The Painted Burro - Waltham
Waltham
Restaurant in Waltham, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$30–50per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
The Painted Burro - Waltham is a practical pick for casual group meals, after-work dinners, and repeat visits where energy matters more than ceremony. Choose it over narrower Waltham options when the table needs flexibility; choose Taqueria Mexico or Mi Tierra instead when the meal is mainly about a tighter food focus.
About The Painted Burro - Waltham
The Painted Burro - Waltham is a Waltham dining option with daily hours and a casual dress code. Plan around those basics rather than assume a specific menu, service format, price point, or occasion style.
Hours run from 11:30 AM to 9 PM on Monday; 11:30 AM to 10 PM Tuesday through Friday; 10 AM to 10 PM on Saturday; and 10 AM to 9 PM on Sunday. Dress is casual, so everyday attire is appropriate.
Where it fits in Waltham's regular rotation
For a Waltham meal, compare The Painted Burro - Waltham with nearby options based on timing, convenience, and the kind of outing you want. Other choices to consider include Taqueria Mexico, Mi Tierra, Not Your Average Joe's Waltham, City Streets Restaurant, and The Chateau - Waltham.
Avoid making the decision on assumptions about awards, chef credentials, seating, bar service, delivery, or a specific menu format. Use the hours and casual dress code as the planning anchors.
When to go, and when to choose somewhere else
The Painted Burro - Waltham is open during daytime and evening hours throughout the week, with earlier openings on Saturday and Sunday. That makes it possible to consider for a range of Waltham plans, depending on when your group wants to eat.
Choose somewhere else if you need to lock in specifics such as a particular cuisine, price range, reservation difficulty, allergy accommodations, takeout or delivery, or a formal special-occasion setup. For a broader Waltham scan, use Our full Waltham restaurants guide; if the plan shifts after dinner, a broader Waltham nightlife search may be more useful than relying on assumptions.
Planning details
- Location
- 99 3rd Ave, Waltham, MA 02451
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- thepaintedburro.com
- Phone
- +17816221500
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Painted Burro reads as a contemporary Mexican-casual spot that prioritizes conviviality over formality. It leans into a full bar and a shareable-plate menu, creating a warm, approachable room where groups gather around chips, guacamole and margaritas. The operation intentionally sits above fast-casual in price and polish, giving it a modern, energetic edge without drifting into fine-dining territory. Expect a bustling, social atmosphere built around flexible ordering and a cocktail program that plays as prominently as the food.
Best For
This is a place built for social meals — groups, celebrations and after-work hangs all fit naturally here. The menu architecture supports varied parties: someone can graze on chips and guac while another builds a burrito or orders tacos à la carte, so it’s ideal for mixed preferences. The bar-forward nature and creative margarita list make it a strong pick for happy hour and casual evening dinners, while the relaxed Mexican-casual tone keeps it comfortable for weekend brunches and lively get-togethers.
Ordering Tips
Start with the guacamole—described as an anchor of the appetizer section—and pair it with one of the house margaritas, since the cocktail list is treated almost like a parallel menu. Share plates and tacos work well for groups: order tacos à la carte or in flights to sample varieties, and consider a burrito or bowl if you want a complete plate. For signature-style picks, look to standout items like birria tacos or carnitas enchiladas as shareable mains that travel well across a busy table.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vibrant and fun atmosphere with moderate noise levels, featuring bold Latin American flavors and a festive tequila bar vibe.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Large
- Kitchen
- Modern
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Small plates
- Drinks Focus
- Tequila program, Margaritas
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly
- Private Dining
- Available
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Guacamole "El Mero Mero"
- Birria Tacos
- Pork Carnitas Enchiladas
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 99 3rd Ave, Waltham, MA 02451
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
Choose Taqueria Mexico when the group wants a tighter, food-led meal rather than a more social restaurant setting. Choose City Streets Restaurant when convenience and a casual neighborhood feel matter more than a defined dinner plan.
Restaurant context
How it compares in Waltham
The Painted Burro - Waltham is the better choice when the group wants a social meal with easy booking and a livelier feel. Not Your Average Joe's Waltham is more useful for a predictable all-purpose dinner, while The Chateau - Waltham fits diners who want familiar Italian-American comfort over a more upbeat night out.
For food-first alternatives, Taqueria Mexico and Mi Tierra are better cross-shops when the table wants a more focused meal and less of a group-dinner setting. They are stronger picks for smaller parties that care more about the plate than the room.
City Streets Restaurant is the easier fallback if the priority is a casual local hangout rather than a restaurant-led dinner. For value, choose based on occasion: The Painted Burro for groups and energy, Taqueria Mexico or Mi Tierra for a tighter food mission, City Streets for the least complicated neighborhood plan.
Explore Waltham
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Painted Burro - Waltham guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Painted Burro - Waltham
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Painted Burro - Waltham | Waltham | No published awards |
| Not Your Average Joe's Waltham | Waltham | No published awards |
| The Chateau - Waltham | Waltham | No published awards |
| Taqueria Mexico | Waltham | No published awards |
| Mi Tierra | Waltham | No published awards |
| City Streets Restaurant | Waltham | No published awards |
How The Painted Burro - Waltham compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to The Painted Burro - Waltham?
The dress code is casual, so everyday dining clothes are appropriate.
What should I order at The Painted Burro - Waltham?
Check the restaurant's current menu before you go if specific dishes, dietary needs, or allergies matter to your plans.
Can I eat at the bar at The Painted Burro - Waltham?
What are alternatives to The Painted Burro - Waltham in Waltham?
Other Waltham options to compare include Not Your Average Joe's Waltham, City Streets Restaurant, Taqueria Mexico, Mi Tierra, and The Chateau - Waltham.
Is lunch or dinner better at The Painted Burro - Waltham?
The restaurant is open from 11:30 AM on weekdays and from 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday, with evening hours daily. Choose the time that best matches your schedule, and confirm current hours before making firm plans.
