You can keep it light, fun, and affordable at Dos Amigos Burritos. The fourth outpost of this Seacoast chain is in downtown Newburyport in the space formerly occupied by Greta’s.
The small cafe-like eatery brings big flavors to Mexican fare. Order at the counter from a menu suspended between two steal poles that hang from the ceiling, and, because everything is under $10, stopping in once or twice a week is a no-brainer. “I knew there was a need for cheap eats in Newburyport,” says co-owner Joel Harris, who runs the place with business partner Jay McSharry. “Our motto from day one was a healthy alternative to fast food, so we want to provide restaurant-quality food in a quick-service setting.” A lime-green word wall at the back of the restaurant is covered in descriptive black writing reflecting both the food (delicious, unique, specials) and the seaport town in which it resides (Yankee Homecoming, Clipper City Rail Trail, beaches). It’s a great place for families to stop in for a midday meal or to grab something to enjoy while strolling along the boardwalk.
A trip to this Mexican eatery wouldn’t be complete without the Guacamole and Chips. Dos Amigos does right by the quintessential appetizer by preparing fresh batches of the avocado dip every day. It goes especially well with the Sangria or a Margarita, both made with freshly squeezed lime juice. If you can’t decide between the two, don’t: order the Sangarita—half sangria, half margarita. Or, grab a beer on draft or by the bottle.
Be sure to try the dish that inspired the restaurant’s name. Every burrito includes rice, black beans, lettuce, salsa, cheddar-jack cheese, and your choice of sour cream or yogurt. Locals flock to the Chicken Burrito. It’s made with all-natural, hormone-free chicken thighs that are dry rubbed and grilled. Prefer your burrito tortilla-less? There’s a bowl option as well. Reserve this order for the beginning of the week as Monday is a discounted burrito day.
Tuesdays are reserved for tacos. Get wild and try the Sweet Potato Taco. The potatoes are flash fried and mixed with agave nectar and a special spice mixture that will have you licking your lips for more. Since you’re getting such a deal, order another, this time opting for the Baja Fish Taco. Catfish is breaded and fried to order and placed on a corn, white, or wheat tortilla spread with a homemade spicy mayo and accompanied by lettuce and tomato.
Deal days don’t stop there. Sundays, kids eat free, so bring the family and start off with the Nacho of the Week, a rotating special crafted by the staff. Past creations have included the Hawaiian Pizza Nacho, featuring pulled pork and mango salsa with pineapple, and the Cheeseburger Nacho, with ground beef, spicy mayo, lettuce, and tomato.
Keep it light with the Alvarado Salad, a delicious blend of lettuce, corn salsa, black beans, avocado, roasted red pepper, cheese, and jicama slaw, tossed with cilantro lime dressing. With the cool weather, go for the Vegan Chili, made with 15 kinds of beans, or the Loco Chili, made with steak, ground beef, sausage, pulled pork, and beer. Each 10-gallon batch of chili gets six bottles of Smuttynose IPA. There’s also plenty to choose from for gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diners, with almost all the options customizable to those with dietary restrictions. “We really try to cater to that crowd,” Harris says. “Mexican food is easy to do that, so we really try to be sensitive to those needs.”
Visit the complimentary sauce bar to add an extra kick of flavor to your lunch. The Spicy Chipotle Sauce and Mild Avocado remain on the menu year-round, providing a burst of fire or sweetness to every bite. Dos Amigos also rotates two sauces depending on the time of year—a take on their XXX Habanero and a seasonal-inspired blend. Try the fall’s Fermented Pepper, a green Tabasco with Granny Smith apples. In November, don’t miss the Cranberry Jalapeño, which will make its appearance just in time for the holidays.
Dos Amigos Burritos
24 Pleasant Street
Newburyport, Mass.
978-255-7326