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Howling Wolf Taqueria

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A funky Mexican joint in Salem serving scratch-made dishes, known for its massive burritos and vibrant bar scene.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
...

Howling Wolf Taqueria

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A funky Mexican joint in Salem serving scratch-made dishes, known for its massive burritos and vibrant bar scene.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Must-visit for massive burritos and surprisingly good margaritas in a lively atmosphere!"

TIP

Ask About Allergens

Inquire about allergens & dietary restrictions. Limited choices may be available due to cross-contamination.

Gluten-Free Options

Ask for gluten-free options as they are not always readily offered. A GF fryer would be beneficial.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Thursday 11:30AM

Cuisine

Mexican

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(978) 744-9653

Address

76 Lafayette St, Salem, MA 01970, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Massive Signature Burritos

Massive Signature Burritos

Indulge in enormous burritos like the "Howling Wolf," packed with shredded beef and smothered in chili sauce.

The 52 Best Restaurants, Cafes, and More in Salem Right NowTreat Yourself To The Best Restaurants In Salem
Crispy Chimichangas

Crispy Chimichangas

Savor delicious chimichangas made with scratch-made, deep-fried tortillas for ultimate crispiness.

The 52 Best Restaurants, Cafes, and More in Salem Right Now
Vibrant Bar Scene & Events

Vibrant Bar Scene & Events

Experience a lively bar with interesting events and creative margaritas, a favorite among the college crowd.

10 Best Restaurants in Salem, MA 2023Google Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The loaded carne asada fries from Howling Wolf were 🔥 Also recommend the avocado 🥑 fries! . #salemmassachusetts
@ne.foodie.chick
36 likes • 578 views

Ask About Allergens

Inquire about allergens & dietary restrictions. Limited choices may be available due to cross-contamination.

Gluten-Free Options

Ask for gluten-free options as they are not always readily offered. A GF fryer would be beneficial.

Carne Asada Fries are the app you didn't know you needed 😏 #mexicanfood #salem #portsmouth #howlingwolf #foodie
@howlingwolftaqueria
169 likes • 3.6K views
#salemmassachusetts #howlingwolftaqueria #familytime #traveling
@khamarypr
3 likes • 303 views

Chimichanga Tortillas

Opt for the scratch-made tortillas, especially when deep-fried for their delicious chimichangas.

Large Portions

Portions are quite large; consider splitting appetizers like nachos if you're not extremely hungry.

Another lovely day at Howling Wolf is just around the corner
@howlingwolftaqueria
0 likes • 150 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Ask About Allergens

Inquire about allergens & dietary restrictions. Limited choices may be available due to cross-contamination.

Gluten-Free Options

Ask for gluten-free options as they are not always readily offered. A GF fryer would be beneficial.

Chimichanga Tortillas

Opt for the scratch-made tortillas, especially when deep-fried for their delicious chimichangas.

Large Portions

Portions are quite large; consider splitting appetizers like nachos if you're not extremely hungry.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Howling Wolf Taqueria is praised for its massive burritos, creative margaritas, and lively bar atmosphere, making it a popular spot for college students and visitors. While many enjoy the generous portions and good drinks, some diners have found the food to be bland and lacking authenticity, with occasional service issues.

"We went for the delicious burritos. I got a ranchero beef with hot howling salsa with a side of curly fries. The girls built their own vegan burritos. All were delicious. The service was excellent and the restaurant clean. We'll definitely be back."

Joseph Costello

"We were long-time residents of Salem and loved this place when it first opened... but unfortunately it's changed hands a few times and the food has suffered. The service and location are fantastic, but our food was disappointing. I got a pork chimichanga, and it wasn't cooked enough. Very doughy. My husband got steak enchiladas, and they lacked steak. But we met some fantastic people here, so no regrets. We still love the Wolf."

Julie Twomey

"Mexican food place that’s friendly with a good set of menu items. Fajitas were very good. Veggie bowl was tasty. My tacos really didn’t have much taste but were fine. Limeade was ordered by many and was too sweet and lacking lime flavor. Lime wedges appeared quickly on request. Margaritas were tasty.

Allergens are an issue here with much cross-contamination. BUT, they know about it. Expect limited choices if this applies to you. I did have to ask about each item regarding gluten, and they did not volunteer glutenfree options. This was likely because they were busy and not used to or trained on working with diners with restrictions.

I would go back but only at a time that wasn’t too busy so I could ask about items. They have salsas that look interesting, too.

A gluten-free fryer for chips and marking menu items as GF would go a long way here. I’m sure those with dairy, egg, and other allergies would feel similarly."

Climber Trader

What People Like

Massive and filling burritos
Tasty and well-balanced margaritas
Lively bar scene and events

What People Dislike

Food can be bland or lacking flavor
Occasional issues with service attentiveness
Concerns about food authenticity

Frequently Asked Questions

The signature "Howling Wolf" burrito is a must-try, known for its massive size. Other popular items include avocado fries, Mexican wings, and deep-fried chimichangas.

The 52 Best Restaurants, Cafes, and More in Salem Right Now

Yes, they offer vegetarian options and can make burritos on lettuce. It is recommended to inquire about specific vegan options due to potential cross-contamination.

Google Review

While not always readily offered, you can inquire about gluten-free options. Some reviews suggest a need for clearer markings and dedicated fryers for GF items.

Google Review

The restaurant has a funky, casual vibe with a lively bar that is popular with the college crowd and hosts event nights.

10 Best Restaurants in Salem, MA 2023Google Review

Yes, portions are known to be quite large, especially the burritos and nachos, often making them suitable for sharing.

Treat Yourself To The Best Restaurants In SalemGoogle Review

They serve a variety of drinks, with margaritas being a popular choice. They also offer juices and lemonades.

Google Review

The restaurant is located on a busy street, so finding parking may require some effort.

Google Review

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The Howling Wolf assures us that they are the coolest cantina on the north shore. With incredible Mexican dishes prepared from scratch daily, they are dedicated to satisfying guests with their cuisine and instilling a community feeling that is generous, kind and willing to “feed the good wolf,” like the old Native American saying goes.

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Howling Wolf Taqueria (76 Lafayette St. 978-744-9653) is known for massive burritos and shareable "wolf bites," like avocado fries and ceviche. Bambolina (288 Derby St. 978-594-8709) is a local's favorite for Neapolitan pizza. It does walk-in seating for parties under 8 and also offers pizza to-go.

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If you’re craving affordable options and generous portions, check out the burritos at Howling Wolf Taqueria. The Howling Wolf specialty burrito is a favorite, stuffed with Carne Deshebrada (skirt steak), rice, cheese, beans, bacon, guacamole, chile con queso, and salsa, with Christmas chili sauce served on the side. And if that's not enough to put a spell on you, consider Howling Wolf's fabulous October drink special: a combination of vanilla Smirnoff, apple pucker, butterscotch and club soda with a cinnamon sugar rim.

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The Howling Wolf Taqueria is located in Salem’s North End just steps from downtown on Salem’s historic Central Street. This Salem Massachusetts restaurant offers delicious tacos, burritos, and salads with all locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. The Howling Wolf is definitely one of the more casual restaurants in Salem MA. Most of the tables are high-tops, or you can sit at the bar, however all of the tables do have full service.

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Behold the massive burritos at this Mexican joint—including the signature Howling Wolf, a fork-and-knife-required beast filled with shredded beef, salsa, and beans that sits in a sea of chili sauce. The scratch-made tortillas are some of the best around, especially when they’re deep-fried for delicious chimichangas. Just don’t sleep on the menu’s other “wolf bites”: say, avocado fries or chicken wings served with jalapeño ranch.

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Howling Wolf Taqueria is a Salem favorite for two reasons, Mexican cuisine and a vibing bar!. First, they constantly have something new and interesting happening and bring in droves with their events nights. They serve up some delectable scratch kitchen meals, made fresh daily, and it reflects in the quality, which is the real reason they have the Salem community wrapped around their fingers.

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The Howling Wolf in Salem, Massachusetts is a California style taqueria featuring cuisine inspired by the Southwest. These are authentic soft tacos, no hard shells, served on homemade corn or flour tortillas, and stuffed with anything from fish tacos to shrimp tacos to al pastor, chicken, steak rice and beans. Nothing pairs with these hand held treats quite like a stiff and tasty margarita.

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Embark on a flavor-packed journey at Howling Wolf Taqueria, where Mexican street food meets contemporary flair. Savor the vibrant colors and bold tastes of Salem’s favorite taqueria, offering a diverse menu of tacos, burritos, and handcrafted margaritas. Located at 76 Lafayette Street, Howling Wolf Taqueria is known for its creative approach to Mexican cuisine.

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Howling Wolf is good too if you are looking for Mexican food. For a quick bite we also like The Gyro Spot or a sandwich at A & J King or Crave for breakfast sandwiches & tots. The Lobster Shanty is popular with tourists but I personally feel it has gone downhill over the last several years as their prices increased.

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Howling Wolf Taqueria serves up fresh Mexican cuisine that’s made daily. Here, you’ll find all your favorite Mexican foods, such as tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and taco salads. The foods are filled with fantastic ingredients and specialty additions to make a truly unique experience.

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Let me start by saying that the food at Howling Wolf Taqueria was simply great!. Every bite was a delightful explosion of flavors, making it an instant hit with my family. We were greeted by an awesome server who made us feel right at home and helped us navigate the menu with ease.

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Howling Wolf’s fresh Mexican food is a delicious staple in Salem. From their fresh drinks to mouthwatering and huge portions, Howling Wolf is a personal favorite when I’m feeling really hungry. The queso dip is unbelievably good and you can even get curly fries instead of chips!

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This was the Veganized Tofu Burrito from Howling Wolf Taqueria at 76 Lafayette St, Salem, MA 01970, USA. You just have to ask that the Tofu Burrito be made vegan but it's not that great. Their salsas are yummy but this burrito was completely bland.

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⭐️⭐️ Howling Wolf Taqueria: I think Howling Wolf hands-down has the best nachos, like, ever on the whole planet (and I’ve had a lot of nachos in a lot of places, so this is saying a lot.) And their margaritas are strong and decently priced.

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76 Lafayette St. (978) 744-WOLF (9653)The Howling Wolf Taqueria is the coolest cantina on the North Shore!. The Howling Wolf Taqueria is a scratch kitchen!. All items are prepared daily with fresh ingredients!

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A scratch kitchen that prepares all items daily with fresh ingredients. Howling Wolf serves comforting Mexican cuisine along with a full bar, frequent live music. Service options: Dine-in · Curbside […]

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Restaurants like The Lobster Shanty and Howling Wolf Taqueria serve up delicious meals that cater to both young and adult palates. These eateries often provide kids’ menus and welcoming atmospheres.

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Howling Wolf Taqueria - Finally a really good, affordable Mexican restaurant. The guacamole tacos are great, as is the burritos and nachos. Highly recommended for $2 Tuesday Taco night.

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