Restaurants

‘So many good memories’: What Fajitas & ‘Ritas means to readers

Fajitas & 'Ritas is closing this month after three decades in business.

Fajitas & 'Ritas, the interior seen here in March 2021, is closing after three decades in business. Nathan Klima/Boston Globe

By Katelyn Umholtz

July 9, 2024

After three decades in business, Tex-Mex restaurant Fajitas & ‘Ritas is closing, announcing in a Facebook post that its last day of service will be July 13.

In an email, owner Bradley Fredericks told Boston.com that the landlord at 25 West St. decided to not renew the lease, and the building owners have no future plans that involve a restaurant.

“The decision was not in my hands,” Fredericks said.

The restaurant, near college campuses and Theater District venues, was a popular spot among young adults looking for budget-friendly margarita pitchers to share and diners grabbing a pre-show bite in the area.

We asked Boston.com readers to share their memories of this decades-old spot ahead of last call. Boston-area diners chimed in, sharing their favorite dishes — like the fajitas, tequila wings, and of course, the margs — and stories of first dates, party buses, and Boston celebrity sightings.

“I took my girlfriend, now wife of 13 years, there often and we have many great memories of the food and the pitchers of margaritas. One time when we walked in, there was a large gathering in the back area, so we asked the waitress what was going on. Turns out, Tom Brady and Gisele were there with a big party! That was really neat.”
– Mike Stratton, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Boston

“The steak fajitas are probably my favorite. I will miss the convenience, the speed of service, and the price. I have been a customer for more than 30 years.”
– Eamon K. of Everett

“Will miss parking a party bus out front for an hour while enjoying some frozen margaritas and sizzling fajitas while waiting for our school dance to finish up. Sending love from BC Class of 2022.”
– Randy K. of Aberdeen

“Going to miss the fabulous margaritas of course! This was our favorite spot before attending any event in Boston. Thanks for the memories!”
– Lisa J.

“[A] go-to spot when going to a show. Always friendly people behind the bar. The food was good as well. We will miss it when going to the Opera House.”
– Stanley of Centerville

“I met my boyfriend of 17 years there. Andrew was behind the bar for almost 30 years and helped make it the fun place it was. We are both really sad to see it go.”
– Megan B. of Roslindale

“I will miss the fun atmosphere, the paintings on the walls, the fajitas, ‘ritas, and tequila wings.”
– Valerie of North Easton

“Haven’t been in years, but it was a great place to meet friends and drink some yummy margaritas. The food was also good. I loved the DIY art on the walls, and the whole vibe of the place was so laid back. We’d spend hours laughing and drinking before we staggered out to our next adventures. So many good memories.”
– Heather S. of Somerville

“Fajitas & ‘Ritas has been my favorite Boston restaurant since we heard about it about 20 years ago. Back then you filled out order slips at the table. It has been my go-to dinner stop before a show or Sox game any time I’m near Boston Common. I just brought my father there last week, and he hasn’t stopped raving about the delicious food and the margaritas! Its closing is a great loss to the area. I have so many fond memories, and had so many laughs, and of course so many delicious liters of the best frozen margaritas around.”
– Andrea M. of Nantucket

“When I first moved to Boston some 20 years ago, my now-husband and I went on more than a few dates at Fajitas & ‘Ritas. Coming from a very small and incredibly rural area, I was taken with the bold art on the walls and the pitchers of delicious, fruity adulthood. Fajitas & ‘Ritas is an establishment I will never forget.”
– Christine of Holbrook

“Drawing on the paper tablecloths like I was a kid and just having a good time while the margaritas kept pouring while I worked in Boston in my 20s. Great memories!”
– Julie N. of Haverhill

“My husband and I wrote our initials in a heart on the back wall when we started dating in 2006. We just started taking our kids there (8, 6, and 2) to have tasty Mexican and draw on the table paper like we used to 18 years ago when we met. I also used to go with my friends from Emerson in college because the atmosphere was great, the food was good, and it was surprisingly affordable for a college student. I’m really sad to see it closing.”
– Dana G. of East Boston

“I will miss smelling like onions for the entire night after filling my belly with fajitas.”
– Jaybo of Chinatown

“I will miss the very reasonable prices for all menu items. In a post-pandemic era, where all restaurants have seemingly jacked up their prices to the extreme, Fajitas & ‘Ritas stayed true to their budget-friendly practices while still keeping the quality of food high. It was my favorite restaurant in Boston, and I am deeply devastated by their closing.”
– Jamie of Boston

“The smell — I’m serious. That restaurant made the whole entire street smell like fajitas. Very pleasant compared to other downtown Boston odors.”
– Bill of Brighton