Readers Say

Here are Hispanic-owned businesses to support in Greater Boston

See a full list and map of reader-recommended businesses.

The Pabellon criollo with shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains, served with an egg over rice, avocado, cheese, and arepitas at Viva Mi Arepa, a Venezuelan restaurant in West Roxbury. Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

By Nia Harmon

5 minutes to read

The City of Boston kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month last Sunday with music and dance performances at Fiesta en la Plaza, a celebration of Latin culture in honor of the start of the month. 

Running from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the contributions and achievements of Latin communities globally, coinciding with the dates of independence from European colonial power in Central and Latin American countries throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Boston’s Latin community currently makes up 20% of the overall population, and have led population growth in the city since 1980.

As the first Afro-Latina to be elected to Boston City Council, City Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia has long been an advocate for Boston’s Latin and Black communities.

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Moving to Dorchester from the Dominican Republic at five years old, Councilor Mejia knows just how isolating not having representation can be. 

“I remember one time [a] case manager was being really mean spirited, and even though I was nine years old, I still felt that because we were poor and Hispanic,” Mejia told Boston.com. 

“That for me was the first moment where I had to fight, because if I didn’t stand up for us, then we were not going to get the support services that we were seeking. It was a matter of survival in many ways, and that has been my history,” she said.

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Throughout the time set aside to celebrate Hispanic heritage, Mejia’s office has programming planned to celebrate the members of Boston’s Latin community. Following the First Annual Women and Girls Conference this past Saturday, there is also a brunch honoring elders in the community and a multicultural fair set for October.

“We wanted to be super intentional about some of the specific communities that we wanted to uplift, like women, elders, and the small businesses,” she said.

“During these celebratory months, we see our faces on posters in our schools, highlighting historical figures and showcasing the culture and the heroes,” Mejia said. “But then what we do is take all of those things down and these months sometimes feel transactional.”

“If it’s only one month that we get to celebrate who we are and to showcase our contributions, then every single day in that month we have to amplify what it’s like to be proud of our rich history.”

In honor of the celebration, we asked readers to help us update a list of Hispanic-owned businesses and organizations throughout Greater Boston with some of their favorites restaurants, stores, and more to support year-round.

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Vanessa C. praised Acitron Cocina Mexicana in 2022. “This is the best Mexican food I’ve had in the Boston area! Wonderful for gluten-free, excellent drinks, amazing waitstaff. Been going here for four years and it is the best,” she said.

Some readers gave their recommendations rave reviews, suggesting these businesses for good eats and great service.

Reader Bill says that La Pupusa Loca & Mexican Food’s authentic Salvadorian dish is nothing short of delicious.

“They make amazing pupusas, a Salvadorian treat made with meat, cheese, beans, covered with pickled cabbage and a spicy vinaigrette. They are delish and you can watch them being made,” he said.

“No one works harder than the Chacon Family and this is an excellent place. Wonderful food (shrimp nachos and the chimichangas are my favorites) and a great patio to enjoy a margarita (or pitcher),” wrote reader Brendan about Jalapa’s Mexican Grill in our 2022 list.

Ahead, see a full list and map of reader-recommended Hispanic-owned businesses and organizations in Greater Boston. We will update this guide over the course of the month, so be sure to send us your own recommendations at [email protected] or in the form below.

Hispanic-owned restaurants and bars in Greater Boston

New 2024 recommendations are marked with a 🆕.

Argentinian

Brazilian

Caribbean

Central American

Central American

Chilean

Colombian

Cuban

Dominican

Latin American

Mexican

A Super Combo Fajita at Mi Pueblito in East Boston.

Mexican and Salvadoran

Mexican, Guatemalan, Salvadoran

Nicaraguan (coffee)

Peruvian

Puerto Rican

Salvadoran

Tex-Mex

Venezuelan

Goods and Services

Organizations/Nonprofits

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Nia Harmon

Community Co-op

Nia Harmon is a community co-op for  Boston.com and a journalism student at Emerson College. She is a journalism major with a minor in media studies at Emerson College. She is a native of Dallas, Texas.

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