I'm heading to El Pelon tonight. Except my DC wants to do some artsy outside thing after, bless her, and so I may need a cocktail to warm up.

So my plan was fish taco, but is there something else? Or for a 5:30p meal, maybe somwhere else?

I'll be dressed for el Pelon in Boston winter, and walking. So I need not-too-fancy and walkable to the area, but otherwise I eat everything.

[enhF94]

Since Pelon didn't satisfy the craving, I did my CH research and hit La Verdad today. I can respect both, but LV was twice as good, and the price for two was LV's $8 vs. EP's $6.50, although they charged me TWO DOLLARS for twelve ounces of water without so much as an "are you sure" after boredly telling me they were out of "hibiscus," which I assume is jamaica.

The Asada was even better - very beefy; the short rib was tasty with great varied textures, the carnitas' "pork confit" was taste-free.

[enhF94]

That was a nice fish taco. Not great. Mayo helps a lot. I liked the limed onions.

[Jenny Ondioline]

Years ago, El Pelon was the only game in town for fish tacos and people swore by them, but I always quibbled with their choice of fish. Always seemed too heavy to me. There are better options around town these days.

[cambridgedoctpr]

what is your choice for fish tacos; i liked the ones from East Coast Grill though the Grill stopped Taco Tuesdays.

[Jenny Ondioline]

My current tops is Dorado, although bear in mind that because I'm never in Downtown Crossing on a weekday, I -- to my shame -- still haven't made it to Pedro's Tacos.

[Klunco]

Also a Dorado fan, although I have shamefully never tried their Cemitas because I always get the tacos.

[tysonmcneely]

I'm a big fan of their Fish Guapo, which is an off menu item. It's an el Guapo burrito, but they sub out the steak for the same fish in the taco.

I agree that the fish tacos are a little lacking...

[enhF94]

I found the fist competently cooked, but underseasoned. The breading stayed on, was thin, nice spice, nice texture. The fish was moist, not overcooked (though I'm inclined to give some leeway for a taco). Salt would have gone a long way to help.

The "limed" onions and whatnot tasted great, full of flavor, bright. I woudn't have minded another tortilla to prevent fall-apart, but it worked well enough.

I guess I'm saying that if cooked by someone else who was more careful with seasoning, it'd bump up a letter-grade, as it were.

Jenny, I take your point about fish choice, though it didn't bother me in this case. That said, I am not a fish taco follower.

[chrisdapos]

I believe El Pelon will double wrap free of charge upon request.

[enhF94]

I bow unto you for this specialized knowledge.

[kimfair1]

Is the El Pelon in the Fenway? If so, you could have a cocktail at nearby Citizen's Public House, or venture into Kenmore for a drink at The Hawthorne or at Eastern Standard. If it's the El Pelon near BC, you're pretty far away from any quality cocktails. Deep Ellum in Union Sq Allston are probaly the closest.

[enhF94]

Fenway! These are good ideas.