Anna's Taqueria

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Anna's Taqueria is a chain of Mexican restaurants in the Boston area.

Contents

1 Overview
2 History
3 Competition
4 Labor Law Violations
5 Sources

Overview

Anna's is a casual and inexpensive chain which gained widespread acclaim from customers and critics alike. The food is tasty, fresh and relatively authentic. It is modeled after U.S. West Coast -style Mexican cuisine. It's also strikingly inexpensive: the "super" burrito uses a 12 inch tortilla, weighs over a pound, and costs just $3.85.

Anna's is known for its efficiency. Its menu offers only four core items: burritos, tacos, quesadillas and Mexican plates. The assembly line-style ordering process is very quick.

The taqueria has become a cult favorite for many who eat there every day of the week. Some customers have gone so far as to develop their own rituals regarding the restaurant. Primary among these is the desire to achieve "Flawless Victory", completion of a meal without spilling one piece of food.

A good deal of the restaurant's business comes from students at Boston's many colleges and high schools. Anna's cuts across demographic lines covering a large customer base as evidenced in its rating as Zagat's Boston - #1 Cheap Eats year after year.

Anna's has locations in Brookline (on both Harvard and Beacon streets), Cambridge (in Porter Square and at MIT), and Somerville (in Davis Square). A sixth location near Mass General Hospital in Boston's Beacon Hill district is said to be in the works, and the chain's owner has publicly stated his interest in Kenmore Square.

The name "Anna's" comes from no girl in particular, but was chosen because it is easy to remember, sounds motherly, and would promise prime placement in alphabetical restaurant guides.

History

The first Anna's Taqueria was founded by Michael Kamio and located in Brookline's Coolidge Corner in 1995. Over the next several years, he opened the second Brookline restaurant and the locations in Porter and Davis Squares. In February 2005, Anna's opened its fifth location at MIT's Stratton Student Center.

In that same year, new products such as: Tacos Al Pastor, a marinaded spit roasted pork , and Horchata, a Mexican rice beverage, were introduced and became instant hits with Anna's customers.

Contrary to rumors, Mr. Kamio has no ownership or management involvement in any other taquerias or Mexican restaurants in Boston, Cambridge, or Massachusetts. However, Mr. Kamio's sister, Markio Kamio, owns the competing Boca Grande chain.

Competition

Anna's competes with other Boston-area taquerias such as Boca Grande, Picante, and El Pelon, as well as national chains including Q'doba Mexican Grill.

Labor Law Violations

In March 2004, a Labor Department Wage and Hour Division investigation revealed that Anna's Taqueria failed to pay overtime wages to employees between Jan. 2001 and Jan. 2003. As a result of the investigation, the restaurants agreed to pay 127 employees a total of $206,918 to settle alleged violations of the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It should be noted that Anna's president, Michael Kamio, cooperated fully with the Wage and Hour Division and agreed to pay the back wages due his employees. Kamino has also agreed to comply with all requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act in the future.

Sources

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
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