If you enjoy Mexican cuisine as much as we do, and don’t mind being challenged to find a parking space, then you should head into East Boston to check out Angela’s Cafe sometime soon. Opened in 2008, Angela’s is a family run business named for matriach, Angela Anteco Lopez who came to the states about 25 years ago, from her native Puebla, Mexico where she cooked professionally.

We visited the original Angela’s, an intimate 24 seat restaurant located in Eagle Hill.  The space has a festive interior, its walls adorned with Mexican tiles, pictures and plaques showcasing accolades and features in local papers.  Opened just two years ago, Angela’s second location is in Orient Heights, described as 3 times the size of the original with a full bar and a fireplace. Both serve the same cuisine of Angela’s native Puebla for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  A brunch menu is available on the weekends.

Angela’s had been on my list since I read about them in a column on Eater.com.  So when I happened to be landing at nearby Logan Airport at 7:30 pm a few weeks ago, I suggested to my husband that we check it out for a quick dinner.  We were lucky to find a (legal) parking space and arrive when the restaurant was not too busy.  We chose our seats and our server, Veronica immediately brought us menus, water and walked us through the extensive offerings.

Although in hindsight, I wish we had tried one of Angela’s signature mole dishes, there is always next time and based on our experience there definitely will be a next time!  And since we devoured everything we ordered, how can there be any regret?

Angela’s menu is organized as follows.  Small Plates include items such as their award winning guacamole, along with all types of tacos, queso, flautas, tamales, tostadas and other traditional preparations.  Prices range from $4-12.  Soups & Salads include Soup Azteca, a blend of broth, crispy corn tortilla strips, avocado and queso that you can add chicken to if desired, a Hominy white corn soup, a Poblano pepper soup, a traditional mixed salad and a Mexican cactus salad. Prices range from $7-10.

Puebla style Main Dishes include the Mole Poblana de Angela, her signature sauce served with chicken or pork, Carne Asada, Chicken Poblano, Enchiladas, Chilaquiles and Chiles Rellenos. Prices range from $13-23.  Burritos and Quesadillas round out the menu and are priced at $10-11.  Sides include beans, rice, plantains, extra mole, avocado and pico de gallo.

House made yellow and blue corn chips were brought to the table accompanied by a green, spicy salsa made from tomatillo, avocado, serrano peppers and cilantro, and a red tomato-based salsa with medium heat…

There wasn’t any doubt we would be ordering Angela’s award winning guacamole.  Served in a molcajete, the guac was a creamy and well seasoned mix of just avocado, lime juice, onions, cilantro and salt, topped with a few diced tomatoes.  We were very happy with this simple starter and easily polished it off.  We both ordered a lime margarita (his with salt, mine without) that were served on ice in margarita glasses with cactus stems.  A little kitchy, but the drinks were very tasty…

For our entrees, I was in the mood for tacos so I ordered two from the small plates menu including the Taco al Pastor and the Taco Arabe.  The al pastor had roasted pork and the signature pineapple that were smothered in a warming adobo sauce that had just a hint of sweetness.  Served on two corn tortillas, it was delicious.  The Arabe was also a pork based taco that was served in a flour tortilla, lavash like in texture, that had been rolled around the filling and charred slightly.  The pork meat was shredded and tender.  With both tacos, there was just the right amount of sauce so they were very easy to eat.  I was doing a little post dinner homework and discovered the arabe or Arab-style and al pastor or shepherd-style tacos were influenced by Middle Eastern migrants who settled in Mexico during the early 20th century…

Our server, Veronica asked if I cared for a side of rice and beans to go alongside my tacos which I did. Great presentation and an appropriate portion.  Both were very good, especially the rice…

My husband opted for the enchiladas and chose chicken for his filling (pork or vegetarian were also offered) and a spicy green sauce to cover (red sauce was also available)…

The dish was beautifully plated and you can see from that little piece of chicken peaking out that it was moist and tender.  The green sauce was very spicy which we loved and the little hit of sour cream and queso cheese added a nice bite.  This was a really delicious dish and I am glad I got a taste!

We loved our experience at Angela’s and will definitely be going back to try more dishes.  Hopefully we will get lucky and run into Angela herself.  Veronica told us she is in her 70’s and still stops by the restaurant a couple of times a day (she lives a few doors down) to make sure everything is being made as it should be!  Her children run the day to day now.

If you check them out, please comment below and let us know what you try!

Until next time…

One Year Ago:  Sweet Potato Nests & Eggs

Two Years Ago:  Orange Sesame Chicken

Three Years Ago:  Asparagus, Ham and Gruyere Tart