Mestizo: A New Mexican Delight in Kendall Square 🌮🍹

Located in Kendall Square at 10 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge, MA, Mestizo is the latest addition to the ever-evolving culinary scene in the area. “Mestizo” translates to a person of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry in the former Spanish Empire, and this fusion is reflected in their vibrant and flavorful menu.

Cocktails 🍸: First things first, their cocktails are fantastic! Priced at a reasonable $12, they are a steal compared to the $20 options you might find in Boston.

Appetizers 🌽:

• Esquites: Grilled baby corn with an ancho marinade, crema fresca, and chipotle/Morita aioli. A fun twist on elote corn, beautifully presented and deliciously balanced with the cream. A solid 9/10.
• Empanadas: Filled with sweet plantain, guava, and Oaxaca cheese, served with charred pineapple sauce. These sweet empanadas were a delightful surprise. I’d order 10 more if I could! 9/10.
• Queso Fundido: Melted Oaxaca cheese with jalapeño, rajas poblanas, and guacamole. The cheese was divine but congealed quickly. Still tasty though! 7/10.
• Wings: Six dry-rubbed jumbo chicken wings with a garlic cilantro sauce. Juicy and perfectly cooked. 8/10.
• Tamal Ahogado: Chicken tamal with homemade mole negro, Oaxaca cheese, and crema fresca. The tamal was soft, and the sauce had decent flavor. 7/10.

Main Dishes 🐟:

• Ceviche Marinero (Daily Catch): White fish with cilantro, onions, tomato, avocado, leche de tigre, passion fruit, and sweet potato mousse. Absolutely phenomenal! The passion fruit and avocado made this dish a standout. 10/10.
• Aguachile De Pez: Yellowtail Hamachi with a tequila blood orange marinade, cucumber, red onion, serrano peppers, and cara cara orange. Beautiful and delicious. 9/10.
• Enchilada Trio: Choose from chicken, cheese, or vegetarian filling, and sauces like mole negro, ranchera, or tomatillo. A visual and tasty delight. 8/10.

Desserts 🍰:

• Tres Leches - Passion Fruit: You can’t go wrong with tres leches, and the passion fruit twist makes it unique and delightful. 9/10.
• Sangria Brownie: Rich and flavorful with an orange and cherry sauce. It definitely needed ice cream but was worth every bite. 9/10.

Mestizo is a place where you can easily share a variety of plates and leave very satisfied. I know I did!

Overall Ratings:

• Food: 8/10
• Affordability: 7/10 Food is expensive but the drink prices make up for it!
• Ambiance: 6/10 (Seating indoor/outdoor but not overly fancy)

If you’re in Kendall Square and craving some innovative Mexican cuisine, Mestizo is definitely worth a visit! 🌟