It’s 12 AM on a bustling Friday night. Whether you just stepped out of Lamont Library or the basement of a fraternity, your stomach uproars in protest. Starving, you amble around the streets in Cambridge looking for some form of sustenance that calls your name. You stand with a group of people who split into two groups: Jefe’s and Felipe’s. It’s only your first week on campus and you don’t know in which direction to go. Ironically, this is the biggest test you’ve had all semester. Jefe’s or Felipe’s? Which one will satisfy your biggest cravings? No need to worry: The Harvard Independent is here to help you make an informed decision about your burrito consumption in Harvard Square.
Felipe’s Taqueria was founded in 2004 with the values of “ARRIBA: Attentive, Resourceful, Respectful, Interactive, Busy, Accountable,” its website says. El Jefe’s, on the other hand, is newer to Harvard’s campus. According to The Harvard Crimson, John Schall founded the restaurant in 2015 to “create a higher quality dining experience by using fresh ingredients.” Thus, the rivalry of the best burrito stop in the Square was born. Since then, both restaurants have been serving Cambridge’s hungriest students late into the night.
Now let’s get a breakdown of what’s truly important: the ingredients that go into each burrito. “I get rice, guac, lettuce, salsa verde…” says Pedro ’23 of his typical order at Felipe’s. Emily Dobrant ’24 describes her visits to Jefe’s: “I usually get a burrito, Mexican rice, black beans, chirso, mango salsa, lettuce, sometimes guac, lettuce, hot sauce…” She says her fondness of Mexican rice and black beans is unmatched. The Independent asked Jefe’s for a comment on their burrito service, but they declined to respond.
Yi Long ’23 prefers the manner in which Felipe’s prepares its super burrito. “The customization is nice at Felipe’s, and everything looks fresh because they’re making it in front of you,” he says.
When determining which late night spot to hit up, there are a multitude of factors aside from the ingredients inside the burrito which sway customers, including the time of day and the atmosphere. A cross-analysis between the Jefe’s and Felipe’s beverage menu makes clear that the rooftop bar at Felipe’s is a huge magnet for late-night Harvard customers. While Felipe’s serves frozen margaritas, Jefe’s offers a selection of cervezas and sangria.
Some students view the alcohol offerings as a huge determinant, and others care more about the restaurants’ waiting time and general ambiance. “I like the Jefe’s vibe better because Felipe’s is just a little too much for a burrito place,” says Emily Dobrant. “Jefe’s is just more fun. I like the colors … If I want a burrito, I want something easy.”
Hungrier students may ponder the amount of time it takes to get their burritos. The hours of operation of both establishments are crucial: Jefe’s stretches much later in the night, closing at 4 AM seven days a week, whereas Felipe’s only runs until 1 AM on the weekends, losing a crucial three hours of service. “The wait time at Jefe’s is worth it,” says Arjun Purohit ’25. “Felipe’s is also a vibe, but when I went to Jefe’s it was right before orientation so all the students in Cambridge were there and it was a whole thing…”
A poll from the Independent’s Instagram story provides further insight into the late-night burrito rivalry. Based on responses primarily from Harvard first-years, Jefe’s wins the competition with 54% of the vote, compared to Felipe’s 46%.
The rivalry between Jefe’s and Felipe’s will likely be a battle for years to come. The next time you’re walking the streets of Cambridge without a clue where to go, reference this article and weigh what each student likes about the different establishments. But no matter where you spend your time and money to fill your stomach at 12 AM, you really can’t go wrong in Harvard Square.
Hannah Frazer ’25 (hannahfrazer@college.harvard.edu) is team Felipe’s.
Alexandra Friedlander ’25 (afriedlander@college.harvard.edu) is team Jefe’s.