Holy Frijoles

Holy Frijoles
908 W. 36th St. (at Roland)
Hampden, Baltimore
410-235-2326
Mexican
Cost: $$
Reservations: wait at the bar
Date of meal: various
National Price-Quality Frontier: Inside It
Baltimore Price-Quality Frontier: Inside It


The name is almost reason enough to go to Holy Frijoles. This is a good American-style Mexican joint. This is a great place to go with friends for margaritas or Corona's after work. Plus, it's in Hampden, and who doesn't like walking around on 36th Street.

There is a large bar with lots of seating (much of it full, the place is often quite busy) in case you have to wait for a table, assuming you want one at all. Lots of people come just to sit at the bar. Food here is just fine but nothing special: enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, etc. Decor is unexciting but unobjectionable. Prices are quite reasonable ($10+/- entrees). The place is not going to change your life (unless you happen to pick up your life partner at the bar), but it is a solid place to go under the right circumstances.

For dinner, I see no reason to go to Holy Frijoles when one can go to Arcos in Fells Point/Butcher's Hill. For roughly the same price (for similar dishes, Arcos has higher-end options that cost more), Arcos offers higher quality ingredients, a more creative menu, better service, shorter wait times for tables and more authentic and pleasant decor. Holy Frijoles is clearly not on the price quality frontier given this better option at the same price point.