Put ANNAversary on Your Radar
When life at Emerson gets busy—which is always, or cold—which is most of the time, it can be easy to fall into a monotonous food pattern. Mostly, meal choices revolve around two basic factors: what is cheap and what is close by. Such criteria are often limiting, causing a harried college student to sacrifice nutrition or quality. After all, what is health when you have a show to load in? As I sat in the quiet, tidy little cluster of tables on the second floor of Anna’s Taqueria in Beacon Hill, satiated by a guilt-free meal of Jamaica and savory marinated steak, I dreaded to think of all the times I had gone elsewhere for a quick meal on a busy night.
My first burrito at Anna’s gave it immediate entry into my list of go-to’s on busy days. Or, let’s be honest, when I don’t feel like cooking. In a world of Chipotle’s, Moe’s, and Qdoba’s, this is quite a feat. Though I had been expecting the standard fast-food burrito we have all come to know and love, I realized within the first few bites that I had been mislead by Anna’s cheap menu prices. The solid 10-inch burrito that cost me only about $6 was stuffed with restaurant-quality marinated meat, beans, and salsa, and guacamole that clearly did not come from a bag.
As part of their welcoming atmosphere, Anna’s encourages the curious customer to ask for a free sample. As a rule, I stick to the classics: steak, chicken, or vegetables. When eating out is such a privilege, I am not often willing to take on the risk that comes with ordering something new. After sampling the Steak en Salsa Roja, however, I realized the error of my ways and can say I will never look back. It is definitely much easier to order outside of the box when free samples are involved.
Whether you have never tried Anna’s, as I hadn’t, or are a seasoned veteran of the six restaurant locations, you are still invited to celebrate their 20th ANNAversary. This Tuesday, October 20th, Anna’s will host a fan appreciation day with a slew of discounts, treats, and entertainment. Beginning at 11am in Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, and Beacon Hill, treat yourself to BOGO tacos—each with a complimentary basket of chips and salsa. Be sure to sample their refreshing Jamaica, a refreshing, fruity drink of brewed hibiscus petals, and horchata, a sweet, rich mixture of rice milk, cinnamon, and ground almonds.
Later in the day, stop by around 6:30pm to have your dinner serenaded by Emerson’s own a capella groups, as well as others from Tufts, MIT, BU, Harvard, and BC.
Throughout the day, Anna’s will be giving away vintage merchandise and free burrito cards. Plus, $1 from each burrito sold on October 20th will be donated to ReVision Urban Farm.
Special mentions of delicious:
Al Pastor- marinated pork cooked rotisserie-style with pineapple and red onion
Rice Pudding- light and fresh, with a sprinkling of cinnamon on top
Lengua- for the bold, slow-cooked beef tongue