My First Time by Kristofer Jenson

We all remember our first time. Mine was in August 2001. I was 18. I was feeling restless on a hot night, so I went out to find something I'd never done before. As soon as I heard that name, "Anna," I knew I wouldn't be able to resist. So welcoming, so friendly, and always ready for me. And it barely cost me anything. I...WHAT?! No! I'm talking about my first burrito at Anna's Taqueria, sicko!

Anna's was my introduction to the wonderful world of burritos. It's where I perfected my order, the one I take with me everywhere I go: steak super burrito, pinto beans, salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, no guac (unless there's something interesting about it). Of course, this makes reviewing it both a delightful and terrifying. Can I do my love of it justice? Can I remain unbiased in the face of such beauty?

One way to guarantee objectivity and honesty is to shake things up, get the person out of their comfort zone, so I switched up my order. Pictured you'll see my regular order, the above-described burrito, along with two tacos (Al Pastor and salsa roja - grilled carne asada in red chile sauce), horchata and a sunflower drink called "Jamaica" (you may know it as "hibiscus tea"). Maybe breaking the pattern would cajole some observations that are less than fawning.

No dice. This place is still perfect. Everything about it, from the quality of the salsa to the friendliness of the staff. Even snooty Brookline types let their guard down when faced with a good, solid burrito.

Now the food. The burrito is well-mixed, packed and the perfect combination of thick and juicy. The tacos were delicious, and the meat is spiced to perfection (ask for extra vegetables if you can). This was the first time I had Al Pastor at Anna's, and it won't be the last. The salsa roja was a new experience, a little spicy, but not so much to overwhelm the taste. I have nothing to compare it against, but it's definitely worth a shot if you like your tacos with a kick to them. The Jamaica and horchata complimented the food more perfectly, so much so that I recommend getting one of them instead of a soda to wash it down.

The perfect combination of nostalgia mixed with the excitement of new things. Go to Anna's and get your usual, then try something new. You'll never be disappointed. - Submitted by Kristofer Jenson

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ANNA'S TAQUERIA

There's something for everyone at Anna's. For those with hearty appetites, burritos put an entire plate of food inside a warm flour tortilla. Soft, corn tortilla tacos offer a lighter option, depending on how many you order. With rice and beans, and grilled vegetable options, Anna's is a great spot for vegetarians. Our rice is made with chicken stock, but you can request vegetarian rice. Anna's is also great for kids! Our mini quesadillas are like Mexican grilled cheese sandwiches. And most kids -- big and small -- love dipping chips in guacamole or salsa. http://www.annastaqueria.com/