A week of tacos and Latin flavors in Boston

Start at La Sultana Bakery if a food hunt should begin with a counter rather than a clock. Order an empanada first; beef, chicken and plantain are in the bakery's selection. The kitchen also makes arepas and calentado, so leave room for a second direction. My pick is to split a pastry after the savory bite and let the case guide the conversation.

For a taco-focused detour, start at Taquería Jalisco with its freshly made tacos, then walk along Bennington Street for Peruvian rotisserie chicken at Pollos A La Brasa Beto’s. Both addresses are on the same street. I would split the second order rather than turn both stops into full meals. This Boston taco and chicken pairing suits a friend who wants two distinct traditions in one outing.

At El Jardín Restaurant & Bakery, the case and the kitchen offer different ways into Colombian cooking. Choose pandebono first, then consider sancocho de gallina if you want a longer sit. I would save the heavier bowl for later instead of ordering everything at once. For a reader deciding where to eat in Boston, this is a bakery stop with a genuine second act.

Mi Rancho suits the hunter who prefers breakfast to a late dinner. It serves Colombian morning fare and opens at 6 a.m. daily, so make this the early chapter in the week. Ask which Colombian breakfast is available before ordering; keep the first choice focused rather than guessing at a specialty. The Meridian Street setting keeps the route rooted in the neighborhood.

Etnias Bar & Grill changes the rhythm from bakery counters to a Colombian and Mexican bar menu. Begin with tacos, then consider the mango-infused Muysca cocktail if a drink belongs in your plan. The kitchen's listed closing time is 1 a.m.; check the current hours before going. I would skip adding another stop and give this pairing its own evening.

Taqueria El Mexicano is the straightforward choice for a street-taco search on Chelsea Street. Order the tacos first, then compare them with a burrito if you are sharing. Its listed service runs until midnight, but confirm today's hours before leaving. For anyone sorting through Boston food spots, the appeal here is a focused Mexican menu rather than a promise of a special release.

Finish at La Hacienda East Boston, where the kitchen serves homestyle Mexican and Salvadoran cooking. Ask which dishes are available and choose one direction first; a companion can select the other for comparison. I would skip a crowded order so each plate has space to make its case. The neighborhood setting closes this week with a table, not a claim about a queue.