Snack Attack: Walking Tacos
When Taco Tuesday calls, our city has plenty of taquerias around to hook you up. But while traditional tacos are usually the go-to, a trend is taking shape in Boston. Walking tacos, sometimes called Frito pie, are handheld snacks with all the essentials of a taco, laid on a bed of starchy corn chips, like Fritos or Doritos. They’re often served open-faced in a bag of chips, too.
The portable pie has been around in the South for years, especially in states like Texas and New Mexico, and lately has landed at local restaurants. Even TD Garden has one in the bag. Here are five places to get your next fix.
The Automatic
Cambridge’s newest watering hole from Dave Cagle and Chris Schlesinger has finally landed, serving no-frills cocktails and ice-cold brews. If you find yourself hungry while you’re throwing back a few, grab a Frito Pie From Hell. The open-faced bowl of Fritos comes with chili, cheese, and Inner Beauty hot sauce.
$6.75, the Automatic, 50 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-714-5226, theautomaticbar.com.
Banyan Bar + Refuge
This take on a walking taco is laden with spicy mapo tofu, pickled jalapeños, sour cream, and cilantro. The Mapo Frito Pie is available during dinner and on the South End Asian fusion spot’s late-night menu.
$6, Banyan Bar + Refuge, 553 Tremont St., South End, 617-556-4211, banyanboston.com.
Bit Bar
The Salem arcade bar is currently serving two gluten-free takes on walking tacos: braised pork belly on a bed of Cool Ranch Doritos with salsa verde, cotija cheese, and pickled onions; and a smoked mango chicken version over Fritos with romaine, guacamole, and mango habanero aioli. These tacos make great one-handed companions while jumping between classic arcade machines like Galaga and Ms. Pac Man.
$11, Bit Bar, 50 St. Peter St., Salem, 978-594-4838, bit.bar.
Lone Star Taco Bar
As part of a new late-night menu, the taqueria is now dishing out snackable Frito pies. Each plate includes longhorn cheese, Fritos, and Dallas spicy beef, served inside a Fritos bag. The walking tacos run nightly from 11:30 p.m. to close at both locations.
$3, Lone Star Taco Bar, 479 Cambridge St., Allston, 617-782-8226, 635 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 857-285-6179, lonestar-boston.com.
Tavitas Mexican
If you find yourself in transit at South Station, stop by this restaurant for a West Coast-style walking taco. Each order includes Cool Ranch Doritos, spicy slaw, and queso, and can be topped with a number of salsas. For a few extra bucks, add toppings like marinated grilled steak, or roasted corn truffle with mushrooms, or douse your travel buddy in guac.
$7.99, Tavitas, 650 Atlantic Ave., South Station, Suite 132, 857-302-7001, tavitas.com.
