El Pelon – Mexican
This vibrant neighborhood gem hums with the energy of a bustling cantina, where the air is thick with the savory scent of sizzling meats and the irresistible crunch of warm, salted chips. Diners tuck into golden-fried taquitos and overstuffed tortas, while a variety of griddled quesadillas—oozing with melted cheese and smoky braised pork—offer a comforting, soul-warming taste of authentic street-food flair. Whether sharing a plate of sweet, caramelized plantains or diving into a crisp tostada, every bite captures a festive spirit that turns a simple meal into a sun-drenched escape.
2197, Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA +16172629090 https://elpelon.com/0Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, halal, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, pescatarian, plant-based, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, slow-carb
Diet fit at El Pelon
Dairy-Free at El Pelon
El Pelon in Brighton has 3 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chips & Salsa, Guacamole (1/2 pint) and Plantains. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at El Pelon
El Pelon in Brighton has 8 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Rajas con Queso Tacos (2), Cheese Quesadilla and Black Bean Quesadilla. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at El Pelon
El Pelon in Brighton has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Guacamole (1/2 pint). Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at El Pelon
El Pelon in Brighton has 3 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chips & Salsa, Guacamole (1/2 pint) and Plantains. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at El Pelon
El Pelon in Brighton has 3 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chips & Salsa, Guacamole (1/2 pint) and Plantains. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at El Pelon
El Pelon in Brighton has 5 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Grilled Chicken Quesadilla, Rajas con Queso Tacos (2) and Mexican Rice. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Fat at El Pelon
El Pelon in Brighton has 2 low-fat-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Mexican Rice and Pescado Tacos (2). Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Sodium at El Pelon
El Pelon in Brighton has 12 low-sodium-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chicken Chimichanga, Grilled Chicken Quesadilla and Rajas con Queso Tacos (2). Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at El Pelon
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken Burrito | 21.5 g | 66.7 g |
| El Guapo Burrito | 74.1 g | 62.3 g |
| Cheese Quesadilla | 35.4 g | 24.3 g |
| Grilled Steak Quesadilla | 85.1 g | 23.7 g |
| Black Bean Quesadilla | 6.9 g | 20.5 g |
| Single Braised Pork Taco | 23.8 g | 17.6 g |
| Bean & Cheese Burrito | 35.7 g | 17.3 g |
| Fish Burrito | 74.9 g | 16.5 g |
| Chicken Plate | 1.5 g | 16.2 g |
| Calabacitas (Veggies) Burrito | 48.5 g | 10.3 g |
| Grilled Chicken Quesadilla | 13.9 g | 10 g |
| Grilled Steak Torta | 21.7 g | 9.9 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Menu
Antojitos
- Taquitos - $7.75: Corn tortillas filled with shredded beef lightly fried. Served with salsa fresca and guacamole. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tostada - $7.95: Crispy corn tortilla layered with refried beans and your choice of chicken, steak or pork. Topped with salsa fresca, lettuce, cheese and sour cream. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Plantains - $6.95: Lightly fried until golden brown. Served with fire roasted salsa. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chips & Salsa - $4.95 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
Quesadillas
- Cheese Quesadilla - $5.95: Flour tortilla grilled with Jack cheese and served with a side of salsa fresca. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Chicken Quesadilla - $8.95: Flour tortilla grilled with Jack cheese and grilled chicken, served with a side of salsa fresca. Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Braised Pork Quesadilla - $7.95: Flour tortilla grilled with Jack cheese and braised pork, served with a side of salsa fresca. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Steak Quesadilla - $8.95: Flour tortilla grilled with Jack cheese and grilled steak, served with a side of salsa fresca. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Black Bean Quesadilla - $6.95: Flour tortilla grilled with Jack cheese and black beans, served with a side of salsa fresca. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Tortas
- Grilled Chicken Torta - $8.95: Mexican sandwich on a toasted roll with refried beans, limed onions, lettuce, salsa, spicy mayo and guacamole. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Braised Pork Torta - $8.95: Mexican sandwich on a toasted roll with refried beans, limed onions, lettuce, salsa, spicy mayo and guacamole. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Steak Torta - $8.95: Mexican sandwich on a toasted roll with beans, limed onions, lettuce, salsa, spicy mayo and guacamole. Available at: dinner, lunch
Burritos
- El Guapo Burrito - $12.5: Grilled steak, Mexican rice, black beans, fried plantains, Jack cheese, fire roasted salsa, Romaine lettuce and sour cream. Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Chicken Burrito - $10.95: Grilled chicken with black beans, Mexican rice, Jack cheese, lettuce and salsa fresca rolled in a flour tortilla. Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Steak Burrito - $11.95: Grilled steak with black beans, Mexican rice, Jack cheese, lettuce and salsa fresca rolled in a flour tortilla. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Braised Pork Burrito - $10.95: Braised pork with black beans, Mexican rice, Jack cheese, lettuce and salsa fresca rolled in a flour tortilla. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fish Burrito - $11.95: Atlantic cod lightly fried in a crispy corn meal breading with black bean, Mexican rice, lettuce, spicy mayo and salsa fresca. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Calabacitas (Veggies) Burrito - $8.95: Roasted butternut squash, tomato, zucchini and onion with black beans, Mexican rice, Jack cheese, lettuce, and salsa fresca. Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bean & Cheese Burrito - $7.5: Black beans, Mexican rice, Jack cheese, lettuce and salsa fresca rolled in a flour tortilla. Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
Tacos
- Pescado Tacos (2) - $11.95: Crispy cornmeal and spice encrusted cod topped with arbol chile mayo, limed onions, pickled cabbage and cucumbers. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Caramelos Tacos (2) - $12.95: Grilled steak with melted Jack cheese, hot sauce, salsa fresca and guacamole. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Americanos Tacos (2) - $9.95: Grilled chicken, Jack cheese, lettuce, sour cream and salsa fresca. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Rajas con Queso Tacos (2) - $8.5: Black beans, roasted poblano chiles and Jack cheese with salsa fresca. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Single Braised Pork Taco - $4.95: Braised Pork with refried beans, limed onions, pickled cabbage, cucumbers, and fire roasted salsa on a soft corn tortilla. Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Chicken Plate - $12.5: Served with Mexican rice, your choice of beans, Rajas con Queso and two corn tortillas. Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steak Plate - $12.5: Served with Mexican rice, your choice of beans, Rajas con Queso and two corn tortillas. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Chimichanga - $6.75: Two flour tortillas rolled with chicken and cheese. Topped with tomato-jalapeño sauce, lettuce and crema. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tamale - $3.95: Roasted Poblano peppers, corn and Jack cheese in cornmeal, steamed in a cornhusk and served with crema. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Guacamole (1/2 pint) - $7.95 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Slow-Carb
- Mexican Rice - $3.95 Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Refried Beans - $3.95 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, TLC, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- Mexican Coca Cola - $3.95
- Jarritos - $3.95
- Fountain Soda - $2.95
- Lemonade - $2.95
Frequently Asked Questions about El Pelon
- Is El Pelon dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. El Pelon has 3 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chips & Salsa, Guacamole (1/2 pint) and Plantains.
- What can I eat at El Pelon on a dairy-free diet?
- Chips & Salsa, Guacamole (1/2 pint) and Plantains carry the dairy-free tag, out of 3 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does El Pelon have vegan options?
- Yes. 3 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Chips & Salsa and Guacamole (1/2 pint).
- What is the highest-protein dish at El Pelon?
- Grilled Chicken Burrito, at roughly 66.7g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near El Pelon
- The Painted Burro — Mexican
- Taqueria El Carrizal — Mexican
- Lone Star Taco Bar — Mexican
- Los Amigos Taqueria — Mexican
- Los Amigos Taqueria — Mexican
- Sunset Cantina — Mexican
- Sol Azteca — Mexican
- Across The Border — Mexican
- Top Mix Bar & Kitchen JP — Mexican
- El Jefe's Taqueria — Mexican
- Beantown Taqueria Café — Mexican
- Little Donkey — Mexican
