Border Cafe

Recommends

cris213180

Joined 2 years ago

good food. what im going to do here its not tolk abolt food but is something serious im filling discriminated by the manegement of this place I work in a restaurant bissenes end Im trying to get a job , i spolk to the maneger crisceni for some reason she didi not want to tolk to me in persan but she told me they not hiring but they have a saining diferent and i dont know if is because im black and imigrent she don t want to intervel me i hope it not but i dont know

Recommends

vincensg

Joined 2 years ago

Good Inexpensive Food. I've been going to Border Cafe since 1993. Affordable & tasty food. Great chips & salsa. Tons of refills. Addicted to shrimp & crawfish quesadilla.

Recommends

AnneliseN

Joined 3 years ago

MARGARITAS. Pro: There must be something about this place given the long line that stretches outdoors on Friday and Saturday nights. The margaritas are great and the food is cheap and tasty. The parade of chips & salsa is never ending. I didn't even realize they served Cajun food. Without fail, I always order the enchiladas. I'm never disappointed!

Con: They're strict about not seating you until your entire party is there and it's extremely crowded on Friday and Saturday nights. They do give you one of those beepers so you can wander around the Square a bit, but the wait is usually 45 min-1 hour. Mysteriously, this place is still always full of large groups. I'd rather just go here with a small group on a weeknight for a big margarita.

Insider's tip: They offer you a side of jambalaya or rice & beans with your meal, but you can also request a generous portion of steamed vegetables or fried plantains as a side.

Recommends

Robbo48

Joined 3 years ago

Fantastic Mexican food @ Border cafe. We looked around Harvard Sq. for a relaxing (affordable) place to eat and stumbled into the cafe. Packed with people which is usually a good sign. Prices very reasonable and service was quick and friendly. Cool atmosphere and wonderful food.

Recommends

josiebean87

Joined 3 years ago

Mexican love!. Ok so this is actually a review on the Border Cafe in Saugus (I haven't been to the one in Cambridge, but they're probably just the same). I love it here because the food is quality mexican with good space and atmosphere. The chips are perfectly cooked and warm when you get them, and the salsa is super tasty (and chunky, which is a must for me). I could just come here and eat the bottomless chips/salsa all night, with some margs or coronas of course. But the best dish is the half grilled chicken and half steak tacos, served on a sizzling skillet with perfect soft, warm tortillas in a bowl. The restaurant is also fairly inexpensive so it's great for a fun night out with friends or family, or for a more casual date.

Recommends

CertainCharms

Joined 3 years ago

TexMex and Cajun cooked to perfection. Ah, Border Cafe. I love that somehow, though I'm sure you are always swamped in the kitchen, that your proteins are always cooked perfectly - my food always arrives piping hot at the table, any the chicken always had a great sear on the outside, but is perfectly juicy on the inside. Next, don't even get me started on the condiments/sauces! My favorites are the mango salsa - perfectly sweet mango cubes with just the right spicy/citrus-y bite to them, the perfectly sweet-spicy-garlicky chipotle lime glaze for the plantains, and the Cajun spiced marmalade, just to name a few. The tortilla chips here are not just a starter, they are a way of life - freshly fried throughout the day, they pair exceptionally well with the guacamole, which I would personally prefer a bit more on the chunky side, but that's just me. As far as downsides - there are not a lot of exciting vegetarian options here. Most of the choices are heavy on cheese and light on creativity. I also almost always get not-the-best service here. As soon as I sit down, the staff is always all over my group, asking in rapid fire succession what we want to eat and drink. While I know what I want as soon as I walk in the door, not everyone does. It gives off a sort of food factory, turn-and-burn kind of atmosphere. Later on in the meal, the staff is nowhere to be found, especially when I am looking for another drink or more condiments. And because they won't take reservations or even call-ahead seating, I just stay away on Friday and Saturday nights for any size group, and I don't bother taking more than 6 after 6pm any night. It's too tough to find a seat, and there's almost never space at the bar to sit and wait.

Recommends

Stayce417

Joined 3 years ago

Great food - Cheap prices. I always order the same thing:

Chicken Enchiladas

Margarita's are awesome too!!

Doesn't Recommend

VindictiveButterfly

Joined 4 years ago

Service?. I was so disappointed when I went there. First of all, ordered a Margaritta and the waiter insisted on seeing my ID, which I had left in my other purse back at my apt . A little rediculous because I'm far beyond the legal age and that was quite obvious. So my boyfriend walked back to the apt to pick up my ID for me (He's the only good part of this bad experience). As I'm waiting for his return, the waiter saw me waiting there for almost half an hour and never once asked if I would like to order any appitizers or another drink. I guess if you sit their alone you wont get any service.

So finally when my ID arrives and I begin to order, I ask for a frozen Margaritta with salt and ask the waiter which one he thinks is good. The waiter begins to tell me that Margarittas on the rocks are better and the salt takes away from the flavor of the Tequilla. A little insulting since I know what I like, and he thought his tastes were better. Shouldn't waiters suggest items based on what the customers like? I'm not feeding him!

It was basically watered down tequilla with crushed ice. Most of the flavor came from the salt I requested.

As for food, like a lot of Harvard folks I'm a vegitarian. Ordered a cheese enchillada, thinking it would have more than just cheese in it. Boy was I wrong. I basically ordered a tortilla filled with cheddar cheese and a tiny bit of sauce that tasted as though it were burnt.

This place is a joke. Litterally. Every time we mention going out to eat, we say "How about the Border Cafe!!!" as if that would ever happen again.

Recommends

hardinghouseinncambrdge

Joined 4 years ago

Good inexpensive Mexican and Cajun food in a fun and lively environment.. This Harvard Square favorite offers delicious and inexpensive Mexican and Cajun food in a fun and lively environment. Students, tourists and families flock to this Southwestern-themed restaurant which is known for its gigantic frozen margaritas and large portions. The meal starts off right with a basket of warm tortilla chips and tangy salsa which are irresistible. The appetizers, including the chorizo with tomatoes, onions and poblano jack cheese; and the Cajun popcorn shrimp do not disappoint. And Border Cafe features an exhaustive menu that has something for everyone. Favorites include the sizzling chicken, beef or fish fajitas; the chicken guadalajara filled with red peppers and spinach; the shrimp and crawfish quesadilla; and the mesquite-grilled swordfish steak with Jalape?o butter. There is also a dazzling array of salads and a large vegetarian menu. Though far from highbrow and a bit noisy on weekend evenings, the Border Cafe offers good food and fun in the midst of Harvard Square?s more serious restaurants.

Recommends

TheReviewa

Joined 5 years ago

Best Cheap Eats. For cheap Tex Mex and a cheap Margarita. This is the place! The border cafe has something for everyone including run of the mill Tex Mex and some interesting Cajun dishes too. This place will not break the bank either so expect to wait at the bar and enjoy a marg before dinner. On the weekends this spot is overrun with college students and locals who want to pull in the free chips and salsa by the pound! Don't miss the $5 Margarita, the fish tacos or the border chili!