NACHLO — Restaurant in Boston

My recent visit to Nachlo Mexican & Pakistani Cuisine left me with mixed feelings and a rather lackluster impression. While I had high hopes for a fusion of flavors from two rich culinary traditions, I found the overall dining experience to be quite underwhelming.

To start, I ordered the burrito, a dish that should be a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. However, I was surprised to find that it came with basmati rice instead of the expected Mexican rice. This choice felt out of place and clashed with the intended Mexican-Pakistani fusion concept. Basmati rice in a burrito is a big culinary misstep, as it lacks the necessary cohesion and flavor. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would generously give this burrito a mere 2, as it simply did not deliver.

Next up were the tacos, and unfortunately, they were a letdown as well. The tacos were shockingly rubbery, lacking the tender, flavorful bite I was hoping for. To make matters worse, they seemed to be devoid of any distinct taste. It was as if the flavors had been diluted or entirely lost. The absence of flavorful sauces only added to the disappointment. Both the burrito and tacos suffered from a severe lack of seasoning and sauce, leaving them dry and uninspiring. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give taco's a 1.

In an attempt to salvage the meal, I ordered the Chicken Karahi, a classic Pakistani dish known for its bold flavors and aromatic spices. However, even this dish fell short of expectations. The Chicken Karahi lacked salt and seasoning, rendering it bland and unmemorable. It was a stark contrast to the authentic, flavorful renditions I've had elsewhere. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would generously give Karahi a 3.

And then there were the Chicken Seekh kebabs, which turned out to be the worst I've ever had. They had a dark, unappetizing exterior, but what was worse was the mushy interior, resembling baby food. It was evident that these were old kebabs, reheated without care. I couldn't even discern that I was eating a Chicken Seekh kebab; it might as well have been cardboard. On a scale of 1 to 10, these kebabs would receive a resounding 0.

The only saving grace of the meal was the naan bread. It was fresh, warm, and had a delightful texture. The naan was undoubtedly the highlight of the entire dining experience and provided a welcome contrast to the disappointing main dishes.

In conclusion, my visit to Nachlo Mexican & Pakistani Cuisine was marred by underwhelming food. The mismatched ingredients in the burrito, rubbery tacos, flavorless dishes, and abysmal Chicken Seekh kebabs left me longing for the fusion experience I had anticipated. While the naan was commendable, it was not enough to redeem the overall lackluster meal. I hope the restaurant can improve its menu and execution to provide a more satisfying culinary experience in the future. Until then, I cannot wholeheartedly...

TL;DR go to Nachlo both for amazing food and to support a much needed newcomer to the stale Mission Hill food scene!

I had the chicken biryani, and it was INCREDIBLY delicious, not to mention a tremendous value (only $10). The box was stuffed to the brim with flavorfully seasoned goodness—it could've easily made for two meals if I weren't so hungry at the time. I've had biryani around the world (incl. Australia and Singapore), and I gotta say, this biryani could compete with the best!

The owners of the restaurant are also super friendly. That's tough to come by here in Boston, where people and restaurants often pride themselves on their rudeness.

I also had the chips and salsa, which were delightful and a great bargain! They will make a lovely late night snack with friends, I can already tell.

From a more conceptual, neighborhood perspective, Nachlo is a much needed breathe of fresh air. So many places on the Hill are long-time establishments that actually aren't very tasty...or affordable...or owned by nice people. I won't name names, but let's just say I'm immensely thankful that Nachlo has planted its roots here. This side of the Hill was also lacking in terms of affordable late-night cuisine (I'm too ashamed to count how many dominos runs I've made over the years). On top of all that, it's truly amazing to have good South Asian food anywhere in Boston, and even moreso in a neighborhood that possesses such lackluster culinary diversity (count em, five meh pizza shops along one street).

I'll admit, I was skeptical of Nachlo at first. I've never been too impressed by the food on the Hill. Nachlo blew my expectations out of the water—highly...

I have been looking forward to trying this place since I walked by and saw the concept before they opened - and now that I have tried it I can say for sure that it was worth the wait! The inside is inviting and has a few different spots to sit (with more seating downstairs). The food was what I really appreciated though, it felt like everyone working there put their own flair and heart into the food. At first glance, the food doesn't appear to be "fusion" so much as either Pakistani or Mexican (with the different cuisines having their own respective sides of the menu), but what really brought them both together were the homemade sauces. I tried the Chile de Arbol (their spiciest sauce offering) on both the quesadilla and the Chapli Kabab and it was delicious with everything they offered. I also got the Chicken Curry which was well spiced and expertly prepared. Those three plates were definitely more than enough for two people, but I'm glad I was able to try them all. Overall, the staff was inviting and the food delicious, leaving me excited to come back as soon as I can! Can't wait to recommend this new restaurant to my friends in the...