- Guide
Lone Star Taco Bar
Well, all right, all right, all right. Between the ’70s rock on the stereo and our bartender’s handlebar mustache, we half-expected Dazed and Confused-era Matthew McConaughey to saunter on up beside us at Lone Star Taco Bar. He’d have fit right in with that sweet Southern drawl of his. Alas, he didn’t show—but Lone Star’s proprietors might want to consider bringing in real live Texans. At this point, it’s about the only thing they could do to enhance the Southwestern perfection these two bars are churning out.

Whether you decide to brave the B line for the original Allston outpost or cross over into Cambridge, you’ll find ridiculously delicious street-style Tex-Mex at either Lone Star location. Grilled corn is slathered in cotija cheese and chili-lime aioli, huevos rancheros don’t retire after brunch, and happiness can be bought—for a mere $4. That’s the flat rate for most of Lone Star’s tacos. They’re bold (smoked brisket, spicy beef, beer-battered fish), deftly adorned (avocado crema, fresh mint, pickled red onion), and delivered to you lovingly cradled in house-made tortillas.
The crowd is young, the music is loud, and personal space is sparse. It’s a combination that, perhaps by design, inspires copious Margarita consumption. Make at least one of yours an El Diablo, laced with smoky mezcal and rimmed with dried chili salt. Or nerd out over agave with Lone Star’s extensive bar menu. This is the spot to sip mezcal made from wild agave that only grows beneath oak trees in Mexico’s high-altitude volcanic soils or an agave-maple spirit aged in oak barrels in Vermont. Once you’ve achieved a steady buzz, turn your attention to the Chili Con Queso and the guac. (Yes, you need both.) They arrive in minutes and are as you remember them, but somehow gloriously better.

There are no missteps to be had on Lone Star’s menu—but don’t overlook the nightly specials. You might, as we did, end up with a taco composed of pulled pork slow-stewed in pineapple juice, Scotch bonnet peppers, and a banana crema drizzle. Being good samaritans, we lobbied for this one to become a permanent fixture. If any readers have an update on that front, please alert us immediately.

Fun Fact
Our bartender clued us in to the fact that the hundreds of tortillas Lone Star serves each week are all handmade by one lady. Bless her soul.
Tastes of Lone Star Taco Bar
So good we can't stop writing about it. Read more about Lone Star Taco Bar!
- Jamaica Plain (+) · Mexican · Tacos · $
Chilacates
- East Boston · Mexican · Tacos · $