Comida Mexican Taqueria
131 Essex St, Salem, MA, 01970
Comida Mexican Taqueria Menu
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Address :
131 Essex St
Salem, MA, 01970 - Phone (978) 594-8220
- Website https://www.comidasalem.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Michelle P.
In a city full of food and endless choices, you can get overwhelmed. What I love about Comida is the simplicity and just plain simple YUMMINESS of the food they make. I've been 3 or 4 times so far, and its amazing. Its cheap, quick, and I even shared it with a friend from the southwest. If he approved, I am seriously impressed. The owner is also friendly, serves people himself, and shares his own stories about the Salem history and culture. Stop in for a great time and great food!
(5)Ed M.
Comida is by far the worst ever joke I've ever purchased food from in my life. Every ingredient was as if purchased directly from stop n shop. The pinto beans even had the canned flavor, the cheese was pre-grated powdery, and the jalapeños were pre cooked canned or bottled, not fresh hand cut. Watching them prepare burritos & tacos with tortillas right out of a plastic bag...ya think for the $8 per burrito price they would make them from scratch. I recommend avoiding this rented hole in the wall between the other 2 businesses. A far cry from what Mexican food really taste like. I had to rate it a 1 or my browser wouldn't close.
(1)Kacey M.
After a disappointing trip to the other Mexican place, I really wanted to like Comida. However it was just ok. Definitely a take out only place, but I ordered a taco, which was so small and a little pricey for its size. The chicken wasn't very good and I didn't finish my meal. But the staff was really nice and helpful, so I will go back to try a few more items.
(3)Kristin S.
Rip-off. Just received a delivery of including "sides" of chips and guacamole. A few tablespoons of guacamole does not constitute a side. Ditto for queso. Sorry, not worth the price. We'll make our own or go to Trader Joe's.
(1)Missus F.
the service gets more fluid here every week, and i swear my tacos taste better and better the more i go. they were open during one of the nastiest snowstorms we've had this winter, and even gave out free tazo hot chocolate (which was AMAZING). if you want the proper sit-down dining experience, go to the other mexican food place. nobody told you this was fine dining. have you seen how much space they don't have? i personally go here because i like supporting people in my neighborhood that are pumping out a super tasty product for an excellent price. i crave this stuff.
(5)Hal M.
The best Mexican food in Salem, hands down. And a wonderful welcoming atmosphere to boot. Highly recommended.
(5)Chris S.
I really like this place. I feel that they are the best in the area when it comes to putting the right amount of each ingredient into a burrito. Too many places load them up with rice and beans, and it becomes a huge difficult-to-eat mess. Obviously I realize to can tell other shops to put in less rice...but still, it's nice that I don't have to at this place. Delicious burritos, and the guys who have been behind the counter have always been friendly.
(4)Gillian B.
I was disappointed after howling wolf so i was really excited to try comida . . . I'm still hoping that they add more flavor to the food . . . i really want these guys to succeed and think they'll do a great tourist business but for me i'll have to go elsewheres - i will go back to try one of the sandwiches and quesidillas to see if it's better . . .either way good luck to you guys!!
(3)M. A.
I'm wondering if I went to the same place as everyone else who is rating this spot so highly. Maybe the guy working that night was just having a really, really off-night. There were only a couple people in the place, but he still managed to seem overworked. All I know is that for about the same price I paid, I could have gotten twice as much food, prepared with three times as much care, a few blocks over at Howling Wolf, or even a little further up Lafayette in the little hole in the wall eateries that serve the Point. Dear God. The burrito I got was ludicrous. Cheese consisted of a single slice melted into the tortilla when it was steamed, followed by a series of desultory spoonfuls of rice, beans, and chicken. The sour cream, which costs extra, ended up being a couple of small splatters half-heartedly thrown on at the last minute. Pico de gallo is supposed to be mild, but this tasted like it was just diced tomato and cilantro, with no spice whatever. The squeeze of lime juice was a nice touch, but not remotely enough to save what I got from being ludicrously overpriced (7.50!) in comparison to what I got, or what I'd get a short walk away. I might try this place again, but not a burrito, and not on a day that guy is working the counter. To heck with that.
(2)Yelp Z.
Muy delicioso. Stopped into Comida around 3pm on a Weds afternoon. Due to Halloween that area in Salem is JAM-PACKED with tourists. Comida is in between the PEM and the spooky tour take off points. Lucky for me no one was inside other than the 2 delightful high school girls working. Even though there wasn't anyone inside and these girls could be relaxing - they were both busting their asses doing prep work and all with a smile. This is so rare. I don't know how Comida finds their workers but most of North Shore should take a look at the recruiting process. I got a pork carnitas bowl. It was very hot, large and satisfying. I couldn't finish it. The pork is definitely marinated in some lime juice and other herbals. It has a nice non-dry consistency with major flavor. Then I choose black beans (they specify when you order vegetarian style or pintos w/bacon - not sure why people here are acting like they hide that fact), cheese that topped my Mexican honeymoon meals, and fresh add on's like lettuce, mild salsa (there are probably 6 to choose from) guacamole. The guac could rival any I've made or had in Mexico. It's that good. I took it home and it was still super hot - but the lettuce crispy. How do they do that? I don't really understand complaining that a small take out place doesn't have enough seating. Again, they aren't trying to fool you when you come in. If you live in Salem and like Mexican definitely come here. MUCH better than disgusting Howling Wolf, much fresher and friendlier.
(5)C.M. M.
Really great food for decent prices... Far better than your chain place.
(4)K. E.
I am writing an update because I learned through facebook that their mole contains chicken broth and that information was not posted anywhere. So vegetarians beware...maybe ask before ordering.
(1)Sarah C.
my steak quesadilla was full of cheese and meat, but i wish it had more flavor. it didn't really seem like a quesadilla to me to be honest- and it was sorta soggy, i like them crispy- this one is formed more like a burrito. i would probably not go back there only because of the distance from my house, and i like qdoba's quesadillas better. the staff was nice and the place was cute, but sorta small (only a bar with stools). if i did go back ther i would ask to add more things to my meal like beans, sour cream, and some veggies. i love variety! my bf however, really enjoyed his meal :)
(3)Stephanie T.
I wanted to be sure to update my original review. Since I wrote that review the owner of the restaurant has been in contact with me trying to remedy the situation. He was tremendously sincere with his many apologies. I am very impressed the amount of concern that he has had. Even the one guy that was there the original night I wrote about has been sincerely apologetic. I recently have gone back in (with my boyfriend only, as I'm still not too comfortable going by myself) and he has thanked me for giving Comida another chance. Due to his behavior on a recent trip I honestly believe he acted out of his usual character and for that reason have given Comida other chances. As for the food, it's still good. I like it better than the boyfriend does. He finds the chicken to be a little too salty because of the adobo seasoning, it's very reminiscent to me of how my grandmother used to make chicken. He also wishes they used more hot sauce, but does like the fact that the sauce is actually hot. I like whatever sauce they put on mine, and I definitely don't need something to burn my tongue off which they have. They are having "heat night" in an hour and a half which I recommend anyone with a pallate for spicy sauces to stop by and check out. Once again, I would like to thank the professionalism of the owner, and the staff member in an attempt to make amends. I commend them a lot on this.
(4)Scott L.
Absolutely best Mexican food in town. It's quick and easy and right near alot of the night tour start points. The quesidillas are awesome and my fav is probably the queso sauce it's just delicious.
(4)Rachael E.
I had very high hopes for Comida and sadly I was let down. My veggie burrito was bland. I ordered the Habenero Salsa and didn't taste any spice or flavor. The rice was dry and tasteless. I think the worst thing that I ordered was the Chips and Queso. The chips were on the edge of being stale and the queso tasted like processed nacho cheese from a can. Sorry Comida, but I won't be back.
(1)Carlos L.
Amazing burritos, great customer service, and generous portions. Try their taza chocolate. Pleasantly surprised. I will be back.
(5)Salvatore P.
We just moved to Salem recently and thought it could use a good taqueria. Then luckily one opened shortly after we moved here. Unluckily it was Howling Wolf. Our disappointment in that awful place was tempered though when we saw the opening soon sign for Comida. It finally opened up and we went in today. It was great. We got the carne asada taco and the carnitas taco. Both around $3. They were really good, but a little light on the salt. The menu is very clearly written. It is obvious what comes with each item already and there are add-ons in case you want something else in your taco or burrito. There is a simple system for ordering and you aren't asked too many questions and your food isn't passed along a line of cooks who can;t remember what the order was. The person that took our order was the one who made the tacos. We like that. If you have been to Howling Wolf already then you know what a relief this was! The one drawback is that there are only 4 bar stools to sit at to eat. So it will likely be strictly take out for when we don't feel like cooking. We will be going back for sure.
(4)Ken M.
Comida wins the Salem Burrito Competition. great food Excellent
(5)Sara J.
This place has great vegetarian burritos!! They are very fast and pack them with alot of good stuff. They are very reasonably priced for the size of the burrito and don't think you are crazy for asking about whats in what they are making. Very laid back. Never eaten here as its pretty small and I live very close.
(4)Merrill F.
Located next to the Peabody Essex Museum, this adorable little Taqueria emits the charm and warmth you would look for on a cold day walking around Salem. The colors are welcoming and so are the staff... oh, and the food is delicious! You can taste the high quality and thoughtful preparation. I ordered a chicken taco and a carnitas taco. Both were delicious - served on the traditional corn tortillas with fresh salsas. There is a huge selection of hot sauces as well; so you can heat up the taco to your delight. Nicely done, Comida. I am spreading the word. Ps, the Taza hot cocoa and chocolates are yummy too.
(5)Bill S.
had the carne asada tortas, that thing was awesome!! i was full but could of eaten another one, my new fav spot for grabing quick, great food on the way home!!!
(5)Amber D.
I didn't really like it. I thought the meat was a little dry. I got the carne asada (steak) taco and the carnitas (pork) taco. We also got a veggie quesadilla to share. I was disappointed because it barely had any cheese! I thought that was the POINT of a quesadilla! I would have given the place 2 stars, but I think the place has a few things going for it. The server was very nice and patient as we ummed and ahhed over the menu. Also the guacamole was GREAT. The avocado seemed very fresh, the consistency was perfect (not overly processed) and it was just tasty. The tortillas with it were good too. I'm wondering if I got a few extra toppings on the tacos, that might have made them interesting enough for me. So bottom line: My recommendations are to get the guacamole, and to take a good look at the extra toppings offered. Oh, and as other Yelpers have said, there's not much seating there, so either go on a nice day to eat in the park up the street, or plan to bring your order home. Also, FYI, for you day-trippers, this is right near the Peabody Essex Museum. I didn't realize that until I got there, and thought it was worth mentioning!
(3)A. S.
Overpriced, boring Mexican food. Cielito Lindo in Beverly or Howlin' Wolf (which is 2 seconds from Comida) are the places to go if you want awesome Mexican food. Not this place!
(2)Enay V.
really really good tacos - wish there was more room to sit - awesome service :)
(4)Elaine J.
i absolutely love this place!!! amazing burritos!!! and great people that work there! keep those burritos comin'!
(5)Randie F.
I had been wanting to try out this place for a while, so when it came up as a Groupon deal, I jumped on it. The food was very reasonably priced. For just a little over $20, we got two burritos, two drinks, and chips and queso. But, we just weren't feeling it. My husband and I both agreed it was good--we liked it, but we just didn't love it. We'd eat there again if we were in Salem and craving Mexican, but it definitely won't become our new go-to place. The girl working behind was super friendly and really helpful, but it still didn't sway how we felt about the food. I should also add that we went looking for a dinner out and were quite disappointed that the only seating Comida offers is a few counter stools.
(3)Alliane H.
i'm a huge fan of mexican food, and i have to say that comida passes the test pretty well! my family and i ordered there last night and got a range of food. the burritos were good, chips and salsa were decent, guacamole was great! we also got vegetarian tacos and a few quesadillas. the pico de gallo is pretty basic, nothing special, but definitely don't skip out on the guac! i do have to agree with some of the reviews saying that the chicken is on the salty side, but still quite good. what i have to add is how excellent the customer service was. i'm pretty sure i was dealing with the owner and not only was he polite and kind, but wanted to make sure the food was fresh and our order was perfect. we will definitely be eating at comida again! i hope they know that great customer service is not lost on their customers! :)
(4)Jessie B.
I wish I had more time to rave about this place. I am so happy to find Comida. Thank you Salem Food Tours for pointing me in this direction! In a nutshell, its all very fresh, the food tastes really great and the owner actually cares about the quality and took a real effort to make sure that we were satisfied with our experience. I will be back, dragging others with me so they will be back as well.
(5)Robert M.
Words cannot describe my love for this place. Don't be put off by the size of the place food is unreal. The staff are the friendliest people I have ever met. Please try this place if you get the chance. I promise you won't regret it.
(5)Erin M.
I've never had a bad experience here. Great fresh food, fresh lemonade, and they even grow a lot of their produce themselves. Everyone I've met there is extremely friendly. They have all sorts of deals each day of the week. If you play your cards right you'll probably never actually pay full price for your meal. It's easy to get to, walking or driving. They have definitely won me over from other similar places that I used to be a loyal customer to.
(5)Kate C.
I'm a regular at Comida. I love the food and Sean is a great guy. I completely respect his love for his business and he really does make it his own. It's a great asset to Salem, and has a small-town vibe but big-quality food. My preschooler calls Comida, "The Quesadilla Store," and loves it as much as I do!
(4)Kate S.
I went here today for the first time looking for a quick snack. The service was awesome the man who served me was super friendly. The food was fresh yummy and absolutely reasonably priced. Definitely put this on your things to do list when you come to Salem.
(4)Felicia S.
The guys here are great. Me and my boyfriend decided to get some to-go food from this place. Now I'm a vegan so I asked for a few modifications to what we got and everything came out perfectly. They even threw in some extra chips because it was late at night. The food itself is satisfying and the portions are perfect. Exactly what you imagine great mexican food tasting like.
(4)Kathleen H.
The manager of the restaurant wrote to me and apologized for the long black hair, and offered a free lunch. Will most certainly try again.
(3)Anita K.
I went there for a business meeting and was impressed w the service. The waiter was extremeyly funny, informative, smiley and very friendly. I told him that I have white hair,when he asked to see my ID,w my beer order and he replied:"That's shenanigans". The food was delicous, fresh, well cooked.The bring you chips and yummy salsa right away, so you don't have to sit there watchin others enjoy their tacos.The beer was amazing, very uplifting places. Like, you get transfered to Mexico for sure. Prices are the best in town. Great for anything, even alone.Go see it today.:)
(5)Winnifer L.
I don't know what happened with my review that I posted a while back - a year ago. However, I feel it important that I re-post because I need to warn all Yelp readers to STAY AWAY from this god awful place. My family had the worst experience and we were badly treated as a customer. We had really good Mexican food at home in NY before and this place was no where close. However, food was not the worst part of this experience. We had couple of bottle of water with us like most tourist would carry from walking around all day. We were told no out side drinks. We explained these were just bottles of water and we would not drink inside restaurant. We also purchased separate drinks and our bottles left un-opened. However, the psycho owner of this joint started yelling at us ' no outside drinks' and scream at us to get the HELL out of his restaurant. I had my two kids with me and we were terrified. We had to grab our half eaten food and run out of the restaurant! This was the most terrifying and embarrassing experience that no one else should endure. If there is a restaurant rating for service, this place would be shut down long time ago. I can still see the face of the crazy owner yelling at us till this day!
(1)Marianne P.
Went here recently after reading reviews online . I was so excited to try one of their burrito's as a good one is surprisingly hard to come by . All I can say is not impressed at all . Went with a friend for a quick lunch and it looked promising . We both ordered a burrito , everything looked fresh and the people running the show were friendly enough . They have a couple tables so we were surprised to get one , as we were planning on taking it to go , now I wish we had . As my friend ate her burrito it basically pissed liquid the whole time , unbelievably soaking wet , and gross . I got a chicken burrito and it was sopping wet as well and more importantly just not tasty at all . The last part of the experience was very unexpected . As we were finishing our food and my friend was finishing her last bite , the owner came over to our table , grabbed my friends plate and pile of napkins from in front of her and told us to get going and make room for customers coming in . My girlfriend looked at me in shock and said " did we just get booted ? " I said I think so , so needless to say we got out of there in a quick second . I have worked at many gourmet sandwich shops and bakeries in my youth and never would I ever grab peoples plates from their table while they were finishing their meal and nonchalantly ask them to move along . This guy is clueless on how to run a business . So the food : not very good , the price : average , the owners manners : atrocious . Too bad .
(2)Karen S.
This place has the best tacos and burritos around. Their mole sauce is to die for. The owners are super nice - when they saw me eyeing one of the murals on the wall, they kindly explained the traditional Mexican story it represented. There are 4 seats in the whole place, but the take-out is amazing. I am writing this seriously thinking about going out for a walk in the snow to get some food right now. I even called, hoping they'd be closed and my dilemma would be solved for me. But alas/hooray, they're open until 11 pm tonight. Looks like I'm getting a burrito with mole tonight after all. Edit 1 hour later: I would give this place 10 stars if that was possible.
(5)Geoff M.
Tried Comida for the first time yesterday. Overall I was impressed, though clearly they are working out the kinks. On the plus side, burrito was very sizable and inexpensive. Chicken was good, as was the guacamole ($1 extra). Pico and the other salsas seemed fresh and looked good. Overall flavor of the burrito was what I was looking for, and they melt the cheese onto the tortilla when they heat it, like Anna's, which is a big plus. Minuses: the rice was a little dry and crusty, and admittedly, I was there at a weird time in the late afternoon. At the same time, as soon as she scooped mine she changed it out. Should have done so for mine. Also, I wanted to buy some salsa from them, and they offered me tablespoon size containers at $1 each only. Disappointing. Finally, they are still working out kinks, but are new, and I'm not deducting for this ... yet. My burrito maker was a little unsure of herself. The inevitable comparison will be with Howling Wolf, also new to Salem. Out of the two, Comida gets my vote for several reasons. First, the setup makes more sense. You go down the line with your order, ask for what you want, and pay at the end, unlike the Wolf. Second, see melted cheese above. Third, prices are comparable, but Comida burrito was larger, and guac is cheaper. Fourth, assembly line here is much more open, so you can see what you're getting, and eye up the products as you choose. Fifth, menu includes a salad available with your choice of veggies, chicken, pork, or steak. No salad at the Wolf. Additionally, Comida offers tortas in addition to burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. Finally, taste. I was sure I liked this burrito from the get go, whereas with the Wolf I had to think about it, and there was more spice than there should have been based on what I ordered there. Please note: Comida has four stools along a counter. The place is basically takeout only. Also, unlike Howling Wolf, no alcoholic beverages.
(4)Lisa C.
if you are expecting anything close to authentic mexican food DO NOT eat here. nothing close to mexican flavor. rice was a wierd brown color, torta was soggy with tasteless black beans. this joint's saving grace was the fresh squeezed lemonade.
(1)Sam O.
Wow...amazing, I love this place!! I visit Boston and Salem fairly often and I am so happy to finally find some real authentic mexican food as oppose to all the fast food places like Chipotle which specialize in mass quantity and have less focus on quality. I have been there a couple times already and tried the following: Carnitas Tacos, Steak Burritto and chicken tacos, along with the rice and chips and salsa. Overall very flavorful marinated meats and rice, and the chips and mango-corn salsa were awesome. I am looking forward to getting back there and trying the mole Poblano and pretty much everything else on the menu. The first time I went they only accepted cash but as of the last time they are now accepting credit cards, so that definitely helps.
(5)Jon H.
Pretty good food, had two of the tacos and a salad. Reasonable prices and reasonable portions. However, there were two people there, and three stools. My wife and I had to sit on the display counter next to some cacti. I'm not really sure how a place like this will do in the winter when you can't eat outside. So to reiterate: TAKE-OUT ONLY
(2)Christine W.
We ate here this weekend. I am a huge Mexican food fan and was really excited to try this place. I had the pork carnitas torta and my husband had a burrito. We also had queso and chips. The location is decent. Parking is not great but there are enough lots in the area that you can easily find a space and walk. We knew this was a take out location so we were O.K. with the size of the place. The menu was a little limited. Mainly burritos, quesadillas, tacos and tortas. The portions were decent. I would have appreciated a larger portion on the queso dip as we had way more chips then dip. Overall the food was good. The carnitas were flavorful, but definitely heavy on the salt. My husband was happy with the burrito, it was fresh and the steak was tasty. Loved the queso dip!
(3)Cave D.
Latest visit we were greeted in the sleet and snow by a 5'-6" dancing taco in the window... A good sense of the attitude conveyed by Comida and its warm and helpful staff. The proof's in the food, though and Comida doesn't disappoint. Ingredients are fresh and flavorful, generally well-balanced, and include some notable traditional ingredients: molé poblano, pickled nopalitos (cactus), oaxaca cheese, etc. Steak and chicken are well-balanced and moist, carnitas (pork) is somewhat dry, though with good flavor and can work well with salsa or other moist add-ins. Dining area is very small - only couples or small parties can consider hanging around, though it will fill up quickly when busy. Better to think of Comida as a takeout joint. And a damn fine one at that!
(5)Stephanie H.
Went here for the first time this week to grab a quick bite to eat. It is more of a take out place and you will see why when you go there. Three stools to sit at facing a wall- not the small window they have. I got the veggie quesedilla. it was eh. Cheese and a pepper and onion mixture was the veggie option. They do have plenty of options and i will go back to check out the burrito vs the other taqueria that has opened in town. They seemed to still be working out kinks of what to do staffing wise- the register is after the ordering of the food- to me it would make more sense to pay then get the food. The space overall is small but hey I think it is geared more as a take out place. I will give it another shot or two for sure. But for now, I will lean towards the other place for two main reasons- beer and seating.
(3)Joanna L.
Not bad tacos - the tortillas should be toasted a little more, instead of just warmed. The way it's currently done makes for soggy tacos instead of a crispy edge to a soft tortilla. Fillings for tacos are just okay - I've had the steak, carnitas, and chicken. I think the steak is the best, although the carnitas would be better for a burrito or some kind of rice bowl. Pricing isn't great, but it's better if there's some kind of deal going on (there often is). For better quality, value, and authenticity, I'd rather rough it over to Lynn and suffer the downtown for a little time at Tacos Lupita.
(3)Jody R.
Veggie torta was deliciosa. Nice carnitas and pickled veggies too. Try the local soda: Mercury Soda. Friendly cook and cashier. All is good and very close to Peabody Essex Museum.
(5)Marissa S.
My husband and I came across Comida during Halloween walking around Salem. We live in Salem and had never heard of it. We have now been several times and it's pretty good. They have taco Tuesday where you can get tacos for $2.50. Not bad. Every time we go it is later in the evening - the first several times they were out of pork carnitas. I should point out that we aren't going at closing but a few hours before so it's strange they were always out. But the last two times I've gone they have had it and it is good! The quesadilla's are very big and so are the tacos. All of the ingredients taste fresh and the meat is not dry (I have had the chicken as well). They have very good salsa and queso dip as well. Comida is a true homemade mexican taqueria. If you are looking for a quick bite and you are feeling mexican this is the place for you. However, there are a few things they could work on. Every time we go there is only one guy working so if you are in a hurry forget it. The process is a bit slow but I don't usually mind that. The other thing is that it is a very small space. There are no tables but a few bar-style seats. Overall, I really like Comida. It is a nice little place in Salem and I think it is important to support the smaller eatery's in our city.
(4)Taylor F.
BOOYAH! Would give it 10 stars if I could. Comida obviously dominates fresh, authentic, Mexican food on a daily basis, but absolutely killed it when catering my son's birthday dinner. Sean was so helpful with the menu choices, and went above and beyond to provide us with his freshly pickled peppers and onions - a must to try if you go in there. We served 25 people, and EVERYONE was back for seconds and raved about the meal . Most of our guests being from the Salem area, are familiar with the amazingness that is Comida, so they were thrilled to have the meal, it was such a treat for everyone. Plus, we have food left over to feed us for the next week. All of my guests took menus, and will be ordering soon I'm sure. Plus, this place is a must if you're gluten/nut/potato free. My son has tons of allergies and can safely eat there. It's actually the only place we dine out because we know they have great allergy practice. Love Comida!!!
(5)April P.
This place is ok. As in, I will go here again, but I won't go here weekly, like a certain other, better, Mexican place up the street.... First the bad. Their queso sauce is terrible, like movie theatre nacho cheese. The chips were stale (and seemed like they were straight from the grocery store). There is not really anywhere to sit, which is fine, but I usually walk downtown from my house and want to eat my meal while its hot, not 20 minutes later when I get back home. The pinto beans have bacon in them, but it was not made clear anywhere on the menu.-I noticed someone said they point this out to vegetarians when ordering. Which is nice. But I specifically do not eat pork. Since I don't order vegetarian, they did NOT let me know that they were serving me bacon. They shouldnt have to figure out which of their customers can eat bacon; they should just put it up on the menu for everyone to see. The good: They take credit cards now. Their guacamole is pretty excellent. They have mole sauce. They let you customize your meal. They are friendly. If you like mangos. they have a salsa for you.
(3)Ashley B.
Comida! I really love how involved they are. They are really all over social media and doing it right. Informative, frequently updated twitter and facebook feeds, fun specials, smartphone app for online ordering and delivery. Food-wise.. I've had better Mexican food, but it was probably much less healthy. Here, I am usually SUPER psyched about my burrito or I think it's really mediocre. Maybe it has to do with rice freshness? Sometimes you can tell it's old. But overall I'm very satisfied. This place is good for take-out or delivery, because there's only a very small bar to sit and eat. I go for the burritos, definitely. Usually in a bowl, but that's just me. They have a variety of tortillas to choose from, and they're all good. The tacos, don't really love 'em. Tortas are okay, too. But! Disclaimer! I don't eat meat! So I can't judge. They run a lot of special meals, which I think is awesome. Chipotle turkey meatballs, pickled snacks, and special tortas of the week/day. They are also growing their own herbs to use, which is extra extra awesome! Big up to Comida! Also their rice is made from vegetarian stock, unlike sneaky, misleading Howling Wolf.
(4)Chrissie B.
I am really happy Comida is here...(probably too happy like borderline creepily happy) The veggie burrito I get is consistently delicious, particularly the guacamole. The people who work here are super friendly. They even write "mom", "dad", and "son" on our burritos so we can tell them apart! So cute! This place is take-out only so it's definitely not a date-night spot. Unless you brought your burritos over to the common which is what we usually do. Anyway, if there were more than 4 stools to sit at, I'd totally give it 5 stars!
(4)J B.
Not impressed...sorry. Their chicken was sitting in water and had no spice. Their black beans were not cooked enough. For being a Mexican place, it didn't make me feel like I was eating Mexican food...
(1)Timothy B.
Arguably the best Mexican food in Salem. Not really a sit-down eatery, but the food is prepared to your order with fresh ingredients. They also deliver! My wife and I often eat here before going to the movies at Cinema Salem around the corner.
(5)Matthew S.
Food was ok, they jacked their prices up for Halloween, kind of disapointed their website didn't warn me of this before I treked down there in Salem traffic...
(3)Andy H.
Hmmm. Not a great experience. My friend was thrown out of the joint for moving a chair(so he could sit with his family). Apparently he had created a fire hazard. Would have gladly moved chair back if asked. Not a tourist friendly place in my opinion. Two stars since food was good.
(2)James M.
I checked out this place earlier today. I won't mention the OTHER new taqueria in Salem by name, but I have to say I much prefer Comida. Comida is more of a lunch counter than a restaurant. It isn't very big, and there's no seating to speak of. It is definitely the sort of place you stop at to pick up something to eat back at your desk, or outside in nice weather, or maybe grab a meal to take home at the end of your day. The woman behind the counter was friendly, and instead of being shunted from person to person answering the same questions again and again, we had a brief conversation while I watched her make my taco. And man, what a taco. I only ordered one, carne asada, and it was delicious. The steak was marinaded just right, the peppers and onions sauteed perfectly, and I got a good-sized dollop of guacamole that was far from the bland stuff I expected. For the price (with drink, about five bucks), you can't go wrong. I'd recommend getting two tacos, I wish I had. I'll be back again soon, and I'll be bringing friends.
(4)Rob K.
FANTASTICO! I love the vibe. This place is great and the food is delicious. Price is good too! All I have to say to those that do not like it and have had a bad experience, it appears that they just love to complain. The staff is friendly and fun!
(5)Lars D.
Meh. That's how I describe this place. Food is decent, had the steak burrito bowl which was ok, very watery though. Also had the carne asado taco which was more memorable. Main problem isn't the food - the place seemed unkempt and the way the food is displayed where they make it is rather unappetizing. Also, the guy making my food was wearing a cut off t-shirt. I don't want to see your armpit hair while your making my burrito bowl. Overall, pretty unimpressed - multiple chains doing this kind of thing with more care - putting out a better product with more professionalism.
(2)John K.
Overall the food here is pretty good. The burritos are really big and there's an article on the wall about how the ingredients are all freshly grown in the owner's parents' garden. Prices are average, not high but not really cheap either. They need more seating in here and it definitely would be nice if they had combinations with burritos where they came with chips and salsa. I asked the owner if I could do a burrito and chip combo and he looked at me like I was nuts, said "no", and then just turned to the next customer. Lol okay thanks man. Otherwise a good experience but only come here if you're looking for a quick meal.
(4)Bridget U.
Great vibe. Very friendly staff. Excellent artwork and music. The food is fresh and tasty. Low cost. Tuesdays are taco Tuesdays with 2.50 tacos. Pico de gallo was delicious. As was the vegetarian burrito. Hearty portions. Like a Chipotle- order what you like. Tacos come with a side of beans and rice. Two tacos with beans and rice for $4 is a great deal!!
(5)Christine F.
Food was fantastic. Just jn from California and wasn't expecting too much. The burrito bowl was out of this world. Great food, friendly staff and reasonably priced. The guacamole is the best I've ever had!!!
(5)Lauren R.
Stopped in to get something to drink after walking around all day. Didn't get any food but the place was decorated in a super cool way. The guy at the counter was friendly and said he found all the decorations around the city. I will be back to try the food because the vibe was so interesting!
(5)James H.
We tried one of each of the tacos and were blown away by the flavor profiles of each one. Our favorite? The spicy chicken with a smoky corn salsa. Great guacamole, too. Is 5 stars overstating it for a tiny taco stand with barely any room to eat and a limited menu and presentation? No! Just rating the tacos, and they are the best I've ever had. Go, you will thank me.
(5)Stephanie D.
You cannot beat this place for the cost and value. (I wish there could be a 3.5 star option.) I've been there twice for the generous, reasonably priced burritos, which is all I really want from a taqueria. (If you're looking for a review of their other options, this isn't your review!) When I lived in Brooklyn twenty years ago, there was a Park Slope taqueria called, surprise, Taqueria. You proceeded through the line, kind of like the Soup Nazi's line only much nicer, handed them a five dollar bill, and they gave you a burrito - made to order. I'm not completely crazy about the burritos at Comida, because the vegetarian option is just not to my taste and isn't made to order. The only choices are fajita vegetables or guacamole. The first time I got the guac option, it was just way too much guacamole. Now I know you're thinking, "How can there be such a thing as 'too much guacamole'?" but there actually can be. When I got the fajita veggie burrito, the flavors of the vegetables just didn't work with the other items in the burrito, especially the salsa. I would love, love, love this place if I could get a vegetarian burrito made with roasted vegetables with *some* guacamole. For the people who've mentioned there's no place to sit, that's not really the point of going to a hole-in-the-wall taqueria. Get your take out and go sit, um, ANYWHERE twenty paces away in the pedestrian mall.
(3)John C.
This is another treasure in salem a must , Sean is amazing and it shows in his restaurant. The options for my quesadilla were endless, this place hit the spot
(5)Matt T.
Best burrito in salem. The pickled veggies are the best I've ever had. Love this place over anywhere else in salem. The guys are great and the food is always the best.
(5)Nicholas K.
I'm from California, so I know what a burrito is. However, I have an appreciation for healthy non-greasy gringo burritos. So I'm not going to bag on this place. They serve home made pickled onions. But wait, the dude grows them himself... It can't really get any chiller than that. At first the dude seemed like a douche and was a little dismissive. But then we talked after I finished eating and he turned out to be a really nice guy. I was going to give it four stars because I wasn't astonished by the portion and taste, but the owner is doing something amazing here. He has a dream and is offering a nice place to get some real food. And don't get me wrong, the food is pretty good. Definitely check this place out if you want a nice, easy, quick, healthy, cheap, real meal.
(5)Christopher C.
Fast, friendly service. I had the mild chicken burrito bowl and it was one of those rare meals that tastes so good, I hope it never ends. Highly recommend!
(5)Rita V.
Ya know, I reserve my high stars for those places that meet certain criteria and cleanliness is next to godliness and doing something really well is the next. You take this little new age hole in the wall, across from the heart of historic tales and nestled between mystic magic and turn it into a stopping ground. I was told by the locals that Comida is NOT the BEST mexican joint in town, and recommended a higher scale eatery on the other side of Essex... But it was wicked hot and my 80 year old aunt just had to eat... Shaun is a musician who loves good food. You know the joint is special when he can't serve you the mole because its still in its multi hour cooking process...! Fair enough! The place is super clean, and yes TINY - this is one of those instances where we will say that "size does not matter" because what he doesn't deliver in square footage, he PILES HIGH on your plate - fresh and delicious! The pork is sooooo tender and juicy - my 12 year old's quesadilla was oozing cheese and meat and juicy deliciousness. My puertorrican 80 year old hip auntie, ventured to try a torta (mexican sub), so good SHE DIDNT SHARE!!! NOT A CRUMB! :-) and thats the way I like it. They squeeze their lemons, portions are big, and flavor is just RIGHT. Yep, Comida was a great "fast food" stop on a scorching hot day, casting a delicious spell for the palate. BUEN PROVECHO people!
(4)Ann G.
I am totally mystified by all the the great reviews on another major travel site but am somewhat relieved to see that Yelp reviewers are more realistic. I do note that the many of the 5 star reviewers on both sites are not from what I would consider to be Mexican-food-savvy places and I'm think these were just tourists starving after a stroll around Salem. I am a native of Los Angeles and admittedly a bit of a food snob, but this was just plain not good. Prices are average for Mexican food in Massachusetts - no bargain by comparison. When we mentioned that we'd eaten here to Salem locals (also native Californians) their reaction was, "Oh, we would have told you not to eat there). One of the workers was very friendly and kind. The other was MUCH less so. The chicken filling was tasty with a good amount of spice, but the carnitas had an unpleasant tang. I like the choice of different tortillas, varying degrees of spiciness and a choice of different beans and meats. The iced tea and lemonade were both terrible. The food was average. Seating is limited and not comfortable. The location is really convenient to Peabody Essex Museum and other surrounding sites, and though many of the other dining options in the vicinity are overpriced due to the tourist traffic, there are other moderately priced options that are better.
(3)Chris D.
This Salem tourist only ate here once, but the steak taco I got were better than most others I've had, and the cashier was nice, efficient, and personable. I could've gone without the blaring dubstep music playing over the speaker though.
(4)Dougie B.
This place is incredible. Tiny little hole-in-the-wall Mexican place on the outskirts of downtown. The chicken burrito was hands down the best burrito I've found on the North Shore. Throw some of their delicious mango-corn salsa on there... oh my goodness. They also have daily / seasonal specials that are awesome. Taco Tuesday? Count me in! Will definitely be visiting often.
(5)Chris B.
We stopped in after taking in the "Hat's" exhibit at the PEM which next door (highly recommended). We had two burritos, a veggie and a carnitas, which were good and flavorful. The value seemed good; with one small water it was $16. Measuring Salem value against East Boston, as one review does, doesn't have much relevance unless you're headed back to town and can contain your appetite. I recently stopped at Anna's Taqueria in Brookline and it seems the price of their comparable "super" burrito has also risen to about $7-8. Service was very friendly.
(4)Steve F.
When Comida opened I was worried cause the service was dicey. It was obvious that they were new and haven't worked the kinks out. The food tasted good though and I wad undeterred. A couple months later and the service is fast and streamlined. Obviously, Taco Tuesday is the bomb. I go almost every week. All the ingredients are fresh and awesome.
(5)Joe T.
Sean's fresh and local ingredients are unprecedented when it comes to burritos in Salem. Some of the yelp reviews say Sean can be a bit surly, bit he treats his customers with as much, if not more, respect as they treat him.There is a warning posted clear as day, " your level of service will be a reflection of your attitude". As someone in the restaurant industry, I commend the way he runs his business. Sean is a no BS restaurant owner and he does not stand for rudeness or belittlement , so if you tend to talk to the person behind the counter like they are beneath you, you might not want to bother stopping in. But if you love good Mexican made ethically and responsibly with fresh, healthy, local ingredients, Comida is the only place to go in Salem, Service is fast, and efficient so it makes for a great place to go on a lunch break. Don't forget to tip, it's good karma.
(5)Robyn G.
My facebook update from 2/13/2014: "Just ate the best burrito I ever had at Comida Mexican Taqueria in Salem prepared by the friendliest server ever. Pickled onions, what?" I think that says it all.
(5)Less H.
My first visit felt like my 100th visit. Excellent and friendly people and seriously tasty eats. My torta was loaded up with pork, just the right amount of cheese, beans and guacamole and then toasted. I washed it down with a can of soda for under $10. They make their food in several fresh batches through out the day and you can tell the food is fresh in how it tastes. The table I sat at was a little wonky and my plate kept sliding off. In better weather I'd take a walk to the little park next to the PEM or even eat at one of the many benches around the square. It's really just a short walk from a number of really nice places to eat. In the summer this is will be my spot to chow. Other than the wonky table the place was spotlessly clean and playing tunes that had me check my pockets to see if they'd plugged in my iPod. I'm going to have to check out Taco Tuesdays, when tacos are $2.50!
(5)Sisley I.
#RIPOFF #StayAway! Worst Carne Asada burrito I have ever tasted. Unsatisfactory experience based upon customer experience and food quality. After paying $21.00 for one burrito, one taco, I felt completely ripped off considering the taste was just awful! I was only able to bear eating one half of the burrito because the meat was a nasty version of 'carne shit asada.' I respectfully asked for a refund only on the burrito as my stomach felt nauseas. The owner rudely responded: 'So what do YOU want me to do about it!?' Frustrated, he threw me a five dollar bill, continued to argue in front of customers insisting that other customers like it. He told my girlfriend she is ugly, go look in a mirror. Following his own advice would be far more prudent considering he looked like a skinny crackhead. This review is coming from Graduate student with a Bachelor's Business Administration in Entrepreneurial studies degree. The owner is white trash completely clueless on what it takes to run a successful business operation. Honestly, I never post reviews online but this experience was 10x more ridiculous than any justice in words could even describe. If it was worth getting in trouble over, I would've punched him straight in the face vice telling him to Go Fuck Himself. Do NOT GO To this Mexican restaurant, there are plenty of other honest businesses with integrity right down the street. Respectfully, A Veteran U.S. Marine.
(1)Monica H.
My husband and I discovered Comida two years ago (2011 I was working in Waltham at that time). We fell in love with the atmosphere, the friendliness of the owner and his staff and the absolute freshness of the food! Man! What a taste difference when the food is truly fresh from the garden. I am now back (2013) and working in Salem this time. My first stop for food? You got it, Comida! I am glad to say that the same quality, friendliness and freshness are in full swing! You CANNOT go wrong visiting Comida. Try the make your own burrito using the Habanero tortilla with your choice of fillings if you like spicy. Milder options are available. NOTE: This is more a carry out place but a few seats are available inside. Worth it, worth it, worth it!
(5)Matt C.
If you are in Salem, you have to give this place a try. Maybe my expectations were low due to the touristy location and the exceeding of those expectations is the reason for the 5 stars but Comida hits it out of the park on taste and also on value. The menu is simple but the options are all there. I went with two tacos and although the portions were great I could have easily done two more simply because the taste was superb. Don't miss out on a hidden gem in a tourist hotspot.
(5)Dan D.
The vegetable burrito I ordered was very good, all of the ingredients were well-prepared and fresh. It is the only time I have ever had a black-bean tortilla; very original and tasty. My gf ordered the torta, a nicely prepared & grilled sandwich, Mexican style. Neither portion was incredibly large, but both satisfied us for our walk through the Peabody-Essex Museum, which is conveniently located right next door. I didn't have a baby carriage with me nor did I track dirty snow in from the sidewalk, but I found the owner/server/cook to be friendly, courteous, efficient and helpful. Perhaps the other reviewer(s) that suggest a different demeanor from the owner didn't see the small sign that says the friendliness of the service you get matches the energy that you bring in.
(3)Thumper B.
There was a huge avocado pit in my tiny guacamole order. That's a clear indication of mismanagement in the kitchen. I've made guacamole 50 times in my life and never served anyone a pit (a gigantic whole one at that) with it! What kind of a chef doesn't notice a) dropping a large pit in the batch b) serving this huge pit it in a container (a tiny one where the pit took 1/2 the space) for a customer. It scares me that they don't care. And you know what goes on in a kitchen where they don't care about stuff like this. Noooooo thanks! I will eat elsewhere.
(1)Jamie P.
The food is still awesome and the service is great. My to to place for a quick meal in Salem
(5)Gina Marie B.
I have eaten at a lot of burrito places. And this one was good, not my favorite I ever had, but it hit the spot. My chicken burrito was tasty, and I got it with a habanero wrap that was sooooo yummy. I am from NY, so truly it is hard to impress me with food. However the man working here was so nice and charming. I believe he owned the place and seemed to be so passionate with his food. Everyone walking in seemed to be his best friend. His personality was enough to bring me back. He was even giving me samples of a new recipe he was trying. I also thought it was neat how he let us eat our food first, then had us payed for it after we were ready to go. I thought it was odd since it was not a sit down restaurant. Overall I would come back here! It is also located in a great area right next to a bunch of shops, so we ate here while waiting for our tour to start.
(4)Joshua F.
Delicious burritos, and a great owner We go here regularly, and are always happy.
(5)Aaron B.
I can't believe I didn't try this place sooner! I read yelp reviews when I first moved to Salem 2 years ago and they were middling, so I skipped this place. HUGE MISTAKE. Went today for the first time, super friendly and helpful staff, delicious food that is clearly fresh and well made. They pickle their own jalapeños and onions and I highly recommend both. I ordered a steak burrito with their habanero wrap, spicy salsa, and the aforementioned jalapeños. The burrito had a nice spice to it, though not as overwhelming as I was expecting. I have a tendency to overheat my burritos, but this was perfect! The burrito was a very good size, quite filling (probably should've skipped the last couple of bites!) Ill be back soon, my only regret is that I'm leaving Salem in a couple of months!
(5)Laura H.
Good place to grab a quick bite during the busy season in Salem. Good is decent but don't take more than 10 or so mins to eat , no matter if you have a party of 1 or 4 (like we did) otherwise they'll basically tell you to leave. Pretty rude.
(3)Brian T.
Food is fine, it's rice, beans, meat...it's the service I have issue with. The guy who prepares the food (I think his name is Sean), seems to think he is better than everyone. It would be nice to make eye contact with your customer. The place is crowded, good for you...but be nice to your customers...something simple as making contact with your customers goes a long way. WE CAN'T READ YOUR MIND AND KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO! Also don't give me the stink eye when I put the pen back in the cup. It was an accident, lighten up!
(2)Bridget P.
Spent three days at a teacher's conference at the Peabody-Essex Museum and needed to find a quick lunch close by. Comida Mexican Tacqueria was an unexpected and delicious treat! Enjoyed a chicken taco served on a warm and fragrant pair of corn tortillas: shredded savory chicken (plenty of it!), cheese, and mango-cilantro salsa accompanied by small ramekins of seasoned black beans and rice kept the tummy filled for the afternoon session. My only regret was that I hadn't ordered two of them! Word of caution -- get there early if you want to eat in the restaurant which offers only a few tables. Otherwise, plan to eat across the street and watch the people of Salem go by. Either is good!
(5)Mallory S.
We finally took some time to try out Comida this past weekend. The food was great, but there really isn't much space to eat it so I recommend getting take-out if you want to sit down. There is bar with a few stools there but not a place you would spend much time. I had the torta which was soooo good! It had pork, guacamole, cheese and black beans. It was basically a Mexican panini - which is heavenly. We also tried the tacos which were good - it takes about 3 tacos to make a good size meal. It's a good place to grab fresh, and warm, food to go. They also have lots of hot sauces to choose from. We'll be stopping in again for sure.
(4)Nancy M.
Stopped in for lunch this afternoon and it was very good. My grilled vegetable tacos were fresh and flavorful and I don't know whether the owner makes his own tortillas, but they were some of the best I've ever had (and having grown up in the Southwest, I know a good tortilla). My husband's steak burrito was stuffed with perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked steak. The only negative was that they were out of guacamole, but I appreciated that the server offered to substitute beans or another item in my tacos. Extremely filling lunch for two was $20. The seating is limited, but the food is so good I can see grabbing a meal to go and sitting outside during the good weather.
(4)Kelly G.
Great spot to grab a quick bite! Spicy chipotle chicken could have been a whole lot spicier for me; it had a sweet mango corn relish which cooled the spice. I enjoyed the guacamole, but the chips tasted like they are from a grocery store bag. The guy was friendly at the counter; I'd go back.
(4)Matt P.
I've gotten a few burritos here to go, and although they have been great tasting I wasn't super impressed with the whole experience. The options seemed kind of limited, and lacking some creativity (yeah it just a burrito, big deal...but the average gringo has no idea). It was something like $12 for a burrito and a coke--I can get the same thing for $6 in a non-english speaking burrito shop in East Boston. I'm being partial but for the same price at another area burrito place I'm getting some sauces on the side and more options for fillings with some pre-made burrito idea's ready to take off the menu. The anti cellphone and recycling hand made signs were kind of weird too. Regardless, they do make a good burrito. (that's all I have had there)
(3)J A.
Good food, especially after visiting the Peabody Essex Museum down the street. But the rude service still stings after 2 years. Despite being set up like a casual sit-down place, you may not feel welcome to stay. My friend and I were the only people in the restaurant (late lunch) and we hadn't seen each other in years and were trying to have a conversation over very loud music. The server was cleaning up in the back, and it soon became apparent that the music was for him (and to hell with us). We asked him if he could please turn down the music and he said, "No, I'm not going to do that." He said it so dismissively that we thought he was just joking. We asked again after nothing happened, and he aggressively said "No" again. So we left. I would recommend to management that they reconfigure the space and take away the seating if they can't treat you like guests when you stay!
(2)Kylie B.
I went in here around 4pm today to get some dinnerlunch, and had the most terrible experience. I got a taco (on special for tuesdays), a burrito & lemonade, which cost me $17 total and I would have rather bought a large pizza than this. The pork taco- the meat was soggy & none of the ingredients were fresh. It had very little flavor and felt like it was mostly water & bottled barbeque sauce. The salsa looked questionable, the lettuce tasted funky, and overall it was a disappointing experience. The chicken burrito- worst burrito experience I've had throughout my life, trying them all over the world. The chicken was also soggy, not marinated, straight-up soggy. The regular chicken had no flavor and the spicy chicken was more sweet than spicy, the cheese sauce was coagulated and incredibly disgusting. I'm usually a sucker for a good cheese sauce but they charged extra for a product that I wouldn't even put on a burrito for my worst enemy. Looks like cat vomit, tastes like expired artificial cheese. The flavor of the rice is great, but it wasn't fresh rice- it was lukewarm and hardened on the outside. The wrap the burrito came in was the only good quality of the whole meal. I wish I would have made my own sandwich with it, because most of the burrito got tossed. I didn't have the guac, so I can't comment on that. I did try the lemonade though, which the employee poured sketchily into a cup behind the fridge door. It was essentially water and lemon and a ridiculous amount of ice. Not the most refreshing beverage to wash down a disgusting meal that cost me that much money. I could have bought myself and two friends froyo with that money, but I guess that's what happens when you try a mexican food place in Salem MA owned by white dudes SMH. Update- definitely got food poisoning from this meal. Was up from 1-4am after eating a taco & half a burrito yesterday. Save your money, and avoid this place (you'll get less diarrhea from Taco Bell). I heard when the owner is working it's a way better experience and maybe that's true because I have a couple friends that like coming here, but the apathetic dude working there yesterday didn't care at all about his demeanor or the presentation/taste of the food. The late night vomiting really took the cake for me. Esta comida es repugnante!
(1)Minh N.
Im from Tx, and i know a good taco when i taste one.. and these guys are AWESOME.. I love the vibe when i'm in there. The food is great, the pricing is good, and I love it! it' is kinda hard to find but once you know where it is, easy pickins!
(5)Matt I.
Great tacos, quick service, cool restaurant. I'd recommend it.
(5)Niki S.
Burrito Addiction. The day after having my very first Comida burrito I needed another.. Authentic! Yummy! Fresh!! I promise you'll be back for more! Best burrito in Salem! Stop thinking about it! Get your burrito lovin' butt down to Comida Mexican Taqueria now!! My burritah fix: The Veggie with Guacamole, Rice, Black Beans, Pico, Cilantro, Sour Cream, Pickled freakin' Onions and Cheese on a Habanero Tortilla.. yup. Dope.
(5)Marie M.
RUDE, HORRIBLE, Stay away from this place!!!!! Plus the food is terrible. Save your money and eat someplace else where you will be treated with more decency. They should be bared from serving food. Too bad they are in such a tourist location.
(1)Alexandria F.
This place was stinking delicious. I dropped in with my Mom last week, and we were both delighted by it. I had the carnitas burrito, as did she, and we were stuffed to the gills only halfway through. There was some great flavor. I was even more satisfied when, after a little research, I found out that all of their ingredients are fresh. And I mean FRESH--the owner gets most of his stuff from a garden that his parents tend. Also, super-cheap compared to what I'm used to in Chicago, and a great value for the massive amount of food you get. The ONLY drawback is the seating. The stools were not the most comfortable and it was pretty cramped, so I would recommend taking it outside. Wish I could find a place like this back home!
(5)Michael O.
Amazing burritos. The staff was amazingly friendly and had a great environment to it. I will be telling all of my friends to go here!
(5)James D.
This is mainly a catering review. We had a company party earlier this year, with about 50 people in attendance. After trying out the food here for lunch one day, we chose Comida to cater the party in Ipswich. We went ahead and set up tables for them and they arrived right on time, set everything up, and were good to go. Everyone lined up, and these great people started making burritos to order! The food was fantastic, hot, and made exactly how each person wanted them, plus plenty of beans and rice, chips, and some fantastic, fresh salsas. They were the hit of the party. Every year we choose a different caterer, and a different style of food, but I must say, I think we'll do a repeat with these guys next year. The pricing was incredible, as well!!!
(5)Lia M.
I love burritos and I now love Comida. Yay! And finally, a reasonably priced Mexican place in Salem. I had the chicken burrito - it was very tasty and I think the chicken & sauce the chicken was in contributed the deliciousness of my burrito. I also like the whole-wheat tortillas. The burritos are decent size - big, but not so huge that you could not eat it all if you were so inclined. Comida is small, as previously mentioned, and the staff was great. Cash only.
(4)Tony P.
Neatest nook in the Historic district. I really like their Tacos and the Tortas are excellent. There are a lot of specials on different days, so those that are budget conscious should check them out. I also noticed that the meat was leaner in the fat and the food has most certainly on the healthier side, reminds me a lot of Coast Rican food (which tends to be a little healthier then a lot of Mexican). Its really quaint with a few stools, I was there last on a rainy day and had a ton of errands to do so I had to do a quick eat-run...Comida accommodated my taste, time, and budget perfectly. So those of you strolling around the various book stores, pagan shops or hitting up the Peabody Essex come on by Comida.
(5)Dave D.
Awful!! Can't even elaborate. Was end of day but doesn't matter. Filling was satisfactory but the "tortilla?" Was awful!!!. College town, so high people probably like it. Good luck
(1)Chris C.
I just came to this place for the first time yesterday and I was impressed. I had the pork quesadilla, and my gf had the steak quesadilla. The portions are generious, the staff is friendly, and the price is right. The only downside is the size of the place, but I wasn't there to admire square footage. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes a good quesadilla.
(4)Lars D.
Meh. That's how I describe this place. Food is decent, had the steak burrito bowl which was ok, very watery though. Also had the carne asado taco which was more memorable. Main problem isn't the food - the place seemed unkempt and the way the food is displayed where they make it is rather unappetizing. Also, the guy making my food was wearing a cut off t-shirt. I don't want to see your armpit hair while your making my burrito bowl. Overall, pretty unimpressed - multiple chains doing this kind of thing with more care - putting out a better product with more professionalism.
(2)Matt I.
Great tacos, quick service, cool restaurant. I'd recommend it.
(5)Rob K.
FANTASTICO! I love the vibe. This place is great and the food is delicious. Price is good too! All I have to say to those that do not like it and have had a bad experience, it appears that they just love to complain. The staff is friendly and fun!
(5)John K.
Overall the food here is pretty good. The burritos are really big and there's an article on the wall about how the ingredients are all freshly grown in the owner's parents' garden. Prices are average, not high but not really cheap either. They need more seating in here and it definitely would be nice if they had combinations with burritos where they came with chips and salsa. I asked the owner if I could do a burrito and chip combo and he looked at me like I was nuts, said "no", and then just turned to the next customer. Lol okay thanks man. Otherwise a good experience but only come here if you're looking for a quick meal.
(4)Bridget U.
Great vibe. Very friendly staff. Excellent artwork and music. The food is fresh and tasty. Low cost. Tuesdays are taco Tuesdays with 2.50 tacos. Pico de gallo was delicious. As was the vegetarian burrito. Hearty portions. Like a Chipotle- order what you like. Tacos come with a side of beans and rice. Two tacos with beans and rice for $4 is a great deal!!
(5)Christine F.
Food was fantastic. Just jn from California and wasn't expecting too much. The burrito bowl was out of this world. Great food, friendly staff and reasonably priced. The guacamole is the best I've ever had!!!
(5)Kate C.
I'm a regular at Comida. I love the food and Sean is a great guy. I completely respect his love for his business and he really does make it his own. It's a great asset to Salem, and has a small-town vibe but big-quality food. My preschooler calls Comida, "The Quesadilla Store," and loves it as much as I do!
(4)Kate S.
I went here today for the first time looking for a quick snack. The service was awesome the man who served me was super friendly. The food was fresh yummy and absolutely reasonably priced. Definitely put this on your things to do list when you come to Salem.
(4)Lauren R.
Stopped in to get something to drink after walking around all day. Didn't get any food but the place was decorated in a super cool way. The guy at the counter was friendly and said he found all the decorations around the city. I will be back to try the food because the vibe was so interesting!
(5)James H.
We tried one of each of the tacos and were blown away by the flavor profiles of each one. Our favorite? The spicy chicken with a smoky corn salsa. Great guacamole, too. Is 5 stars overstating it for a tiny taco stand with barely any room to eat and a limited menu and presentation? No! Just rating the tacos, and they are the best I've ever had. Go, you will thank me.
(5)Stephanie D.
You cannot beat this place for the cost and value. (I wish there could be a 3.5 star option.) I've been there twice for the generous, reasonably priced burritos, which is all I really want from a taqueria. (If you're looking for a review of their other options, this isn't your review!) When I lived in Brooklyn twenty years ago, there was a Park Slope taqueria called, surprise, Taqueria. You proceeded through the line, kind of like the Soup Nazi's line only much nicer, handed them a five dollar bill, and they gave you a burrito - made to order. I'm not completely crazy about the burritos at Comida, because the vegetarian option is just not to my taste and isn't made to order. The only choices are fajita vegetables or guacamole. The first time I got the guac option, it was just way too much guacamole. Now I know you're thinking, "How can there be such a thing as 'too much guacamole'?" but there actually can be. When I got the fajita veggie burrito, the flavors of the vegetables just didn't work with the other items in the burrito, especially the salsa. I would love, love, love this place if I could get a vegetarian burrito made with roasted vegetables with *some* guacamole. For the people who've mentioned there's no place to sit, that's not really the point of going to a hole-in-the-wall taqueria. Get your take out and go sit, um, ANYWHERE twenty paces away in the pedestrian mall.
(3)John C.
This is another treasure in salem a must , Sean is amazing and it shows in his restaurant. The options for my quesadilla were endless, this place hit the spot
(5)Matt T.
Best burrito in salem. The pickled veggies are the best I've ever had. Love this place over anywhere else in salem. The guys are great and the food is always the best.
(5)Nicholas K.
I'm from California, so I know what a burrito is. However, I have an appreciation for healthy non-greasy gringo burritos. So I'm not going to bag on this place. They serve home made pickled onions. But wait, the dude grows them himself... It can't really get any chiller than that. At first the dude seemed like a douche and was a little dismissive. But then we talked after I finished eating and he turned out to be a really nice guy. I was going to give it four stars because I wasn't astonished by the portion and taste, but the owner is doing something amazing here. He has a dream and is offering a nice place to get some real food. And don't get me wrong, the food is pretty good. Definitely check this place out if you want a nice, easy, quick, healthy, cheap, real meal.
(5)Christopher C.
Fast, friendly service. I had the mild chicken burrito bowl and it was one of those rare meals that tastes so good, I hope it never ends. Highly recommend!
(5)Rita V.
Ya know, I reserve my high stars for those places that meet certain criteria and cleanliness is next to godliness and doing something really well is the next. You take this little new age hole in the wall, across from the heart of historic tales and nestled between mystic magic and turn it into a stopping ground. I was told by the locals that Comida is NOT the BEST mexican joint in town, and recommended a higher scale eatery on the other side of Essex... But it was wicked hot and my 80 year old aunt just had to eat... Shaun is a musician who loves good food. You know the joint is special when he can't serve you the mole because its still in its multi hour cooking process...! Fair enough! The place is super clean, and yes TINY - this is one of those instances where we will say that "size does not matter" because what he doesn't deliver in square footage, he PILES HIGH on your plate - fresh and delicious! The pork is sooooo tender and juicy - my 12 year old's quesadilla was oozing cheese and meat and juicy deliciousness. My puertorrican 80 year old hip auntie, ventured to try a torta (mexican sub), so good SHE DIDNT SHARE!!! NOT A CRUMB! :-) and thats the way I like it. They squeeze their lemons, portions are big, and flavor is just RIGHT. Yep, Comida was a great "fast food" stop on a scorching hot day, casting a delicious spell for the palate. BUEN PROVECHO people!
(4)Ann G.
I am totally mystified by all the the great reviews on another major travel site but am somewhat relieved to see that Yelp reviewers are more realistic. I do note that the many of the 5 star reviewers on both sites are not from what I would consider to be Mexican-food-savvy places and I'm think these were just tourists starving after a stroll around Salem. I am a native of Los Angeles and admittedly a bit of a food snob, but this was just plain not good. Prices are average for Mexican food in Massachusetts - no bargain by comparison. When we mentioned that we'd eaten here to Salem locals (also native Californians) their reaction was, "Oh, we would have told you not to eat there). One of the workers was very friendly and kind. The other was MUCH less so. The chicken filling was tasty with a good amount of spice, but the carnitas had an unpleasant tang. I like the choice of different tortillas, varying degrees of spiciness and a choice of different beans and meats. The iced tea and lemonade were both terrible. The food was average. Seating is limited and not comfortable. The location is really convenient to Peabody Essex Museum and other surrounding sites, and though many of the other dining options in the vicinity are overpriced due to the tourist traffic, there are other moderately priced options that are better.
(3)Joe T.
Sean's fresh and local ingredients are unprecedented when it comes to burritos in Salem. Some of the yelp reviews say Sean can be a bit surly, bit he treats his customers with as much, if not more, respect as they treat him.There is a warning posted clear as day, " your level of service will be a reflection of your attitude". As someone in the restaurant industry, I commend the way he runs his business. Sean is a no BS restaurant owner and he does not stand for rudeness or belittlement , so if you tend to talk to the person behind the counter like they are beneath you, you might not want to bother stopping in. But if you love good Mexican made ethically and responsibly with fresh, healthy, local ingredients, Comida is the only place to go in Salem, Service is fast, and efficient so it makes for a great place to go on a lunch break. Don't forget to tip, it's good karma.
(5)Robyn G.
My facebook update from 2/13/2014: "Just ate the best burrito I ever had at Comida Mexican Taqueria in Salem prepared by the friendliest server ever. Pickled onions, what?" I think that says it all.
(5)Less H.
My first visit felt like my 100th visit. Excellent and friendly people and seriously tasty eats. My torta was loaded up with pork, just the right amount of cheese, beans and guacamole and then toasted. I washed it down with a can of soda for under $10. They make their food in several fresh batches through out the day and you can tell the food is fresh in how it tastes. The table I sat at was a little wonky and my plate kept sliding off. In better weather I'd take a walk to the little park next to the PEM or even eat at one of the many benches around the square. It's really just a short walk from a number of really nice places to eat. In the summer this is will be my spot to chow. Other than the wonky table the place was spotlessly clean and playing tunes that had me check my pockets to see if they'd plugged in my iPod. I'm going to have to check out Taco Tuesdays, when tacos are $2.50!
(5)Sisley I.
#RIPOFF #StayAway! Worst Carne Asada burrito I have ever tasted. Unsatisfactory experience based upon customer experience and food quality. After paying $21.00 for one burrito, one taco, I felt completely ripped off considering the taste was just awful! I was only able to bear eating one half of the burrito because the meat was a nasty version of 'carne shit asada.' I respectfully asked for a refund only on the burrito as my stomach felt nauseas. The owner rudely responded: 'So what do YOU want me to do about it!?' Frustrated, he threw me a five dollar bill, continued to argue in front of customers insisting that other customers like it. He told my girlfriend she is ugly, go look in a mirror. Following his own advice would be far more prudent considering he looked like a skinny crackhead. This review is coming from Graduate student with a Bachelor's Business Administration in Entrepreneurial studies degree. The owner is white trash completely clueless on what it takes to run a successful business operation. Honestly, I never post reviews online but this experience was 10x more ridiculous than any justice in words could even describe. If it was worth getting in trouble over, I would've punched him straight in the face vice telling him to Go Fuck Himself. Do NOT GO To this Mexican restaurant, there are plenty of other honest businesses with integrity right down the street. Respectfully, A Veteran U.S. Marine.
(1)Monica H.
My husband and I discovered Comida two years ago (2011 I was working in Waltham at that time). We fell in love with the atmosphere, the friendliness of the owner and his staff and the absolute freshness of the food! Man! What a taste difference when the food is truly fresh from the garden. I am now back (2013) and working in Salem this time. My first stop for food? You got it, Comida! I am glad to say that the same quality, friendliness and freshness are in full swing! You CANNOT go wrong visiting Comida. Try the make your own burrito using the Habanero tortilla with your choice of fillings if you like spicy. Milder options are available. NOTE: This is more a carry out place but a few seats are available inside. Worth it, worth it, worth it!
(5)Matt C.
If you are in Salem, you have to give this place a try. Maybe my expectations were low due to the touristy location and the exceeding of those expectations is the reason for the 5 stars but Comida hits it out of the park on taste and also on value. The menu is simple but the options are all there. I went with two tacos and although the portions were great I could have easily done two more simply because the taste was superb. Don't miss out on a hidden gem in a tourist hotspot.
(5)Dan D.
The vegetable burrito I ordered was very good, all of the ingredients were well-prepared and fresh. It is the only time I have ever had a black-bean tortilla; very original and tasty. My gf ordered the torta, a nicely prepared & grilled sandwich, Mexican style. Neither portion was incredibly large, but both satisfied us for our walk through the Peabody-Essex Museum, which is conveniently located right next door. I didn't have a baby carriage with me nor did I track dirty snow in from the sidewalk, but I found the owner/server/cook to be friendly, courteous, efficient and helpful. Perhaps the other reviewer(s) that suggest a different demeanor from the owner didn't see the small sign that says the friendliness of the service you get matches the energy that you bring in.
(3)Thumper B.
There was a huge avocado pit in my tiny guacamole order. That's a clear indication of mismanagement in the kitchen. I've made guacamole 50 times in my life and never served anyone a pit (a gigantic whole one at that) with it! What kind of a chef doesn't notice a) dropping a large pit in the batch b) serving this huge pit it in a container (a tiny one where the pit took 1/2 the space) for a customer. It scares me that they don't care. And you know what goes on in a kitchen where they don't care about stuff like this. Noooooo thanks! I will eat elsewhere.
(1)Jamie P.
The food is still awesome and the service is great. My to to place for a quick meal in Salem
(5)Gina Marie B.
I have eaten at a lot of burrito places. And this one was good, not my favorite I ever had, but it hit the spot. My chicken burrito was tasty, and I got it with a habanero wrap that was sooooo yummy. I am from NY, so truly it is hard to impress me with food. However the man working here was so nice and charming. I believe he owned the place and seemed to be so passionate with his food. Everyone walking in seemed to be his best friend. His personality was enough to bring me back. He was even giving me samples of a new recipe he was trying. I also thought it was neat how he let us eat our food first, then had us payed for it after we were ready to go. I thought it was odd since it was not a sit down restaurant. Overall I would come back here! It is also located in a great area right next to a bunch of shops, so we ate here while waiting for our tour to start.
(4)Joshua F.
Delicious burritos, and a great owner We go here regularly, and are always happy.
(5)Aaron B.
I can't believe I didn't try this place sooner! I read yelp reviews when I first moved to Salem 2 years ago and they were middling, so I skipped this place. HUGE MISTAKE. Went today for the first time, super friendly and helpful staff, delicious food that is clearly fresh and well made. They pickle their own jalapeños and onions and I highly recommend both. I ordered a steak burrito with their habanero wrap, spicy salsa, and the aforementioned jalapeños. The burrito had a nice spice to it, though not as overwhelming as I was expecting. I have a tendency to overheat my burritos, but this was perfect! The burrito was a very good size, quite filling (probably should've skipped the last couple of bites!) Ill be back soon, my only regret is that I'm leaving Salem in a couple of months!
(5)Laura H.
Good place to grab a quick bite during the busy season in Salem. Good is decent but don't take more than 10 or so mins to eat , no matter if you have a party of 1 or 4 (like we did) otherwise they'll basically tell you to leave. Pretty rude.
(3)Brian T.
Food is fine, it's rice, beans, meat...it's the service I have issue with. The guy who prepares the food (I think his name is Sean), seems to think he is better than everyone. It would be nice to make eye contact with your customer. The place is crowded, good for you...but be nice to your customers...something simple as making contact with your customers goes a long way. WE CAN'T READ YOUR MIND AND KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO! Also don't give me the stink eye when I put the pen back in the cup. It was an accident, lighten up!
(2)Bridget P.
Spent three days at a teacher's conference at the Peabody-Essex Museum and needed to find a quick lunch close by. Comida Mexican Tacqueria was an unexpected and delicious treat! Enjoyed a chicken taco served on a warm and fragrant pair of corn tortillas: shredded savory chicken (plenty of it!), cheese, and mango-cilantro salsa accompanied by small ramekins of seasoned black beans and rice kept the tummy filled for the afternoon session. My only regret was that I hadn't ordered two of them! Word of caution -- get there early if you want to eat in the restaurant which offers only a few tables. Otherwise, plan to eat across the street and watch the people of Salem go by. Either is good!
(5)Mallory S.
We finally took some time to try out Comida this past weekend. The food was great, but there really isn't much space to eat it so I recommend getting take-out if you want to sit down. There is bar with a few stools there but not a place you would spend much time. I had the torta which was soooo good! It had pork, guacamole, cheese and black beans. It was basically a Mexican panini - which is heavenly. We also tried the tacos which were good - it takes about 3 tacos to make a good size meal. It's a good place to grab fresh, and warm, food to go. They also have lots of hot sauces to choose from. We'll be stopping in again for sure.
(4)Nancy M.
Stopped in for lunch this afternoon and it was very good. My grilled vegetable tacos were fresh and flavorful and I don't know whether the owner makes his own tortillas, but they were some of the best I've ever had (and having grown up in the Southwest, I know a good tortilla). My husband's steak burrito was stuffed with perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked steak. The only negative was that they were out of guacamole, but I appreciated that the server offered to substitute beans or another item in my tacos. Extremely filling lunch for two was $20. The seating is limited, but the food is so good I can see grabbing a meal to go and sitting outside during the good weather.
(4)Kelly G.
Great spot to grab a quick bite! Spicy chipotle chicken could have been a whole lot spicier for me; it had a sweet mango corn relish which cooled the spice. I enjoyed the guacamole, but the chips tasted like they are from a grocery store bag. The guy was friendly at the counter; I'd go back.
(4)Kylie B.
I went in here around 4pm today to get some dinnerlunch, and had the most terrible experience. I got a taco (on special for tuesdays), a burrito & lemonade, which cost me $17 total and I would have rather bought a large pizza than this. The pork taco- the meat was soggy & none of the ingredients were fresh. It had very little flavor and felt like it was mostly water & bottled barbeque sauce. The salsa looked questionable, the lettuce tasted funky, and overall it was a disappointing experience. The chicken burrito- worst burrito experience I've had throughout my life, trying them all over the world. The chicken was also soggy, not marinated, straight-up soggy. The regular chicken had no flavor and the spicy chicken was more sweet than spicy, the cheese sauce was coagulated and incredibly disgusting. I'm usually a sucker for a good cheese sauce but they charged extra for a product that I wouldn't even put on a burrito for my worst enemy. Looks like cat vomit, tastes like expired artificial cheese. The flavor of the rice is great, but it wasn't fresh rice- it was lukewarm and hardened on the outside. The wrap the burrito came in was the only good quality of the whole meal. I wish I would have made my own sandwich with it, because most of the burrito got tossed. I didn't have the guac, so I can't comment on that. I did try the lemonade though, which the employee poured sketchily into a cup behind the fridge door. It was essentially water and lemon and a ridiculous amount of ice. Not the most refreshing beverage to wash down a disgusting meal that cost me that much money. I could have bought myself and two friends froyo with that money, but I guess that's what happens when you try a mexican food place in Salem MA owned by white dudes SMH. Update- definitely got food poisoning from this meal. Was up from 1-4am after eating a taco & half a burrito yesterday. Save your money, and avoid this place (you'll get less diarrhea from Taco Bell). I heard when the owner is working it's a way better experience and maybe that's true because I have a couple friends that like coming here, but the apathetic dude working there yesterday didn't care at all about his demeanor or the presentation/taste of the food. The late night vomiting really took the cake for me. Esta comida es repugnante!
(1)Minh N.
Im from Tx, and i know a good taco when i taste one.. and these guys are AWESOME.. I love the vibe when i'm in there. The food is great, the pricing is good, and I love it! it' is kinda hard to find but once you know where it is, easy pickins!
(5)Niki S.
Burrito Addiction. The day after having my very first Comida burrito I needed another.. Authentic! Yummy! Fresh!! I promise you'll be back for more! Best burrito in Salem! Stop thinking about it! Get your burrito lovin' butt down to Comida Mexican Taqueria now!! My burritah fix: The Veggie with Guacamole, Rice, Black Beans, Pico, Cilantro, Sour Cream, Pickled freakin' Onions and Cheese on a Habanero Tortilla.. yup. Dope.
(5)Matt P.
I've gotten a few burritos here to go, and although they have been great tasting I wasn't super impressed with the whole experience. The options seemed kind of limited, and lacking some creativity (yeah it just a burrito, big deal...but the average gringo has no idea). It was something like $12 for a burrito and a coke--I can get the same thing for $6 in a non-english speaking burrito shop in East Boston. I'm being partial but for the same price at another area burrito place I'm getting some sauces on the side and more options for fillings with some pre-made burrito idea's ready to take off the menu. The anti cellphone and recycling hand made signs were kind of weird too. Regardless, they do make a good burrito. (that's all I have had there)
(3)J A.
Good food, especially after visiting the Peabody Essex Museum down the street. But the rude service still stings after 2 years. Despite being set up like a casual sit-down place, you may not feel welcome to stay. My friend and I were the only people in the restaurant (late lunch) and we hadn't seen each other in years and were trying to have a conversation over very loud music. The server was cleaning up in the back, and it soon became apparent that the music was for him (and to hell with us). We asked him if he could please turn down the music and he said, "No, I'm not going to do that." He said it so dismissively that we thought he was just joking. We asked again after nothing happened, and he aggressively said "No" again. So we left. I would recommend to management that they reconfigure the space and take away the seating if they can't treat you like guests when you stay!
(2)Marie M.
RUDE, HORRIBLE, Stay away from this place!!!!! Plus the food is terrible. Save your money and eat someplace else where you will be treated with more decency. They should be bared from serving food. Too bad they are in such a tourist location.
(1)Alexandria F.
This place was stinking delicious. I dropped in with my Mom last week, and we were both delighted by it. I had the carnitas burrito, as did she, and we were stuffed to the gills only halfway through. There was some great flavor. I was even more satisfied when, after a little research, I found out that all of their ingredients are fresh. And I mean FRESH--the owner gets most of his stuff from a garden that his parents tend. Also, super-cheap compared to what I'm used to in Chicago, and a great value for the massive amount of food you get. The ONLY drawback is the seating. The stools were not the most comfortable and it was pretty cramped, so I would recommend taking it outside. Wish I could find a place like this back home!
(5)Michael O.
Amazing burritos. The staff was amazingly friendly and had a great environment to it. I will be telling all of my friends to go here!
(5)James D.
This is mainly a catering review. We had a company party earlier this year, with about 50 people in attendance. After trying out the food here for lunch one day, we chose Comida to cater the party in Ipswich. We went ahead and set up tables for them and they arrived right on time, set everything up, and were good to go. Everyone lined up, and these great people started making burritos to order! The food was fantastic, hot, and made exactly how each person wanted them, plus plenty of beans and rice, chips, and some fantastic, fresh salsas. They were the hit of the party. Every year we choose a different caterer, and a different style of food, but I must say, I think we'll do a repeat with these guys next year. The pricing was incredible, as well!!!
(5)Lia M.
I love burritos and I now love Comida. Yay! And finally, a reasonably priced Mexican place in Salem. I had the chicken burrito - it was very tasty and I think the chicken & sauce the chicken was in contributed the deliciousness of my burrito. I also like the whole-wheat tortillas. The burritos are decent size - big, but not so huge that you could not eat it all if you were so inclined. Comida is small, as previously mentioned, and the staff was great. Cash only.
(4)Tony P.
Neatest nook in the Historic district. I really like their Tacos and the Tortas are excellent. There are a lot of specials on different days, so those that are budget conscious should check them out. I also noticed that the meat was leaner in the fat and the food has most certainly on the healthier side, reminds me a lot of Coast Rican food (which tends to be a little healthier then a lot of Mexican). Its really quaint with a few stools, I was there last on a rainy day and had a ton of errands to do so I had to do a quick eat-run...Comida accommodated my taste, time, and budget perfectly. So those of you strolling around the various book stores, pagan shops or hitting up the Peabody Essex come on by Comida.
(5)Dave D.
Awful!! Can't even elaborate. Was end of day but doesn't matter. Filling was satisfactory but the "tortilla?" Was awful!!!. College town, so high people probably like it. Good luck
(1)Chris C.
I just came to this place for the first time yesterday and I was impressed. I had the pork quesadilla, and my gf had the steak quesadilla. The portions are generious, the staff is friendly, and the price is right. The only downside is the size of the place, but I wasn't there to admire square footage. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes a good quesadilla.
(4)Kathleen H.
The manager of the restaurant wrote to me and apologized for the long black hair, and offered a free lunch. Will most certainly try again.
(3)Anita K.
I went there for a business meeting and was impressed w the service. The waiter was extremeyly funny, informative, smiley and very friendly. I told him that I have white hair,when he asked to see my ID,w my beer order and he replied:"That's shenanigans". The food was delicous, fresh, well cooked.The bring you chips and yummy salsa right away, so you don't have to sit there watchin others enjoy their tacos.The beer was amazing, very uplifting places. Like, you get transfered to Mexico for sure. Prices are the best in town. Great for anything, even alone.Go see it today.:)
(5)Jessie B.
I wish I had more time to rave about this place. I am so happy to find Comida. Thank you Salem Food Tours for pointing me in this direction! In a nutshell, its all very fresh, the food tastes really great and the owner actually cares about the quality and took a real effort to make sure that we were satisfied with our experience. I will be back, dragging others with me so they will be back as well.
(5)Robert M.
Words cannot describe my love for this place. Don't be put off by the size of the place food is unreal. The staff are the friendliest people I have ever met. Please try this place if you get the chance. I promise you won't regret it.
(5)Erin M.
I've never had a bad experience here. Great fresh food, fresh lemonade, and they even grow a lot of their produce themselves. Everyone I've met there is extremely friendly. They have all sorts of deals each day of the week. If you play your cards right you'll probably never actually pay full price for your meal. It's easy to get to, walking or driving. They have definitely won me over from other similar places that I used to be a loyal customer to.
(5)Chris D.
This Salem tourist only ate here once, but the steak taco I got were better than most others I've had, and the cashier was nice, efficient, and personable. I could've gone without the blaring dubstep music playing over the speaker though.
(4)Dougie B.
This place is incredible. Tiny little hole-in-the-wall Mexican place on the outskirts of downtown. The chicken burrito was hands down the best burrito I've found on the North Shore. Throw some of their delicious mango-corn salsa on there... oh my goodness. They also have daily / seasonal specials that are awesome. Taco Tuesday? Count me in! Will definitely be visiting often.
(5)Chris B.
We stopped in after taking in the "Hat's" exhibit at the PEM which next door (highly recommended). We had two burritos, a veggie and a carnitas, which were good and flavorful. The value seemed good; with one small water it was $16. Measuring Salem value against East Boston, as one review does, doesn't have much relevance unless you're headed back to town and can contain your appetite. I recently stopped at Anna's Taqueria in Brookline and it seems the price of their comparable "super" burrito has also risen to about $7-8. Service was very friendly.
(4)Winnifer L.
I don't know what happened with my review that I posted a while back - a year ago. However, I feel it important that I re-post because I need to warn all Yelp readers to STAY AWAY from this god awful place. My family had the worst experience and we were badly treated as a customer. We had really good Mexican food at home in NY before and this place was no where close. However, food was not the worst part of this experience. We had couple of bottle of water with us like most tourist would carry from walking around all day. We were told no out side drinks. We explained these were just bottles of water and we would not drink inside restaurant. We also purchased separate drinks and our bottles left un-opened. However, the psycho owner of this joint started yelling at us ' no outside drinks' and scream at us to get the HELL out of his restaurant. I had my two kids with me and we were terrified. We had to grab our half eaten food and run out of the restaurant! This was the most terrifying and embarrassing experience that no one else should endure. If there is a restaurant rating for service, this place would be shut down long time ago. I can still see the face of the crazy owner yelling at us till this day!
(1)Marianne P.
Went here recently after reading reviews online . I was so excited to try one of their burrito's as a good one is surprisingly hard to come by . All I can say is not impressed at all . Went with a friend for a quick lunch and it looked promising . We both ordered a burrito , everything looked fresh and the people running the show were friendly enough . They have a couple tables so we were surprised to get one , as we were planning on taking it to go , now I wish we had . As my friend ate her burrito it basically pissed liquid the whole time , unbelievably soaking wet , and gross . I got a chicken burrito and it was sopping wet as well and more importantly just not tasty at all . The last part of the experience was very unexpected . As we were finishing our food and my friend was finishing her last bite , the owner came over to our table , grabbed my friends plate and pile of napkins from in front of her and told us to get going and make room for customers coming in . My girlfriend looked at me in shock and said " did we just get booted ? " I said I think so , so needless to say we got out of there in a quick second . I have worked at many gourmet sandwich shops and bakeries in my youth and never would I ever grab peoples plates from their table while they were finishing their meal and nonchalantly ask them to move along . This guy is clueless on how to run a business . So the food : not very good , the price : average , the owners manners : atrocious . Too bad .
(2)Karen S.
This place has the best tacos and burritos around. Their mole sauce is to die for. The owners are super nice - when they saw me eyeing one of the murals on the wall, they kindly explained the traditional Mexican story it represented. There are 4 seats in the whole place, but the take-out is amazing. I am writing this seriously thinking about going out for a walk in the snow to get some food right now. I even called, hoping they'd be closed and my dilemma would be solved for me. But alas/hooray, they're open until 11 pm tonight. Looks like I'm getting a burrito with mole tonight after all. Edit 1 hour later: I would give this place 10 stars if that was possible.
(5)Steve F.
When Comida opened I was worried cause the service was dicey. It was obvious that they were new and haven't worked the kinks out. The food tasted good though and I wad undeterred. A couple months later and the service is fast and streamlined. Obviously, Taco Tuesday is the bomb. I go almost every week. All the ingredients are fresh and awesome.
(5)Geoff M.
Tried Comida for the first time yesterday. Overall I was impressed, though clearly they are working out the kinks. On the plus side, burrito was very sizable and inexpensive. Chicken was good, as was the guacamole ($1 extra). Pico and the other salsas seemed fresh and looked good. Overall flavor of the burrito was what I was looking for, and they melt the cheese onto the tortilla when they heat it, like Anna's, which is a big plus. Minuses: the rice was a little dry and crusty, and admittedly, I was there at a weird time in the late afternoon. At the same time, as soon as she scooped mine she changed it out. Should have done so for mine. Also, I wanted to buy some salsa from them, and they offered me tablespoon size containers at $1 each only. Disappointing. Finally, they are still working out kinks, but are new, and I'm not deducting for this ... yet. My burrito maker was a little unsure of herself. The inevitable comparison will be with Howling Wolf, also new to Salem. Out of the two, Comida gets my vote for several reasons. First, the setup makes more sense. You go down the line with your order, ask for what you want, and pay at the end, unlike the Wolf. Second, see melted cheese above. Third, prices are comparable, but Comida burrito was larger, and guac is cheaper. Fourth, assembly line here is much more open, so you can see what you're getting, and eye up the products as you choose. Fifth, menu includes a salad available with your choice of veggies, chicken, pork, or steak. No salad at the Wolf. Additionally, Comida offers tortas in addition to burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. Finally, taste. I was sure I liked this burrito from the get go, whereas with the Wolf I had to think about it, and there was more spice than there should have been based on what I ordered there. Please note: Comida has four stools along a counter. The place is basically takeout only. Also, unlike Howling Wolf, no alcoholic beverages.
(4)Lisa C.
if you are expecting anything close to authentic mexican food DO NOT eat here. nothing close to mexican flavor. rice was a wierd brown color, torta was soggy with tasteless black beans. this joint's saving grace was the fresh squeezed lemonade.
(1)Sam O.
Wow...amazing, I love this place!! I visit Boston and Salem fairly often and I am so happy to finally find some real authentic mexican food as oppose to all the fast food places like Chipotle which specialize in mass quantity and have less focus on quality. I have been there a couple times already and tried the following: Carnitas Tacos, Steak Burritto and chicken tacos, along with the rice and chips and salsa. Overall very flavorful marinated meats and rice, and the chips and mango-corn salsa were awesome. I am looking forward to getting back there and trying the mole Poblano and pretty much everything else on the menu. The first time I went they only accepted cash but as of the last time they are now accepting credit cards, so that definitely helps.
(5)Jon H.
Pretty good food, had two of the tacos and a salad. Reasonable prices and reasonable portions. However, there were two people there, and three stools. My wife and I had to sit on the display counter next to some cacti. I'm not really sure how a place like this will do in the winter when you can't eat outside. So to reiterate: TAKE-OUT ONLY
(2)Felicia S.
The guys here are great. Me and my boyfriend decided to get some to-go food from this place. Now I'm a vegan so I asked for a few modifications to what we got and everything came out perfectly. They even threw in some extra chips because it was late at night. The food itself is satisfying and the portions are perfect. Exactly what you imagine great mexican food tasting like.
(4)Christine W.
We ate here this weekend. I am a huge Mexican food fan and was really excited to try this place. I had the pork carnitas torta and my husband had a burrito. We also had queso and chips. The location is decent. Parking is not great but there are enough lots in the area that you can easily find a space and walk. We knew this was a take out location so we were O.K. with the size of the place. The menu was a little limited. Mainly burritos, quesadillas, tacos and tortas. The portions were decent. I would have appreciated a larger portion on the queso dip as we had way more chips then dip. Overall the food was good. The carnitas were flavorful, but definitely heavy on the salt. My husband was happy with the burrito, it was fresh and the steak was tasty. Loved the queso dip!
(3)Cave D.
Latest visit we were greeted in the sleet and snow by a 5'-6" dancing taco in the window... A good sense of the attitude conveyed by Comida and its warm and helpful staff. The proof's in the food, though and Comida doesn't disappoint. Ingredients are fresh and flavorful, generally well-balanced, and include some notable traditional ingredients: molé poblano, pickled nopalitos (cactus), oaxaca cheese, etc. Steak and chicken are well-balanced and moist, carnitas (pork) is somewhat dry, though with good flavor and can work well with salsa or other moist add-ins. Dining area is very small - only couples or small parties can consider hanging around, though it will fill up quickly when busy. Better to think of Comida as a takeout joint. And a damn fine one at that!
(5)Stephanie H.
Went here for the first time this week to grab a quick bite to eat. It is more of a take out place and you will see why when you go there. Three stools to sit at facing a wall- not the small window they have. I got the veggie quesedilla. it was eh. Cheese and a pepper and onion mixture was the veggie option. They do have plenty of options and i will go back to check out the burrito vs the other taqueria that has opened in town. They seemed to still be working out kinks of what to do staffing wise- the register is after the ordering of the food- to me it would make more sense to pay then get the food. The space overall is small but hey I think it is geared more as a take out place. I will give it another shot or two for sure. But for now, I will lean towards the other place for two main reasons- beer and seating.
(3)Joanna L.
Not bad tacos - the tortillas should be toasted a little more, instead of just warmed. The way it's currently done makes for soggy tacos instead of a crispy edge to a soft tortilla. Fillings for tacos are just okay - I've had the steak, carnitas, and chicken. I think the steak is the best, although the carnitas would be better for a burrito or some kind of rice bowl. Pricing isn't great, but it's better if there's some kind of deal going on (there often is). For better quality, value, and authenticity, I'd rather rough it over to Lynn and suffer the downtown for a little time at Tacos Lupita.
(3)Jody R.
Veggie torta was deliciosa. Nice carnitas and pickled veggies too. Try the local soda: Mercury Soda. Friendly cook and cashier. All is good and very close to Peabody Essex Museum.
(5)Marissa S.
My husband and I came across Comida during Halloween walking around Salem. We live in Salem and had never heard of it. We have now been several times and it's pretty good. They have taco Tuesday where you can get tacos for $2.50. Not bad. Every time we go it is later in the evening - the first several times they were out of pork carnitas. I should point out that we aren't going at closing but a few hours before so it's strange they were always out. But the last two times I've gone they have had it and it is good! The quesadilla's are very big and so are the tacos. All of the ingredients taste fresh and the meat is not dry (I have had the chicken as well). They have very good salsa and queso dip as well. Comida is a true homemade mexican taqueria. If you are looking for a quick bite and you are feeling mexican this is the place for you. However, there are a few things they could work on. Every time we go there is only one guy working so if you are in a hurry forget it. The process is a bit slow but I don't usually mind that. The other thing is that it is a very small space. There are no tables but a few bar-style seats. Overall, I really like Comida. It is a nice little place in Salem and I think it is important to support the smaller eatery's in our city.
(4)Taylor F.
BOOYAH! Would give it 10 stars if I could. Comida obviously dominates fresh, authentic, Mexican food on a daily basis, but absolutely killed it when catering my son's birthday dinner. Sean was so helpful with the menu choices, and went above and beyond to provide us with his freshly pickled peppers and onions - a must to try if you go in there. We served 25 people, and EVERYONE was back for seconds and raved about the meal . Most of our guests being from the Salem area, are familiar with the amazingness that is Comida, so they were thrilled to have the meal, it was such a treat for everyone. Plus, we have food left over to feed us for the next week. All of my guests took menus, and will be ordering soon I'm sure. Plus, this place is a must if you're gluten/nut/potato free. My son has tons of allergies and can safely eat there. It's actually the only place we dine out because we know they have great allergy practice. Love Comida!!!
(5)April P.
This place is ok. As in, I will go here again, but I won't go here weekly, like a certain other, better, Mexican place up the street.... First the bad. Their queso sauce is terrible, like movie theatre nacho cheese. The chips were stale (and seemed like they were straight from the grocery store). There is not really anywhere to sit, which is fine, but I usually walk downtown from my house and want to eat my meal while its hot, not 20 minutes later when I get back home. The pinto beans have bacon in them, but it was not made clear anywhere on the menu.-I noticed someone said they point this out to vegetarians when ordering. Which is nice. But I specifically do not eat pork. Since I don't order vegetarian, they did NOT let me know that they were serving me bacon. They shouldnt have to figure out which of their customers can eat bacon; they should just put it up on the menu for everyone to see. The good: They take credit cards now. Their guacamole is pretty excellent. They have mole sauce. They let you customize your meal. They are friendly. If you like mangos. they have a salsa for you.
(3)Ashley B.
Comida! I really love how involved they are. They are really all over social media and doing it right. Informative, frequently updated twitter and facebook feeds, fun specials, smartphone app for online ordering and delivery. Food-wise.. I've had better Mexican food, but it was probably much less healthy. Here, I am usually SUPER psyched about my burrito or I think it's really mediocre. Maybe it has to do with rice freshness? Sometimes you can tell it's old. But overall I'm very satisfied. This place is good for take-out or delivery, because there's only a very small bar to sit and eat. I go for the burritos, definitely. Usually in a bowl, but that's just me. They have a variety of tortillas to choose from, and they're all good. The tacos, don't really love 'em. Tortas are okay, too. But! Disclaimer! I don't eat meat! So I can't judge. They run a lot of special meals, which I think is awesome. Chipotle turkey meatballs, pickled snacks, and special tortas of the week/day. They are also growing their own herbs to use, which is extra extra awesome! Big up to Comida! Also their rice is made from vegetarian stock, unlike sneaky, misleading Howling Wolf.
(4)Chrissie B.
I am really happy Comida is here...(probably too happy like borderline creepily happy) The veggie burrito I get is consistently delicious, particularly the guacamole. The people who work here are super friendly. They even write "mom", "dad", and "son" on our burritos so we can tell them apart! So cute! This place is take-out only so it's definitely not a date-night spot. Unless you brought your burritos over to the common which is what we usually do. Anyway, if there were more than 4 stools to sit at, I'd totally give it 5 stars!
(4)J B.
Not impressed...sorry. Their chicken was sitting in water and had no spice. Their black beans were not cooked enough. For being a Mexican place, it didn't make me feel like I was eating Mexican food...
(1)Timothy B.
Arguably the best Mexican food in Salem. Not really a sit-down eatery, but the food is prepared to your order with fresh ingredients. They also deliver! My wife and I often eat here before going to the movies at Cinema Salem around the corner.
(5)Matthew S.
Food was ok, they jacked their prices up for Halloween, kind of disapointed their website didn't warn me of this before I treked down there in Salem traffic...
(3)Andy H.
Hmmm. Not a great experience. My friend was thrown out of the joint for moving a chair(so he could sit with his family). Apparently he had created a fire hazard. Would have gladly moved chair back if asked. Not a tourist friendly place in my opinion. Two stars since food was good.
(2)James M.
I checked out this place earlier today. I won't mention the OTHER new taqueria in Salem by name, but I have to say I much prefer Comida. Comida is more of a lunch counter than a restaurant. It isn't very big, and there's no seating to speak of. It is definitely the sort of place you stop at to pick up something to eat back at your desk, or outside in nice weather, or maybe grab a meal to take home at the end of your day. The woman behind the counter was friendly, and instead of being shunted from person to person answering the same questions again and again, we had a brief conversation while I watched her make my taco. And man, what a taco. I only ordered one, carne asada, and it was delicious. The steak was marinaded just right, the peppers and onions sauteed perfectly, and I got a good-sized dollop of guacamole that was far from the bland stuff I expected. For the price (with drink, about five bucks), you can't go wrong. I'd recommend getting two tacos, I wish I had. I'll be back again soon, and I'll be bringing friends.
(4)Michelle P.
In a city full of food and endless choices, you can get overwhelmed. What I love about Comida is the simplicity and just plain simple YUMMINESS of the food they make. I've been 3 or 4 times so far, and its amazing. Its cheap, quick, and I even shared it with a friend from the southwest. If he approved, I am seriously impressed. The owner is also friendly, serves people himself, and shares his own stories about the Salem history and culture. Stop in for a great time and great food!
(5)Ed M.
Comida is by far the worst ever joke I've ever purchased food from in my life. Every ingredient was as if purchased directly from stop n shop. The pinto beans even had the canned flavor, the cheese was pre-grated powdery, and the jalapeños were pre cooked canned or bottled, not fresh hand cut. Watching them prepare burritos & tacos with tortillas right out of a plastic bag...ya think for the $8 per burrito price they would make them from scratch. I recommend avoiding this rented hole in the wall between the other 2 businesses. A far cry from what Mexican food really taste like. I had to rate it a 1 or my browser wouldn't close.
(1)Kacey M.
After a disappointing trip to the other Mexican place, I really wanted to like Comida. However it was just ok. Definitely a take out only place, but I ordered a taco, which was so small and a little pricey for its size. The chicken wasn't very good and I didn't finish my meal. But the staff was really nice and helpful, so I will go back to try a few more items.
(3)Kristin S.
Rip-off. Just received a delivery of including "sides" of chips and guacamole. A few tablespoons of guacamole does not constitute a side. Ditto for queso. Sorry, not worth the price. We'll make our own or go to Trader Joe's.
(1)Missus F.
the service gets more fluid here every week, and i swear my tacos taste better and better the more i go. they were open during one of the nastiest snowstorms we've had this winter, and even gave out free tazo hot chocolate (which was AMAZING). if you want the proper sit-down dining experience, go to the other mexican food place. nobody told you this was fine dining. have you seen how much space they don't have? i personally go here because i like supporting people in my neighborhood that are pumping out a super tasty product for an excellent price. i crave this stuff.
(5)Hal M.
The best Mexican food in Salem, hands down. And a wonderful welcoming atmosphere to boot. Highly recommended.
(5)Chris S.
I really like this place. I feel that they are the best in the area when it comes to putting the right amount of each ingredient into a burrito. Too many places load them up with rice and beans, and it becomes a huge difficult-to-eat mess. Obviously I realize to can tell other shops to put in less rice...but still, it's nice that I don't have to at this place. Delicious burritos, and the guys who have been behind the counter have always been friendly.
(4)M. A.
I'm wondering if I went to the same place as everyone else who is rating this spot so highly. Maybe the guy working that night was just having a really, really off-night. There were only a couple people in the place, but he still managed to seem overworked. All I know is that for about the same price I paid, I could have gotten twice as much food, prepared with three times as much care, a few blocks over at Howling Wolf, or even a little further up Lafayette in the little hole in the wall eateries that serve the Point. Dear God. The burrito I got was ludicrous. Cheese consisted of a single slice melted into the tortilla when it was steamed, followed by a series of desultory spoonfuls of rice, beans, and chicken. The sour cream, which costs extra, ended up being a couple of small splatters half-heartedly thrown on at the last minute. Pico de gallo is supposed to be mild, but this tasted like it was just diced tomato and cilantro, with no spice whatever. The squeeze of lime juice was a nice touch, but not remotely enough to save what I got from being ludicrously overpriced (7.50!) in comparison to what I got, or what I'd get a short walk away. I might try this place again, but not a burrito, and not on a day that guy is working the counter. To heck with that.
(2)Yelp Z.
Muy delicioso. Stopped into Comida around 3pm on a Weds afternoon. Due to Halloween that area in Salem is JAM-PACKED with tourists. Comida is in between the PEM and the spooky tour take off points. Lucky for me no one was inside other than the 2 delightful high school girls working. Even though there wasn't anyone inside and these girls could be relaxing - they were both busting their asses doing prep work and all with a smile. This is so rare. I don't know how Comida finds their workers but most of North Shore should take a look at the recruiting process. I got a pork carnitas bowl. It was very hot, large and satisfying. I couldn't finish it. The pork is definitely marinated in some lime juice and other herbals. It has a nice non-dry consistency with major flavor. Then I choose black beans (they specify when you order vegetarian style or pintos w/bacon - not sure why people here are acting like they hide that fact), cheese that topped my Mexican honeymoon meals, and fresh add on's like lettuce, mild salsa (there are probably 6 to choose from) guacamole. The guac could rival any I've made or had in Mexico. It's that good. I took it home and it was still super hot - but the lettuce crispy. How do they do that? I don't really understand complaining that a small take out place doesn't have enough seating. Again, they aren't trying to fool you when you come in. If you live in Salem and like Mexican definitely come here. MUCH better than disgusting Howling Wolf, much fresher and friendlier.
(5)C.M. M.
Really great food for decent prices... Far better than your chain place.
(4)K. E.
I am writing an update because I learned through facebook that their mole contains chicken broth and that information was not posted anywhere. So vegetarians beware...maybe ask before ordering.
(1)Gillian B.
I was disappointed after howling wolf so i was really excited to try comida . . . I'm still hoping that they add more flavor to the food . . . i really want these guys to succeed and think they'll do a great tourist business but for me i'll have to go elsewheres - i will go back to try one of the sandwiches and quesidillas to see if it's better . . .either way good luck to you guys!!
(3)Sarah C.
my steak quesadilla was full of cheese and meat, but i wish it had more flavor. it didn't really seem like a quesadilla to me to be honest- and it was sorta soggy, i like them crispy- this one is formed more like a burrito. i would probably not go back there only because of the distance from my house, and i like qdoba's quesadillas better. the staff was nice and the place was cute, but sorta small (only a bar with stools). if i did go back ther i would ask to add more things to my meal like beans, sour cream, and some veggies. i love variety! my bf however, really enjoyed his meal :)
(3)Ken M.
Comida wins the Salem Burrito Competition. great food Excellent
(5)Sara J.
This place has great vegetarian burritos!! They are very fast and pack them with alot of good stuff. They are very reasonably priced for the size of the burrito and don't think you are crazy for asking about whats in what they are making. Very laid back. Never eaten here as its pretty small and I live very close.
(4)Stephanie T.
I wanted to be sure to update my original review. Since I wrote that review the owner of the restaurant has been in contact with me trying to remedy the situation. He was tremendously sincere with his many apologies. I am very impressed the amount of concern that he has had. Even the one guy that was there the original night I wrote about has been sincerely apologetic. I recently have gone back in (with my boyfriend only, as I'm still not too comfortable going by myself) and he has thanked me for giving Comida another chance. Due to his behavior on a recent trip I honestly believe he acted out of his usual character and for that reason have given Comida other chances. As for the food, it's still good. I like it better than the boyfriend does. He finds the chicken to be a little too salty because of the adobo seasoning, it's very reminiscent to me of how my grandmother used to make chicken. He also wishes they used more hot sauce, but does like the fact that the sauce is actually hot. I like whatever sauce they put on mine, and I definitely don't need something to burn my tongue off which they have. They are having "heat night" in an hour and a half which I recommend anyone with a pallate for spicy sauces to stop by and check out. Once again, I would like to thank the professionalism of the owner, and the staff member in an attempt to make amends. I commend them a lot on this.
(4)Scott L.
Absolutely best Mexican food in town. It's quick and easy and right near alot of the night tour start points. The quesidillas are awesome and my fav is probably the queso sauce it's just delicious.
(4)Rachael E.
I had very high hopes for Comida and sadly I was let down. My veggie burrito was bland. I ordered the Habenero Salsa and didn't taste any spice or flavor. The rice was dry and tasteless. I think the worst thing that I ordered was the Chips and Queso. The chips were on the edge of being stale and the queso tasted like processed nacho cheese from a can. Sorry Comida, but I won't be back.
(1)Carlos L.
Amazing burritos, great customer service, and generous portions. Try their taza chocolate. Pleasantly surprised. I will be back.
(5)Salvatore P.
We just moved to Salem recently and thought it could use a good taqueria. Then luckily one opened shortly after we moved here. Unluckily it was Howling Wolf. Our disappointment in that awful place was tempered though when we saw the opening soon sign for Comida. It finally opened up and we went in today. It was great. We got the carne asada taco and the carnitas taco. Both around $3. They were really good, but a little light on the salt. The menu is very clearly written. It is obvious what comes with each item already and there are add-ons in case you want something else in your taco or burrito. There is a simple system for ordering and you aren't asked too many questions and your food isn't passed along a line of cooks who can;t remember what the order was. The person that took our order was the one who made the tacos. We like that. If you have been to Howling Wolf already then you know what a relief this was! The one drawback is that there are only 4 bar stools to sit at to eat. So it will likely be strictly take out for when we don't feel like cooking. We will be going back for sure.
(4)Merrill F.
Located next to the Peabody Essex Museum, this adorable little Taqueria emits the charm and warmth you would look for on a cold day walking around Salem. The colors are welcoming and so are the staff... oh, and the food is delicious! You can taste the high quality and thoughtful preparation. I ordered a chicken taco and a carnitas taco. Both were delicious - served on the traditional corn tortillas with fresh salsas. There is a huge selection of hot sauces as well; so you can heat up the taco to your delight. Nicely done, Comida. I am spreading the word. Ps, the Taza hot cocoa and chocolates are yummy too.
(5)Bill S.
had the carne asada tortas, that thing was awesome!! i was full but could of eaten another one, my new fav spot for grabing quick, great food on the way home!!!
(5)Amber D.
I didn't really like it. I thought the meat was a little dry. I got the carne asada (steak) taco and the carnitas (pork) taco. We also got a veggie quesadilla to share. I was disappointed because it barely had any cheese! I thought that was the POINT of a quesadilla! I would have given the place 2 stars, but I think the place has a few things going for it. The server was very nice and patient as we ummed and ahhed over the menu. Also the guacamole was GREAT. The avocado seemed very fresh, the consistency was perfect (not overly processed) and it was just tasty. The tortillas with it were good too. I'm wondering if I got a few extra toppings on the tacos, that might have made them interesting enough for me. So bottom line: My recommendations are to get the guacamole, and to take a good look at the extra toppings offered. Oh, and as other Yelpers have said, there's not much seating there, so either go on a nice day to eat in the park up the street, or plan to bring your order home. Also, FYI, for you day-trippers, this is right near the Peabody Essex Museum. I didn't realize that until I got there, and thought it was worth mentioning!
(3)A. S.
Overpriced, boring Mexican food. Cielito Lindo in Beverly or Howlin' Wolf (which is 2 seconds from Comida) are the places to go if you want awesome Mexican food. Not this place!
(2)Enay V.
really really good tacos - wish there was more room to sit - awesome service :)
(4)Elaine J.
i absolutely love this place!!! amazing burritos!!! and great people that work there! keep those burritos comin'!
(5)Randie F.
I had been wanting to try out this place for a while, so when it came up as a Groupon deal, I jumped on it. The food was very reasonably priced. For just a little over $20, we got two burritos, two drinks, and chips and queso. But, we just weren't feeling it. My husband and I both agreed it was good--we liked it, but we just didn't love it. We'd eat there again if we were in Salem and craving Mexican, but it definitely won't become our new go-to place. The girl working behind was super friendly and really helpful, but it still didn't sway how we felt about the food. I should also add that we went looking for a dinner out and were quite disappointed that the only seating Comida offers is a few counter stools.
(3)Alliane H.
i'm a huge fan of mexican food, and i have to say that comida passes the test pretty well! my family and i ordered there last night and got a range of food. the burritos were good, chips and salsa were decent, guacamole was great! we also got vegetarian tacos and a few quesadillas. the pico de gallo is pretty basic, nothing special, but definitely don't skip out on the guac! i do have to agree with some of the reviews saying that the chicken is on the salty side, but still quite good. what i have to add is how excellent the customer service was. i'm pretty sure i was dealing with the owner and not only was he polite and kind, but wanted to make sure the food was fresh and our order was perfect. we will definitely be eating at comida again! i hope they know that great customer service is not lost on their customers! :)
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